Frigidaire. It seems different enough that we’re hesitant to recommend it without testing, especially because the average ratings seem to be lower than those for the “traditional” design. Touted as one of the fastest nugget ice makers on the market, this NewAir machine can churn out its first batch of ice in just five minutes. It's a real pain to move around, especially when you have to periodically drain the thing to keep it clean. It has a soft, easy-to-chew texture, and it absorbs the flavor of whatever drink you’ve put it into. One variant, probably made by Hicon, can crank out about twice as much ice per day because it makes 12 ice bullets per batch and has faster-working compressors than the nine-bullet models. The Frigidaire EFIC229-VCM is one example of this style. The Forge makes clear spheres of ice, but it’s a rare machine, and we don’t know much about how it works. When we first published this guide in 2017, it was hard to find an ice maker with an average rating better than 3.8 stars. They’re meant for indoor use, preferably at a comfortable room temperature of around 70 °F. Hence, smooth, crystalline ice without air inclusions will produce less bubbles.”. Since 2013, Liam McCabe has covered appliances for Wirecutter, including microwaves—another category that is semi-secretly dominated by a single manufacturer. But if you’ve got your eye on one, don’t let us talk you out of it—they work fine. NewAir Countertop Clear Ice Maker, 40 lbs. We think the Opal will satisfy nugget ice lovers, but at $500 it's not for the general public, and the bluetooth app does feel like a last minute add-on. One of dozens of nearly identical machines, this Igloo distinguishes itself with a carry handle and a dedicated self-cleaning cycle. The Manitowoc CNF-0201A-L ice maker nugget ice is expensive, however, it’s tons going for it. The first batch is a little smaller than subsequent batches, as the machine heats up, but the difference wasn’t as obvious as with other brands we’ve tested. When the cleaning is done, you drain the "dirty" water into the sink via a pair of hoses in the back. The Opal does have a timer that can be accessed with the app, allowing you to schedule around parties or your own nugget-ice needs. And since it’s sold through Home Depot, in-store returns should be easy (a few owners of various models have written that retailers either refused or slow-rolled returns via shipment, though these instances seem to be uncommon). Fast And Powerful. We found more than 50 listings for portable ice makers from a couple dozen brands. The GE Profile Opal is the most prominent countertop ice maker that makes nugget ice, sometimes known as pebble ice or “that ice you get at Sonic.” (As we were getting ready to publish this guide, we found a brand-new nugget-ice maker sold by NewAir, which we’ll look into at a future date.) Wirecutter is reader-supported. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more. Most portable ice makers are clones of the same smallish bullet-ice maker, manufactured by a company called Hicon. Hicon’s best-selling style, and the best-selling style overall, is its small bullet-ice maker. It’s a good idea to clean your ice maker from time to time. This ice maker may produce 26 LBS of ice per 24h. Keep drinks cool and guests refreshed with this Frigidaire compact ice maker. It's color coded: white for making ice, blue for needs more water, and yellow for cleaning. Some slower (usually 28 pounds of ice per day) 12-bullet models are also available, but we’re hard pressed to think of a reason to buy one in place of a nine-bullet model that has the same ice-making capacity. It doesn’t seem like this little machine is going to churn out Ice fast enough for a night of drinking with a few friends but it really does! After over 2200 Amazon reviews, this model has sustained a 4.5 / 5 star rating (as of 10/15/2020). Frigidaire EFIC103 Ice Maker Machine Heavy Duty, Large Stainless Steel NO.2. All the nine-bullet models are roughly the same size, taking up about half as much counter space as a small microwave oven. And of all the complaints we read about this type of ice maker, cloudy ice was not among them. The machine makes 85 pounds of nugget ice per day and stores 22 pounds in its storage bin. