Short answer
Choose air-cooled for most kitchens: it is the most common type, simplest to install and uses less water, but it releases heat into the room and needs clear airflow. Water-cooled units suit hot or tight spaces but use far more water. Remote-cooled units put the condenser outside, moving heat and noise out of the kitchen.
An air-cooled machine's rated production assumes moderate room and water temperatures. In a hot kitchen or a closet with poor ventilation it makes noticeably less ice and works harder, so leave the clearances given in the installation manual.
Water-cooled condensers run water through the condenser to carry heat away while the machine runs, which adds to water bills, and some Canadian municipalities restrict or ban single-pass water cooling. Check your local water bylaws before choosing one.
Remote condensers take more installation work, because refrigerant lines run to the roof or an outside wall, but they suit high-output machines and quiet front-of-house locations.
Updated · By Norpex