Ice and ice makers

[pro94lt]

With summer coming and 3 months of 90-100° heat having ice is always a problem for me... even with the Roto molded coolers seems every other day I'm having to get Ice. Anyone put an ice maker in their shop to help? I'm in a semi rural area so many times going to get Ice is 15m out of my way... any good cheap ice makers?

 

[southsoundtree]

A Chest freezer and jugs will keep drinking water cool/cold. Freeze some drinking water, which will thaw as the day progresses. These will cool the early in the day water, and keep food cold.

I bought a half a beef size freezer for $150 at Home Depot.

 

[Ragnar]

What is cheap? The challenge with ice makers is keeping them sanitary/ensuring proper ice etiquette is followed. Potable vs non potable is also a consideration.

 

[kiteflyingeek]

I

A Chest freezer and jugs will keep drinking water cool/cold. Freeze some drinking water, which will thaw as the day progresses. These will cool the early in the day water, and keep food cold.

I'll second this. I found last summer you have to gauge how hot it will be and how much water to freeze in the bottle / jug or you end up with ice to drink. But this all assumes you have access to a freezer & time to stock it.

--andrew

 

[pro94lt]

Cheap, I'd spend 500 or so I guess, I've got 2 deep freezers already but they stay full. Guess I could make room... I have froze jugs and placed them in the cooler and it worked. I just like the idea of a ice maker I guess.

 

[Stankers]

It pained me spending $150 on a water cooler, but this guy keeps ice way longer than my Lowes 5 gallon jug.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/K2-Water-Jug-5-Gallon/54768314

 

[tc262]

I found ice cubes melt quickly. I started freezing ice blocks to put in the water coolers. I use ziplock containers to make the blocks.

 

[Treezybreez]

I use cylindrical containers that yogourt, sour cream ECT. Come in to freeze ice blocks. They fit perfectly in my personal thermos and take much longer to melt than cubes.