To answer a burning question about Ice making machines for the home – are they worth it? I just bought one recently for my son-in-law for Christmas, and he absolutely loves it. Plus it keeps him from buying huge ice bags from the shop and storing them in my small freezer, taking up a lot of room and stealing cooling capacity from the rest of the fridge. I’m happy to give you a run-down on how it works and what it might be worth to you. I live in Australia and it’s summer over here right now as I write this article. It’s both hot, and humid, here in Queensland, and the past few days we have had a bit of a heatwave also. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has been glad of having ice accessible when they want or need it. You don’t need one of those fancy fridges with an in-built ice maker anymore. You also don’t need to spend a fortune on obtaining such a convenient addition to your household, and there are many reasons to buy yourself one. While my articles can be targeted to the general population, my blog is dedicated to helping Carers and Parents, especially single mothers, of children who have been diagnosed with Leukemia. Having had a child with Leukemia when I was a young, single mother, I have included a section in this article devoted to how ice makers can be beneficial for those readers who are going through this now.

Why a Benchtop Ice Maker Might Be Worth it to You.

Ice-making machines have become quite popular in recent years, for their convenience and versatility. Whether you’re a busy parent, a small business owner, or an avid entertainer, a benchtop ice maker can simplify your life by delivering a constant supply of fresh ice with minimal effort and minimal waiting time.

The Convenience Factor

Having a benchtop ice maker at home means you’ll never run out of ice when you need it most. No more breaking huge bags of ice on the ground. No more last-minute trips to the store or waiting for trays to freeze—these machines provide fresh, ready-to-use ice whenever you require it. Simply fill it with water, I recommend using filtered water to provide health benefits too, turn it on, and within minutes the first batch of ice will be ready to use.

Benchtop Ice Makers Can Cater to a Wide Range of Users.

Families – for easy access to ice for drinks

Small businesses – for the convenience offering staff and customers something cool to add to a drink of water

Home Business – to simply have fresh ice available at any time for personal use.

At the Office – to celebrate sealing the deal with a Whiskey or Scotch on the rocks to VIPs or bosses or business partners you are entertaining.

Party hosts and culinary enthusiasts – when there is a need to produce ice quickly and on demand, ensuring that gatherings and kitchen tasks run smoothly. If you realise you’re going to need to make an ice bath to cool something down and you forgot to freeze the ice, within minutes you can make one. If you have need of an ice bed to keep food cool at a function, use the smaller sized ice cubes and voila, a perfect ice bed. If you have access to a power point and water, the ice maker is portable enough to take to an outdoor event as well.

Thanks Giving, Christmas, New Year Celebrations and Other Special Occasions – for that time when everyone is spending it together and in need of ice for their drinks and you don’t have room in your freezer. Providing ice for the Esky (Cooler or Chiller) is easy when you have an ice maker.

Budding Home Bar Tenders – for handy ice at the ready when testing out your cocktail making skills during gatherings.

People With Small Freezer Space and Son-in-Laws Who Love Ice – if you have a household member or employee who just loves ice, this ice maker can be a space saver too in your freezers. Store a medium or large Ziploc bag of ice that has been made in the ice maker, and keep it in the freezer, and when you run out, simply add water to your ice maker, and make more to store for later. Turn on and off as required. This will save you a lot of freezer space while keeping the ice lovers happy.

For the Fitness and Healthy Lifestyle Lovers – Many people, such as myself, struggle to drink water unless it’s cold. Having a supply of ice on hand, that is easy to access, helps me drink more water for my daily needs. There’s something about the chinking of ice in a glass and feeling it in your mouth and on your lips that is addictive. Adding it to your water bottles ready for your exercise routines is a breeze, simply adjust the size of the cubes to accommodate your water bottle’s neck. Making sure you only use filtered water to make the ice is the perfect way to keep toxins and chemicals that you drink to a minimum.

As a Single Mother of a Child Diagnosed with Leukemia, Would an Ice Maker Benefit You?

For a single mum managing the challenges of everyday life with a child with Leukemia, a benchtop ice maker can be a valuable addition to your household. Here’s how it can make a difference:

