Frigidaire Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker

I finally found the one. My Frigidaire countertop nugget ice maker is absolutely worth the counter space, and that is not something I say lightly after going through a few other machines that gave up way too fast. This is the one that made me stop looking.

It is for the person who wants that chewable nugget ice at home without turning the whole thing into a project. You fill it with water, turn it on, and let it do its thing. That simple routine is a big part of why I like it. There is no fuss once you know the rhythm of it, and the ice it makes is the kind that makes plain water feel a little more like a treat.

The ice itself is the reason to buy it. It comes out soft, crunchy, and close to the Sonic style nugget ice I was hoping for. I have tried plenty of versions of this kind of machine and a lot of them either made ice that was too hard, too wet, or just plain disappointing after the first stretch of use. This one has been the closest match to the ice I actually wanted, and it has held up better than the others I had before it.

The one thing I would tell someone upfront is that you do have to stay on top of cleaning it. That is not a surprise with a machine like this, but it is worth saying because this is not a set-it-and-forget-it appliance. I run white vinegar through it in cleaning mode on a regular schedule, and I am careful to follow the cleaning instructions. If you want something you can ignore for months, don’t buy an ice machine because ice machines like this don’t exist THEY HAVE TO BE CLEANED. If you are willing to give it a little attention, it pays you back.

I keep mine on the counter and use it the way most people probably would: fill, switch on, and let the bin build up over time. I even bag it sometimes because it makes so much ice fast and fills the been pretty quick. Trust me it’s way better than your refrigerators built in icemaker and tons better than buying bags of ice or messing with trays in the freezer. It also feels nice to have ice ready whenever I want it instead of waiting for the freezer to catch up. The metallic finish is fine on the counter too. It does not disappear, but it looks clean enough that I do not mind seeing it out all the time.

All ice machines require some upkeep so the little time it takes to run the cleaning cycle is what will make the difference in this machine lasting for the long haul. A little upkeep is all it takes and will ensure that it will keep making good ice. The cleaning step is not hard, but to some may seem more involved than they would prefer. I would love it even more if it could stay in top shape with less attention, but have not seen or heard of an ice machine that doesn’t require some TLC. Still, that is a small trade for ice this good.

If you are the kind of person who has been chasing that chewy nugget ice at home and keeps ending up disappointed, this is the one I would point you to. It has earned its place in my kitchen by doing the job well and keeping on doing it. I'm glad I stopped trying to make do with cheaper machines.