With the growing demand for restaurant-quality ice cubes at home, undercounter ice makers have become a popular household appliance. They offer homeowners convenience and ease in creating ice that elevates any beverage. Just like other luxury appliances – dishwashers, washer/dryer, etc. – undercounter ice machines produce a low level of noise that can easily be minimized with a few design considerations.
Design is the Key
1. LOCATION OF THE ICE MAKER
AVOID CENTRAL PLACEMENT Place the ice maker on the periphery of the kitchen, away from common seating or dining areas.
KITCHEN ISLAND PLACEMENT If your kitchen has an island, consider integrating the ice maker there, as it can buffer sound by positioning the noise source further from living spaces.
WALL BUFFERING Install the ice maker against an exterior wall or a wall that’s adjacent to a less frequently used room, like a laundry or pantry.
2. USE SOUND-ABSORBING MATERIALS
CABINETRY Enclose the ice maker with sound-dampening cabinetry, ensuring proper ventilation. The cabinets can absorb some of the noise.
SOUNDPROOF INSULATION Add insulation within the walls behind or around the ice maker to help muffle noise.
FLOORING Install sound-absorbing materials like cork or padded vinyl near the ice maker to minimize noise amplification from hard surfaces.
3. CHOOSE A QUIET ICE MAKER
BUILT-IN UNDERCOUNTER ICE MAKER Consider a built-in or undercounter ice maker, which can be better insulated and quieter than freestanding models
4. PHYSICAL SEPARATION
PANTRY OR UTILITY ROOM Place the ice maker in a nearby pantry, butler’s pantry, or utility room if possible. This separates the noise source from the main kitchen area.
5. ACOUSTIC PANELS AND SOUND BARRIERS
ACOUSTIC CEILING TILES Use sound-absorbing ceiling tiles near the ice maker in the kitchen space to reduce overall noise.
SOUND BARRIERS Install a partial wall or divider between the kitchen and living or dining areas to prevent sound from traveling.
Find The Right Machine For Your Home
- For drive-thru quality ice at home, check out our BRILLIANCE® NUGGET ICE MACHINE.
- For crystal-clear, odorless ice cubes, check out our BRILLIANCE® CUBER MACHINES.
- To find a Scotsman dealer near you, search our Dealer Locator page.
- To find a Scotsman service location near you, search our Service Locator page.
