I Ran a Cheap Machine 24/7 for This Costway Ice Maker Review
I have spent thousands on high-end refrigerators only for the built-in ice makers to die in six months. It is a recurring nightmare for anyone who likes a cold drink. After the third time my kitchen floor was flooded by a 'premium' appliance, I decided to see if a cheap, standalone fix was actually a permanent solution. This led me to write this costway ice maker review after pushing one of these budget units to its absolute limit during a record-breaking heatwave.
Quick Takeaways
- Produces its first batch of 9 cubes in roughly 7 to 9 minutes.
- Small enough to fit under standard 18-inch cabinets without a struggle.
- Bullet-shaped ice is ideal for smoothies but melts quickly in room-temp water.
- The machine is not a freezer; you must move the ice or it will melt back into the reservoir.
Why I Finally Tested a Budget Ice Machine
Every time I check my inbox, readers are asking the same thing: Are those $100 machines on Amazon and Wayfair actually worth it, or are they just future landfill fodder? I usually tell people to save up for a high-end nugget machine. But let's be real—not everyone wants to drop five hundred bucks on frozen water. I bought this unit to see if a brand like Costway could handle the abuse of a four-person household that treats ice like a basic human right.
The skepticism was high. I expected it to rattle, leak, or simply give up the ghost after a week of constant cycling. Most budget appliances look great in a staged photo but feel like flimsy toys once you get them in your kitchen. I wanted to see if the '26 lbs per day' claim was marketing fluff or a genuine spec you could rely on when the thermometer hits 95 degrees.
The Setup: First Impressions and Counter Space
Out of the box, the Costway is surprisingly compact. It has a footprint roughly the size of a large toaster oven. If you opt for the sleek black ice maker, it actually blends in quite well with modern appliances. The plastic housing feels sturdy enough, though the top lid is a bit lightweight. I found it fits perfectly on a standard kitchen counter with enough clearance for the side exhaust fan to breathe.
Setup takes about five minutes. You plug it in, wipe down the interior, and fill the reservoir to the 'max' line. There is no water line to hook up, which is a blessing for renters or RV owners. The 2.2-liter tank is easy to access, though I quickly realized that using filtered water is mandatory if you want the machine to last more than a season without scale buildup clogging the sensors.
The 24/7 Stress Test: Does It Actually Keep Up?
I ran this machine for 30 days straight without hitting the power button once. The manufacturer claims a batch every 6 to 13 minutes. In my testing, with a room temperature of 72 degrees, the first batch dropped at the 8-minute mark. These first few cubes are always a bit thin and watery because the cooling rods haven't reached their peak temp yet. By the fourth batch, the 'bullets' were thick, solid, and ready for a cocktail.
Over a 24-hour period, I managed to harvest about 19 pounds of ice. That is short of the 26-pound 'lab condition' rating, but it is more than enough for a family of four. The cycle is relentless. As soon as the sensors detect the bin is full, it pauses. As soon as you scoop enough for a glass of tea, it kicks back into gear. It survived the month without a single software hiccup or mechanical jam.
Where the Machine Shows Its Price Tag
You aren't getting a silent, sub-zero experience for this price. The exhaust fan is loud—comparable to a microwave running in the next room. If you are sensitive to white noise, you will notice it. I compared the compressor hum to the Tramontina ice maker 80901 I tested last year, and the Costway is slightly higher-pitched. It is the sound of a budget motor working hard.
The biggest drawback is the lack of insulation. This is a bucket, not a freezer. If you leave the ice in the basket, it starts melting within 20 minutes. The water drips back into the reservoir to be recycled into new ice, which is efficient, but it means your 'fresh' ice is often slightly wet and prone to clumping if you move it to a freezer bag. Also, the drain plug is located on the bottom-side, making it a pain to empty and clean without dragging the whole unit to the edge of the sink.
The Final Verdict: Who Should Actually Buy This?
If you need a reliable countertop ice maker for an RV, a small office, or a basement bar, this is a solid win. It is not a luxury appliance, and it won't give you that chewable 'Sonic' ice that nugget machines produce. It makes cold, hard, bullet-shaped ice quickly and consistently. For the price of a few dozen bags of gas station ice, you own the means of production.
Don't buy this if you expect a silent kitchen or if you want ice that stays frozen in the bin for hours. But if your fridge's ice maker just died and you need a bridge to get you through the summer without breaking the bank, the Costway is a workhorse that punches above its weight class. It’s a plastic box that makes cold rocks, and it does that job exactly as advertised.
FAQ
How do you clean the Costway ice maker?
Mix a 1:1 ratio of water and white vinegar, run a few cycles, then run two cycles with plain water to rinse. Do this every two weeks to prevent slime and scale.
Can I leave it on overnight?
Yes. The machine has an automatic shut-off sensor that stops ice production when the basket is full or the water reservoir is empty.
Is the ice chewable?
It is 'bullet' ice, which is hollow in the middle. It is softer than the square cubes from a freezer tray, making it relatively easy to crunch, but it isn't as soft as pebble ice.