Scotsman CU50GA 1 Ice Maker: In-Depth Review

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.

The Scotsman CU50GA is a full-size under-counter gourmet ice maker.

It makes the kind of crystal clear ice you find in high-end bars and restaurants. Though pricey, the Scotsman CU50GA is an excellent addition to a home bar, den, or kitchen. You can also install it in the patio or outdoor kitchen/bar.

The Scotsman CU50GA comes in a silver finish that blends well with other appliances. With a height of 34.3” and a height of 14.8”, it should fit under most countertops.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • It makes high-quality clear gourmet ice.
  • It blends well into the kitchen or bar.
  • It fits under standard counters.
  • High production and storage capacity.
  • It is approved for outdoor use.

Cons

  • Expensive.
  • It may require professional installation.

Key Features

1. Clear Gourmet Ice

scotsman cu50

The Scotsman CU50GA makes clear gourmet ice cubes.

Gourmet ice is the preferred kind of ice for premium drinks like whiskey.

Regular cloudy ice cubes melt too quickly, resulting in a diluted drink. They also don’t look exquisite in a glass of whiskey.

Gourmet ice is not just clear, it’s also denser and slower melting. This allows you to enjoy your drinks slowly without worrying about dilution.

The Scotsman CU50GA works differently from other ice makers. Instead of freezing water all at once, it freezes it in one direction to ensure there’s no trapped air or contaminants in the ice.

This is what makes the ice clear and dense.

2. High Production & Storage Capacity

The Scotsman CU50GA is designed primarily for commercial use. So it’s not surprising that it can produce up to 65lbs of gourmet ice each day.

That’s a lot of ice for a single family, but it’s handy if you often host guests and parties.

The built-in bin holds up to 26lbs of gourmet ice. Once it fills up, the ice maker automatically stops making more ice.

The bin is not insulated, so the ice will melt if you leave it there for several hours, and the meltwater goes down the drain.

3. Clean Undercounter Installation

The Scotsman CU50GA is a great choice if you want to retain the clean look of your kitchen or bar.

It installs cleanly under the counter, and the silver finish matches that of most kitchen appliances.

The Scotsman CU50GA is 14.9” wide, 22” deep, and 34.4” high. Check that it’ll fit under your counter before you order.

By the way, the Scotsman CU50GA for outdoor use. So feel free to install it in a covered outdoor area like a patio, outdoor kitchen, or an outdoor bar.

4. Self-Cleaning

Maintaining the Scotsman CU50GA ice maker is easy, thanks to the self-cleaning function. It even has an indicator on the control panel that comes on when it’s time to clean.

All you need to do is add the recommended cleaning solution and press the clean button, and the machine does the rest on its own. 


Issues and Concerns

Expensive

scotsman cu50

The Scotsman CU50GA is pricey. If you are shopping for a budget gourmet ice maker, consider getting a portable unit instead. The Newair Countertop Clear Icemaker costs way less and makes 40lbs of clear ice per day.

May Require Professional Installation

You may also need to add the cost of a pro to your budget if you are not comfortable installing the  Scotsman CU50GA under the counter yourself.

It requires a permanent water line connection, and it’ll also need to be connected to the drainage. If you don’t have an outlet under the counter, you’ll have to get an electrician to install one.


Care and Maintenance

The only maintenance you need to do is run the self-cleaning function when the cleaning reminder indicator comes on.

Check the user manual for instructions on what kind of cleaning solution you should use.


Warranty

scotsman cu50

The Scotsman CU50GA comes with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor and a five-year warranty on the compressor.

Though the Scotsman CU50GA is a commercial unit, the manufacturer will honor the warranty even when used in a residential home. Not all commercial ice maker manufacturers do this.


Specifications

  • Type of ice: Clear gourmet ice
  • Production capacity: 65lbs/day
  • Bin capacity: 26lbs
  • Size: 14.9 x 22 x 34.4 inches
  • Warranty: 1yr + 5yrs on compressor

Where To Buy

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.