This review includes my initial review and updates--scroll to the end to see my most recent comments.
After too many trips over the last couple of years to the grocery story to buy ice for our family, I purchased the ES IB120SS ice maker after extensive research. I also bought the 3-year extended warranty policy. The unit was delivered several days ago, and I set it up yesterday in our basement, connecting the water line to our existing reverse osmosis water filter system.
Within 40 minutes, the first batch of ice was produced. It continued producing ice steadily. (After 3 hours, I threw out all the ice, and thoroughly washed out the ice bin, as instructed in the installation steps.)
However, this morning, I discovered that the ice maker itself had stopped producing ice sometime during the night. (The condenser seemed to be working fine, and the interior of the freezer unit was cold.) The metal arm that detects a full bin was partially up, and the white "arms" that rotate and push out the ice cubes had stopped in an odd position. After some inspection, I discovered that a bit of ice had formed at one spot on the white plastic top rim of the ice mold, effectively jamming the white arm at that location. I carefully broke the ice away, and the white arms immediately started rotating, and a moment later the ice mold filled with water.
I'm not sure how water could have dripped or splashed onto that location. My guess, however, is that as the white arms rotate, they carry with them a drop or two of water. In that particular location, the drop accumulates on the rim, and quickly freezes. More drops of water accumulate and freeze, until the bit of ice there is large enough to finally stop the white arms from rotating.
I"ll continue to report on what happens.
Update 2017-09-02:
The ice maker module continued to accumulate ice on its top plastic rim at one end, jamming the white arms that release the ice. This occurred about every 4-5 hours. I called EdgeStar customer support, and they were very helpful. The support rep first said that they would send out a new ice module and find a locale technician to install it (all covered under warranty). A few minutes later she called back and said that the module was not in stock and that they would send me a complete replacement unit (yes, the whole appliance). It arrived a few days ago, which I immediately installed.
So far there have been no problems with ice build-up on the ice maker module. I also noticed that the compressor seems to run a bit quieter than the original appliance. (Or maybe I'm just used to the sound now. We have it in our basement, and it cannot be heard in the next room or upstairs.) Only downside is that I need to pack up the original unit and ship it back. But fortunately I kept the original box and packaging, and EdgeStar is paying for the return shipping.
I'm upgrading my rating from 3 to 4 stars, because of the good customer service and prompt shipping of the new unit, and because this new unit seems to be working well.
Update 2018-02-03:
Since I received the replacement unit from EdgeStar, this unit has continued to operate flawlessly, cranking out a bin of ice (about 6 lbs) every 12 hours
That being said, defrosting the unit every 4-6 weeks is critical. (It is not a self-defrosting unit; but I knew that when I bought it.) Otherwise, ice will build up on the interior from frost and water splashes, and jam the mechanism.
Defrosting the unit, however, is easy. I simply turn the unit off, open the door, remove the ice bin, and place a large cloth towel in the interior, making sure that the towel is pushed against all sides and corners. (This prevents the ice water from running out of the interior compartment and onto the floor.) Leave the door open for about six hours, and it's defrosted. Toss the wet towel in the laundry basket, put the ice bin back in, and turn the unit back on. Twelve hours later, the bin is again full of ice.
Puchased this over a year ago, and I have waited to write a review. When I first go it, I was very dissappointed, it basically is a tiny refrigerator, ok freezer, with an ice maker similar to whats in your refigerator. However, after I installed it with a filter as another purchaser recommended, its a great little unit.
1) the cubes are slightly different than your refrigerator, a little smaller and nicer
2) it totally fills the tray in 24 hours, not high volume, but if you plan ahead a fill a couple of bags, as other reviewers recommended, it will meet most needs
3) no need to drain, I put it in a utility closet, out of the way
4) very quiet, I never hear it
only downside, it does not self defrost, and I will need to do that soon, but its a great little unit.
I am very happy with this product! I will admit that I was extremely skeptical of this product given that the price was EXTREMELY reasonable and the replacement for the unit in my boat was $1600. The only difference between this and the U-Line I had in my boat was that it does not make ice as fast, but given that I have multiple units on my boat this wasn't a true concern for me. Before purchasing I made a pass through all of the negative reviews to get a sense of what the concerns might be. One that stood out was that the unit was extremely noisy/loud. Let me put that to rest, the unit is not loud at all and in fact it is much more quiet than the U-Line unit I previously had. I have two fridges, the ice machine, and a wine fridge in my kitchen and I don't even hear the ice machine and I would say the total noise from all is barely any. So far with 6-10 people on the boat drinking cocktails we seem to be able to manage fine with the amount of ice being produced (that was another complaint).
