ICE MAKER what a joy.

[jssailem]

Last weekend, I participated in a Rendezvous with the PacificNW Catalina sailors. The site, Roche Harbor Resort, is magical. While other nearby locations had mixed weather conditions, we enjoyed blue skies and warm sunshine.

A good time with cruising sailors to chat about boating ideas and enjoy a beverage. While I have a refrigerator on board, in prior years, I stocked beverages in bagged ice. It worked, but eventually the ice disappeared. What is a margarita without the rocks in a glass?

This has likely been solved by many of you. I may just be slow to the party. I bought an Igloo ice maker for this year's cruise. It worked. Ice in 5 minutes, dependent on electrical power, plus available water. It was just way too easy.

Fits in my cabinet and is not much bigger than my 4-cup coffee maker. Way too easy and convenient.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

It worked. Ice in 5 minutes,

Although the lights in many of the surrounding boats in the marina dimmed to a mere flicker with the power draw of the Igloo Ice Maker .

 

[colemj]

When we set out cruising in 2008, we got one of those. They work as advertised, and cost <$100. However, it just didn't fit how we did things. It needed to be stored, then brought out to use, which is inconvenient on a daily basis. But the biggest issue was the ice was small, aerated, had a hole in it, and melted extremely fast in the heat. Even the ice in the collection bin melted fast. This is probably less of an issue in WA than in Panama.

But we have many friends with them that love it. The best part is they are so inexpensive that it is worth trying. You can always sell it for most of what you paid if it doesn't work for you.

So for us, we make ice in our freezer using these (ignore that price - they are much cheaper than that): Amazon.com

The advantage is the large clear ice cube lasts several drinks, and is superior for neat drinks like bourbon, etc.

We also have some of those silicon balls that make similar size large clear ice, but they aren't as convenient to stack in the freezer.

Mark

 

[colemj]

Although the lights in many of the surrounding boats in the marina dimmed to a mere flicker with the power draw of the Igloo Ice Maker .

They use ~100W, which is hardly anything.

Mark

 

[jssailem]

Mark, you are spot on with the quick melting. The large pure square cube is much better in a glass with Bourbon. I was amazed at the speed of production and the convenience .

I am a babe in the woods, having yet to experiment with testing the ice maker using an inverter.

Perhaps when I install the new 400amp hours of LiFePO4 storage, it will work at anchor.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I am a babe in the woods, having yet to experiment with testing the ice maker using an inverter.

Perhaps when I install the new 400amp hours of LiFePO4 storage, it will work at anchor.

That is worthy goal for sure.

If it's only <100w, why wait?

 

[colemj]

I am a babe in the woods, having yet to experiment with testing the ice maker using an inverter.

Perhaps when I install the new 400amp hours of LiFePO4 storage, it will work at anchor.

Back when we had ours, we ran it off the inverter from 440Ah of lead batteries. They didn't even notice 100W.

Mark

 

[BigEasy]

Amazing how fast it works! One of those things that I had to have. Stored in a cubby hole under the chart table; haven’t used it yet in one year!

 

[jssailem]

Break it out and fire it up. I was surprised at the results.

 

[Ward H]

It's on my list for this season. Just need to find place to store it.

 

[jssailem]

They come in various sizes and capabilities. I checked the size and found the Igloo to be pretty compact. Hoping it lasts for a year or so. At least long enough to offset the cost of bagged ice.