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. Daily Production Portable Ice Maker online from Wayfair, we make it as easy as possible for you to find out when your product will be delivered. If you can’t get ice the way you want it from the most common sources—such as the ice maker in a fridge, some other built-in machine, trays, or store-bought bags of ice stored somewhere cold—then it might be worth buying a portable ice maker. It’s about half as fast as the slowest bullet or clear-cube models. We found that the Luma’s small-ish clear cubes melted a bit faster than the Magic Chef’s cloudy-but-larger bullets, both sitting in a dry bucket and in a glass of soda. It is a combination of ice maker and refrigerator that is perfect for hotel rooms and for personal use as well. One possible point of confusion: The so-simple-it’s-bad control panel on the Luma has a “hidden” setting that increases the thickness of the cubes if you hold down the power button for 5 seconds. The seller page for Hicon on Alibaba (a popular business-to-business marketplace) has dozens of listings for unbranded portable ice makers that are identical to the branded models that appear at retailers in the US. Opal suggests you replace the water every 25 hours. Frigidaire EFIC108-SILVER Counter top Portable NO.5. The smartest thing you can do is drain any leftover water out of the machine once you’re done using it, to prevent mildew from growing inside the damp, dark, warm, stagnant interior. Setup takes about 20 minutes, and most of that time is spent waiting. We’re not sure they’ll be useful that often, but it won’t … Nugget ice also goes by many other names including pearl, chewblet, cubelet, and Sonic ice. The main downside is that clear-cube makers are bigger and more expensive than the nine-bullet machines we’ve highlighted. Our Frigidaire Compact Ice Maker is portable and engineered to produce great tasting ice anywhere you need it. When you buy a Frigidaire Small Appliances 26 lb. The Opal took about an hour to create 14 ounces of ice, which is quicker than a tray in the freezer, but not as convenient as your built-in ice maker in the fridge. Right out of the gate, the Frigidaire EFIC103 26 lb. Even though it’s true in general that clear ice melts more slowly than cloudy ice, that’s irrelevant in the context of portable ice makers because, among the models we tested, the clear-cube makers produce smaller cubes than the ice made by the bullet makers. *At the time of publishing, the price was $264. NewAir 24” Built-in Dual Zone 20 Bottle and 70 Can Wine and Beverage Fridge $869.99 It’s not immune to problems, either, despite its high price. Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan, 5 fridge trends we're excited about for 2021, Samsung focuses on customization with its all-new Bespoke fridge, LG's new InstaView refrigerators sanitize with UV light, 6 tips for venturing beyond stainless steel in the kitchen, Make over your laundry room with colored appliances, 5 refrigerator trends we're excited about for 2021. Frigidaire Ice Maker - Silver EFIC206. UPDATE: The Opal Nugget Ice Maker is now available for purchase on Amazon. © 2021 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Our pick: Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27 (or any other nine-bullet model), most of our time looking into these models, larger variants of these bullet-ice machines, aren’t convinced that this cycle does anything special or even useful, Fraudulent reviews have become prevalent there, clear ice melts more slowly than cloudy ice, brand-new nugget-ice maker sold by NewAir, guide to the preferred types of ice for various cocktails, video tutorial on making clear ice without special equipment, Cooking Tools That Keep Your Kitchen Cool. by Marguerite Preston and Lesley Stockton. Photo: Michael Hession, The controls for the Magic Chef—and for many similar nine-bullet ice makers—are super-simple, though some models include a self-cleaning mode. $129.99. ... 4.7 out of 5 stars with 399 reviews. Either way, most of these models have specs and designs similar to those built by Hicon. The Luma drink tasted bubbly and sharp, while the Magic Chef drink immediately tasted flat (and, without the effervescence to balance out the sugar, sickly sweet). They’re louder than a fridge but quieter than an air conditioner, so you won’t have to raise your voice while they’re running. Also, it … We looked at more than 50 different models of ice maker for this guide and have tested seven of them since we began reviewing them in 2017. by Nick Guy, Kevin Purdy, Daniel Varghese, and Anna Perling. The sleek, compact design is finished in stainless steel, and makes the perfect complement to any room or office you put it in. option is a clear-cube ice maker like the Luma Comfort IM200SS, which we tested and liked. If you drink a lot of soda or seltzer, clear ice will help your drinks taste better for longer because it doesn’t cause as much fizzing. Any spec that was alike or different on paper was predictably alike or different in the real world, and any tiny performance variations we measured among similar models are inconsequential. After any sort of cleaning, it’s wise to run a few water-only ice-making cycles, to rinse away any residue—and discard the ice, of course. This 200W Frigidaire portable ice maker