Coolake IM55BS Undercounter Ice Maker Review

Intro

The Coolake IM55BS-120LBS is an undercounter ice machine positioned for heavy home use and light commercial service. The listing states it produces up to 120 pounds of cube ice per day with a 40-pound storage bin, a stainless steel exterior, front-venting cooling, and a one-touch self-cleaning cycle. Owner feedback collected alongside the listing highlights quiet operation, reliable production during gatherings, and helpful after-sales support from Coolake.

This review walks through what the machine is, how it performs in everyday situations, build and safety details called out in the listing, and who should consider it — or skip it. The goal is practical, cook-friendly guidance so you can decide whether the IM55BS fits your space, your party needs, and your kitchen setup.

What it is / first look

The Coolake IM55BS-120LBS is listed as an undercounter ice maker designed to work built-in or freestanding. Key listing facts: 120 pounds of ice production per day, 40 pounds of storage capacity, and item dimensions of 20.7" deep by 14.96" wide by 33.07" high. The product weight is listed at 65 pounds, and the material type is given as metal, stainless steel.

On the control and convenience side, the listing describes an intuitive LCD control panel that lets you adjust cube thickness by changing ice-making time, soft-glowing interior LED lighting, and a built-in filter intended to help with hard-water scaling and corrosion. The bullet features emphasize an efficient cube ice cycle that runs every 10 to 20 minutes and a one-touch self-clean function that activates when you press the button for three seconds.

Design notes called out in the listing include front-venting cooling, which the manufacturer describes as removing the need for side or rear clearances and therefore making the unit easier to integrate into tight undercounter spaces. Refrigerant is listed as R290a, the unit runs on 115 volts of alternating current, and the Wattage field in the listing is stated as 3.43 kwh. The model name is IM55BS-120LBS and Coolake supplies a warranty described as 3 Year Parts and 5 Year Compressor.

In daily use

Installation and fit: built-in vs freestanding

The listing presents the IM55BS as flexible for built-in or freestanding placement, and highlights front-venting as a front-and-center benefit for small spaces. Owners describe the unit as appearing fairly straightforward to install under the counter; one owner said they didn’t install it themself but observed that the installation seemed straightforward. If you’re fitting this into an undercounter cutout, use the listed dimensions (20.7"D x 14.96"W x 33.07"H) and the front-venting claim to plan spacing — the listing specifically calls out that front venting helps avoid costly side and rear clearance requirements.

Production, storage and real-world output

Production and storage numbers come straight from the listing: up to 120 pounds of ice per day and a 40-pound storage capacity. The listing describes an efficient cube ice cycle of 10 to 20 minutes and the ability to tune cube thickness via the LCD control. Owners report the machine kept up during a party and, in multiple notes, that it provided plenty of ice for large gatherings — that’s a repeated positive signal for real-world throughput.

Ice quality and customization

The listing emphasizes clear cube ice and the ability to change cube thickness by adjusting ice-making time on the LCD panel. Owners use phrases like “heavenly cube ice” and confirm the unit produces usable ice without the large blocks or rapid melt they experienced with a prior machine. The combination of adjustable cycle time and the listing’s clear-ice claim suggests the unit is intended for cocktail and drink service where cube shape and melt rate matter.

Noise, reliability and service

Several owners describe quiet operation; one owner explicitly says it’s quiet and another praises the machine for being the best of several they’ve owned. Owner feedback includes a positive report on Coolake’s customer service — in one case after initial trouble, the company contacted the buyer, troubleshot, and supplied a replacement unit. That combination of owner satisfaction and an explicit warranty in the listing (3 Year Parts, 5 Year Compressor) is useful when thinking about long-term reliability.

Cleaning and maintenance

The listing highlights a one-touch self-cleaning cycle: press the cleaning button for three seconds to trigger it. It also mentions a filter to address hard-water scaling and corrosion. Owners repeatedly mention that the new model is dramatically easier to break down and clean than older consumer machines and that the design simplifies maintenance. Those owner reports line up with the listing’s emphasis on self-cleaning and the included filter.

Practical use cases

The listing explicitly calls out suitability for home bars, restaurant kitchens, cafés, and offices; owner feedback backs up the party/home-bar use case. If you host frequent gatherings or run small-volume beverage service, the production rate and storage capacity — plus the owner signals about party performance — point to a machine that can handle sustained demand at that scale.

Materials & build quality

The listing describes the exterior as stainless steel and lists the material type as metal, stainless steel. Item weight is 65 pounds, which aligns with a compact, metal-bodied appliance rather than a lightweight plastic chassis. The listing also highlights an attractive stainless steel exterior that the manufacturer says stays spotless with a quick wipe.

Control features called out in the product copy include an LCD control panel for time and cube-thickness adjustments and soft-glowing interior LED lighting for visibility. A front-venting cooling system is presented as an engineered feature for space-efficient installation. Those are the build and finish features the listing focuses on; owners echo that the machine is straightforward to clean and appears well engineered for user access and maintenance.

Two practical build details to note from the listing: refrigerant is listed as R290a, and the machine’s electrical spec shows 115 volts of alternating current with a Wattage field listed as 3.43 kwh (the listing provides that exact wattage entry). If you need more granular material or component breakdowns (compressor make, internal plastics, insulation type), the listing doesn’t specify those details; verify the current manufacturer documentation if that matters to your purchase decision.

