The Best Portable Ice Makers for RV – Small & Under-Budget Options
Typical coolers would keep your drinks chilled for some time, but you won’t get the taste of fresh ice out of them. If you’re hitting the road on a sunny day in your RV, you might want to bring some chilling backup with you on the scene.
If you can’t wait long hours to get ice out for your chilling drinks, then choosing an RV icemaker would be a wise decision. Ice makers extract ice quicker and better than your traditional freezer. An ice maker for RV saves you some space on board for freezer trays.
In this article, we have reviewed the best ice makers for RV that will give you the luxury of chilling drinks anywhere you go. The range of these ice makers includes budget models as well as high-profile models with enhanced features.
At a Glance – Our Top Picks of Top Rated RV Ice Makers
Do campers have ice makers?
Going out camping on a beach would demand some chilled drinks to accompany your time. In this regard, Portable or Outdoor Ice makers would be a suitable choice. Portable ice makers or RV ice makers are easy-to-carry devices. These ice makers are lightweight and compact to fit in your vehicle.
RV refrigerators may keep your drinks chilled till stored. But they do not have built-in ice makers. Therefore, you may have to wait for 1 or 2 hours to get ice cubes for your drinks.
Campers bring portable ice makers to get that rich and chewable ice for their drinks on the spot. Because storing beverages in a traditional cooler may not give you the same taste based on the external temperature.
1. Terra Hiker Ice Maker
Storage capacity : 28.7 lbs. | Material Type : Food grade plastic | Dimensions : 13.6 x 10.5 x 14.4 inches | Voltage : 120 V Weight : 20 lbs | Auto shut off : Yes | Noise Level : 43 dB | Drain : No
This portable ice maker will give you the crunchy taste of chewable ice without any unwanted odor in your drinks.
This little ice maker can be your perfect companion for recreational events. You can bring this ice maker to RV and get chilling ice cubes within 9 minutes. The control panel features indicators and buttons which are easy to read and operate.
You can choose the sizes between small and large-sized ice suitable for your needs. This ice maker gives you bullet-shaped ice with hollow space, which is best for your beverages. Easy to carry handle brings the convenience of carrying around with lasting built material.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Instant ice in a matter of minutes | Quality concerns |
| Low noise operation | Faulty sensors |
| Easy to use | |
| Efficient filters | |
| Compact size best for RVs |
2. Portable Ice Maker for Countertop:
Storage capacity : 26 lbs. | Material Type : Stainless Steel | Dimensions : 14 x 10 x 11.7 inches | Voltage : 120 V Weight : 22.5 lbs | Auto shut off : Yes | Noise Level : 45 dB | Drain : Yes
This ice maker will produce smooth bullet-shaped ice for your beverages and smoothies.
This seamless ice maker will produce nine bullet-shaped ice cubes within 6 to 10 minutes. The ice-making efficiency can vary depending on the size of ice you choose to make. You can select a minor or large-sized ice option from the control panel with easy button operation.
This ice maker is best for your RV as it consumes less electricity at 5-6 kWh. The heat suspension fan keeps the machine up and running for hours. It has a bottom drain hole to release the excess water from the tray. The Brightown ice maker is an attractive option to get the party going on wheels.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stylish stainless-steel finish | Soft ice |
| Quiet operation | Ice melts quickly |
| Easy to use | |
| Perfectly sized ice cubes | |
| High quality built |
3. KINGSWERE Counter Ice Maker Machine
Storage capacity : 26.4 lbs. | Material Type : Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Dimensions : 13.9 x 13 x 10.6 inches Voltage : 120 V Weight : 18.71 lbs | Auto shut off : Yes | Noise Level : 48 dB | Drain : No
With the large water tank capacity, you can rely on the portability of this ice machine for the long term.
The design and form factor of this ice maker is perfect to fit in your RV. You can place this ice maker on your kitchen countertop or store it in a cabinet. To get things going, add some water and press the power button. Within 7 minutes, you will receive nine crunchy ice cubes from serving your beverages.
The control operation is pretty simple, with a single power button on the panel. You will find Led indicators to update you to fill water or when the container is full. The ice maker is easy to clean with a damp cloth when not in use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One button operation | Bit noisy |
| Easy to clean | No option for ice size |
| Reasonable price | |
| Large water tank | |
| Ice scoop and basket included |
4. Himimi Ice Maker Machine for Countertop:
Storage capacity : 26 lbs. | Material Type : ABS shell + PP + Nickel-plated pure copper | Dimensions : 9.45 x 12.6 x 12.99 inches | Voltage : 115 V | Weight : 19.36 lbs. | Auto shut off : Yes | Noise Level : 45 dB | Drain : Yes
It’s an excellent product for ice lovers who enjoy the treat of chewable ice in the summers.
This ice maker is focused on making better quality ice with multiple selections between small and large-sized cubes. The upgraded compressor makes nine hollow bullet-shaped ice cubes within 6 minutes. The see-through window keeps you updated with the container fill and stops once the container is full.
This ice maker saved more energy by operating at 90 watts only at less than 45 decibels. The design factor manages to keep the ice-chilled and stored for a longer duration by isolating external heat. These factors make this ice maker suitable for RV and camping.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Enhanced cooling system | May require drain often |
| Quick and efficient results | Ice melts if stored in the container |
| Easy to carry and use | |
| Energy saving | |
| Low noise level |
5. COSTWAY Countertop Ice Maker, 33LBS/24H:
Storage capacity: 33 lbs. | Material Type : Stainless Steel/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Dimensions : 10 x 16 x 17 inches | Voltage : 120 V | Weight : 24 lbs. | Auto shut off: Yes | Noise Level: 50 dB | Drain: No
There is no compromise on performance as this efficient ice maker produces 33 pounds of bullet-shaped ice in 24 hours. Easy to read control panel allows you to select between small and large-sized ice cubes. The high-power compressor extracts bullet-shaped ice cubes within 7 minutes.
