Ice Cubes

[jtsailjt]

I'd like to hear suggestions from those who have already addressed this aboard their own boats about the best way to have ice cubes available while onboard. My refrigeration/freezer system is a Seafrost thin plate evaporator that I'm very happy with. Two separate units, one for refrig and the other, with 2 plates for the freezer. So I have plenty of "coldness" available and the freezer plates stay very cold all the time.

I've considered the counter top ice maker units but don't want something else I have to find a place to store and will suck energy out of my batteries.

I've also considered the metal trays that Seafrost or Adler Barbour sell to make ice up against the cold plates. I like the idea of these since the cold plate itself is obviously the coldest place in the freezer so direct contact with them to make ice and keep it in its solid state makes sense. But something about paying over $100 for a couple of metal ice cube trays makes me hesitate.....

So, does anyone have a good way to make and store ice cubes in your sailboat freezer, either off the shelf or something you've invented yourself, that works well without spilling water when the boat heels?

[dwedeking2]

Steel ice cubes.

[a64pilot]

We had the vertical aluminum ice trays.
Found them to be a real pain, getting the ice out is a large issue, then the cubes are huge.
Bought some plastic ice trays off of Amazon that had waterproof lids, they were better cause you could flex them to get the ice out.

We ended up with a countertop ice maker ($100) and make ice when we have excess Solar, or are motoring or when running a generator, and put the cubes in 1gl bags and store them.
We like ice in our drinks, always

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

plastic ice trays off of Amazon that had waterproof lids

Link please?

[jtsailjt]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

We had the vertical aluminum ice trays.
Found them to be a real pain, getting the ice out is a large issue, then the cubes are huge.
Bought some plastic ice trays off of Amazon that had waterproof lids, they were better cause you could flex them to get the ice out.

We ended up with a countertop ice maker ($100) and make ice when we have excess Solar, or are motoring or when running a generator, and put the cubes in 1gl bags and store them.
We like ice in our drinks, always

Always!

I may end up with one of these countertop ones but would prefer to use the ample cold that already exists in our freezer.

[CaptTom]

We really like our countertop ice maker. It does take a bit of stowage though. The "cubes" it makes are really little round tubes, but it makes them fast while we're running the generator (or mains via the inverter) with no battery drain. We then stash away a whole batch of them in the freezer.

Another option is plastic bags you fill and put in the freezer. No need to worry about finding a spot that's level, or spillage if you roll a bit:


A quick search for "ice making bags" found a pack of 100 for $10 on Amazon.

[Simi 60]

What?
Your fridge doesn't have an icemaker and water chiller built in?

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Link please?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


As far as the bags, they suck big time, getting the cubes out, plus all the plastic waste.
I dislike one use plastic and avoid it if possible.

The $99 countertop ice maker has been the best thing we have so far.

After adding a generator, big inverter, satellite TV and other things, there are two things both my kids say were the best we ever put on the boat.
The autopilot, they both really liked Otto.
The ice maker, having ice in your cold drink can’t be understated as a luxury item

[john61ct]

Very kewl tx

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

We had the vertical aluminum ice trays.
Found them to be a real pain, getting the ice out is a large issue, then the cubes are huge.
Bought some plastic ice trays off of Amazon that had waterproof lids, they were better cause you could flex them to get the ice out.

We ended up with a countertop ice maker ($100) and make ice when we have excess Solar, or are motoring or when running a generator, and put the cubes in 1gl bags and store them.
We like ice in our drinks, always

Same here Amazon & plastic lids

[Tornadosailing]

I got the stainless steel whiskey stone ice cubes. Work great, can't spill, and we just throw them back in the freezer.

[john61ct]

Just don't toss them in the Vitamix after a few too many rounds!

Does the thought make anyone else's brain cringe? 8-D

[Gene Neill]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The ice maker, having ice in your cold drink can’t be overstated as a luxury item

I don't think the energy budget on our tiny lil boat will be able to afford ice cubes.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by dixiedawg

I don't think the energy budget on our tiny lil boat will be able to afford ice cubes.

One way to do it is anytime your motoring, the ice maker is on, plus anything else that eats energy if you can. Take advantage of the alternator