Tuesday, February 5, 2013

NewAir AI-215 Portable Ice Maker {Review}

NewAir logo
When it comes to planning a party, I always find myself stressing about each step, yet enjoying it at the same time. Putting up decorations, cooking the food, sending out invitations — I love the feeling of seeing it all come together for a good time for family and friends.

But while I never mind purchasing another brand of soda or extra balloons and streamers, there is something about buying ice that I just can't get past. It's ice. All it takes to make it is water, something that flows aplenty around here, and cold, something that we know a great deal about in the Midwest.

However, as much as I'm tempted to fill up a tray full of paper cups with water and just set them out on the deck to freeze, that's not exactly the most convenient or efficient (or sanitary) way to make ice.

Instead, I love that there are companies that make it possible to bring a high quality, stylish, easy to use product right into my home that eliminates ever having to worry about something such as buying ice ever again. In fact, there's no need to ever even remotely stress about it, thanks to the NewAir AI-215 Portable Ice Maker.

NewAir ice maker

An industry leader in designing portable and small appliances for the home, NewAir offers a full line of items that can accentuate the home while giving people more time to spend doing what matters. Whether your house needs a portable air conditioner, a beverage cooler, an ice cream maker, a space heater or much more, NewAir has one that you're sure to love!

While there are quite a few products on NewAir.com that I admired, when the NewAir AI-215SS Stainless Steel Portable Ice Maker arrived, I knew that it would be just the thing for everyday use as well as special occasions.

NewAir AI-215 Portable Ice Maker review

Measuring in at 14.25" L x 16.88" W x 16.75" H and weighing a little under 40 pounds, this isn't a small appliance by any means... yet it's not so overwhelmingly big and heavy that it requires more than one person to move it.

In fact, once I had this Portable Ice Maker removed from the box and all of its packaging, I couldn't wait to get it in place and ready for use.

NewAir ice maker review

After reading over the clear, easy to follow instructions, I found that there wasn't much that I needed to know before I was going to be enjoying my own custom-made ice.

As the NewAir AI-215 has a convenient self-cleaning mode (a feature that I love on just about anything!), it didn't take much effort on my part to simply remove the ice bin and scoop, pour in a mixture of vinegar and water, and press a single button.

Once the machine cleaned itself, I simply opened the drain on the side, let the water/vinegar mix run out, and refill and repeat with clean water. In around 15 minutes total, my Portable Ice Maker was sparkling clean and ready to go.

NewAir portable ice maker

After adding water to the fill line right on the inside, all that was left was to press the power button, select the size ice I preferred (small, medium or large) and sit back and let the ice-making begin! The whole machine is nearly foolproof and really just so simple!

NewAir ice maker controls

Depending on factors such as ice cube size and room temperature, it takes somewhere around 10-15 minutes before your perfectly formed ice begins clinking into the bin. So, if you're looking to enjoy an ice cold beverage, there isn't an extremely large amount of wait.

On the other hand, if you are planning a party, it's no problem to turn on the NewAir AI-215 in advance so that by the time your guests arrive, your ice will be ready and waiting. Better yet, you can add your water and then simply use the 18 hour timer to "set it and forget it" and not have to worry that the ice will be flowing when your friends walk in the door.

shaped ice cubes

Am I the only one who has never seen ice cubes shaped like cute little bullets before?

ice cube bullets

With an ability to make up to 50 pounds of ice per day, this Portable Ice Maker makes it possible to entertain (or simply lounge around by the pool) and not have to wonder if it will run out.

We used this at our recent Super Bowl party and not only did the AI-215 keep the ice cold and well-stocked throughout the afternoon and evening, it was fun and easy for guests to scoop out more whenever they needed...

portable ice maker
I could have been a nicer hostess and lifted out the bin and brought it around to people, but this way clearly worked just as well.

...and I never had to think twice about having enough ice for any and all uses that arose.

frozen shrimp
What? How do you keep your shrimp chilled?

As the perfect finishing touch to this already-handy machine, the side-mounted drain makes for extremely easy draining and cleanup. Simply unscrew the cap and let the excess water run right out so that you'll be ready to refill it and use it again next time!

NewAir AI-215 Portable Ice Maker

From the easy and quiet operation (just a tap or two on the LCD display!) to the portability and convenience of pulling this out anywhere and anytime, the AI-215 is just the thing to make your next party stress-free and simple. From an impromptu celebration after a winning soccer game to a neighborhood block party in the summer sun, you just can't forget the ice!

Retailing for around $299.99 (from sites such as Overstock.com, ATGStores.com and Amazon) the NewAir AI-215 Portable Ice Maker isn't a small purchase, but just might be one that you'll find yourself reaching for time and time again over the years. Find out much more about this and all of NewAir's innovative products by visiting NewAir.com and connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Other than the NewAir AI-215SS Stainless Steel Portable Ice Maker I was provided by NewAir in order to facilitate my review, I was not compensated or enticed to do this review in any way. This post is solely my honest opinion of this product.

17 comments:

Sippy Cup Mom said...

Oh my gosh, how cool is this!? I would love to own of these! Perfect for parties, but I've also been craving so much cold ICE water this would be great to have my own little machine!

Anonymous said...

We love our Newair portable ice machine. It has come in so handy for parties that I host plus everyone asks if they can use it for their parties! The ice is great!

Janet W. said...

This would be great for parties! I didn't even know this product existed!

ReviewsSheRote said...

that's super and I'm the one who would fill up 10 ice cube trays to save the $$$ =) Its price is a little steep for me- I only throw about three parties a year--but might be a good investment to go in on with family.

Denise Taylor-Dennis said...

I have never seen a portable ice maker before this is very cool. This would be great for parties.

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

Oh what an incredible luxury!

Liz Mays said...

I find those ice cubes rather hilarious looking! I'd totally string them on a necklace and wear them outside in the summer to cool off.

I have an ice maker but for parties, this is fabulous!

ColleenMarie82 said...

I would love this because our refrigerator does not come with an ice maker therefore we never have ice!

Mer said...

This looks so convenient! I love that it has a timer, so no worries about having another thing to remember when running around before the guests arrive.

Unknown said...

I use to own one of their units a while back, it unfortunately died on me for unknown reasons ? I wish I could tell you why but I have no clue. It lasted a year but it was wonderful to have for our camper and saved us money since we weren't buying bags of ice...just wish it would have lasted longer. :)

LeeAnn said...

With all of the parties we have, I seriously need one of these! This would be so much better than dumping bags of ice in a cooler that may or may not be totally clean. What a great product!

Lily Anne said...

Thank you for your wonderful review.
I have wondered if this worked
I don't have an ice Maker somoght this my fridge,so this may be a good option for us!

Lisa R said...

This is awesome..Now i don't have to carry my refigerator with me everywhere i go.....just kidding...I love that it's separate because Ive heard some horrible stories about the icemaker breaking on really expensive refrigerators. at least if this breaks down you don't have to worry about the refrigerator

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

Anonymous said...

this will come in handy for bbqs and parties

Unknown said...

Wow, how cool is that! I completely understand your statements about living in the midwest and feeling strange about having to pay for ice! This is a really neat machine, though. I have never seen ice cubes shaped like that, but I think they're fun or would be fun! I'm sure the kids would get a kick out of them! As for the work involved, it seems very simple and easy. I think if I ever am in need for ice on a frequent basis, these machines will come in handy and make a great investment. Thanks for the review!

Unknown said...

Wow - fantastic product. I wish I had known about it last year when I had a very large party in my back yard...we could have used more ice.

Unknown said...

This is awesome! I need one of these! I'm always entertaining and this would be perfect! I love your review!