# Why do hotels have ice machines? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 7, 2019, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665 "2019-03-07T00:59:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/61 "2019-03-07T15:28:10Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > The one at the bar doesn’t have to be inspected? > The restaurant inspectors never question the source of the ice? The one that’s at the bar is in the basement. The beer taps are inspected, but he doesn’t serve food (liquor license, no food license) and so ice has never been questioned. At the restaurant there is no ice machine. Because he works with ice in a cooler it is assumed he is purchasing bagged ice. _Also_, I should point out that he keeps his ice machine clean. He does what he does because he believes the health department goes out of their way to find violations. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/62 "2019-03-07T15:34:41Z")
Ice machine? Last Saturday night when the young man came by for turn down service, he brought us a bucket of ice. Last month my wife called down and asked if their was an ice machine on our floor and was told no, but they’d bring us up a bucket right away. So maybe self service ice is becoming less common. (my wife wants ice most nights, I can take it or leave it) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/63 "2019-03-07T15:45:45Z")
Turn down service? Never used that as an adult traveling on my own. What does it entail? Is it just literally turning the bedcover down, or folding it up? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/64 "2019-03-07T15:51:40Z")
My late husband used to use ice to keep his insulin cold if he couldn’t get a mini-fridge. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/65 "2019-03-07T15:52:52Z")
Re: the refrigerators in hotels. Some of them have a temperature control inside on the back near the top. ( I seem to recall some having a control on the back outside. Could be wrong though. ) You can make them colder. The hotels keep them less cold to save money. To make a soda or beer cool faster, put it in the ice bucket, add ice and water, then spin the bottle or can for about three minutes. If I want a cold beer _now_, I’ll just put ice in it. (You beer purists out there getting your hackles up can just stick it where the hops don’t shine.🆒 _ **I** _ have a cold beer.) ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/66 "2019-03-07T16:03:44Z")
> [@Jumpbass](#): > > Re: the refrigerators in hotels. Some of them have a temperature control inside on the back near the top. ( I seem to recall some having a control on the back outside. Could be wrong though. ) You can make them colder. The hotels keep them less cold to save money. Actually, the biggest problem most of them have is simply being too closed-up. They’re in a tiny closet that doesn’t have enough space or circulation: leaving the door of the little closet open does wonders for the efficiency and power of the poor overworked minifridges. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/67 "2019-03-07T16:14:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Turn down service? Never used that as an adult traveling on my own. What does it entail? Is it just literally turning the bedcover down, or folding it up? They’ll ask if you need any ice, usually give you a small chocolate or piece of fruit, if you’ve messed up the bed since the maid came through in the morning, they’ll remake it and fold the sheet covers down. Usually, they’ve come when I’m out, but if I’m there when they knock I’ll decline their offer, but take the ice if I need it. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/68 "2019-03-07T16:27:29Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Turn down service? Never used that as an adult traveling on my own. What does it entail? Is it just literally turning the bedcover down, or folding it up? I’m not a fan. I usually have my DND light on so they leave me alone. But yeah, fresh towels if you need them, ice, take the bedspread off (or fold it down), a couple bottles of water and a little kiss on the cheek. It’s all quite civilized. ---
**Author:** ![Royal\_Nonesutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Royal\_Nonesutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Royal_Nonesutch)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/69 "2019-03-07T16:30:02Z")
> [@Jumpbass](#): > > To make a soda or beer cool faster, put it in the ice bucket, add ice and water, then spin the bottle or can for about three minutes. One of the best drinking tricks I ever learned, right along with how to open a bottle of beer using a disposable cigarette lighter as fulcrum lever for times when you don’t have a proper bottle opener. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/70 "2019-03-07T16:33:38Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > Turn down service? Never used that as an adult traveling on my own. What does it entail? Is it just literally turning the bedcover down, or folding it up? > > I’m not a fan. I usually have my DND light on so they leave me alone. But yeah, fresh towels if you need them, ice, take the bedspread off (or fold it down), a couple bottles of water and a little kiss on the cheek. It’s all quite civilized. What? No bedtime story? Seriously, though, if I’m traveling on my own, the three or four towels they provide are usually enough. