Best Outdoor Ice Makers for Outdoor Kitchens and Patio Bars

Best Outdoor Ice Makers for Outdoor Kitchens and Patio Bars

An outdoor ice maker keeps ice close to the drinks you serve. It can make regular patio use easier and give your outdoor kitchen a dedicated place for ice. The best purchase depends on your drink menu, cabinet opening, and busiest gathering.

Choose an outdoor-approved ice maker that fits your opening, meets your demand in warm weather, and works with your drain. Compare daily production and bin storage separately. Then check the operating limits and installation drawing for the exact model before you order.

This guide compares four outdoor-approved options from Hoshizaki and Scotsman. The shortlist covers top hat cubes, gourmet cubes, and soft cubelet ice. It also includes a choice for a lower cabinet opening. The recommendations use published specifications and application fit. They are not based on hands-on tests.

Quick picks for your outdoor kitchen

• Top hat ice at the lowest listed equipment price in this shortlist: Hoshizaki AM-50BAK.

• Top hat ice for a lower opening: Hoshizaki AM-50BAK-AD.

• Gourmet ice with an included drain pump: Scotsman CU50PAX-1.

• Soft cubelet ice with a lower cabinet: Hoshizaki C-80BAK-AD.

These are different ways to meet a need, rather than four positions in a universal ranking. Choose your ice type and installation requirements first. Price becomes easier to compare once you know which machines fit the job.

Compare outdoor ice maker prices and production

Prices were checked on October 15, 2026. They cover the listed equipment, not a complete installation. Prices and stock can change. Check the product page or request a quote before ordering.

The warm-condition column gives you a consistent basis for comparison. It is a test rating, not a guarantee of output in every outdoor setting. Storage is the amount the bin holds at one time, rather than the amount produced in a day.

Browse outdoor ice makers , or ask Ice Maker Supply to help choose a configuration .

Hoshizaki AM-50BAK for top hat ice in a compact space

The AM-50BAK is worth considering if you want top hat cubes and have a suitable gravity drain. At $3,180 when checked, it had the lowest equipment price among these four models. It makes up to 54 lb a day under the cooler test conditions and 35 lb under the warmer conditions.

Its cabinet measures 14.875 inches wide, 22.625 inches deep, and 33.5 inches high, excluding the handle. The 27 lb bin holds ready ice for drink service. Hoshizaki approves this model for outdoor use within its stated requirements.

Choose it when the top hat shape suits your drinks and its capacity fits your use. The separate drain pump is an extra purchase if your site requires one. For a lower opening, compare the AD version below. For soft ice, look at the cubelet option later in this guide.

View the Hoshizaki AM-50BAK .

Hoshizaki AM-50BAK-AD for a lower cabinet opening

The AM-50BAK-AD offers the same published production and storage as the standard model in a shorter cabinet. Its height is 31.5 inches. Width and depth remain 14.875 and 22.625 inches, excluding the handle.

This version is useful when an approved lower installation is part of your plan. The listed price was $3,280. You are choosing a different cabinet height, not extra ice production. Hoshizaki describes the model as ADA-compliant in height; the completed installation still needs to meet the requirements that apply to your project.

A drain pump is not included. Confirm the drain arrangement and opening before purchase. Choose the standard model if its height suits your design and you prefer its lower listed price.

Check the Hoshizaki AM-50BAK-AD .

Scotsman CU50PAX-1 for gourmet ice with a drain pump

The CU50PAX-1 is a useful choice when you want gourmet cubes and a built-in drain pump. The pump-equipped configuration can suit layouts where an approved gravity route is impractical. Check its lift and discharge limits with your installer.

Scotsman lists 65 lb a day at 70°F air and 50°F water, and 49 lb at 90°F air and 70°F water. The bin holds 26 lb. Its published dimensions are about 14.9 inches wide, 22 inches deep, and 34.4 inches high. The manufacturer approves the CU50 family for outdoor use.

At a listed $3,657, this option combines gourmet ice with the pump in the specified configuration. Its taller cabinet deserves attention if your opening is already built. Choose a lower model when height is the main constraint, or a cubelet model if you prefer soft ice.

Explore the Scotsman CU50PAX-1 .

Hoshizaki C-80BAK-AD for soft cubelet ice

The C-80BAK-AD makes mini cubelet ice, which Hoshizaki describes as nugget-style ice. It is a good candidate when that texture is the main reason for buying. The listed price was $4,620.

Its rated output is 92 lb a day under the cooler conditions and 65 lb under the warmer conditions. The bin holds 27 lb. The cabinet is 14.875 inches wide, 22.625 inches deep, and 31.5 inches high, excluding the handle. A drain pump is not included.

This model offers the greatest rated daily output in this shortlist. Its storage remains close to the other models, so check the ice needed during a gathering as well as the total used each day. Choose a top hat or gourmet machine if you prefer those ice shapes and do not need cubelet ice.

View the Hoshizaki C-80BAK-AD .

Plan the cabinet opening before ordering

The appliance dimensions and the required installation opening are different measurements. Leave room for the connections, door movement, and service access shown in the manual. A nominal 15-inch machine does not mean every 15-inch opening is ready for installation.

For the AM-50 family, the installation manual specifies a minimum opening 15 inches wide and 24 inches deep. Minimum opening height is 34 inches for the standard model and 32 inches for the AD version. These figures belong to that family; use the separate drawing for each other model.

Have the cabinet builder and installer review the same current drawing. This is especially helpful when stonework is being cut or an existing appliance is being replaced.

