If you are a fan of ice cold beverages, you know that there is one product that can save the day and that is an ice maker. Going to a grocery store only to find that all ice bags are sold out is time-consuming and stressing. Plus, going to the store every day for ice is unrealistic.
On the other hand, why would you need to do that if you could enjoy ice cold drinks from the comfort of your home thanks to the pounds of fresh ice you are making on a daily basis? This can be your reality — it is as simple as investing in a proper ice maker. It is one of the most popular kitchen products, and with the summer closing in, it is something you should absolutely consider getting.
In most cases, an ice maker is a simple vertical device that will not take up too much space on your kitchen counter. Although it also has an elegant and simple design, the process that lies behind is quite complex.
There are three main components to a successful ice maker — the evaporator, the compressor, and the refrigerant. As soon as you pour water into the ice maker, it is pumped out from the back of the unit to the evaporator, while the refrigerant travels through the copper pipes thus turning into a gas and releasing heat that affects the H2O, lowering its temperature and creating uniformly shaped ice cubes.
The quality of the ice cubes mostly depends on the quality of the water you pour in, which is the reason for the commonly asked question — do ice makers have filters? Let’s take a look.
Does an Ice Maker Include Water Filters?
While the question sounds quite simple, the answer itself is quite complex. It is clear that in order to enjoy your cooled beverage and get the most out of an ice maker, you want the water to be free of any harmful chemicals. That is exactly what water filters do. Still, not every ice maker comes with one, and that is for two main reasons.
First, if the water filter is to be included, it will require more space and a less compact design which is something not many customers would enjoy. On the other hand, including water filters pushes the price up as well.
Bearing this in mind, the answer to the question is that it all depends on the company you are buying from as well as the exact model of the ice maker. Although we can’t come out with a universal conclusion, our recommendation is to invest those extra few bucks and get an all-inclusive ice maker with water filters if you have the space and you don’t want to have to filter the water yourself before adding it into the ice maker.
The Benefits of Water Filters
It is no secret that an ice maker that comes with a water filter is larger and pricier — still, it is accompanied by an array of benefits. While most ice makers are going to put out extraordinary performance for the first few weeks, sooner or later, the quality of the produced ice is going to degrade. The reason? The contaminants that come from the water you use.
Even if your ice maker has a self-cleaning feature included, or you do your best to clean it and maintain it on your own, the problem is still going to remain. Thus, if your ice maker has a water filter these will never become a problem.
Additionally, you will have to do less cleaning due to the fact that the natural water minerals will never build up and the inner parts of the ice maker are going to be smooth and protected from potential damage.
Last but not least, if you let water contaminants build up, it can lead to ice cubes with an awful odor and taste, and that is something you don’t need in your cold beverages. Bearing this in mind, water filters are going to ensure that potential lime scale and mold buildup is prevented, and thus keep the ice cubes fresh, clear, and uniform.
Conclusion
While the quality of the water we drink is something we consider and discuss on a daily basis, for most people, that doesn’t affect the operation of ice makers. On the other hand, if you want to have a long-lasting device that will put out great ice cubes month after month, it should include all the critical components and whether you admit it or not, a water filter is one.