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The gadget Cynthia Lawrence says rescued her backyard birthday party was a CASO IceChef Compact countertop ice maker. In her September 13, 2026, Tom’s Guide account, she reports seeing the first ice in six minutes and a full basket in under 40 minutes. Those are her reported results with that machine—not a guarantee for every model or party.
What happened when the party ran out of ice
Lawrence describes a hot-day gathering where the ice supply melted faster than expected. She brought out a countertop machine she had stored away. It made ice while guests were there, and the novelty impressed them; the practical value was having a way to replenish the supply rather than relying only on what was already in the freezer.
Her account also includes the trade-off: the machine was noisy while running, although the party itself made the sound less noticeable. She says she plans to keep using traditional ice cube molds for everyday freezing and sees a countertop machine as a useful standby for parties. The CASO’s exact manufacturer specifications, price and current availability are not established here.
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These appliances make ice in batches, then hold a limited amount in a basket. A headline figure for daily production is not the same as the amount ready to serve at once: you may need to let the machine run and accumulate batches before a larger crowd arrives. If guests use ice faster than the machine can replenish it, the basket can still empty.
#1 Best Overall
- 6 Mins Ice-Making & Ultra Quieter: Our Euhomy ice maker only takes 6mins that will enjoy the first batch of fresh bullet ice. With a 1.2L water tank and powerful compressor, the portable ice maker easily makes maximum ice capacity to 26lbs ice per day and holds up to 1.3lbs ice at a time. Also, our ice maker is not only excellent in refrigeration, but also at less than 45db normal noise, ensuring a comfortable and quiet environment to enjoy ice-making, similar to a working freezer.
- Portable Design & Perfect Bullet Ice: Our ice maker comes with a sturdy handle, weighs only 13lbs and with compact size 11.57(L)*11.42(W)*8.74(H)in. Those features make ice maker easy to carry and perform well on any occasions like Kitchen/Home/Camping/RV/Party/Dorm. Also, the newly designed countertop ice maker produce the most popular bullet-shaped smooth ice cubes, which won't stick together easily or hurt your hands or mouth even are perfect for cold drinks, iced coffee or chew as snacks.
- Smart Operation & Self-Cleaning: The ice maker has advanced infrared sensor. The "ICE FULL" indicator flashes remind you to take out ice to prevent overflowing when the basket is full. And it'll remind you to add water by flashing "ADD WATER". Additionly, the compact ice maker has a one-touch auto-cleaning function. Press the “ON/OFF” for 5s after adding water to run automatic mode for 30mins. Not only are your hands-free but also you get a clean ice maker.
- User Friendly & Simple Operation: Euhomy ice maker is a popular and classic model of the moment adopts large see-through window visualized, allowing viewing of the interior ice-making. Equipped with a 170w upgraded compressor that 4kWh/24H energy consumption to save your electricity bills. And with a easy-to-operate controlable panel for faster operation in just two steps, adding water and press "ON/OFF". Then our ice maker will provide you fresh bullet ice for you and your member timely.
- Superior Quality & Warranty Promise: Include handle, ice basket, ice scoop, manual and well-designed package can as gifts. Our Mission is committed to providing customers with premium Euhomy ice maker at a reasonable price. You totally deserve a more exquisite life! We offer ① 12-month warranty from the original purchase date; ② Lifetime technical service support. Suppose you have any questions about using our Ice Maker, Our 7*24-hour customer support is always ready to help you!
For planning, consider the first-batch time, basket capacity, water-tank size, ice shape, refill alerts, cleaning, noise and counter space—not just pounds produced per day. The examples below are manufacturer-listed figures or product-sheet claims, not results from a head-to-head test.
What the published specifications say about other models
| Model | Batch and daily output | Holding capacity and water | Other listed features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midea MERI26B1AGY | Midea lists 8 bullet pieces per 6-minute batch and up to 26.5 pounds per day. | 1-pound basket; 1.3-liter tank. | Two ice sizes, auto-clean, scoop, one-year limited warranty and UL listing. Midea product page. |
| GoveeLife H717D | GoveeLife lists 9 bullet-shaped pieces per 6 minutes and up to 26 pounds per day. | Removable basket; the cited product page lists a 2-liter tank. | Three sizes, app alerts and self-cleaning. Its FAQ says it does not make crushed ice. GoveeLife product page. |
| Hamilton Beach 86150 | The company’s older product sheet lists 9 cubes per 8 minutes and up to 28 pounds per day. | More than 1.5 pounds held in the bucket between refills; half-gallon tank. | Two sizes and a scoop. The sheet is approximately from 2020, so check whether this model is currently available before treating it as a buying option. Hamilton Beach product sheet. |
These figures come from manufacturers or their product materials; they do not establish which machine will keep up with a particular party. The basket figures are especially useful for understanding the immediate supply limit, while daily-output claims describe production over time.