Safety considerations

Safety-first: the listing contains a few safety-relevant specs you should verify before installation. Refrigerant is specified as R290a in the product facts — that is the refrigerant the manufacturer lists. The unit requires electrical power at 115 volts of alternating current and has a Wattage entry of 3.43 kwh in the listing. The listing also describes a gravity drainage design and a one-touch self-cleaning cycle; check your space for compatible drainage routing and confirm the listed drainage plan before buying.

The listing’s front-venting cooling system is presented as a safety and installation convenience: the manufacturer claims the front venting removes the need for side or rear clearances. That can make the unit easier to integrate into tight undercounter spaces, but buyers should still follow the full installation instructions from the manufacturer and confirm local codes or contractor guidance for built-in appliance ventilation and drain routing.

Owners do not report safety incidents in the provided feedback; the repeated owner notes praise the quiet operation and effectiveness. However, the listing does not provide third-party safety certifications or additional material certifications beyond the refrigerant and stainless-steel material entry. The product facts do list a warranty (3 Year Parts, 5 Year Compressor), which provides a degree of post-sale protection if parts or compressor issues arise.

Final safety checklist items to consider before purchase: verify the electrical requirements and outlet type in your installation location (115 volts AC is listed), confirm drainage and gravity-drain compatibility with your plumbing, and review the manufacturer’s installation guide for any clearance or mounting recommendations despite the front-venting claim. When in doubt, follow manufacturer instructions and consult a qualified installer for built-in configurations.

Who this is for / who should skip

Who this is for:

• Home-bar owners who want a built-in or freestanding undercounter ice solution: the listing explicitly lists home bars among target uses and owners report strong party performance.
• Small cafés, offices, and light restaurant use: the product copy calls out suitability for restaurants, cafés, and offices, and the 120 lb/day production figure supports frequent moderate-volume use.
• Kitchens with limited side or rear clearance: the front-venting cooling design in the listing is meant to reduce clearance needs and makes undercounter integration easier in tighter layouts.
• Buyers who want simpler maintenance: the one-touch self-cleaning cycle and included filter are billed as features that reduce manual scrubbing and scaling issues; owners say the unit is easier to disassemble and clean than older consumer models.

Who should skip or look elsewhere:

• If you need very large on-site ice storage: the listing states a 40-pound storage bin, so buyers who need large holdover ice stores or weeks-long storage should consider a unit with larger bin capacity or a separate dispenser.
• If you require detailed materials or certification documentation not included in the listing: the listing does not provide component-level material breakdowns or third-party certifications beyond the specs shown. Verify current manufacturer documentation if those details are critical to your decision.
• If you cannot provide gravity drainage, or your space lacks compatible venting or electrical connections: the listing mentions gravity drainage and front venting; confirm compatibility before purchase.

Verdict

The Coolake IM55BS is a compact, stainless-steel undercounter ice maker that the listing positions for home bars, cafés, offices and light restaurant duty. The product facts list 120 pounds of daily production and 40 pounds of storage, with front-venting for tight installations, a self-clean cycle, an LCD control panel for adjustable cube thickness and a built-in filter for hard water concerns. Owners’ notes reinforce many of those claims: buyers highlight quiet operation, reliable production during parties, easier cleaning compared with older models, and responsive customer service when a replacement was needed.

Strengths: the production-to-storage ratio (120 lb/day with a 40 lb bin) suits regular entertaining and light commercial needs; front-venting is helpful for undercounter fit; one-touch cleaning and a filter simplify maintenance; owners report quiet, dependable operation and positive service experiences. The 3 Year Parts / 5 Year Compressor warranty provides additional peace of mind for medium-term ownership.

Limitations and unknowns: the listing provides a useful set of specs but does not list third-party safety certifications or exhaustive component material details beyond the stainless steel exterior and refrigerant type. The Wattage entry in the listing is stated as 3.43 kwh (the listing provides that exact figure) and the refrigerant is listed as R290a — verify local code and installer guidance for refrigerant-handling or placement rules in your area. Also confirm drainage and electrical compatibility before purchase.

Check before you buy (quick checklist)

• Measure your cutout: the listing dimensions are 20.7"D x 14.96"W x 33.07"H; verify cabinet or undercounter space fits these numbers.
• Confirm ventilation plan: the listing highlights front-venting to avoid side/rear clearances, but check manufacturer installation instructions to confirm local-clearance and venting needs.
• Verify plumbing/drainage: the unit listing mentions gravity drainage — ensure your sink/drain hookup is compatible or consult an installer.
• Check power: listing shows 115 volts_of_alternating_current and a Wattage field of 3.43 kwh; verify you have suitable power available.
• Confirm production/storage needs: listing states 120 lb/day production and 40 lb storage — make sure that matches your typical party or service volume.
• Review warranty and service: Coolake lists 3 Year Parts and 5 Year Compressor coverage; consider whether that warranty meets your expectations for commercial or heavy-use settings.
• Ask about outdoor use if applicable: the listing calls the product an "Outdoor Built-in Ice Maker Machine" — verify specifics for outdoor-rated installations in the manufacturer documentation if you plan exterior placement.

Colors and finishes: the listing material type is metal, stainless steel. Available images suggest a stainless-steel finish is the primary offering; owners and the listing both emphasize a stainless exterior that wipes clean. Below is the color/finish note provided with the product images:

• stainless steel

Overall, the Coolake IM55BS-120LBS looks like a solid option for home bars and small commercial settings where 120 lb/day output and a 40 lb bin match the volume you need. Owner reports of quiet, dependable operation and positive customer service support that assessment, while the front-venting and self-clean features make the unit approachable for tighter installs and easier maintenance. Verify the electrical, drainage, and installation details on the current manufacturer listing and follow installation guidance to ensure safe, code-compliant setup.