[EvW]

Ice is nice. Electricity is costly.

[MartHale7]

It was for me until I went solar. I am off grid with solar took me about 10 years to get here, but now I have a part time job being my own power company.

[BiggKidd]

Just don’t forget your body can NOT process cold liquids when it’s overheated. I had a second HARD lesson in this just a couple weeks ago. ICE WATER in an overheated body can and does cause sudden death. I came close myself

[Hippocrates_Garden]

Everything in moderation. (including moderation)

[MartHale7]

Yes. The key I have found is to work in short increments. My van got stuck in sand due to my foolish move. I worked 20 min on getting the van out of the sand, then came in for 10 min to cool off in the AC and take a drink of water, then i would go out and fight it again. Doing this kept me from getting taken down when it was 102 deg outside. Some may be used to these temps, but me I am an AC junkie so I had to work on getting out in small blocks of time. I am so glad I carried water with me, as that was a long day.

[BiggKidd]

I was helping a friend and she just kept bringing these 32+ ounce cups of ice water. Being as I was already sun / work / heat stupid I kept drinking them. Until the world went funky, that’s when I realized what I’d done and my body took corrective measures. Being the stubborn fool I am I kept on working until I finished but I didn’t drink anymore ice water. I started drinking a bottle of warm water I had brought.

[MartHale7]

Yeah you have to be careful… I use to put hay up in the barn loft after we bailed it with small bales that was like a sauna.

[DeepSouthBamaGRITS]

Hey Mart, I have a countertop Ice Maker that will make up to 50 lbs of ice a day, and LOVE IT! I’ve used these type of ice makers for over 10 yrs and have learned all the quirks of using them. In order to get the 50 lbs of ice you have got to EMPTY the ice basket thru out the day and freeze as well as keep the water reservoir full. The ice melts in the ice basket (where the ice is dumped when made) and will drip back into the water reservoir. Most people think the countertop icemakers will keep the ice frozen but it does not. Also if the ice basket is full, the icemaker will not make more ice until it has either melted down or you remove it to a freezer as it does have a sensor to tell it when it is full. I’ve been thru 3 different icemakers thru my 10 yrs of using them, mainly because I was not familiar with the proper cleaning. Debris, sediment, etc., will build up in the water lines as well as the water reservoir so it MUST be kept clean for it to work properly. I also use triple-filtered water in my icemaker. I use the Brita Pitcher water filter that is then filtered into a ZERO pitcher water filter that then goes into my Alexa Pur Pro water filtration system that is used in the ice maker. Yes, it is a little extra work, even using well water. It will save you many headaches down the line as well as keep the icemaker working properly. As it makes ice you will have to remember to add water for it to keep making ice unless you don’t use the ice and it melts back into the water reservoir. I allow so much room for the ice in my freezer since it does take up a lot of room but I ALWAYS have extra ice when needed for butchering or for those extra hot days or extra company when more ice is needed. I’ve noticed that they are now making a more advanced countertop icemaker that has a built in cleaning system so you don’t have to take it apart to do the deep cleaning, which can take a bit of time. Slime WILL build up in the water resevoir as well as the area the ice cubes are made. That is just a given thing I’ve noticed during the years of using one. I would hope I would never have to live without the use of one and a solar generator will run it with no problems. My next one will definitely be one with the auto cleaning feature as it thoroughly cleans all the working components that you would normally have to manually clean which can take up to an hour or more if done properly.
Two of my previous countertop Ice makers had the IMPELLER go out that moves the water up to the freezing tray. I probably could have replaced it (if I can find the part) but at the time it was just easier to buy a new ice maker. My favorite and longest working ice maker is no longer available (wouldn’t you know if it was the best & longest working with no problems) that it would be removed from the market for a cheaper made version. Remember, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR so try to get a good model when purchasing one. There are literally HUNDREDS of them available. Check the reviews from customers when looking at one to purchase. And REMEMBER, they do NOT keep the ice cubes frozen in the icemaker. That is one of the most common reviews people leave and why they don’t like their purchase. Mine makes a rounded tubular-shaped ice cube and is generally a softer cube as it melts some. It is all about what you want for your needs.
I’m no pro but have used them for over a decade so I can pretty much answer most any questions you may have before purchasing one. I do use a LOT of ice so I chose the one that makes a larger quantity of ice per day over the smaller models. There are usually some good deals on the smaller quantity makers, it just works more to keep making ice so I figure would tear up quicker. Just my theory & opinion.
Also watch for those with POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE if you have problems. (Those that do not respond to customer inquiries or that require you return the icemaker for them to repair. They are very heavy and the cost to ship for repairs are NOT cost effective. Most times it is just as cheap to purchase a new one BUT OF A DIFFERENT BRAND if it didn’t last long before tearing up. Understand how they work, what routine maintenance is needed, do the maintenance and they will last a very long time. I’m on the 6th year with my current one and it is still working like a charm.

[MartHale7]

Good info. thanks.

[Redcap]

Great tips, thanks!

These cups we have are only 12 ounces and they are rather expensive, but I got one of these for my husband because it was a travel French press for his coffee.

Without the press in it, it’s just a thermal cup, but OH! what a thermal cup! I’ve put ice and water in it and had it in a hot car for 3 hours in the middle of summer while I was running errands and in the store more than in the car and THERE WAS STILL ICE AND COLD WATER in it. I was shocked. I use mine for hot or iced tea all the time now.

So if you need to keep something really cold for some time, these work great. https://www.espro.com

espro.com

ESPRO | Better Coffee by Design

We share your passion for coffee, and we understand it’s a big part of your busy, active life. That’s why ESPRO creates and develops products that allow you to bring your passion for coffee - when you want it - … Continue reading

[MartHale7]

Yes this is what I keep my water in my van in They are awesome. I have also cooked meals in them with thermo cooking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5fyO9e70c0

[Truth-be-Told-by1]

Useful today since A/C has been out.