The portable ice makers are the best source of hygienic and healthy ice to be added to juices and drinks. The ice from the portable ice makers can be used to make smoothies and to chill foods as well. The ice from the portable ice maker is great compared with the bagged ice that we get from the shops as we do not know the credibility of the water that has been used in the ice machines. Though IPIA has laid down its regulations that the ice manufacturers use potable and drinking water for making ice and print the IPIA logo and the manufacturing date of the bagged ice, we may not be very sure about the quality of the ice that is been manufactured by the commercial vendors.
Thus, many people have come to the opinion that the portable ice maker is the best option to have high-quality and credible ice cubes for drinks restaurant use, office use, and other purposes, including medicinal purposes. But even in the portable ice maker, it is important to use the best water that is of drinking water quality, so that the end ice output is of pristine quality and is also hygienic to consume.
What Type of Water is Best to Use in the Portable Ice Maker?
Below is the requirement of the water to be added with the portable ice maker to get high-quality ice. If the ice is formed cleanly and hygienically, then we can give it confidently for children and elders to chew and to mix in drinks and juices. Follow is the requirement of water to be used in ice makers.
- Use only potable water that is of drinking water quality
- Make sure that the temperature of the water that you feed in the ice maker is between 51F and 90F.
- It is important to change the water in the reservoir every 24 hours so that the water from the melted ice is not been used repeatedly to make ice cubes.
A portable ice maker doesn’t require a dedicated water line to make ice, as they are portable. As you will be feeding the appliance with water, make sure you add purified water to the appliance. The type of water you use can have a serious impact on the type and the quality of ice you make. Apart from the quality of the water we feed, how best we clean and maintain the appliance plays an important role in the quality of the ice we yield.
Also check this guide: Portable Ice Maker Instructions For Setup and Maintenance
Type of Water Use and the Nature of the Ice Formed
The first agreed point is that the water that is added to the ice maker should be potable and safe to consume. The following are the types of water that can be added to the appliance and their corresponding output water quality.
1. Adding hard water to the appliance
It is best advised to avoid hard water in the ice maker appliance, as it will result in the built-up of minerals inside the ice maker appliance and also retard the quality of the ice that is been produced in the appliance. This aspect complies with both portable and commercial ice makers.
2. Distilled water
Distilled water as we know is free from minerals and could alter the performance of the ice maker. This is because the sensors in the majority of the portable ice makers rely on the mineral content of the water and these sensors will determine whether more ice needs to be made in the ice maker or not. Thus adding distilled water to the ice maker can impair the number of ice cubes that are made in the appliance. If at all you have only distilled water to feed your appliance, then you can add a pinch of salt to it, to increase the mineral content in the water and to help the sensor help efficiently.
3. Using purified and filtered water in the appliance
This is perhaps the best type of water to be used in the ice maker appliance. The mineral content of this type of water will be lower than hard water and it is also low enough that the sensors inside the appliance are not able to perform their duty. As the quality of this water is far better, this helps in yielding ice that smells great and also tastes fresh.
Should I Use Filtered and Cold Water to Yield Quality Ice in the Ice Maker?
Using the best quality water will enhance the quality of ice. Filtered water helps in producing crystal clear ice cubes, which we expect from a perfect ice maker appliance. If we refrain from using filtered water in the ice maker, then the ice cubes will come out soft and clouded, owing to the buildup of excessive minerals. On the other hand, if you use filtered water, it will come out cleaner and healthier to drink and will also maintain the ice maker clean, requiring minimal maintenance and troubleshooting.
Also, the temperature of the water makes a clear difference. The ice makers do have an insulated storage bin but still, it is important to use water at an appropriate temperature for better results. Preferably the water temperature should be between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This also helps the machine to use less electricity and keep the ice cubes solid for a longer period.
Check out: Best Countertop Ice Makers 2022
Bottom Line
The quality of water that you feed in the ice maker will reflect on the quality of the ice cubes that you yield. Adding poor quality water to the ice maker and not maintaining the appliance appropriately will result in a series of stomach infections and food-borne diseases. Thus, it is important to use the best water that is available in the appliance as water is the heart and soul of the ice. You will never regret using great water in the appliance, as it forms great ice. Using great ice also preserves the life of the ice maker and helps it to run optimally.
