Post #751286 by AceExplorer on Tue, Sep 22, 2015 1:47 PM

Good to hear, glad you read the other threads. Thread titles are not always very clear here, and the Opal ice machine didn't sound good to me based on my experience. But we got into some good info deeper in that thread as we all chimed in.

I think you're right on target with the pricing estimates. I found the hard way that you do get what you pay for. I finally gave up on countertop ice machines and got lucky by finding a scratch-and-dent Kitchen Aid unit at Lowe's which I got for around $750. It makes solid clear ice MUCH faster, and in a good quantity. Best of all, it can keep up with shaking drinks, straining them, and filling glasses with ice for an entire evening. (It has a 50lb capacity and is insulated.) The counter top machines are just too slow and too low-volume.

I think you'll be most satisfied if you save up the money and find a scratch-and-dent unit at the Sears Outlet or one of the big-box hardware stores. Good luck in your search and let us know how you decide to go.