Ice in under 10 minutes – this compact countertop appliance has been a saviour in the sweltering heat
No freezer, no problem, the Daewoo Ice Maker is on hand to help in no time
Whether you don't have a freezer or enough space to accommodate ice trays, or are simply unprepared, this nifty countertop gadget is a game-changer. At the touch of a button, it produces ice in under 10 minutes for all your ice requirements – be it cooling drinks, blanching vegetables or nursing wounds.
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Makes ice in under 10 minutes
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Easy to use
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Self-cleaning
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Sleek and stylish
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Compact for countertops
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Portable
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Ice melts more quickly
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Small batches at a time
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Requires emptying after every use
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After reconfiguring my kitchen a few years back, I sacrificed fridge/freezer space for extra countertop and a breakfast bar. At the time, having a minuscule freezer at the top of the under-counter fridge was fine, but now I have a dog and his food takes up all the space. No more iced coffees or crisp, cold gin and tonics...until now.
Friends of mine had an ice maker to help provide extra ice when they entertained over Christmas. Seeing it in action made me want one for my own home. It's safe to say I have absolutely zero regrets about copying.
Now that I have the nifty Daewoo Ice Maker on my counter, I can enjoy ice in as little as seven minutes. From cooling drinks to helping keep the dog cool, it's already proved its worth in this first week alone.
Daewoo Ice Maker review
With the ability to produce 12 kg of ice in 24 hours, this machine has become somewhat of a summer essential. No need to wait 3 to 4 hours for an ice tray to freeze; this appliance delivers your first batch of 'small ice cubes' in 7 minutes, 8 minutes for 'large ice cubes'. The removable ice cube tray makes for easy serving.
- RRP:
£89.99£79.99 - Dimensions: H29 x W22.2 x D29.4 cm
- Weight: 6 kg
- Water tank capacity: 1.2 litres (maximum)
- Ice settings: 2
- Ice cube sizes: Small, Large
- Voltage: 220-240V
- Cleaning functions: Automatic self-cleaning
- Corded: Cable length of 1.2m
- Warranty: 3 years
Glance past my cooling glass of ice ready for G&T and you will see the compact chrome ice cube maker sat on my kitchen counter (perfectly at home next to my Sage coffee machine)
Who would the Daewoo Ice Maker suit?
- Anyone struggling to stay cool in the heat: Iced drinks are invaluable when temperatures are high to help you stay suitably hydrated and stay cool.
- Homeowners with small kitchens: If your kitchen only has a small under-the-counter fridge, the freezer compartment will be limited. Although this appliance lives on the countertop, its compact design ensures it takes up minimal space (less than most air fryers)
- Those who want fast results: When you freeze water in an ice tray, you have to allow 3 to 4 hours, but with this machine, you get your first batch of 'small ice cubes' in 7 minutes. 8 minutes to get a batch of 'large ice cubes'.
- People who need a portable solution: Complete with a detachable handle, this machine is fully portable (to anywhere with mains to plug it in). Meaning it's ideal for those who want the freedom to set up an ice machine outside the constraints of a kitchen – for instance, in an outdoor kitchen or a dining room for entertaining.
This compact ice cube-making machine would suit all kinds of households. It's perfect for those who don't have a freezer at all, or those who need extra ice for entertaining.
It's also ideal for those who, like me, have no patience and want quick results. Forget asking Google how long it takes to freeze water in an ice tray and potentially spilling water all over the kitchen in the process; this machine takes less than 10 minutes to get results. This also makes it ideal for those who want ease – no planning or filling up trays required.
Using my iPhone timer I record how long it took to make ice cubes from the minute the botton was pressed. On the left is 'Small ice cubes' on the right is 'Large ice cubes'
What is the Daewoo Ice Maker like to use?
Left: 'Small' ice cubes Right: 'Large' ice cubes
It's a breeze. The beauty of this appliance also lies in how easy it is to use. You simply fill the water tank, then switch it on using the 'press buttons'. They are all clearly labelled and intuitive to use. When the water tank is empty, the red light shows on the control panel at the top to alert you that it requires topping up.
The scoop makes it super easy to serve the ice as it starts to fill the tray. Once the tray is full, the red 'Ice Full' indicator button will illuminate on the top. The removable ice cube tray makes for easy serving, and the carry handle makes it fully portable.
The low noise operation makes it barely detectable when in use.
The only slightly frustrating aspect is that it states in the manual that it has to be emptied after every use: "Do not allow water to sit in the tank, empty after every use." Given that it weighs 6kg and has a lid, it is a little tricky to empty; an extra pair of hands does come in handy to help make the process less awkward. But if you make and use all the ice, this isn't even a problem.
Should you buy the Daewoo Ice Maker?
If you want ice at the touch of a button, yes. If you want ice in under 10 minutes but don't have a freezer to store a bag bought from the supermarket, then yes.
If you are entertaining and need extra ice for serving cooling drinks, yes. If you want the flexibility to move the ice cube maker from room to room, yes – this is the one for you.
It's also worth nothing how well package the Daewoo ice maker is when it arrives, to ensure it doesn't get damaged in transit
