Hello everyone,

I am in the market for a dedicated undercounter ice machine, to replace the one I have that is dying. The market for these is confusing! Prices range from about $600 - $5,000. Despite the wide price range, they all seem to make about the same amount of ice. It is really hard to tell the difference between the cheap ones and expensive ones - in other words, I am not sure whether spending more buys better quality.

My key requirement is long-term durability and reliability - I don't want to replace it again two or three years later.

Even the brand names - like GE - have a very wide price range. Many are made in China.

Can anyone out there recommend specific brands or models, or ones to stay away from?

Thanks!

I have a Kitchen Aid - I think it was ~ $2500 - have had it a few years - they’re great.

MDS

I've had a Scottsman for four years. so problems so far. Annual cleaning and semi-annual condenser fin cleaning

We replaced ours this summer. Reviews seem to show poor reliability from all the brands, unless you're talking Sub Zero in that $5k+ price range.

Also, they can be quite noisy and waste water. Most flush water through frequently to melt the old ice so that there is always fresh ice. So it is noisy as it flushes, and you need a drain nearby. Some have a pump to move the drain water, others need the drain right there under it.

We bought one that is basically just a little freezer with an icemaker, like you'd have in your regular freezer. So, no drain, no flushing, and fits in the 15" under counter location. It only needs a water supply and an electrical outlet.

So far it works quite well and makes a lot of ice. My only complaint is it frosts up, and about every 2 months I have to turn it off and let all the frost melt off.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ed...on-IB250SS/312582884

U-Line.

We have a Scottsman. I bet it’s probably 20 or more years old. Still worked fine the last time I used it, but it’s only in occasional use in a vacation home. It is noisy and it does use a lot of water.

Consider an Everpure filtration system to protect your investment

Put two Scotsman CU-50 icemakers in the rental house years ago, and they were night and day more reliable than the cheaper brand icemakers they replaced. Highly recommended. They cost a bit but they more than paid for themselves vs. the service calls that stopped happening once I got rid of the old models.

You do want to keep up on preventative maintenance, and if possible get ones with the drain pump.

One thing about icemakers - they do make odd noises (the Scotsman as well as the older ones) so think about placement/noise insulation if that's a potential issue.

I have had a Whirlpool Model GI15NDXZS2 commercial ice maker for more than seven years. It cost about $1000 in 2017.

The unit makes lots of noises as Joel9507 points out, but I got used to them early on. It makes ice like it's supposed to do.

Last week I had to replace the solenoid that controls water flow. Haven't got the bill for that just yet.

Also, every six months or so, I have to replace the filter and run a cleaning cycle with Afresh cleaning fluid. That costs about $70 every time I do it and takes maybe an hour to run the cycle.

Raritan makes a really good one we use on yachts that produces ice really fast, whereas the U lines only last a few years.

Have a ~12-13 YO KitchenAid in the house we're in currently, it does fine. We do let it run all the time, move the ice around some if not using it for a while so it makes more, and follow the cleaning prompts every time.

It's been a nice extra, but in our retirement home just build we have a space for one in laundry, but haven't yet committed to actually installing one.....

If I did I'd probably go with another like this rather than a higher end one, and replace it if needed down the road at same net costs.

All,

Thank you all for the suggestions and recommendations. I am going to a local appliance store that sells most of the above mentioned brands and models.

I will update the forum on what I end up with...