The Best Nugget Ice Makers
If you are an avid host, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve needed an ice-maker for a big party or event. At any given party, you’ll go through a lot of drinks, so it’s important to be prepared. But if you’re tired of traditional ice cube trays and coolers, there’s another option. Nugget ice makers are handy little appliances that create small, crunchy ice in a matter of minutes. Aside from being fast and efficient, many people prefer nugget ice because of its small size and chewable texture. If you’ve been to a Sonic restaurant, then you know what we’re talking about. It’s not worth breaking your teeth trying to chew on huge ice cubes, and nugget ice can be a tooth-friendly way to give your drinks a bit of extra flair. Since this is a big purchase, we’ve rounded up the top choices for nugget ice makers on the market today.
GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
The future of freeze
If you’ve taken a stroll through Home Depot, you know that GE makes some of the best appliances available to consumers. Even for ice makers, this fact still rings true. Elegant and bold with all the smart features you could hope for, this is the Cadillac of ice makers. GE leaves no ice cube unturned.
The Profile Opal ice maker can connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth, meaning that you can control the machine from an app on your phone. You can schedule fresh ice, and monitor existing ice with the touch of a button. Also, if you’re running low, it will power on to make more ice automatically. It’s a bit pricey, but this is the ice machine of the future.
Pros:
- This machine makes great quality ice that’s soft enough to chew. If you love it, you can store up to three times more of it in the side tank.
- You can use your smartphone and connect to Bluetooth to schedule when your machine makes ice. This way, you can save energy and get the most efficiency out of your ice maker.
Cons:
- It takes 20 minutes for the ice to be ready.
Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Space saving design
Modern kitchens can become cluttered with all the accessories available today. You may think that you won’t have room for an ice machine next to your toaster, coffee maker, and anything else on your kitchen counter. Well, if you thought that, think again. This space-friendly unit is stylish and small enough to do its thing without getting in the way.
For a compact-size ice maker, this unit is extremely powerful. It can make up to 44 pounds of ice per day, which is almost double what a lot of other options can make. Though it can only store three pounds at a time, any unused ice will just be melted down and made into more ice later.
Pros:
- This ice maker comes in a compact size that won’t take up much counter space. Despite its small size, it’s still tall enough to store enough ice for the family.
- The reservoir is easy to refill, and the setup is simple. If you love straightforward operation, this is the machine for you.
Cons:
- This machine only holds three pounds of ice at a time.
Terra Hiker Countertop Ice Maker
Fast and furious
If you need ice and you need it fast, then buckle up, because this speedy ice maker is built to be ready in as little as six minutes. If you’re getting ready for a party, simply turn it on and wait for all the ice to be ready. If you’re at home and you only need ice for one drink, you don’t have to let it run all day because you’ll have enough for your glass in six minutes.
Installation is extremely easy because this accessory doesn’t need a water line. Just plug it in, fill it with water, and you’re good to go. And for the eco-conscious buyer, this unit uses less electricity than most other ice makers and recycles water from melted ice.
Pros:
- It uses 40 percent less power than comparable ice makers. For efficiency and functionality, this ice maker is running on all cylinders.
- This machine is very fast at creating ice, capable of making nine bullet ice cubes in six minutes. If you need ice quickly, this ice maker is your best bet.
Cons:
- This machine has limited storage space.
Costway Two-In-One Countertop Ice Maker
From machine to cup
Most modern refrigerators come with water- and ice-dispensing capabilities, but if you want that same functionality with all the convenience of a countertop unit, then this is the accessory for you. The Costway countertop ice maker looks similar to a coffee maker in the sense that it pours from the top of the unit. Simply put your cup under the ice maker to get a glass full of water or ice. This convenient access eliminates the need for an ice scoop or cooler storage.
This ice maker also gives the option to make two different sizes of ice, and it’s programmable via the menu. Once you know what kind of ice you want, it can be ready in minutes. Given all its abilities, the price point isn’t half bad, either.
Pros:
- This unit does it all. It pours water as well as ice, and even has settings for different sizes of ice cubes.
- It comes at a fair price and compact size. Save some space and get smaller ice cubes in a matter of minutes.
Cons:
- Making larger cubes of ice can take several hours.
Our Tips and Tricks
An ice maker can be a big purchase if you plan on using it on a daily basis. Some people just use it for hosting events or special gatherings, but if you use an ice machine daily, it can accumulate a lot of wear and tear. For that reason, we recommend getting a higher quality ice machine if you are an avid ice user. There are a lot of great budget options out there, but they won’t cut it if you’re looking for something that will last a lifetime. If you’re buying an ice machine and plan on using it daily, it’s essentially acting as a replacement for a refrigerator ice machine. You wouldn’t skimp on a fridge, so why would you skimp on an ice maker? As always, buy according to your needs. Don’t get the priciest ice machine if you don’t need it, but if you plan on using it a lot, it may be time to splurge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are nugget ice makers better than traditional ice makers?
While traditional ice makers create frozen cubes of ice, nugget ice makers make ice out of layers of ice flakes. This gives it its light, crunchy texture. Traditional ice cubes are extremely hard, and they’re quite a bit bigger than ice nuggets. However, many nugget ice makers are smaller and more easily storable than traditional ice cube machines. This means you could keep one on your kitchen counter for everyday use.
Can I use a nugget ice maker for my small business?
Yes, but the efficiency of the ice maker will depend on the number of drinks you need to make. Traditional ice cube makers can come in industrial sizes, meaning they can make hundreds of pounds of ice per day. They’re also the size of a small refrigerator, so they take up more space.
If you don’t need that much ice and you prefer the texture of nugget ice, then a nugget ice maker could work for your business. Most chain restaurants choose ice cubes because they can make more of them throughout the day, but that doesn’t suit everyone’s needs. Choose according to the volume and preferences of your clientele.