Anyone who entertains at home knows how important it is to have a fully stocked bar. However, did you ever stop to think what makes a frosty cocktail so delicious? Sure, the spirits are an integral part to enjoying your adult beverage, but the ice is equally as important when you’re crafting cocktails in your home bar.
| Best Ice Machines for Home Bar | Why We Like It |
|---|---|
| 1. Frigidaire EFIC103 Ice Maker Machine | heavy duty; portable; three sizes of ice cubes; no drain required |
| 2. NewAir Portable Ice Maker | comes in five colors; three sizes of ice cubes; ice basket full and empty water light indicators |
| 3. hOmeLabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker | energy efficient; two sizes of ice cubes; included scoop; auto shut-off |
| 4. Euhomy Ice Maker Machine Countertop | low noise; energy efficient; two sizes of ice cubes; auto shut-off; one-year warranty |
Why should I get an ice machine?
If you know you’ll be entertaining a crowd (or simply can’t be bothered to keep running from the freezer back to the bar to restock the ice bucket), you may need an ice machine for your home bar.
Ice machines produce the perfect size ice cubes for alcoholic beverages. The cubes from your freezer are likely to be too large for cocktails and will inevitably water down the drink. Nobody wants a watered down drink!
Make your parties more tropical with delicious margaritas from your own home margarita machine!
Any home bar enthusiast should have an ice machine to accompany their spirits and mixers. Unless you prefer your scotch straight up, you’re going to want that never-ending supply of ice for your adult beverages.
An ice machine is a very simple way to add convenience to your home bar. If you’re hosting guests, the last thing you’re going to want to do is keep refilling the ice bucket every time it runs low. An ice machine will eliminate the hassle that comes with having to travel between your typical refrigerator ice maker and the ice bucket you have sitting atop your home bar.
Do you have a margarita machine? Then you’ll also be needing the best margarita mix.
Why getting an ice machine will make your life easier!
If you intend on hosting a large group of guests, an ice machine isn’t a luxury item. A self-producing ice machine is practically a commodity if you have a handful of guests. You’re likely to run out of ice from your kitchen’s freezer, and replenishing the supply won’t happen as quickly as an ice machine can. It’s much better to be prepared with a full stash of ice instead of running critically low during a party and not being able to make or purchase any more ice in a hurry.
Ice from an ice machine is always better than the stuff made in your freezer. I don’t know about you, but questionably-filtered water from the refrigerator line hookup always tastes a bit off to me! Since an ice machine is a dedicated device with one solitary function, you’ll have fresher, clearer, tasteless ice.
What should I be looking for in an ice machine for my home bar?
When shopping around for an ice machine for your home bar, always consider the type of drinks you will be consuming before making any final decisions. If you intend on making a lot of mixed drinks, regular sized rectangular shaped ice cubes may be a suitable choice.
Igloo’s Compact Ice Maker features three cube options: small, medium and large. The stainless steel ice maker has an ice basket that holds 2.2 lbs of ice. This portable model weighs only 25lbs, but can make 26lbs of ice daily!
On the other hand, you might prefer crushed ice. Diversifying the types of ice your machine produces will allow for a wider variety of drinks for you and your guests. The NewAir 28-Pound Portable Ice Maker produces cubes have a hole in the center, which are easy to smash.
How about a nice scotch on ice? Here are the best flasks for scotch.
How much space do I need for an ice machine?
All things considered, you should have a general idea of how much space you’re willing to part with. Not all ice machines are monstrous pieces of equipment, but many require a large amount of space in or around your home bar.
Many models are equipped to take up residence underneath a home bar or somewhere nearby on a floor, as to not take up any precious bar space.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you anticipate needing to relocate the ice machine from one place to another. Maybe you like to entertain outside when the weather is nicer and prefer to move things indoors when you have people over during the cooler months. If you choose a model of ice machine that is portable, like the compact, hOmelabs Chill Pill Countertop Ice Maker, you’ll be ready to go wherever the party does.
Some features to consider
When selecting an ice machine for your home bar, think about how quickly you’ll need a full bucket of ice. If you anticipate making drinks non-stop, get an ice machine with a high capacity and quick turnaround time. If you’re more of a laid back person that maybe makes a few drinks every hour at a small get together, you may not need an ice machine with as many bells and whistles.
A good ice machine for your home bar will come equipped with a water hookup line and a drain. That way, if the ice melts, the water has somewhere to go. These features set this kind of ice machine apart from regular kitchen freezer ice machines. The Euhomy Ice Maker Machine Countertop has built-in overflow protection that ensures you won’t have to deal with a watery mess!
Pour me another!
Positive that you can’t live another moment without one of these ice machines for your home bar? It may be time to invest in an appliance that will bring you frosty beverages for years to come!
Do you enjoy a nice glass of wine? Get that party popping with the best wine key for opening wine bottles. Then check out the best appetizers to go with champagne.
If you love your beer, you’ll also love this post on the best beer mugs for the freezer. You might also want to read my article on the best beer fridges for your garage.
Did you have a little too much to drink? Check out the best foods to help you get over a hangover.
Image credit via Flickr Creative Commons: Highmark B. and Brian T.
Bryce is not a real professor, but he's real nerdy in the kitchen. He's been barbecuing, chopping, and generally blazing food for many decades. He thinks there's definitely a better spatula or utensil out there that hasn't been invented yet.