• Hydration: Keeping a sick child hydrated is crucial, and fresh ice can make water and other beverages more appealing, encouraging regular fluid intake. Especially when the treatment causes vomiting and general feelings of nausea and keeping even water down is nigh on impossible. Sucking on ice cube can be a great way to keep up the fluids and soothe dryness of the mouth.
• Helping with Mouth Sores Caused By Certain Drugs During Treatment: Being able to suck on an ice cube can be very relieving for a child who is afflicted by sores in their mouth caused by treatments.
• Cold Compresses: Ice is essential for making cold compresses to help with fevers, swelling, or discomfort—a common need for children undergoing treatment.
• Cool Down on a Hot Day – The discomfort on a hot day can be quite yucky to put up with, but it’s even worse for a sick child. Being able to cool down quickly using ice from the machine, can help alleviate the feelings of despair that come more frequently for a sick child than one who is well.
• Time-Saving: With little time to spare, having a quick and reliable ice supply eliminates the need for frequent store trips or waiting for trays to freeze and then loosening them from the trays. So you can stay safe at home and minimise the amount of time spent in the shops where anyone could make your child sick.
• Stress Reduction: Small conveniences like ready-made ice can lighten the mental load, allowing parent to focus on caregiving and spending quality time with their child/ren. The ice maker is easy for children to help themselves to, giving you more time to focus on other things.
• Add it to a Special Drink for a Treat Just Because You Can: Sometimes, it’s nice just to be able to have ice to go with a juice, soft drink, smoothie or even to make a quick version of an iced chocolate to give your kids a little treat now and again. Or have a little night cap at the end of a long day if you are into that sort of thing.

Features To Look For in a Benchtop Ice Maker

Efficient Ice Production

Modern benchtop ice makers utilize advanced cooling mechanisms to produce ice quickly and efficiently. Look for machines with rapid freeze cycles and reliable compressors to ensure consistent performance. The one I bought can make and keep frozen, 9 ice cubes every 6 minutes, which serves our purposes perfectly. It can make 2 kg of ice over 24 hours.

What Capacity is Perfect For Your Needs?

Ice makers come in various sizes, so consider your typical usage. For families, a medium-capacity machine might suffice, while entertainers or small businesses may need larger units capable of producing up to 18 kg of ice per day. We are a large family and ours can produce up to 12 kg per day.

Energy Efficiency and Quiet Running

Energy-efficient ice makers not only reduce your carbon footprint but also lower your electricity bills. The fact that you turn it on and off as you need, goes a long way to reducing the energy use. A quiet running machine is also preferable. When we first got ours it was so quiet I thought a mouse or rat had got into our house because I heard what sounded like scrabbling around, but then I realised it was the ice maker dropping it’s frozen ice cubes into the basket. Now it’s a part of everyday sounds in our house and we don’t even notice it.

Simple Setup and Operation

Most benchtop ice makers are designed for ease of use, requiring minimal setup. Plug in the machine, add water, and let it do the rest. Intuitive controls make operation a breeze, even for first-time users.

Quick Production Cycles

With some machines producing a batch of ice in as little as 6-10 minutes, you’ll always have ice on hand without the wait.

Easy Maintenance and Cleaning

Select a machine with removable components and self-cleaning functions for hassle-free maintenance. Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and hygienic ice. It is recommended to empty the ice maker every day to ensure hygienic operation.

Seamless Kitchen Integration

Compact and stylish, many benchtop ice makers blend effortlessly into modern kitchens. Choose a design that complements your decor and fits conveniently on your countertop.

Balancing Cost and Features

Compare models based on your budget and needs. Consider features such as capacity, speed, and energy efficiency to find the best value for your money.

Checking Reviews and Feedback

Online reviews from verified buyers provide valuable insights into the performance and reliability of different models. Look for machines with consistently positive feedback. When I bought mine, I checked the reviews first, as I always do. But having bought it and now have used it for over a week, I happily give a 5 star rating to it.

Features of The Advwin Ice Maker That I Chose For The Gift

Choose an ice maker that suits your own individual budget and needs of course, but here is some information on the ice maker I chose for my budget and needs. You don’t need to buy this specific one, there are plenty available. If a different one suits you, then go for it.

• An indicator for full and low water levels and an alarm
• Easy to read digital buttons for operation
• Removable ice basket for handy transfer to the freezer or container you wish to store the ice in if required.
• 2 ice cube sizes, we usually use the largest size
• Ice is Bullet-shaped
• Viewing Window at the top to observe the ice making procedure and if the basket is full
• Quiet operation
• SAA, GS, CE cert
• Power rating: 240W
• 2.2L Water tank capacity
• 0.7kg Ice bin capacity
• Capacity is 12kg of ice per 24 hr
• A single cycle makes 9 cubes every 6 minutes
• 1 year warranty

Now That You Know a Bit About Ice Making Machines For The Home – Is it Worth it? – You Decide!

A benchtop ice maker is more than a luxury—it’s a practical addition to any home or business. By understanding your needs and evaluating the features and benefits, you can select the perfect machine to enhance your daily life. From hosting unforgettable parties to simplifying meal prep, the right ice maker delivers convenience, efficiency, and peace of mind. It was the best Christmas present I bought for my son-in-law and he is constantly saying how much he’s glad of it and that it was a good present. It’s a huge yes from us, so if you’re considering buying one for yourself, it’s definitely worth it.

Thank you for reading

Warm Wishes

Ange