Another thing to mention is that the first attempt to deliver the ice machine was weird, not sure what happened but the unit wasn't on the porch after the delivery company said it was delivered - weird because I was home all day. Nonetheless, I only mention this because after emailing back and forth with the company (CompactAppliance) they were amazing. They did a verification on their end, etc. and then quickly resolved it and had a new unit delivered quickly. I was impressed and really appreciated their customer service.
I recommend this ice machine!
So far so good. Had it installed with copper and a water filter per some of the suggestions on this forum (and by a licensed plumber). The size is right, the ice cubes are great. I was a little concerned with the first batch of ice as there was this charcoal type of residue- but after the first couple of batches - and my wiping down the insides from the splash of it - every cube after that was fine. I’m defrostin for the first time today. It started to build up ice around the top of the door. But it literally took an hour and we’re back in business!
I'm certain your getting this ice maker for under your bar, to have extra ice on hand or you have a Samsung refrigerator.
A couple of things that pushed to to this specific style of ice maker;
* This has a dedicated condenser on the bottom with a small fan. A lot of the cheaper types have the condenser built into the outside of the of the box. Not nearly as efficient.
* Being a plumbed water line, I can use a dedicated water filter.
* I don't like the bullet freezers that constantly recycle the water as the ice melts. I feel that makes the freezer a breeding ground for bacteria.
* The box itself is very thick and seems to be well insulated.
* Makes ice quickly. Just like the one in your working home freezer (but not like a ice maker in a Samsung fridge, they don't work). Tray fills with water, freezes and dumps into a bucket.
* Yes, it will need to be defrosted on occasion. Yes it will need to be plumbed (that is up to you ability).
All in all this little freezer is fitting the bill!
Feature Product
- Front venting for built-in or freestanding installation; ADA Height Compliant
- 25 foot long 1/4" water line connection included; Reversible door for left or right hand swing; Ice scoop included
- Easy, convenient, and inexpensive installation; On/off power switch; Auto shut-off when ice bin is full
- Produces up to 12 pounds of ice per day; Stores up to 6 pounds of ice; Dimensions 25 1/4" H x 15" W x 18 1/2" D
- This unit also operates as a freezer and will keep your ice frozen; No drain line required
Description
The Edgestar IB120SS offers a refrigerated storage bin ensuring that the ice produced will last longer and enabling the unit to operate without the need of a permanent drain line. Standing at 25 inches and needing minimal installation, it will work in a wet bar, kitchen, RV, boat or office. It has a true stainless steel door on a black body, so it will match most decors. The EdgeStar (IB120SS) ice maker produces up to 12 pounds of crescent-shaped ice per day and fits under most counters. No drain is required and it is simple and inexpensive to have installed by a licensed plumber. This compact ice maker has the look, performance and features of other units that are more than twice the cost. It also meets ADA height requirements. Refrigerated Freezer Compartment: Ice never melts meaning no need for a drain. Stainless Steel Door: The black body and stainless steel door fit any modern kitchen or home bar. Includes 1/4 Water Line and Ice Scoop: Comes with everything you need to start making and enjoying ice. Meets ADA Height Requirements: Standing at 25 1/4" H, this unit is ADA compliant *We strongly recommend that you have this unit installed by a licensed professional. Dimensions: 25 1/4" H x 15" W x 18 1/2" D
I just got this installed on Sunday, June 4. I received it on May 24. This unit worked perfectly until yesterday, June 8. The water will not fill the ice maker. It freezes fine, but with no water. No ice. I do not know who to contact to see what the problem is. So worked perfectly for 4 days. Don't seem like very long to me. Ok. now it is August and I have used it this long. So far it is working perfectly. When I was having the problem, I turned off machine totally, waited a little while and then turned it back on and it started working perfectly. Don't know what was wrong, but I am now very pleased with my ice maker!!! At least for now.
Bought this as an experiment so didn't have to buy ice to bring to work. I have been using it for about 3 weeks now. It will fill up the ice container in about 24 hrs, so it does what it claims. It's makes about as much noise as any budget refrigerator. Every now and then ice gets jammed in the mechanism, so I have to keep an eye on it. I just shut it down and leave the door open for acouple of hours, which is as good a time as any to defrost it as well. I also used copper tubing and a filter as others have suggested. So for the price I have no complaints.
We almost gave it up. It would make one set of ice and stop. We were tearing our hair out. It turned out that leveling is ABOLUTELY essential. We could not loosen the leveling legs, but then grabbed some shimming wood and leveled it perfectly. And then it makes ice in prodigious quantities. It is necessary to defrost every one to two months, but that is easy. So we rate this a buy and enjoy. Good quality ice!
It was easy to install since I put it in the same cabinet with my Reverse Osmosis system so the water supply hookup was a snap. It's been making lots of ice ever since. Luckily it's in an upper cabinet because I had to add some ventilation holes and a fan to remove the heat it was creating.
Absolutely love this ice maker!! Because it is humid this time of year in Texas I have had to defrost it already - but was very quick and easy to do.
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