I Bought a Menards Ice Maker on Impulse (And Put It to the Test)

I Bought a Menards Ice Maker on Impulse (And Put It to the Test)

I went to the home improvement store for two tubes of silicone caulk and a box of drywall screws. Somehow, I walked out with a menards ice maker. My fridge's built-in dispenser had been making a sound like a dying lawnmower for months, and the sight of a 26-pound-per-day machine sitting next to the shop vacs felt like a sign from the DIY gods.

Quick Takeaways

  • First Batch: 11 minutes (slightly longer than the 9-minute claim).
  • Capacity: Holds about 1.5 lbs of ice before the 'Full' sensor trips.
  • Noise Level: Sounds like a humming computer fan with the occasional loud 'clunk'.
  • Ice Type: Small or large hollow 'bullets' that melt quickly in room-temp soda.

The Classic Hardware Store Impulse Buy

There is a specific kind of madness that takes over when you spend four hours in the lumber yard. You start thinking you need things you didn't know existed. I walked past the menards ice cream maker—which looked fun, but I am not a pastry chef—and stopped dead at the menards countertop ice maker display. It was priced just low enough to feel like a steal and just high enough to imply it might actually work.

I figured if it could survive a weekend of me and my buddies working on a bathroom remodel, it was a keeper. I didn't need a professional-grade restaurant machine. I just needed something that could fill a pint glass faster than my freezer's tray-and-twist method. The portable ice maker menards stocks is clearly designed for the 'set it and forget it' crowd, and that is exactly what I am when I have a hammer in my hand.

Unboxing: Does It Feel Like Cheap Plastic?

Out of the box, the countertop ice maker menards sells is surprisingly dense. It weighs about 18 pounds, which tells me there is a real compressor inside and not just a glorified fan. The housing is mostly plastic, but it doesn't flex when you move it around. The footprint is roughly the size of a large toaster, which is manageable for most kitchens.

The setup was simple: wipe it down, plug it in, and add water. I noticed that the internal basket and scoop felt remarkably similar to the experience of unboxing a dedicated countertop ice maker from a high-end appliance brand. It doesn't feel like a 'discount' tool; it feels like a standard-issue portable unit that just happens to be sold next to the 2x4s.

Putting the '9 Minutes Per Batch' Claim to the Test

Marketing claims are usually optimistic, to put it mildly. I grabbed my stopwatch and hit 'Start' the moment I poured in the filtered water. The first batch of nine ice bullets dropped at the 11-minute mark. They were a bit thin and watery because the machine hadn't cooled down yet. By the third cycle, it hit a rhythm of exactly 9 minutes and 15 seconds.

The noise is the trade-off. At 52 decibels, you definitely know it is running. It is a steady hum that is fine in a garage or a busy kitchen, but you might find it annoying if you are trying to watch a movie in a quiet living room. The ice itself is classic 'bullet' ice—hollow in the middle, which increases the surface area and cools your drink fast, though it does melt quicker than solid cubes.

How It Compares to Name-Brand Machines

I have spent a lot of time testing kitchen gear, and I previously spent a portable countertop ice maker in stainless steel to see if premium finishes justified the price. The Menards version holds its own in terms of raw speed. Where it falls slightly behind is the insulation. In a 75-degree room, the ice in the Menards basket starts to sweat and melt back into the reservoir after about 45 minutes.

The more expensive units tend to keep the ice solid for an hour or more. However, for a machine that costs significantly less, the performance gap is smaller than I expected. If you are using the ice immediately for cocktails or a water bottle, the insulation doesn't matter as much. If you want to leave it running all day to harvest ice for a cooler, you will lose a bit more to melting than you would with a top-tier model.

The Final Verdict: Keep It or Return It?

I am keeping it. For the price of a few bags of gas station ice, I have a machine that can keep up with a small backyard BBQ. It is perfect for tailgating, RV trips, or just surviving a kitchen renovation when your fridge is unplugged. It isn't a luxury item, but it is a workhorse.

If you care about aesthetics and want something that matches your high-end appliances, you might want to skip the basic silver and look for a black ice maker online to better suit your decor. But if you just want cold drinks without the 3 AM ice run, the hardware store special is a solid bet.

FAQ

Is the ice from a Menards ice maker clear?

No. This machine uses a fast-freezing process that traps air, resulting in cloudy, white bullet ice. Clear ice requires a much slower freezing process found in expensive dedicated clear ice makers.

How do you clean the machine?

Mix a 1:1 ratio of water and white vinegar, run a cycle, then run two cycles with plain water to rinse. Do this every two weeks to prevent scale buildup and 'funky' tasting ice.

Can I leave it on all night?

You can, but it is a waste of electricity. Since the basket isn't a freezer, the ice will just melt and be re-frozen. It is better to turn it on 30 minutes before you need it.