Product review (5 stars): Fast and economical
I received this as a free review sample. This is actually a much faster model that otherwise has the same output capacity as an earlier model from the same brand:&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Knox-Portable-Compact-Ice-Maker-with-LCD-Display/dp/B00UUCFENQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Knox Portable Compact Ice Maker with LCD Display</a>. The key difference between the two is this one will produce ice in almost a third of the time as the older model. With this one as soon as it starts producing ice you can start using it, even if the full cycle is not completed.

Like the older model, however, this one has cycle times, which means that it will not product the entire 27 pounds (give or take) at once, nor can you use it continuously. The 27 pounds is what it is capable of producing in batches over a twenty-four hour period. Each batch is just over 1.5 pounds. At that rate this can easily keep a party of twenty supplied in ice for drinks.

There are some things that you need to take into consideration. One, it needs 'breathing' room and cannot be placed closer than seven inches to objects that would hamper air flow between it. Also, it cannot be placed in direct sunlight or near heat sources, nor should it be used outdoors. Finally, it should not be operated in ambient temperatures below 40 degrees F. Those cautions are from the manual and you need to know about them before making a final purchase decision.

A nice benefit is this is probably more economical than using a refrigerator to make ice. This unit operates between 110 and 120 volts at 1.8 Amps, which means it consumes between 198 and 216 Watts, which is about two 100 Watt incandescent light bulbs.

Bottom line, among the half dozen or so brands of ice makers that I have tested, all have nearly the same output capacity, but this one is by far the fastest.