Made with food-grade material, you receive an odorless and non-toxic ice cube safe to consume with your beverages. The ice maker has a self-cleaning function that keeps the interior smudge-free giving you crystal clear ice cubes. High-density foam insulation keeps ice cubes chilled and prevents external temperature effects.
Pros:
- Auto-cleaning function
- Large storage container
- Easy to read control panel
- Stainless Steel finish
- Best for indoor use and RV kitchen
Cons:
- Faulty condenser fan
- Noisy operation
6. ARLIME Ice Maker Machine Countertop:
Storage capacity: 26 lbs. | Material Type : Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Dimensions : 12.4 x 9.8 x 14.6 inches Voltage : 120 V | Weight : 18 lbs. | Auto shut off: Yes | Noise Level: 45 dB | Drain: No
The size factor is convenient for storing and carrying this ice maker wherever you want. Even with the compact size, this ice maker can extract 26 pounds of ice per day. This ice maker is pretty easy to operate with its button operation and LED display for indication.
Put your hands at ease as this machine includes a self-cleaning function that automatically keeps the interior mold free to prevent bacteria. The huge capacity tank can store up to 2 liters of water so that you can take this icemaker to a campsite without any hassle.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Self-cleaning | Durability concerns |
| LED display | Overheats after long term use |
| Affordable price | |
| Compact size and lightweight | |
| Easy to operate |
7. FZF Portable Ice Maker
Storage capacity : 26 lbs. | Material Type : Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | Dimensions : 11 x 8.6 x 12.3 inches Voltage : 120 V | Weight : 17.56 lbs. | Auto shut off : Yes | Noise Level : 45 dB | Drain : No
Get crunchy chewable ice on your kitchen countertop with just a push of a button on this ice machine.
The machine is equipped with an infrared monitoring system that updates if the water tank is empty or the ice container is full. Within 6 minutes, you’ll receive the first batch of bullet-shaped ice in the container. You can choose between the ice cube size from the buttons. The operation of this ice maker is energy-saving and noise-free at less than 45 decibels.
Forget about the damp cleaning cloth; press the power button five times, and activate the self-cleaning function. Keep the ice maker running for hours as the exhaust cooling system would ensure its long-term efficiency.
Ice melts quickly in the container
8. Angel Canada White Countertop Portable Compact Ice Maker
Storage capacity : 26 lbs. | Material Type : Food grade plastic | Dimensions : 9.8″ W x 13.8″ H x 13.4″| Voltage : 110 V Weight : 21 lbs. | Auto shut off : Yes | Noise Level : 44 dB | Drain : No
Angel Canada brings an incredible-looking ice machine suitable to fit the aesthetics of your kitchen countertop.
The control panel makes ice, making the operation much easier with selective options for cubes size. Within 10 minutes, you will get nugget shape ice for your beverages. The container holds a great capacity to store a large amount of ice if you’re hosting a party.
The see-through container allows you to know when the container is filled with ice. The 110V power outlet makes this device suitable to use in RV kitchens and home kitchens as well. A high-quality compressor makes ice quicker than your average freezer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use control panel | High price |
| Insulated container walls | |
| Stainless steel exterior | |
| Easy to operate | |
| Low noise level |
How to winterize RV ice maker:
Recreational vehicles might require some extra tweaks if you are looking forward to fitting a built-in freezer in them. The following steps are standard to winterize ice makers in recreational vehicles:
- Cut off water to the ice maker from the water source of your RV. Drain out the water from the holding tanks and remove water hook-ups from the hoses.
- Raise the shut-off arm until it fits in the proper position.
- Remove the water supply from the solenoid going to the ice maker. Keep the heater wire connected to the solenoid valve.
- Drain out the water from the hoses running from the water supply to the ice maker.
- Blow some air to push off any residue blocking the pipeline.
How to test RV ice maker water solenoid:
- Place the refrigerator in a position where you can easily access the area where you can perform testing.
- Switch off the refrigerator and unplug the water outlet to avoid any hazardous incidents.
- Turn off the water supply valve of the refrigerator, so there is no water flow towards the appliance.
- Expose the lower back panel by removing the screws with the suitable face screwdriver.
- Place a water bucket under the water valve of the refrigerator to collect any leaks.
- Remove the inlet tube of the water valve with a wrench.
- Remove the water valve mounting bracket from the main body.
- Look for the valve and solenoid combination from the back of the refrigerator.
- Pull the outlet of the valve’s combination and let the line drip for a while.
- The next step is to attach the electric solenoid lines noting the colors and location. In this way, you will be able to install the connections correctly.
Related: How to Defrost Samsung Ice Maker
Conclusion:
Portable ice makers are an excellent option for small places like RV kitchens. These ice makers are a compatible substitute for the refrigerator icebox. Unlike your traditional freezer, these ice makers give you soft chewable ice, suitable for serving beverages.
These ice makers may vary based on price and size. However, they may not serve as a replacement for the usual countertop ice maker. Therefore, you can only store ice overnight or less than a day in the containers of these ice makers.