Understand outdoor approval and temperature limits

Outdoor approval means the manufacturer allows outdoor use under its stated conditions. It does not mean the machine can operate at every temperature or in every exposure. Stainless steel appearance alone also does not establish outdoor approval.

Hoshizaki lists a normal ambient range of 45°F to 100°F for the AM-50 and C-80 models discussed here. Check expected conditions at the machine's location. A weather forecast alone does not show the temperature around an appliance enclosed beside cooking equipment.

The AM-50 manual also directs installers to keep the unit away from grills and other high-heat equipment. Use the model manual to plan the location, ventilation, and seasonal shutdown. Read our outdoor versus indoor ice maker guide for the broader difference.

A remote system needs a separate check. Approval to mount a condenser outdoors does not establish outdoor approval for its connected ice-making unit. For a permanent outdoor kitchen, verify the exact machine that will sit in the island.

Work out how much ice a gathering needs

Measure the ice used in your usual drinks. Then estimate how many drinks you expect to serve during the busiest part of a gathering. Count ice for coolers separately because it can change the total considerably.

For example, assume 12 guests each have three drinks, with 8 ounces of ice in each drink. The calculation is 12 × 3 × 8 ÷ 16, or 18 lb of ice. This is an illustration, not a standard allowance for every guest or event.

Now consider 20 guests with four drinks at the same fill. That uses 40 lb. A 26 or 27 lb bin would not hold that entire amount at once. The machine can make more ice during service, but production comes over time. Plan extra suitable storage or another ice source if the withdrawals exceed what will be ready.

This check helps you buy for the gathering you actually host. Use our ice machine sizing guide to organize daily demand and peak use.

Choose the drain before the model configuration

A gravity drain needs the approved downward route specified for the installation. A pump can move discharge water within its rated limits. It still needs a compliant destination and does not remove the need for plumbing.

The Scotsman configuration in this shortlist includes a pump. The Hoshizaki models do not include one as standard. Hoshizaki lists the HS-5061 pump assembly as an accessory for the featured models. Confirm compatibility, installation requirements, and price before adding it to an order.

Ask your installer to check the route before the island is finished. Our drain pump versus gravity drain guide explains how the two arrangements differ.

Compare the full installed cost

A useful quote shows the machine and any extra work separately. Depending on the site, you may need filtration, fittings, a pump, a water connection, electrical work, or cabinet changes. Ask which items are included and which are separate.

For example, the $3,180 AM-50BAK and $3,657 CU50PAX-1 differ in ice style, output, and included pump. The $477 equipment-price difference is not an installed-cost comparison. Obtain the actual pump and installation quote before deciding which setup offers better value for you.

Also allow for cleaning, filter replacement, service, and utilities. Compare warranty terms for your intended residential or commercial use. Check current availability and delivery arrangements before booking installation work.

Keep seasonal care part of the plan

Choose a model whose cleaning and service needs fit how you will use the outdoor kitchen. Keep its air path accessible. Follow the maker's cleaning schedule and select water treatment for the local supply and model requirements.

If freezing weather is possible, arrange shutdown using the exact manual. Hoshizaki's AM-50 instructions call for draining before temperatures go below freezing. Turning the machine off alone is not the same as completing the required drain procedure.

For a home used only a few times each year, compare the convenience of an installed machine with its ongoing care and installation cost. For frequent outdoor drink service, nearby ice may be the stronger reason to buy. Avoid assuming a particular payback period without using your own costs.

Questions buyers often ask

What is the best outdoor ice maker for an outdoor kitchen

Choose the model that fits your ice preference, warm-weather demand, opening, and drainage. In this shortlist, Hoshizaki offers top hat and cubelet options, while the Scotsman CU50PAX-1 combines gourmet ice with an included drain pump.

Can a built-in ice maker go outside

Only when the manufacturer approves the exact model for outdoor use. Built-in describes an installation format. It does not establish outdoor suitability by itself.

Which model should I choose for nugget-style ice

The Hoshizaki C-80BAK-AD makes mini cubelet ice described by the manufacturer as nugget-style. Check its texture, output, storage, and installation needs against your preferences before buying.

Does an outdoor ice maker need a water line and drain

The four machines in this comparison need a water connection and drainage. Choose a gravity or pump arrangement that meets the exact model requirements and applicable local rules.

Is the highest daily output always the best choice

Higher output helps when you need more ice over the day. Also check storage for concentrated demand, ice shape, fit, and total installed cost. A higher daily rating does not automatically provide a larger bin.

Can an outdoor ice maker stay outside in winter

Follow its temperature limits and winterization instructions. Outdoor approval does not mean year-round operation through freezing weather. Ask the installer how to prepare the machine and exposed water lines for your climate.

How much do the featured outdoor ice makers cost

The listed prices ranged from $3,180 to $4,620 when checked on October 15, 2026. Accessories, site work, taxes, and applicable delivery charges can affect the final budget. Request a current quote for your location.

What should I check before placing an order

Confirm the exact model, outdoor approval, ice type, warm-condition output, storage, opening, and utility requirements. Include your intended home or business use so the warranty and configuration can be checked.

Find an outdoor ice maker that fits your plans

Start with the drinks you want to serve and the space you have. Compare ready storage with your gathering size, then confirm the drain and approved installation. Those checks give you a practical shortlist and a clearer budget.

Shop outdoor ice makers to review the current selection. For help comparing these options, contact Ice Maker Supply with your opening dimensions, ice preference, drain location, and expected use.