Power House Ice Eaters - Protect Your Boat This Winter

Power House Ice Eaters -
The Best Way to Protect Your Boat This Winter

* Updated October 24, 2025
* Originally published February 4, 2024

Ice eaters, a version of a dock de-icer, ensure that boats, docks, and marinas remain protected during winter.  They can even keep the fish and other aquatic species in your waters healthy and thriving. Among the many options of dock de-icers on the market, the Power House Ice Eater stands above the rest.

Learn more about this ice eater brand and the features you can enjoy using their products. At the same time, learn how to use one properly so your boat stays well-protected as the water freezes.

Why Do You Need De-Icers?

Bodies of water, especially lakes and ponds, are prone to freezing in many areas of the United States.  This is not good news if you live in an affected area and have a dock to take care of. 

If your dock isn’t safe from ice, a lot of damage can happen to your boat, marina, boathouse, boat lifts, and the dock itself. This can result in expensive repairs. If many docks in your area are affected, the dock and boat repair line might be a long wait, and you may miss out on summertime fun.

Ice expands when it freezes, and the longer this expansion happens, the more damage the ice will cause. It can crush your floats, pilings, and everything else in the water. It can even cause structural damage. Unfortunately, I can speak from experience - this is not a fun situation!  Dock de-icers will get your property protected better than anything else.

About Power House Ice Eaters

The Ice Eater turned 45 years old in 2024!  It was created by a company known as The Power House Inc., which was located in Maryland.  After the tragic death of their owner in 2017, Bearon Aquatics took over ownership of the Ice Eater in February 2019.  They had been the longtime manufacturer of the Ice Eater, so there were no major changes.

In 2023, Bearon Aquatics became a part of Hydrasearch Company, LLC after a corporate realignment. The Ice Eater, Power House Aeration, and Olympus Fountains were all placed under the Hydrasearch umbrella. The supply chain remained intact, and business continued as usual, still operating out of Maryland.

On July 14th, 2025, Airmax Inc acquired The Ice Eater along with Power House Aeration and Weeds Away brands. Airmax Inc. is located in Armada, Michigan. They have been in the aeration and pond ecosystem business since 1996. The Ice Eater manufacturing and sales remain the same, just under the Airmax brand now, and operating out of Michigan.

The Power House Ice Eater has stood the test of time and continued to evolve over its 45-year history. It is one of the most reliable ways to protect your dock, boat, marina, and more from ice damage.

Power House Ice Eater Models

There are four main Power House Ice Eaters to choose from: 

P250 Ice Eater - 1/4 Hp - For Small Boats:

It works best to protect small boats; this de-icer can move 900 gallons of water per minute. Here are more of its specifications: 

• Horsepower: ¼ HP
• Volts: 115 V, 230 V
• Thrust: 28 lbs
• Expected Opening in the Ice (Diameter): 20-25 ft

P500 Ice Eater - 1/2 Hp - For Small Boats and Dock Slips: 

This specific model works for both small boats and dock slips. It can also move 1,075 gallons of water per minute. Here are more of its specifications: 

• Horsepower: ½ HP
• Volts: 115 V, 230 V
• Thrust: 32 lbs
• Expected Opening in the Ice (Diameter): 40 ft

P750 Ice Eater - 3/4 Hp - For Mid-Size Boats and Multi-Slip Docks:

It works best for slightly bigger boars. This de-icer can move 1,275 gallons of water per minute. Here are more of its specifications: 

• Horsepower: ¾ HP
• Volts: 115 V, 230 V
• Thrust: 34 lbs
• Expected Opening in the Ice (Diameter): 60 ft

P1000 Ice Eater - 1 Hp - For Large Boats, Docks, and Marinas:

This de-icer can move 1,400 gallons of water per minute. This machine is a beast! Here are more of its specifications: 

• Horsepower: 1 HP
• Volts: 115 V, 230 V
• Thrust: 36 lbs
• Expected Opening in the Ice (Diameter): 80 ft

Key Features They Offer for Boat Protection

Aside from their technical builds and details, these de-icers offer the following cutting-edge features: 

Durable

These units come with heavy-grade motor housing. They’re made with a 16-gauge 304 stainless steel, bronze endbell, and a 316 stainless steel motor shaft. These make them resistant to corrosion from freshwater and saltwater. Even their power cords are oil and water-resistant. With all of these, you can ensure that you can use your ice eater for a long time. 

