What is the difference between an ice maker and an ice machine?

Author: Eugenia Kunde  |  Last update: Friday, April 25, 2025

An icemaker, ice generator, or ice machine may refer to either a consumer device for making ice, found inside a home freezer; a stand-alone appliance for making ice, or an industrial machine for making ice on a large scale. The term "ice machine" usually refers to the stand-alone appliance.

What are the two main types of ice machines?

Air-cooled vs water-cooled ice machines
  • Air-cooled ice machines. In these machines, fans and vents blow out any hot air to keep your ice chilled. ...
  • Water-cooled ice machines. In these machines, water pumps through the system and absorbs all the extra heat, which is then drained out. ...
  • Remote-cooled ice machines.

What are the ice machines called?

If you love to ice skate, or if you enjoy watching winter sports like hockey, figure skating or speed skating, you know that an ice rink resurfacing machine, also known as a Zamboni machine, is used to keep the ice safe and smooth.

What is the lawsuit against the Samsung ice maker?

In 2017, owners of Samsung refrigerators came together to file a Samsung refrigerator class action lawsuit, citing severe issues with the ice makers in their French door models. These ice makers, rather than providing the promised convenience, became a constant source of frustration for consumers.

What kind of ice machine do I need?

Determining which type of ice maker is best depends on the needs of your kitchen. If you are regularly the host of large cocktail parties, undercounter and freestanding ice machines are the better options because they produce more ice in a single day than other options.

Best Countertop Ice Makers REVIEW - GE Profile Opal vs Dreamiracle vs Euhomy vs Igloo

Can I leave my portable ice maker on all the time?

of ice every day, as well as store as much as 2 lbs. of ice. If you're wondering if you can leave a portable ice maker on, the easy answer is that yes, you can.

Are portable ice makers worth it?

What are the benefits of having a countertop ice maker? Countertop ice makers produce ice more quickly than ice cube trays and free up space in your freezer. They also offer an opportunity to make different kinds of ice. There's no ice cube tray in the world (that I know of) that can produce soft, chewable nugget ice.

What is the common problem with Samsung fridge ice maker?

If the ice maker appears to not be making any or enough ice, low water pressure or a faulty water filter may be to blame. When the ice maker makes small, cloudy, or clumped ice, it could be something as simple as a dirty water filter, low water pressure, or high mineral deposits in your water.

Which brand of refrigerator is the best?

Our Top Pick: LG produces excellent refrigerators that perform well in our tests and receive high satisfaction ratings from consumers, including our survey participants. The Smart French Door Refrigerator with Dual Ice Maker stands out for its simple, user-friendly design and customizable features.

What is the best brand of commercial ice maker?

Choosing the Best Ice Machine for Your Business in 2025
  • Overall Reliability #1: Koolaire KYT0500A-161.
  • Overall Reliability #2: Manitowoc SDT3000W-263H "Quadzilla"
  • Small - Medium Restaurants: Koolaire KYT1000A-261.
  • Large Restaurants: Manitowoc SDT3000W-263H "Quadzilla"
  • Hotels: Hoshizaki DB-200H.

How much does a Zamboni cost?

As the sizes and options of the Zamboni machines vary greatly according to each ice arena's individual needs, so does the price. The Model 100 (a small tractor pulled unit) may be in the neighborhood of $10,000.00 or more and the full-sized machines can be up to or in the low six figures.

What cleans an ice rink?

An ice resurfacer is a vehicle or hand-pushed device for cleaning and smoothing the surface of a sheet of ice, usually in an ice rink. The first ice resurfacer was developed by American inventor and engineer Frank Zamboni in 1949 in Paramount, California.

What is the best type of ice from the ice maker?

What is the best type of ice from commercial ice makers? The best type of ice depends on the application: nugget ice is great for chewability, while gourmet ice offers slow melting and a premium look.

What is an ice maker called?

An icemaker, ice generator, or ice machine may refer to either a consumer device for making ice, found inside a home freezer; a stand-alone appliance for making ice, or an industrial machine for making ice on a large scale. The term "ice machine" usually refers to the stand-alone appliance.

What kind of ice does Chick-fil-A have?

Many customers agree that the Chick-Fil-A ice is superior in texture to regular ice. CFA ice is also known as pebble ice or nugget ice which is a softer and chewier type of ice that soaks up the sweet flavor from the drinks. It's also easier on the teeth for the ice chewers out there.

What is the average life of an ice maker?

Sadly, with every piece of equipment comes a lifespan. With proper cleaning, a quality ice machine will last around 4 to 5 years on average, sometimes even longer. So how do you know when it's time to replace your ice machine? The first thing you need to do is locate the problem.

What is the lawsuit about Samsung refrigerator ice maker freezing up?

A class action lawsuit has been filed alleging that the built-in-door ice makers on these fridges are defective and can cause a number of problems, including water leaks, parts "freezing up" and loud fan noises that consumers have described as "growling" or "jamming." How Can a Class Action Help?

Is it worth fixing an ice maker?

For a newer ice maker with a minor issue, a repair is likely worth it. If your ice maker or fridge is old and the repair is expensive, replacing the ice maker or even the whole fridge might be the best option.

What is the downside to Samsung fridge?

One of the most common problems with Samsung refrigerators is temperature fluctuations. This issue can manifest as inadequate cooling, inconsistent temperature levels, or even complete loss of cooling.

Why do refrigerator ice makers fail?

Refrigerator ice maker problems can often be tied back to a handful of main components, including water valves and lines, the water filter, the ice maker control arm, compartment temperatures, the ice bin and more.

Is there a recall on Samsung refrigerator ice maker?

They claim the ice makers on Samsung refrigerators with French door dispensers have ice crystals at the bottom, slushy ice, water under the crispers or running down the wall, and a noisy fan. At this time, there has not been a recall issued on the refrigerators.

Can I leave my ice maker on all the time?

Most ice makers can be left on all the time in order to ensure that you always have a fresh supply of ice. Like refrigerator ice makers, these appliances are typically designed to run constantly.

What is the difference in ice makers?

Ice makers meant for household use generally fall into two broad categories: countertop models that are small and lightweight, and built-in, under-counter models that can fit alongside a wine cooler or other large appliances.

How often do you need to clean a portable ice maker?

Stick to a Regular Cleaning Schedule

To maintain optimal performance of your countertop ice maker, it is important to clean it regularly, ideally at least once every two months. However, if you use it frequently, you may need to clean it more often to ensure its efficiency and functionality.

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