If you’re planning to use an ice maker by the pool or in the bed of your truck on a hot day, it’s probably not going to work very well. 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. Sold and shipped by VM Express. Frigidaire EFIC108-RED Compact Ice Maker (Red) 4.3 out of 5 stars 726. There’s also a slight variation of this design, with a clear reservoir on the front of the machine that looks pretty cool. 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. 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. digital lcd control panel. Photo: Michael Hession. Liam McCabe is a senior staff writer for Wirecutter, and has covered the wild world of appliances since 2011. It’s more like they’re an imperfect solution to a problem that most people don’t have. And it also melts pretty quickly for its size, compared with clearer ice. Ice Full Indicator Light c. Power Indicator Light d. On/Off Button e. ‘S’ Small Ice Size Indicator Light f. ‘L’ Large Ice … This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. The OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker is the best we’ve found after years of testing. If the ice maker is not working, the icemaker mold thermostat might be defective. Whynter UIM-155 Freestanding Stainless Steel Compact Kitchen Bar Built-In Ice Maker. 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. Price Match Guarantee. 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. It’s particularly excellent for slushies and warm-weather cocktails, though it will make carbonated drinks go flat pretty quickly. 01 - Freezer Temperature is Above 10 Degrees F (-12C) If the freezer temperature is above 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12C), the ice maker will not produce ice cubes efficiently. There’s no cue on the control panel itself that this mode exists, nor is there any indication that you may have activated this setting. Pre-chilled water can speed that up a bit, and a warmer room slows it down. Nugget ice has a cult following because of its soft, chewable consistency. 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. Find in Store. But if you’ve got your eye on one, don’t let us talk you out of it—they work fine. With limited freezer space, ice bins and ice trays take up valuable real estate. 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. 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. 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. 14. Frigidaire 48 lbs Compact Ice Maker. 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. Ver más detalles. 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. It’s not immune to problems, either, despite its high price. FirstBuild makes a couple of other models. Each batch it makes is about three times as big as that produced by a small bullet-ice maker (though it also takes about three times as long). But plenty of people find them useful in their homes to supplement (or even replace) the ice-making capabilities of their freezers. If you drink a lot of sodas or seltzers, or you just want better-looking ice, you could consider a waterfall-style, clear-cube ice maker like the Luma IM200SS or the NewAir Clear Ice 40. One of dozens of nearly identical machines, this Igloo distinguishes itself with a carry handle and a dedicated self-cleaning cycle. The most obvious clues are that the overwhelming majority of ice makers look alike and have similar specs. There are hardly any important differences among these machines (with a few exceptions), so you can pick whatever is cheap and available and suits your tastes. 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. We’re highlighting the Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27 here because it tends to be one of the most affordable models that’s consistently in stock. 66. The stylish, compact design, makes its easy to carry around. 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.) 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. 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. The ice maker shall not be installed in corridors or hallways of public buildings. The effect was plainly obvious in a side-by-side test: Soda fizzed much less in a glass filled with the Luma’s clear cubes than it did in one filled with the Magic Chef’s cloudy bullets. An ice maker that makes too much ice may have a defective shutoff arm. Some combo models that make bullet ice and dispense water are also available, though we’re not sure who manufactures them, and the reviews tend to be poor. Turn up the water pressure to the ice maker, and if the problem persists, remove and replace the inlet valve. Portable Ice Makers: A portable or countertop ice maker can be moved from room to room, depending on your needs. 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. But if you turn this setting on and use it in an air-conditioned den or whatever, the block might come out with seams that are too thick to easily break. 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. There’s evidence that most (if not all) bullet-style portable ice makers sold in the US are manufactured by a single company, Hicon. Photo: Liam McCabe. But on closer inspection, there are only a handful of unique designs, built by just two manufacturers, as far as we can tell. Have ice at the ready whenever and wherever you need it with this Frigidaire portable ice maker. To help you properly clean your portable ice maker, I recommend that you follow these simple steps. 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. The upshot is that drinks won’t go flat as quickly. When you buy a Frigidaire Small Appliances Compact 26 lb. 