While the ice maker in my freezer beats using ice trays, I still hate it. It makes these horrible 2” long crescents that are both too hard and unwieldy for drinking. They are like the Neanderthal of ice cubes, roaming in cocktail glasses across the world, clonking down like a club on connoisseurs everywhere.
There is a simple solution to having bad ice though: getting a separate home ice maker.  Having this little miracle has made my drinks taste just that much better, and I don’t have to worry about choking on ice. Here are some other advantages of having an ice machine at home.
1. You get the type of ice you want
Some people love cubes, some half cubes, but I’m very fond of the chewable ice.  Known as nugget or pearl ice, this ice slushes in your mouth just right when you’re drinking a glass of water or just going it alone.
2. No more ice bags
When I would have the guys over to the house to watch the game, I’d have to buy a few bags of ice just to meet their demand. With an in-home ice maker, I can have pretty much as much ice as I want, on demand.
3. All the ice you need<
Depending on the holding capacity of the ice machine, you can get as much ice as you need. There’s no need to worry about whether it will run out, or whether it’s got to go through another cycle.
4. No more extra labor
Because of those infernal crescent ice cubes, I got used to using an ice crusher to make them a little more palatable. Call me a perfectionist, I don’t mind, but I wanted good ice for all of my drinks.
5. Your drinks taste better
Let’s say that you get a touch-free countertop ice maker. Your ice is going to be more pure because it eliminates the need to dig your hands into the machine, and less contamination means better tasting ice. However, you should routinely clean in around your ice dispenser with a safe, non-toxic disinfectant to avoid sickness and contamination. Natural products are the way to go here, especially any product that contains Melaleuca, or tea tree oil, which is a natural antiseptic.