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/71 "2019-03-07T17:00:36Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Every time I’ve been to a science fiction convention, the ice machines are empty by the first night. As someone who runs hospitality suites at such cons, I plead guilty to emptying out those machines at least ten times a day. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/72 "2019-03-07T17:07:27Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > You know you can get water straight from the tap? You don’t need to melt ice. You use the iron to get the waves out. > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I only stay at hotels with fridges. Seriously people, they’re not fancy. Extended stays aren’t expensive and have full fridges; your basic Holiday Inn Express has a college boy. I can’t imagine having to shove my beer & pop into a little plastic bowl full of ice. I think microwaves & fridges are relatively new in hotels; I don’t remember them growing up. Old habits coupled with the fact it’s harder to leave a drink behind that is sitting in sight on the counter in an ice bucket rather than out of sight in a fridge probably drives a lot of their use. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/73 "2019-03-07T17:31:33Z")
As mentioned above, they’re quite helpful for alcohol. Traveling to Indiana? They can’t sell cold beer at the grocery store. I travel frequently to Washington DC, and I’ll often pick up a six pack of good beer and use the ice bucket to make sure they stay cold. There are some drink bargains in DC, but you have to search them out. Just walking into a random bar can be a painful shock to your wallet, compares to NYC pricing more than Chicago. Ice machines are definitely not a thing in Europe, although I’ve never stayed at an international chain like Marriott or Hilton. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/74 "2019-03-07T17:39:01Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I love that you think that’s what this thread is about. What the hell is your problem Miller? Do I need to check in with you before I post now to make sure it meets your standards of relevancy? I was commenting on the OP: I don’t use the ice machines, because I use the in-room fridges to keep stuff cold and get ice if I need it. Sorry if the slightly tongue-in-cheek “scolding” of ice machine users didn’t come across well, and I’m sorry if my post somehow offended you, but can you explain what I did that’s out of bounds in relation to the discussion? ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/75 "2019-03-07T17:46:33Z")
I use them all the time for everything from chilling drinks to making ice-paks for the odd bruise or strain. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > If you’re germaphobic, don’t think about how long it’s been since the ice maker was cleaned out and properly sterilized. Probably never. My mother’s cooking was so poor and unsanitary that I figure I’m pretty much immune. And my life has reinforced that: twice I’ve been out to eat with others who all became violently ill afterwards. Me? Not even bad gas. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/76 "2019-03-07T17:51:52Z")
> [@Jumpbass](#): > > Re: the refrigerators in hotels. Some of them have a temperature control inside on the back near the top. ( I seem to recall some having a control on the back outside. Could be wrong though. ) You can make them colder. The hotels keep them less cold to save money. Yep, some will even shut them off or unplug them to save money as I found out… the hard way. > [@Jumpbass](#): > > To make a soda or beer cool faster, put it in the ice bucket, add ice and water, then spin the bottle or can for about three minutes. If I want a cold beer _now_, I’ll just put ice in it. (You beer purists out there getting your hackles up can just stick it where the hops don’t shine.🆒 _ **I** _ have a cold beer.) You can speed the cooling up even faster by adding a handful of salt packets. > [@Royal\_Nonesutch](#): > > One of the best drinking tricks I ever learned, right along with how to open a bottle of beer using a disposable cigarette lighter as fulcrum lever for times when you don’t have a proper bottle opener. Meh, if you want to really impress people, you need to learn how to pop the top with a metal spatula or thin knife, or just stick it in your eye socket and use your cheekbone! ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/77 "2019-03-07T18:15:02Z")
I unplug them sometimes when they’re loud and I’m trying to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/78 "2019-03-07T18:19:39Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > You can speed the cooling up even faster by adding a handful of salt packets. Pro tip: open the packets first. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/79 "2019-03-07T18:27:37Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > You had an ice machine in your room? I bet that was noisy. Actually, a couple of years ago, my hotel room was near the ice machine in the hallway, and it was noisy in my room, even with the super-thick hotel room door. Now I know enough to ask for a room away from the elevator, ice machine and vending machines. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665/80 "2019-03-07T18:42:33Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > What the hell is your problem Miller? Do I need to check in with you before I post now to make sure it meets your standards of relevancy? I also love that you think I was telling you not to post. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-hotels-have-ice-machines/830665.md?page=5)