GE Major Appliances Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Last updated date: October 12, 2020
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We looked at the top Ice Makers and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Ice Maker you should buy.
Overall Take
In our analysis of 44 expert reviews, the GE Major Appliances GE Major Appliances Countertop Nugget Ice Maker placed 4th when we looked at the top 10 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
Editor's Note October 20, 2020:
Checkout The Best Ice Makers for a detailed review of all the top ice makers.
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From The Manufacturer
COUNTERTOP SIZE: With it’s elegant design, the Opal will wow your guests before they even try the delicious ice it makes. Measures at 15. 5 x 14.25 x 17. 2 inches. The perfect size for any countertop in your home. QUICK & POWERFUL: Within only 20 minutes, you’ll be enjoying soft, crunchy ice, just like the ice you love from your favorite restaurant. The Opal produces 24 lbs. of ice per day, and the bin holds 3 lbs. at a time. SMART: The Opal is Bluetooth equipped, so you can set up your ice making schedule from the convenience of your phone using the free GE Profile Opal app. It senses when the bin is full of ice, so it won’t overfill. PORTABLE: No water hookup required, just plug it into any 120v grounded (standard) electrical outlet and fill the reservoir with water. As ice melts, the water returns to the reservoir, where it will simply be made back into more ice. WARRANTY: GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Makers purchased directly from authorized resellers have a limited 1-year parts and labor. MATERIALS: Stainless Steel, Plastic
An Overview On Ice Makers
The days of filling ice cube trays with water and waiting for them to freeze are long gone, thanks to built-in ice makers. But not everyone has a state-of-the-art freezer. Even if you have one at home, you may buy an RV or own a rental cabin that lacks ice-making capabilities.
For those situations, a portable ice maker is all you’ll need. Taking up minimal counter space, these appliances act as a handy addition to any modern kitchen. You’ll simply need to routinely add water to the reservoir, then wait for the container to begin to fill with ice. Although many ice makers require a full day to fill the container completely, many begin providing ice in less than 15 minutes.
But in recent years, ice makers have become popular even with those who have the capacity built into their freezers. Some dispense cylindrical ice, similar to what you get from a hotel ice machine. However, others offer that small, bullet-shaped ice similar to what you get at fast-food chains like Sonic. If you’re shopping for ice makers for that reason, pay close attention to the type of ice each one produces to make sure you’re getting what you want.
DWYM Fun Fact
The popular habit of chomping on ice can actually be a sign of an underlying health issue, particularly if it’s become a habit. Known as pagophagia, compulsively chewing ice is a form of pica, which is a disorder related to eating items with no nutritional value. Studies have linked compulsive ice chewing to iron deficiencies, which are very common in pregnant women, and much more common in women overall than in men. By chewing ice, you send more blood to the brain, which helps improve thought clarity and alertness. But the habit can be dangerous for your teeth, not to mention the harm that can come from leaving an iron deficiency unchecked. If you can’t seem to stop chewing ice, it might be time to schedule a physical to make sure your habit isn’t a sign of underlying health issues.
The Ice Maker Buying Guide
- One thing to consider before buying a portable ice maker is that you’ll have to manually refill the reservoir on a daily basis to keep the ice going. Some ice makers can use melted ice cubes to make new ice, but once you’re out of water, new ice will no longer be produced.
- It’s also important to consider the water capacity of the water reservoir. The smaller the reservoir, the more often you’ll have to fill it to keep the ice flow going.
- If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, look for an ice maker with eco-friendly options. Some can pull any melted cubes into the water reservoir to make fresh cubes. Still others draw less power, saving on electricity.
- Noise is a consideration, particularly if you spend time near your kitchen. If this is a concern, look for an ice maker that boasts quiet operation.
- Ice size is an important factor in the ice maker you buy. Some units come with multiple ice size options, letting you switch back and forth between larger and smaller cubes.
- If you plan to only use your ice maker occasionally, note how long it will take to produce the first few cubes of ice from the time you insert water. Many start providing ice in less than 10 minutes, which can come in handy if you’re just occasionally firing up your machine.