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). Portable Compact Ice Maker. Many of them, including the NewAir Clear Ice 40, work faster than the Luma, though they tend to cost more as well. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether it’s worth spending this much money to have nugget ice on demand. These are the quickest, most compact, and lowest-priced machines available. 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. Several Amazon reviews claim that the machine can start making a high-pitched squeal after a few months of use. 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). We aren’t convinced that this cycle does anything special or even useful, but it’s there if you want it. Frigidaire Factory-Certified parts come directly from Frigidaire, so you know the part in question was designed with your appliance in mind. It’s possible that they supply certain brands, or at least certain models to some brands. A portable Frigidaire ice maker can sit comfortably on a countertop. It doesn’t matter what portable ice maker brand you own, whether you’re cleaning an Igloo, Emerson, Magic Chef, Frigidaire, or a hOmelabs portable ice maker, the steps that I provide will be the same. $119.99. Page 4. But we wouldn’t put too much stock in models that have above-average ratings, particularly at Amazon. 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. We haven’t found any great independent guides to built-in ice makers, but some retailers have decent versions, including this one from Compact Appliance. No brands responded to our request for clarification on this point. International customers can shop on www.bestbuy.com and have orders shipped to any U.S. address or U.S. store. How to Clean a Portable Ice Maker. 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. Photo: Liam McCabe, The most common type of portable ice maker produces cloudy, bullet-shaped ice. © 2020 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. Frigidaire Compact Ice Maker - Red. Cuisinart Cool Creations Gelateria Ice Cream Maker - White - ICE … Common solutions for: Why is my Frigidaire refrigerator ice maker not working? 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.Read customer reviews and common Questions and Answers for Frigidaire Small Appliances Part #: EFIC on this page. 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). Portables make a lot of sense in an RV, a camper, a boat, or even a food truck. voltage: 220-240v / 50hz or 120v / 60hz. ... Frigidaire. Next. That’s pretty suspicious. In just minutes, make ice cubes for parties or hot summer days with the Frigidaire freestanding ice maker. But the highest-rated portable ice makers are lucky to earn 4.2 stars, and many models earn less than 4 stars. Model #IM117000. Della Portable Top Load Electric Ice Maker: The Frigidaire is a bit larger and heavier than the Della, which is much more suited to the tiny kitchens of RVs and apartments. see-through window. The most valuable testing we did for this guide was just using each machine at home for a few days, icing up our drinks with their cubes, and draining and drying the machines at the end of the day. Bigger sizes are also available, if you really need a lot of ice. Shop Frigidaire 26-Lb. UU. Carbonated drinks fizz more and go flat faster with cloudy ice. 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). Many other models, despite being functionally identical products, offer no guidance at all on automatic cleaning cycles or cleaning solutions. Plenty of other waterfall-style models claim to work about 40% faster, too. 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. Frigidaire Portable Compact Maker. 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). Only one brand (Magic Chef) would confirm that Hicon manufactures its machines. For example, we found that the Magic Chef (a 27-pounds-per-day model) made batches of large bullets roughly every eight minutes at room temperature, using cold water from the tap. Frigidare describes its ice maker as “compact,” which is the double-edged sword that makes it easy to decide whether or not it’s right for you. We found more than 50 listings for portable ice makers from a couple dozen brands. Curtis International (which sells Igloo and Frigidaire ice makers), Whynter, and Hicon itself did not reply to our request for comment. It’s also worth pointing out that owner ratings for nine-bullet ice makers are pretty low in general. It builds upscale, specialty-ice machines, now sometimes sold under the GE Profile brand. Control Panel a. 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). 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. Conveniently sized, this countertop ice maker puts out a serious amount of ice in a short time period. 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. Frigidaire Ice Maker makes ice in as little as six minutes; Makes up to 24-lbs of ice within 24 hours; Two different ice cube sizes to choose from; Compact counter-top size; LED controls for easy use; Indicator lights for both water and ice levels; 2.3 quart water reservoir NewAir 40-lb Drop-Down Door Portable/Countertop Cube Ice Maker (Stainless Steel and Black) Item #2569502. 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. Add Water Indicator Light 8 b. Most portable ice makers (including this Magic Chef) are likely made by a company called Hicon. Free 2-day shipping. elegant stainless steel design. Ice cubes that are small or that appear layered are a common problem caused by low water pressure or a clogged screen in the ice maker's inlet valve. One of dozens of nearly identical machines, this Igloo distinguishes itself with a carry handle and a dedicated self-cleaning cycle. Frigidaire. (Shipment-based returns may not always be possible with ice makers.). He enjoys visiting factories and learning about regulatory loopholes, and has flooded our testing area only three times. 