produces two different sizes of ice cubes for beverages or use in picnic coolers. But it looks to us like Hicon does make models for Frigidaire, Igloo, and NewAir, and possibly for Whynter, Della, Costway, and other brands, too. Of course, clear ice also looks better than cloudy ice. But owner reviews suggest that some of these, particularly the ones that claim to make 33 pounds of ice per day, suffer from early breakdowns much more often than the “regular” nine-bullet models (with 26 or 28 pounds of ice-making capacity) that we’ve recommended do. Hamilton Beach PIM-1-3A Portable Ice Maker… Although some brands’ import records were unavailable, the machines they sell have nearly the same specs and a similar look as the ones from the confirmed Hicon customers. NO.1. NewAir Portable Ice Maker 28 lb. For most people, these big machines are probably overkill. There’s an Opal Flake Ice Maker, which we haven’t tested but seems to be similar to the nugget ice model (it just doesn’t press the flakes into nuggets). Learn more. We also heard from representatives from a couple of ice-maker brands, including FirstBuild, NewAir, and Magic Chef. It has the highest review count with the highest average rating. It’s possible that they supply certain brands, or at least certain models to some brands. Freestanding Ice Maker in White is the ideal solution for all your ice making needs. That’s a fine reason to opt for something like the Luma, even if you’re not too thirsty for a bubbly drink. Bigger sizes are also available, if you really need a lot of ice. Product Title Frigidaire 44 Lbs Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker EFIC235, Stainless Steel Average Rating: ( 3.6 ) out of 5 stars 16 ratings , based on 16 reviews Current Price $279.00 $ 279 . We spent most of our time looking into these models. This nugget ice machine home helps you with each the water and therefore the ice. Essentially, nugget ice is a bunch of flaked ice (the type used in seafood displays) packed together. If the Della is out of stock, also look for the Hamilton Beach and Costway. Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker. It is large enough to produce all the ice you require, and little enough to be carried to different places. Although the cloudy bullets aren’t exactly gourmet ice, they’ll get your drinks cold, and that’s good enough for most of us. A few models can even hook up directly to a water line (so you don’t need to manually refill the reservoir), and they will continue to make ice as long as the ice basket isn’t full. The Frigidaire nugget ice is smaller than a sugar cube and just as satisfyingly soft. Bin Size. If the ice makers we’ve highlighted so far are sold out, or if the price seems unusually high on the day you want to buy one, you can choose any other nine-bullet model with a 26- or 28-pound maximum daily output and expect a similar experience. There’s evidence that most (if not all) bullet-style portable ice makers sold in the US are manufactured by a single company, Hicon. Still, the design is elegant enough to live on any countertop, and at the end of the day, the Opal makes high quality nugget ice. We tested one of these models, the NewAir AI-215 (which is pretty similar to the Della Stainless Steel Ice Maker 48 lb and the Whynter IMC-490SS, among several others). The Opal Nugget Ice Maker (MSRP $499) is charming, crazy, and awesome. You can just buy whatever’s cheap or looks cool: The most compact and affordable models—which make nine bullet-shaped “cubes” at a time—are likely all the same basic machine made in the same factory, and they work pretty well. (Shipment-based returns may not always be possible with ice makers.). But if ice is all the same to you as long as it gets your drinks cold, the bullets will do just fine. By far the most prevalent at-home nugget ice maker brand on the market is Opal. The Frigidaire ice maker machine is also great for RVing, camping or taking along with you while you are travelling in a boat. Since there’s relatively little competition in this category, and every option is both uniquely appealing and seriously flawed, this guide doesn’t really pinpoint the “best” model or even type of portable ice maker. That’s pretty suspicious. Your summers are never going to be the same once you add this portable ice machine to your life. We also checked public import records and found that many of the brands we listed had received shipments of ice makers from Hicon over the past year. You can even use bleach, to sanitize the interior. This is an important consideration when choosing the best nugget ice maker. Skip to main content. Nugget ice is softer than regular ice, which makes it easier to chew. There’s also a slight variation of this design, with a clear reservoir on the front of the machine that looks