Any tips for a good ice maker to install onboard 42 foot cat?

[Stormbird1]

Hi, We are looking into getting an icemaker installed.
Anyone got any tips or advice on brand etc.
Many thanks.
Kim

[Palarran]

I had one that made cloudy ice and had it removed. The only unit I would install now would be a clear ice maker like this:
https://www.indelwebastomarine.com/u...ear-ice-maker/

But, we haven't missed it. It seems everyone has ice now and we just buy 5 or 6 bags and throw them in the freezer.

[Stormbird1]

Thank you! We are cruising remote areas so keen to get one installed. Appreciate your advice!

[Dave_S]

Not what your after but they work.

https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/p...-ice-cube-bags

[Stormbird1]

Thanks but we don't have a freezer, hence the need/want for an ice maker.

[a64pilot]

I’ve had Sportfishing boats, that all had built in icemakers, they were horrendously expensive and surprisingly often broke.
We have had a $100 countertop ice maker we got off of Amazon, it’s 110VAC so we run it off of the inverter, draws about 60 Watts, or of course 5 amps DC.
Thing has been great, of course only drawing 60 Watts, it’s not making 100 lbs of ice a day, we usually make enough to fill two 1gl zip loc freezer bags.
Different sizes and prices of course
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...=39S9RTIJWU65H

[fxykty]

If you have the AC power and just want ice cubes for special occasions just get a countertop model. Or get a 12V portable freezer (Dometic or Waeco) and make cubes in that or use reusable cubes as well as having space to store provisions. Single use devices on a small cat are wasteful.

If you don’t want a countertop model then a built in is the only option, but it will be very expensive and use up lots of space - in that case you might as well just install a proper freezer.

[Palarran]

The problem with counter top units is the freezing temp is barely below 32 degrees, so the ice melts almost immediately.

Since you don't have a freezer, have you thought about a large Engle? They get very cold (0 degrees) and you can keep some of the fish you catch in there along with ice cube trays.

https://www.engelcoolers.com/mt80f-u1.html

[Stormbird1]

Thanks so much for every ones input. I will check out bench top ones too.

[flyingfin]

Where will you install it? They throw off heat, so most vessels mount them above deck, in which case they rust and deteriorate quickly from the elements. Suggest you buy the cheapest one available and plan on buying a new one every other year.

[a64pilot]

If you buy a counter top that makes “clear ice” which is exactly what it sounds ice will last longer.
I like the soft “white ice” cause I eat the ice in a drink myself, but he is right, the ice is not well below freezing like ice coming out of a freezer will be.
An Engel would be a good answer for that, and be useful of course for ice cream, keeping frozen Daquris and all sort of other things, and cost less than a built in ice maker