COWSAR Z5812H Countertop Ice Maker: features, specs and who it suits

The COWSAR Z5812H is a portable countertop ice maker with a built-in compressor. It makes small bullet-shaped ice cubes from a water tank you fill by hand, so it needs no plumbing and can sit on a kitchen counter, a bar top or a camping table near an outlet. Here is what its specs mean in daily use.

How a compressor ice maker works

Countertop ice makers typically dip a cold metal probe into water, freeze a layer of ice onto it, then release the finished cubes into a basket. COWSAR says the Z5812H uses a compressor, the same kind of cooling part found in a fridge, to do the chilling. Compressor machines usually make ice faster than thermoelectric designs, and they are generally less affected by a warm room.

The cubes are bullet-shaped: rounded at one end, often with a hollow in the middle. They suit drinks, pitchers and water bottles. They are not the large, clear cubes used for slow-melting cocktails.

What 26.5 lb in 24 hours means

COWSAR rates the machine at up to 26.5 pounds (about 12 kg) of ice in 24 hours, and says a batch of nine cubes takes about six minutes. Those are the brand's figures, and real output typically depends on room temperature and water temperature.

A machine like this produces ice continuously only while the basket has room and the tank has water. The ice melts slowly in the basket, so it is built for making ice as you need it rather than for storing a large stock. If you need ice for a party, running it for a few hours beforehand and moving the ice to a freezer or cooler is the usual approach.

Tank, basket and controls

The water tank holds 1.2 litres. COWSAR says you fill it, press the on button and the machine starts. An indicator light comes on when the water runs low. The package includes an ice basket and a scoop.

Because the tank is small, a full day of heavy use means refilling it a few times. Using fresh, clean water is a good habit, and the manual will say what type of water suits the machine.

Noise, size and portability

COWSAR says the soundproof design keeps operating noise below 42 decibels. For comparison, a quiet room is around 30 to 40 dB, so a compressor will typically be audible in a silent space, though soft. The machine measures about 11.4 x 11.3 x 8.7 inches (29 x 29 x 22 cm), weighs 14.56 pounds (about 6.6 kg) and has a carry handle.

Self-cleaning

Holding the on button for five seconds starts the self-cleaning function, and COWSAR recommends cleaning the machine once a month. Ice machines hold standing water, so regular cleaning and emptying the tank when the machine will sit unused are sensible habits for any model. Follow the manual for the cleaning steps and any cleaning products it allows.

Who it suits

It suits households that want ice on hand without a freezer tray, small kitchens, home bars, offices and people who travel with an RV or camp where there is power. It is a less natural fit for anyone who needs large volumes of ice, large cubes, or a machine that stores ice for days.

What to check before you buy

• Counter space: allow room for the machine plus airflow around it, as the manual describes.
• Power: you need an outlet nearby, which matters for camping or outdoor use.
• Ice type: confirm that small bullet cubes suit what you plan to chill.
• Refilling: the 1.2-litre tank needs topping up during long sessions.
• Upkeep: plan for monthly cleaning and draining the tank if it will sit idle.
• In the box: an ice basket and scoop are listed.

The short version

• A portable compressor ice maker for the countertop, with no plumbing.
• Rated by COWSAR at 26.5 lb per 24 hours, nine bullet cubes in about six minutes.
• 1.2-litre tank, low-water indicator, basket and scoop.
• Operating noise listed as below 42 dB; 14.56 lb with a carry handle.
• Self-cleaning function, with monthly cleaning recommended.

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