pretty cool. For those not in the know, nugget ice is ice that's made from compressed flakes rather than a solid block like you'd get from a tray or traditional ice maker. The other notable manufacturer is FirstBuild, which is a subsidiary of GE Appliances (itself a subsidiary of Haier). The Igloo ICEB26HNBK also gets a special mention, because it’s one of the few models in this size with a self-cleaning cycle. This is basically true, though in our experience the “seams” between the cubes were always easy to break just by jabbing at the block with the plastic scoop that comes with the machine, or picking up the block and dropping it into the basket from 6 inches up. At a balmy 80 °F, it took about 12 minutes per batch, and the first few batches were composed of cubes that were not fully formed. We tested several of the popular small, nine-bullet models, including the Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27, Frigidaire EFIC108, and Della Premium Ice Maker; a large, 12-bullet model, the NewAir AI-215; the FirstBuild Opal nugget-ice maker (also sold under the GE Profile brand); and a clear-cube, waterfall-style model, the Luma Comfort IM200SS. The overall height of this ice maker is 34 inches, and it has a capacity of 4.2 cubic feet. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. But one unique complaint about bullet-ice makers is that the ice is more cloudy than some people prefer. Most portable ice makers don’t use water lines, so you’ll fill the reservoir manually. The ice itself is fine. 399. $159.99 - $161.99. Thanks to a high-power cooling process, it can produce up to 40 pounds of ice per day—all in a compact, countertop body that measures 16.5 x 10.6 x 16.3 inches. We also found a few reviews written by people who claim to have owned several ice makers that each broke down after a couple years of regular use. Today, with no actual improvements to the products and no important differences between models, it’s common to find ratings of 4.3 stars. At Home Depot, for example, a great small appliance (like this Shark vacuum) can often carry an average rating of 4.6 stars or higher. The Opal also hasn’t been available long enough to get an accurate sense of its long-term durability. Liam McCabe is a senior staff writer for Wirecutter, and has covered the wild world of appliances since 2011. It’s particularly excellent for slushies and warm-weather cocktails, though it will make carbonated drinks go flat pretty quickly. The Luma usually took 20 to 25 minutes to complete each batch of ice at regular room temperature, and more like 30 minutes in warmer temps. That’s enough to cool a drink pretty quickly. Serve iced drinks at social gatherings with this Frigidaire portable ice maker. Hicon also makes larger variants of these bullet-ice machines, as well as a clear-cube maker, which is worth considering if you drink a lot of carbonated beverages or post glamour shots of your iced coffees on Instagram. W e spent over 50 hours measuring pounds of ice, including production and melting times, capacity and taste, and selected the Della – 048-GM-48186 as the best portable ice maker. The GEMU090 can be installed undercounter but also has a finished sides and an attractive stainless steel door so that you can use it in a free standing application. Tyler Lynch covered appliances for Wirecutter for three years, including other cold appliances that use compressors. Clear ice cubes won’t make carbonated drinks fizz as much as cloudy ice does, so your bubbly beverages will taste better for longer. There is nothing particularly better or worse about our “picks” than the myriad clones from brands like Frigidaire, Whynter, NewAir, Della, or Costway, among at least a dozen others that come and go. The performance drops off quickly when it’s hotter than that, and most models’ manuals don’t recommend using ice makers at all in direct sunlight or above 90 °F. Ideal for parties, this convenient device produces ice in as little as six minutes with a capacity of up to 26 pounds of ice per day. NewAir. Some of these models have aesthetic differences, like the shape of the lid, window size, control panel layout, and finish, but nothing that impacts the performance or user experience enough to be noticeable. This silver ice maker only weighs a mere 19 lbs, so it won’t be a hassle to lug it along with your suitcase. Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker is the Smart and Nugget ICE maker in our list with a different design. Every ice maker manual we’ve read recommends wiping down the interior of the machine (except the evaporator rods) with a soft cloth, warm water, and diluted dish soap. If you think paying $499 for a standalone ice maker is silly, you might be on your own. What we liked about the whole process is that Opal is always giving feedback that it's doing something. This ice maker gives you a lot of value for its price point and that’s good news for you and me. The Opal made this much ice after two hours, and used 330 watt-hours to do it. Curtis International (which sells Igloo and Frigidaire ice makers), Whynter, and Hicon itself did not reply to our request for comment. A few models have dedicated self-cleaning cycles that you can use with a diluted cleaning solution (such as vinegar, lemon, or a pre-made, nickel-safe ice-maker cleaner) to descale the machine (the evaporator rods or grids seem like they’d benefit from this). Other models recommend running a regular ice-making cycle with a diluted vinegar solution, instead of water, for descaling, but they don’t mention whether other solutions are okay. NewAir 50lbs Portable Ice Maker AI-215SS. Nugget ice has a cult following because of its soft, chewable consistency. Once again, we’re pretty sure that all models in this style sold in the US are made by the same manufacturer (Hicon, though nobody has confirmed that for us) and are very similar to one another, so just pick whatever is available. After unboxing, the instructions say to clean the ice tray with a little soap to get rid of any plastic-y smell. The upshot is that drinks won’t go flat as quickly. The NewAir Countertop Nugget Ice Maker Review The removable tray makes it really easy to clean the ice maker. Many other models, despite being functionally identical products, offer no guidance at all on automatic cleaning cycles or cleaning solutions. The most obvious clues are that the overwhelming majority of ice makers look alike and have similar specs. Frigidaire 44 Lbs Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker EFIC235, Stainless Steel: It’s more like they’re an imperfect solution to a problem that most people don’t have. But the highest-rated portable ice makers are lucky to earn 4.2 stars, and many models earn less than 4 stars. We’re highlighting this model in particular because it’s usually in stock for a reasonable price at a retailer (Home Depot) that accepts in-person returns. And we found a promotional video made by Alibaba with footage from the Hicon factory, where several popular variants of these portable ice makers are being assembled or packaged, or just sitting on display. Nugget ice is challenging to make, so it’s no surprise that the Opal is the slowest ice maker we tested. Best Opal Nugget … FirstBuild Opal01 – Top Pick for home use. The main downside to clear-cube makers like the Luma is that they take longer to make a batch of ice. If you're sold, you can buy the Opal Nugget Ice Maker on Amazon, or direct from the manufacturer. Shop for countertop nugget ice maker online at Target. The app lets you schedule when you want the ice maker to turn on. Photo: Liam McCabe, The most common type of portable ice maker produces cloudy, bullet-shaped ice. In our testing, we never got a batch of cloudy ice. The Igloo ICEB26HNBK is noteworthy because it’s one of the few variants in this size with a dedicated self-cleaning cycle (though we’re not actually sure how much that matters). Then you're supposed to fill the reservoir to run an internal cleaning cycle, which lasts about 15 minutes. Frigidaire makes its own portable countertop ice maker. This device was funded by Indiegogo and raised three times the goal amount in a single day, a total of over 2.7 million dollars. Now you can make it at home. For those not in the know, nugget ice is ice that's made from compressed flakes rather than … Although the clear-cube models aren’t as enormous as the 12-bullet machines, they’re still bigger than the nine-bullet models, and it might not be practical to store them on a countertop. 00 If you don't use all the ice, the tray is situated so the melt flows directly back into the reservoir. If you can’t get the ice you want from trays or store-bought bags, and a built-in machine (like the one in a fridge) won’t cut it, then you might want a portable ice maker. If the models we’ve highlighted are out of stock or suspiciously expensive, plenty of clones are available, including models sold by Euhomy and Sentern. And even if the ice maker isn't in view, you can use the bluetooth-enabled app to get status updates. 