Outdoor ice maker - anyone have one??

[pharmvet]

In the planning phase of new house. Was thinking of having a very large back porch all the way across the house. Was thinking of having a sink, refrigerator, and ice maker out there. Do any of you have a setup like this. Please tell me how you like it. Any advice on this matter is very welcomed. thanks in advance.

 

[BruceWard]

I understand that most current model refrigerators are designed to work in an airconditioned environment and are not capable of maintaing internal temperature if the external temperature reaches normal summer highs. I expect you would find the same with ice makers.

 

[Alan L.]

I understand that most current model refrigerators are designed to work in an airconditioned environment and are not capable of maintaing internal temperature if the external temperature reaches normal summer highs. I expect you would find the same with ice makers.

If thats the case then my new garage fridge is screwed. It gets 100 or so in there during the summer. Didn't seem to bother the 1970s model frig I replaced. I would think it would do better than the old one due to superior insulation materials, but maybe not.

 

[schmism]

ive had a garage fridge for years not an issue.

they will not keep food warm. so if the temp drops below freezeing.... your stuff will still freeze inside the fridge :thumbsup:

 

[hilld]

You must plan on doing a lot of entertaining to want an ice maker next to your BBQ. We had an ice maker inside by our wet bar for many years and didn't really need that much ice, the ice maker in the fridge did the job. Since ice makers are around a grand, I consider it a wasted expense or an expensive learning experience.

 

[CrownHawg]

I've had a Manitowic 220lb ice maker in my shop at the lake now for about 6 yrs. I bought it off Ebay new and have absolutely loved it! They are a bit pricey, but the convenience of just filling up ice chests for the boat at home is priceless. If they are exposed to freezing temps, they will freeze and bust, my shop is not heated, so I used to "winterize" it in the winter. Now however, I have built an enclosure to keep it "warm" when temps dip below freezing. The return on investment takes a long time, but since it makes enough ice for about 3 families, I think it has probably paid for itself by now. Just be warned, Manitowic will not honor their warranty if the ice maker is for "non commercial" use, ie residential. I did have to replace a fan and have it charged about 2 years ago, but the service guy said it was because it didn't get used enough, thats why I use it all year now.

 

[Slice]

Issues with Ice makers are

1) it runs all the time making ice it does not keep bin cool when ice melts it makes more... hot out side as in Tx it will run and cost $$ to operate,

2) when you have a party x-mas etc its great turn on 24 hrs advance and you have fresh ice.....

 

[MossRoad]

You have to watch for freezing water lines and you have to watch for algae growth, especially if it is not used a lot. There are specific health codes regarding ice machines that restaurants have to follow because of the organic stuff that can grow in them. With that said, it would be fun to have one! :drink:

 

[nue2farm]

I have a Manitowic 300# machine in my unheated garage. I winterize mine around the end of October each year. I sanitize it with bleach rinse it well and clean with vinegar, about April. It runs all summer, if it gets to hot in the garage production slows down. I usually put a small fan close by to circulate the air, that seems to help a lot. We have had it for six years now with only a few minor problems so far.

 

[mjarrels]

We have a large commerical ice maker on the ground porch at the golf course next door. No issues. Huge amounts of ice during the summer to fill coolers and water buckets around the 36 hole course.

mark