Ice and slush makers
Chilled drinks without waiting for the freezer are welcome at summer parties, barbecues and the home bar. Here you will find ice and slush makers for the home and small venues — compact countertop models prepare the first cubes in around ten minutes and turn out 12–15 kg of ice a day. Just pour in water, pick the cube size and switch on. For each model we list daily output, water tank capacity and dimensions.
Ice and slush makers
Ice cubes from trays in the freezer run out fast with a bigger crowd — which is where a machine that makes ice continuously comes in. The range includes countertop ice makers for home use and more powerful models for bars, cafés or holiday homes. Besides classic hollow cubes, some machines also prepare crushed ice, slush or small pieces for cocktails.
Models differ mainly in daily output and speed. A typical home machine makes the first ice in 8–15 minutes and produces around 12 kg a day; more powerful machines manage 15–20 kg. The water tank capacity, usually 1.5–3 litres, and the size of the basket for finished ice matter too. The machine is not a freezer — ice in the basket melts slowly, but the meltwater drains back into the tank and is used again.
Practical features add comfort: a choice of cube size, a self-cleaning programme, a viewing window, and alerts for a full basket or empty tank. Countertop models run at around 35–45 dB, so they will not drown out conversation.
When choosing, start from how many people you will be making ice for. A family will manage with a basic model producing about 12 kg a day; frequent entertaining or a small bar justifies higher output and a bigger tank. Also check the dimensions for your worktop space and how easy the machine is to clean.