Special Note – The Black Stainless model is on sale for only 87 bucks today which is a great value.
Every day, I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use, or that has been purchased by many members of the audience and which I have researched enough to recommend.
Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is the Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker. This compact device offers incredible value, capable of producing up to 26 pounds of ice daily. From the moment you fill it, you can expect the first drop of ice (on the large setting) in about 12-13 minutes. Once the cycle begins, my testing shows that you’ll receive another drop approximately every 9 minutes and 20 seconds, like clockwork.
This serves both as a lifestyle convenience item and a prepper tool. For everyday use, consider this: priced around 100 dollars, if you’re currently buying bagged ice at roughly 2 dollars a bag, after 50 bags, this machine essentially pays for itself. If you consume a lot of ice, your refrigerator’s ice maker might not keep up. With this device, you can always have ice available. Check out the video below to understand its operation, as there are some limitations to be aware of.
From a prepper’s perspective, it’s outstanding. If you have extra freezer space, fill the gaps with bags of ice. As you use them, simply replace them. It’s quick, simple, and cost-effective. If there’s a power outage, you’ll have a significant ice reserve. With any backup power source, you can also continue ice production.
Here’s the kicker: it’s energy-efficient, much more so than a fridge/freezer combo. My tests showed an initial surge of about 430 watts, but during cycles, it fluctuates between a mere 4 watts to about 110-120 watts. This means you can easily run it off a modest 800-watt power inverter connected to your car battery while idling.
Most of you know I advocate for having a generator, ideally two (since “2 is 1 & 1 is none”) for backup power. With one, you can power this alongside your other essentials, and any decent generator will hardly notice the load. This allows you to keep many items cold, and you might even assist your neighbors.
I’m so fond of this product that I’m contemplating purchasing a second one. While I don’t need two for daily use, having one in the workshop would be a game-changer, reducing the number of trips staff make for “ice runs”. Plus, if one fails, the backup is ready to go.
The best part? It’s portable and lightweight, making it convenient for occasional users to store away. You might want to switch it off at night (see the video for reasons). If you’ve visited my place, you’d know about my impressive outdoor kitchen and its large ice maker. So, why this one? The large one malfunctioned, freezing up with unresolved issues. Replacing it was prohibitively expensive, reminiscent of a “I’m coming, Ethel” heart attack moment from the “Sanford and Son” show.
I secured mine for a mere 88 dollars. I could purchase ten of these, and if each lasts four years, I might outlive their combined lifespan, reaching 91 years old. Remember my frequent discussions about the price-to-value ratio? That’s how I made this decision. The outdoor unit lasted about 3 years before problems arose. A combination of Texas summers and hard water eventually did it in. I won’t repeat that mistake, especially at a price higher than my first car!
So, check out the Frigidaire Portable Ice Maker today. I believe you’ll appreciate its presence in your home. And remember, it’s portable! Whether you’re planning a fishing weekend at an Air BnB or a hunting trip with friends, just throw it in your truck, plug it in, and watch the ice accumulate.
For a detailed overview of its functionality, power consumption, and limitations, refer to the video below.
* Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com
P.S. – There were some comments from people who owned and powered used (non stop daily use) these types of ice makers for 3 or more years before they slowed down and or died. Any electronic device has something called “MTBF” or mean time between failures. That said the key to long life for an ice machine is cleaning.
So it made me realize I should have included a link to this stuff in the original review. Use it about every 60 days as directed and your machine will make it to old age vs. middle aged. Also things like only running it when you need it, turning it off at night as per the video will drastically lengthen life.
Check Out the Video to See How it Works, Its Limits and Power Demands
