Undercounter Ice Makers: Clear Ice, Drains and Installation
What to know before buying an undercounter ice maker: ice types, drains and installation, with four 15-inch models compared.
- All four models are 15 inches wide, a common undercounter ice maker width.
- Drain setups differ: the Summit BIM26H34 needs no drain, the KitchenAid and Viking have a drain pump, and the Whirlpool needs a floor drain.
- Ice types: clear cubes (Whirlpool, KitchenAid), nugget ice (Viking) and crescent cubes (Summit).
- Listed daily production runs from 25 lbs. (Summit) to 65 lbs. (Viking).
An undercounter ice maker is a dedicated machine that makes and stores ice under the counter, separate from your refrigerator. It is popular in kitchens, wet bars and entertaining spaces because it makes much more ice than a refrigerator's built-in ice maker and keeps it ready in a storage bin.
This guide explains ice types, drain options and installation, then compares four 15-inch undercounter ice makers we carry from Summit, Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Viking, using the specs listed on each product page.
Our top picks at a glance
Compare them side by sideDrain-Free Pick: Summit BIM26H34 15-Inch Drain-Free Icemaker
The Summit BIM26H34 is a 15-inch built-in or freestanding icemaker in stainless steel that needs no drain. It makes up to 25 lbs. of crescent ice a day and stores 22 lbs. It has a reversible door, an ice scoop and manual defrost, and runs on 115 volts.
- No drain required
- Built-in or freestanding
- Reversible door
- Ice scoop included
- Manual defrost
- 25 lbs. daily production
Clear Ice Pick: Whirlpool WUI75X15HZ 15-Inch Built-In Ice Maker
Whirlpool WUI75X15HZ 15 inch Built-In Ice Maker with 25 lbs. Storage Capacity, Clear Ice, Ice Scoop (Stainless Steel)
The Whirlpool WUI75X15HZ is a 15-inch built-in or freestanding ice maker in stainless steel that makes clear ice cubes, up to 50 lbs. a day, with 25 lbs. of storage. It is ADA compliant, front venting, has a bin light and an ice scoop, and its door is reversible. It needs a drain but has no drain pump, so plan for a gravity floor drain.
- Clear ice
- 50 lbs. daily production
- ADA compliant
- Front venting
- Needs a floor drain
- No drain pump
Drain Pump Pick: KitchenAid KUIX515SPS 15-Inch Automatic Ice Maker
KitchenAid KUIX515SPS 15 Inch Automatic Ice Maker with 25 lbs. Ice Storage Capacity, Built-In Drain Pump, Filter-Ready, Clear Ice Technology, Self-Cleaning Cycle (Stainless Steel with PrintShield Finish)
The KitchenAid KUIX515SPS is a 15-inch ice maker with Clear Ice Technology, a built-in drain pump and 25 lbs. of ice storage. It is filter-ready with a filter check indicator, has a self-cleaning cycle and a door alarm, and comes in stainless steel with a PrintShield finish. It can be built in or freestanding.
- Built-in drain pump
- Clear Ice Technology
- Self-cleaning cycle
- Filter-ready
- Needs a drain line for the pump
- Not ADA compliant
Nugget Ice Pick: Viking FNIU515D 15-Inch Nugget Ice Machine
Viking FNIU515D 15 inch Nugget Ice Machine with up to 65 lb Daily Production, 27 lb Storage Capacity, Drain Pump, Reversible Door, Panel Ready
The Viking FNIU515D is a 15-inch panel-ready nugget ice machine that makes up to 65 lbs. of nugget ice a day and stores 27 lbs. It has a drain pump, a reversible door, automatic defrost and Sabbath mode, and it accepts a custom panel to match your cabinets.
- Nugget ice
- 65 lbs. daily production
- Drain pump
- Panel ready
- Panel sold separately
- Not ADA compliant
Undercounter Ice Makers Compared
Summit BIM26H34 | Whirlpool WUI75X15HZ | KitchenAid KUIX515SPS | Viking FNIU515D | |
| Model | BIM26H34 | WUI75X15HZ | KUIX515SPS | FNIU515D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,587 | $2,148 | $2,999 | $5,169 |
| Width | 15" | 15" | 15" | 15" |
| Ice Type | Crescent | Clear cube | Clear cube | Nugget |
| Daily Production | 25 lbs. | 50 lbs. | Not listed | 65 lbs. |
| Ice Storage | 22 lbs. | 25 lbs. | 25 lbs. | 27 lbs. |
| Drain | Not needed | Floor drain | Drain pump | Drain pump |
| Finish | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Panel ready |
| View | View | View | View |
Ice Types Explained
Clear ice is made by freezing water in layers, which pushes out air and minerals. The cubes are hard, slow to melt and look good in drinks. Nugget ice is soft, chewable pellet ice that absorbs flavor, popular for sodas and iced tea. Crescent cubes are the half-moon shape made by many refrigerator ice makers.
Production and storage are two different numbers. Daily production is how much ice the machine makes in 24 hours; storage is how much the bin holds. Undercounter ice makers usually melt some stored ice over time and make more, so plan around production if you entertain.
- Clear: hard, slow melting
- Nugget: soft and chewable
- Crescent: classic half-moon cubes
Drains and Installation
Drain is the first thing to plan. A gravity drain model like the Whirlpool WUI75X15HZ needs a floor drain below the unit. Models with a drain pump, like the KitchenAid KUIX515SPS and Viking FNIU515D, can pump water up to a sink drain. A drain-free model like the Summit BIM26H34 needs no drain line.
Most built-in ice makers also need a water line and a standard outlet. Check the cutout size on each product page; the Whirlpool and KitchenAid list a 15-inch cutout width and a 34 1/2-inch cutout height. For bigger needs, see our guide on sizing a commercial ice maker.
How to Choose an Undercounter Ice Maker
- 01
Find your drainDecide between a floor drain, a drain pump or a drain-free model.
- 02
Pick an ice typeChoose clear, nugget or crescent ice.
- 03
Check productionPick daily production that matches how much ice you use.
- 04
Confirm the cutoutCheck width, height and depth, plus a water line and outlet.
Our Picks by Setup
Compare every ice maker we carry by width, ice type and drain setup.
Shop Ice MakersFrequently Asked Questions
Do undercounter ice makers need a drain?
Most do. In this guide, the Whirlpool WUI75X15HZ needs a drain, the KitchenAid KUIX515SPS and Viking FNIU515D have drain pumps, and the Summit BIM26H34 needs no drain.
What is the difference between a drain pump and a gravity drain?
A gravity drain needs a floor drain below the ice maker. A drain pump pushes water up and out, so it can connect to a higher drain such as a sink drain.
How much ice does an undercounter ice maker make?
In this guide, listed daily production ranges from 25 lbs. on the Summit BIM26H34 to 65 lbs. on the Viking FNIU515D.
What is clear ice?
Clear ice is frozen in layers so air and minerals are pushed out, making hard, slow-melting cubes. The Whirlpool WUI75X15HZ and KitchenAid KUIX515SPS make clear ice.
What size is an undercounter ice maker?
All four models in this guide are 15 inches wide and fit under a standard counter. Check each product page for depth and cutout height.