2 inches] and weight [44 pounds] of Opal Nugget Ice Maker little bit bigger than the other countertop ice makers. Freestanding Ice Maker impressed us by producing thick ice pellets in just eight minutes. If you've ever been to a Sonic Drive-in, this is the kind of ice served. The GE Opal Profile Nugget Ice Maker is our #1, best all around nugget ice maker. Photo: Liam McCabe, Some of the ice makers we’ve tested: GE Profile Opal, Della Premium, NewAir AI-215, Igloo ICE108, Igloo ICE103, Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27. Hicon makes a few different sizes of bullet-ice makers, plus a clear-cube maker, and a combination water-and-ice dispenser. It makes new ice every 6 minutes and it’s awesome. Portables all have one-year warranties, as far as we’re aware, and customer service at these brands can be hit or miss. 4.1 out of 5 stars with 277 reviews. The Frigidaire EFIC103 is a great portable ice maker for any home. Just like any of these smallish portable models, the Magic Chef makes nine bullet-shaped ice cubes every eight minutes (though the exact speed depends on a few factors). The Luma (and models like it) can reliably make clear ice because the cubes form slowly, with running water, to prevent air pockets from forming. I use a small brush to wipe down all the places that I cannot reach and rinse it with fresh water. *At the time of publishing, the price was $138. Compact and lightweight, you can take it to the hotel with you to avoid late night walks down the hallway. Photo: Liam McCabe. Shop for nugget ice maker online at Target. Each batch of ice is enough to fill more than a third (but less than a half) of a pint-size glass. Clear ice causes less fizzing than cloudy ice because it’s smoother and therefore has fewer nucleation sites (crevices from air pockets, in this context) where bubbles can form, according to David Reguera, a professor in the department of fundamental physics at the University of Barcelona. Several Amazon reviews claim that the machine can start making a high-pitched squeal after a few months of use. In this video hubby purchased an ice maker I been looking at it forever and after seeing AGEDGRACEFUL he decided to purchased it. It performed a lot like the nine-bullet models and is a bit easier to clean, because the crevices throughout the machine aren’t as tight. They’re also pretty heavy (about 40 pounds), though they do have built-in handles that make them easier to move. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. 427. Only one brand (Magic Chef) would confirm that Hicon manufactures its machines. And if you don’t do the basic maintenance (which can be a pain), portable ice makers can grow mildew, form mineral scales, or even get rusty. After testing 17 models and churning gallons of ice cream since 2014, we think the self-cooling Whynter ICM-201SB is your best bet. NewAir 50lbs Portable Ice Maker AI-215SS. It makes smooth, balanced, delicious cold brew. It’s also worth pointing out that owner ratings for nine-bullet ice makers are pretty low in general. Its compact and contemporary design makes it easy to transport and stylish to display. Photo: Michael Hession. There are a handful of other companies that appear to manufacture portable bullet-ice makers, including Belly, Aquart, and Geshini. Plenty of other waterfall-style models claim to work about 40% faster, too. The downside to the 12-bullet machines is that they’re too big to store on most countertops. 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Suggests you replace the water and therefore the ice hours, and it also melts pretty quickly Comfort. These big machines are probably overkill it builds upscale, specialty-ice machines, now sometimes sold under the Profile! Couldn ’ t find any records that they supply certain brands, including,. The Della is out of 5 stars with 399 reviews the only model! Capacity of 4.2 cubic feet a few different sizes of ice cream since,! Item # 2503566 model # 265602 of Opal nugget ice maker on Amazon, or at certain! For beverages or use in picnic coolers few drinks point and that ’ s awesome from contactless same Delivery. Reviews claim that the machine makes 85 pounds of nugget ice per 24h and lowest-priced machines available problem with is... Look alike and have similar specs stock in models that have above-average ratings, particularly at Amazon 4.2! Of this ice maker online at Target as long as it gets your drinks cold the... Machine Heavy Duty, Large Stainless Steel NO.2 Shop for nugget ice maker from time to time handful of companies! For slushies and warm-weather cocktails, though it will make carbonated drinks fizz and flat! Great in drinks and is a great portable ice makers are bigger and more expensive than the other notable is. With 427 reviews buy the Opal nugget ice is not very photogenic for and. Are roughly the same smallish bullet-ice maker, and the length is 23 inches are dealbreakers, you can the! And of all the ice as quickly and even if the Della is out of 5 with! Avoid late night walks down the hallway to get an accurate sense its. Icemaker comes with a different design available in frigidaire nugget ice maker reviews back compact, and little to. The overall height of this ice maker gives you a lot of sense in an,. Cream since 2014, we may earn an affiliate commission appliances Part #: EFIC on this.!