I host about twenty backyard gatherings a year and my kegerator needs cold storage too. After two indoor ice makers failed in less than a season on my screened porch, I committed to proper outdoor-rated units and have not looked back. I tested four outdoor ice makers across the summer and pulled one premium reference from a friend’s restaurant to round out this list.
Outdoor ice makers are not cheap. The entry-level decent unit starts around $700 and pro models push past $4000. But the alternatives are running bags from the gas station all summer or replacing a $300 indoor unit every spring. The math gets reasonable fast.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newair ClearIce40 Outdoor | $999 | Best overall | 4.7/5 |
| Scotsman CU50PA-1A | $3499 | Best premium | 4.9/5 |
| EdgeStar IB250SSOD Built-In | $1199 | Best built-in | 4.6/5 |
| Hoshizaki AM-50BAJ | $2799 | Best for restaurants | 4.9/5 |
| Antarctic Star Portable Outdoor | $349 | Budget pick | 4.2/5 |
1. Newair ClearIce40 Outdoor - Best Overall
The ClearIce40 makes 40 pounds of crystal-clear gourmet cubes per day. The stainless housing is genuinely outdoor-rated, the drain pump is built in, and the front intake means you can install it under a counter. Mine has run flawlessly through one full summer.
2. Scotsman CU50PA-1A - Best Premium
Scotsman is what you buy if you want zero excuses. The CU50PA makes Scotsman’s signature soft, slow-melting gourmet cubes at 65 pounds a day. The compressor is restaurant-grade and the warranty is the best in the category.
3. EdgeStar IB250SSOD Built-In - Best Built-In
The EdgeStar slides perfectly into a 15-inch outdoor kitchen cutout. Production rate is honest at 25 pounds per day, the stainless front is properly weather-sealed, and the price is reasonable compared to other built-in units.
4. Hoshizaki AM-50BAJ - Best for Restaurants
If you are equipping a restaurant patio or a serious bar, the Hoshizaki AM-50BAJ is the move. Crescent cubes, NSF certification, and a build that will outlast everything else in the kitchen. Loud but bombproof.
5. Antarctic Star Portable Outdoor - Budget Pick
The Antarctic Star is a portable countertop unit with a weatherized housing. Production is modest at 26 pounds a day and the ice cloud is on the cloudier side. Not for full-time outdoor installation but fine for a covered patio.
What Matters Most
Outdoor rating is not optional. Look for IP55 or higher and a UL outdoor certification. Drainage matters more than people realize; if your unit cannot drain to a proper line you need a built-in pump. Production rate matters less than reservoir capacity for party use; 25 pounds a day with 25 pounds of storage beats 50 pounds a day with 10 pounds of storage.
My Setup
The Newair ClearIce40 lives under my outdoor bar with a hardwired water line and a gravity drain to a French drain. Power runs through a GFCI on its own 15-amp circuit. I cover it with a fitted vinyl cover in winter and the unit gets a full descaling every spring.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the descaling cycle. Outdoor units take in dirtier water and scale builds fast. Do not run an outdoor ice maker on an extension cord; the voltage drop kills the compressor over time. And do not assume any stainless unit is outdoor-rated; check the spec sheet for IP rating.
Final Recommendation
The Newair ClearIce40 is the outdoor ice maker I would buy for my own patio. For commercial use, the Hoshizaki AM-50BAJ is worth every dollar. If you just need ice for occasional parties under a covered porch, the Antarctic Star at $349 is the lowest-risk entry point.
Frequently asked questions
Can I really put a regular ice maker outside?+
No. Indoor ice makers fail quickly in humidity and temperature swings. Outdoor units have weatherproof housings, sealed electronics, and corrosion-resistant components.
Built-in or freestanding outdoor ice maker?+
Built-in if you have an outdoor kitchen with proper drainage and a 15-amp circuit. Freestanding if you want to wheel it onto the patio for parties and stash it in winter.