Rank #2
- Fast Nugget Ice & All Day Supply: Enjoy fresh, chewable nugget ice in as little as 6 minutes with this nugget ice maker countertop. It produces up to 34 lbs of ice per day, so you can keep up with iced coffee, smoothies, sodas, cocktails, and daily family use without constant waiting
- Soft, Chewable Nugget Ice: This nugget ice maker makes small, airy pellet ice that cools drinks quickly and is easy to chew. Perfect for iced coffee lovers, cold drinks, mocktails, and even snacking on ice straight from the basket
- One-Touch Ice Making: Just fill the 1.2 Qt water tank, press the button, and let the pellet ice maker get to work. Helpful “ADD WATER” and “ICE FULL” alerts, a large viewing window, and a removable 1.8 lb ice basket make everyday operation easy and stress-free
- Compact & Portable Design: Designed for real-life kitchens and drink stations, this sonic ice maker fits neatly on countertops without taking over your space. The built-in handle makes it easy to move between the kitchen, office, RV, parties, or weekend getaway
- Quiet & Self-Cleaning: Enjoy fresh ice with under 45 dB low-noise operation and a one-touch self-cleaning cycle. The lift-up top makes cleaning easier, helping keep your pebble ice maker fresh for everyday use. ETL certified and backed by 1-year tech support
Keep the CASO party story separate from the Euhomy recommendation
The machine Lawrence says she used was the CASO IceChef Compact. Tom’s Guide separately links to an Euhomy countertop ice maker as a shopping recommendation; that is not the machine identified in her party story. Homes & Gardens’ Euhomy product coverage reports nine cubes per six minutes, up to 26 pounds per day, a 1.2-liter tank and 1.3-pound capacity for an Euhomy product. These are editorial product claims, and the exact model and listing should be checked before relying on them.
For any model, confirm that the product listing matches the specifications you are comparing. Names, listings and availability can change, and a number attached to one version should not be assumed to apply to another.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Eco-Conscious Performance:The ice maker uses an optimized motor and streamlined construction to cut energy consumption by 30%. Lower carbon footprint + save on energy bills – sustainability meets smart spending.
- Turbo Ice Machine:Chill drinks in just 6 minutes – 26lbs of bullet ice a day capacity crushes summer heat anxiety. Keep the drinks flowing at pool parties, BBQs, or sudden guest arrivals.
- Self-Cleaning Care:One-touch maintenance cycle keeps ice tasting fresh. No more funky ice odors! Simply activate weekly (or after 2-week inactivity) for crystal-clear ice you can trust.
- Road Trip-Ready Compactness:Fits anywhere with 8.74"x11.47"x11.57" footprint – Throw a countertop ice maker in your RV, tailgate setup, or beach cabana. Your ultimate hydration sidekick for adventures.
- Library-Quiet Operation:Whisper-quiet tech at <40dB – Talk, work, or binge Netflix undisturbed. Our acoustic engineers obsess over every decibel. So is our ice machine.
Rank #3
- Fresh Nugget Ice in 7 Mins: The Euhomy countertop nugget ice maker produces soft, chewable ice in just 7 minutes. With a 1.1L water tank, this pebble ice maker machine makes up to 34 lbs of refreshing pebble ice every 24 hours, providing a continuous supply of fresh nugget ice for home use or entertaining
- Soft, Chewable Nugget Ice: Love chewing ice and enjoying chilled drinks? The EUHOMY nugget ice maker countertop produces crunchy, slow-melting nugget ice with an authentic taste. Perfect for snacking on its own or adding to cocktails, sodas, and more
- Easy to Use: Just fill the water tank, press the “ICE” button, and enjoy. The clear window lets you check the ice level at a glance, while the Ice Full and Add Water alerts let you know when it’s time to serve or refill this sonic ice maker
- Automatic Deep Cleaning: The built-in self-cleaning system eliminates tedious manual scrubbing. Simply press and hold the “CLEAN” button for about 5 seconds to activate the cleaning cycle, making maintenance effortless and helping keep your pellet ice makers countertop fresh and ready for continuous use
- Compact Design & Reliable Support: Measuring 11.02 × 9.12 × 12.62 inches, this portable compact nugget ice maker fits easily on most countertops and is ideal for home, office, kitchen, RVs, and more. Our support team is always here to help with any questions. Note: A blue or green appearance is caused by the protective film—simply remove it before use
How to avoid an ice shortage at your next gathering
- Start with the amount you can store. Check basket capacity and have enough freezer space or a cooler for ice made ahead. A small basket may need frequent emptying even when the machine’s daily rating sounds high.
- Allow time to build a supply. Run the machine before guests arrive rather than counting on one quick batch to serve a crowd. The reported CASO timing is Lawrence’s experience, not a general performance promise.
- Check water and refill signals. A tank needs replenishing, and some machines provide a low-water alert. Midea lists a 1.3-liter tank; GoveeLife lists a 2-liter tank and app alerts.
- Match the ice to the drinks. Models may offer different sizes or shapes. GoveeLife says its H717D does not make crushed ice, so check the exact form before buying if that matters for your menu.
- Plan for sound and cleanup. A running appliance can be audible in a quiet kitchen or outdoor setup. Look for cleaning features and follow the maker’s instructions; auto-clean or self-cleaning does not mean the machine needs no care.
- Measure the counter and serving area. Make sure the unit fits where it can run safely and that you can reach the basket, water tank and outlet without disrupting food prep.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