Energy-Efficient and Eco-Friendly

Operating at 115 or 230 volts, using any of these ice eaters will be more efficient than using its competitors and can keep your utility bills down. Plus, these units don’t use oil. Their rotors are cooled with an environmentally friendly lubricating fluid. 

Multiple Operation Settings

The shroud of these de-icers creates superior water flow and direction. They flare outward and create a greater upward thrust—this pulls warmer water from the deeper areas of the body of the water. Their unique housing also allows them to operate in five different flow patterns. This will enable you to choose which pattern would be the best for your area and situation. 

Easy Installation

Unlike other de-icers in the market, these de-icers require little to no setup effort. All you have to do is unbox them, connect their ropes, and place them in the water. After that, you can start using them and watch the ice melt in the water. You also don’t need any extra hardware to use their different patterns. 

Upgradable With Accessories

If you want better performance and durability, you can use any ice eater model with useful accessories that you can buy separately. From the same brand, here are the most common accessories people use their de-icers with: 

• Screen Kit: This can protect the ice eater from getting damaged by debris and ice chunks.
  
  
• Stand: This can ensure that your de-icer stays where you position it, and it can keep weeds away from your machine. It also enables the de-icer to rotate and tilt in place. 
  
  
• Timer: You can use this to ensure that your ice eater only runs for a specific duration. This will help you keep energy costs low. 
  
  
• Thermostat: Like the timer, you can use this to keep the costs down. With this, you can ensure the ice eater runs only when the temperature reaches the freezing point. 

How to Properly Use An Ice Eater to Protect Your Boat

To ensure you’re getting the best de-icing results, here are the proper steps on how to use these ice eaters: 

Find the Appropriate Location

Choosing a location and position at least 5 feet deep is best to ensure efficiency; a minimum of 3 feet is necessary.  De-icers can work in the shallow parts of the water, near the dock. Determine which area needs to be protected and how big that area is. This will help you select the correct Ice Eater.

Hang the Whole Ice Eater Setup

With the mooring ropes attached to the ice eater, position and hang it in the water. Most of the time, de-icers are suspended vertically to create a circular pattern. In your chosen position, hang the ice eater 2 to 3 feet below the water’s surface and at least 1 foot above its bottom. This will allow the unit to properly thrust warmer water to the surface. Once placed, you can turn it on and get that water moving.

Experiment With Your Ice Eater

To find the best solution for your water and dock, you can experiment with the settings and setup of your ice eater. You can change the angle to create a different type of opening in the ice. This can work better if you have a different dock shape. You can also experiment with its operation duration. This is to ensure that the ice has completely melted away. 

Additionally, don’t forget that you can use multiple ice eaters depending on the size of the area you want to protect. For example, a large marina usually has dozens of ice eaters keeping their property safe.

Placement Warnings

If you’re using the ice eater near the dock, you’re legally obligated to post a sign. This is to warn others about the machines in the waters or the potentially thin ice in the area. Also, unplug them when not in use to ensure everyone's safety. This is especially important once the weather warms up. 

Conclusion

Power House Ice Eaters offer top-notch protection once it gets cold and ice starts to show up. Not only will they protect your boat, but they can also protect your dock and the whole area around it. Use one of their models if you’re looking for the best de-icing technology. 

You can visit our Ice Eater collection for a closer look at these fantastic de-icers and accessories.

You can download this article here: Download Article

Related Resources:

Splashy Spotlight: Bearon Aquatics - PowerHouse Ice Eater Review (Download) (Infographic) (Brochure)

How Dock DeIcers and Ice Eaters Protect Your Dock from Ice Damage (Download PDF)

The Best Dock De-icers for Boats, Docks, & Marinas (Download blog)

What to Look For When Buying a Dock DeIcer or Ice Eater (Download PDF)

Preparing Your Dock for Winter With a Dock De-Icer (Download PDF)(Infographic)(Brochure)

Download our helpful Infographic by clicking here

Choosing a Dock and Boat Ladder: What Should You Be Looking For? (Download) (Brochure) (Infographic)

Important Reasons to Install Your Dock De-Icer Before Winter Arrives (Download) (Infographic) (Brochure)

How to Use De-icers to Protect Boat Lifts and Docks (Download)