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This Koldfront portable ice maker is so small and compact that you can carry it in a large backpack.
Measuring only 9.5 inches wide and 12.9 inches high and weighing just 20.3 pounds, this is one of the smallest portable ice makers you can buy.
This means you can use it just about anywhere including your home, picnics, in your RV, in the office, and your boat.
There are two sizes it makes. The largest one is probably 3/4 of an inch in length. It just needs clean water and a power outlet to make ice cubes in a quick 10 minutes.
Brand Name | Koldfront |
Item Weight | 20.3 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 12.9" x 9.5" x 14.1" inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 26 lbs |
Installation Type | freestanding |
Special Features | small size |
Color | white |
Brand Name | Igloo |
Item Weight | 22.3 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 14.1 x 9.7 x 11.5 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 33 lbs |
Installation Type | freestanding |
Special Features | quick freezing ice |
Color | black |
Brand Name | Euhomy |
Item Weight | 17.2 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 12.6 x 9.6 x 12.6 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 26 lbs |
Installation Type | freestanding |
Special Features | little noise, transparent lid |
Color | silver |
We found it amazing how much ice this Koldfront unit produces for its size. It’s a workhorse, small as it may be, that can keep running all day long and stay perfectly functional for years.
What we love most is its portability.
It is so light and so compact that it can be used almost anywhere you have a flat surface and a power outlet available. From your kitchen countertop to the limited space in your RV, the Koldfront’s portability gives it unmatched versatility.
If you need a truly portable ice maker, then your best choices include this Koldfront ice machine, the newer Igloo countertop ice maker and the more proven Emerson IM93B portable ice maker (heavier).
See all of our portable ice maker reviews to choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
The Koldfront is not suitable for a bar or restaurant.
Nor will it deliver for everyone’s drinks at a large office party. Taking the cubes out of the device and putting them in your freezer is an easy task due to ice maker size.
But that is not what it was made for. It is an ultra-compact ice maker that makes 1.5 pounds of ice per cycle. This is enough for a small family, a handful of afternoon margaritas or some cocktails when friends come over.
To be honest, we were not expecting much from this ice maker.
But the fact is that it can make 26 lbs of ice per day - on the high end of most other portable ice makers for the home.
This unit makes fairly soft ice, though not as soft as nugget ice. But it is crumbly enough that you can crunch on it. If you put it in your drink, don’t wait too long to drink it since it melts faster than hard store-bought ice cubes.
The only downside is the smaller than usual storage bin. Most portable ice makers can store at least 2.2 lbs of ice at a time. The Koldfront’s bin can only store 1.5 lbs.
If you are alone or with a couple of your friends, this is fine, but you’ll start running short of ice if there are too many drinks that need to be chilled.
Luckily, the ice maker takes only 10 minutes to make more ice.
So if you find yourself running out of ice, just add more water and everything will be okay in 10 minutes. The short cycle time comes in handy when you have a fairly sizable family or event. Because the ice maker is so easy to use, you can even have everyone whip up their ice.
Even if you have never used a portable ice maker before, you will love the fact that you can make a perfect batch of ice on the first try. This machine is extremely easy to use with simple controls and bright, visible indicators.
The Koldfront portable ice maker connects to any standard wall power outlet. It comes with its own reservoir and does not need a water line. It also doesn’t need a drain installation.
Melted water from ice cubes is recycled to make more ice. You can also empty the reservoir without requiring a drain mechanism.
When setting it up, the manufacturer recommends placing it in a well-ventilated area that is within a normal temperature range, away from the elements and with at least 4-inches clearance space all around it. This ensures the ice maker can work properly and last longer.
They also recommend cleaning the unit before using it for the first time. When you are ready to go, only add potable water. If you use purified, distilled or filtered water, add a pinch of salt to enable the sensor inside the unit to detect the water level.
Make sure the ice maker is plugged in and then press the ON button to switch it on. Next, to the ON/OFF button, you will find the select button. This allows you to choose between large and small size ice cubes. Two size indicators at the top show you which size you have selected.
There are also indicators for power ON, ‘ice bin full’ and ‘add water.' So at a glance, you can tell all that is going on the settings that you choose. If the ice maker is not working, you can easily check the indicators to determine whether the reservoir is out of water or the ice bin is full.
Brand Name | Igloo |
Item Weight | 22.3 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 14.1 x 9.7 x 11.5 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 33 lbs |
Installation Type | freestanding |
Special Features | quick freezing ice |
Color | black |
Brand Name | Euhomy |
Item Weight | 17.2 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 12.6 x 9.6 x 12.6 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 26 lbs |
Installation Type | freestanding |
Special Features | little noise, transparent lid |
Color | silver |
Like us, most customers did not expect an ice maker this compact to make so much ice. It was a pleasant surprise with many owners saying the Koldfront makes enough ice for their whole family and occasional guests.
Several owners also praise the Koldfront ice maker as well-made and durable. One customer finally replaced theirs after seven years of hard use.
Overall, most customers are happy with it especially its portability, ease of use and utter convenience.
There are many excellent portable ice makers reviewed on this site, and if portability is your top concern, the Koldfront is one of the best.
We recommend it for those who are looking for a highly portable and space-saving ice maker.
If you have confined space in your kitchen, RV or boat or if you spend a lot of time on the road, definitely take a look at this model.
The Koldfront portable ice maker biggest advantage is its compact size and lightweight design.
At less than $150, the price is also really good.
Image Credits - Amazon.com, Photo Stocks.
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Vicky Norris is a legal professional who enjoys researching, reviewing and writing about the latest developments in home appliances. A fan of saving money, Vicky started icemakershub.com when it became clear that a whole new class of less-expensive portable ice makers began replacing what used to be a really expensive built-in kitchen appliance.
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