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. Frigidaire. for pricing and availability. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. 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. Customers who bought this item also bought. If you’re looking for a portable ice maker that makes a lot of ice quickly, doesn’t cost too much, and isn’t too big, pick from one of the dozens of variants of the smallish, nine-bullet models that are probably manufactured by the same company, Hicon. 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. The Opal is the only countertop model that makes this type. The reservoir holds enough water to make ice continuously for a few hours at a time, so you won’t have to watch it too closely (though the bullets will melt if left in the unrefrigerated storage basket). The main downside to clear-cube makers like the Luma is that they take longer to make a batch of ice. After testing 17 models and churning gallons of ice cream since 2014, we think the self-cooling Whynter ICM-201SB is your best bet. This Frigidaire portable ice maker can produce up to 26 lbs. But if ice is all the same to you as long as it gets your drinks cold, the bullets will do just fine. 10 offers from $119.00. 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. $8.78 Special Order Sold individually. Uni. Quantity + Add to List. All the nine-bullet models are roughly the same size, taking up about half as much counter space as a small microwave oven. If the Della is out of stock, also look for the Hamilton Beach and Costway. 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. They’re also pretty heavy (about 40 pounds), though they do have built-in handles that make them easier to move. For our part, we’ve tried to highlight models without many out-of-the-ordinary complaints in the user reviews. The Forge makes clear spheres of ice, but it’s a rare machine, and we don’t know much about how it works. Buy Frigidaire 26 lb. As the professor puts it: “A rough ice surface facilitates the heterogeneous nucleation of bubbles of dissolved CO₂. 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. 5. 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). The manual recommends using this mode if you’ll be using the ice maker in warmer temperatures (above standard room temp, basically) to ensure that the ice forms completely. Tyler Lynch covered appliances for Wirecutter for three years, including other cold appliances that use compressors. DESCRIPTION OF PARTS 1 a b c e f 5 3 6 d 4 g 2 7 1. Each batch of ice is enough to fill more than a third (but less than a half) of a pint-size glass. 130 Watts . The other notable manufacturer is FirstBuild, which is a subsidiary of GE Appliances (itself a subsidiary of Haier). Within a half-hour, you’ll have enough ice to chill a few drinks. 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. *At the time of publishing, the price was $138. But we couldn’t find any records that they’ve exported any ice makers to the US. See More Details, Les clients internationaux peuvent magasiner au www.bestbuy.com et faire livrer leurs commandes à n’importe quelle adresse ou n’importe quel magasin aux États-Unis. A few other styles of bullet-ice machines are also available in the US. After testing dozens of robot vacuums, he is neither worried about AI nor holding his breath for self-driving cars. 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. The Frigidaire EFIC229-VCM is one example of this style. This will get rid of solid debris, mildew, and maybe some mineral scaling. It’s a good idea to clean your ice maker from time to time. 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. A portable Frigidaire ice maker is a great option for those who love cold drinks but do not have an ice maker in their refrigerator. It’s the same basic machine wrapped up in a slightly different package. of ice per day. Replacement Parts. product details shipping & returns. We summed up most of the general problems with portable ice makers earlier in the guide. It’s about half as fast as the slowest bullet or clear-cube models. 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. 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. Crosley. Most models have a drain plug on the bottom or side of the body. We also did some timed head-to-head testing, and we measured the surface temperature of the ice at points, too, but neither had much influence on our recommendations. If cloudy-looking, fizz-depleting bullets won’t cut it, your best (only?) 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. The machine can produce lots of ice quickly. 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. There are a handful of other companies that appear to manufacture portable bullet-ice makers, including Belly, Aquart, and Geshini. In owner reviews, the most common complaint about the Luma and other clear-cube makers was that the ice comes out in a big solid block. They’re meant for indoor use, preferably at a comfortable room temperature of around 70 °F. Once the mold reaches the proper temperature, the ice maker starts a harvest cycle by ejecting the ice cubes and refilling with water. 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 speed per batch depends on the cube size (most models have two options, though the diameter differs by only a few millimeters), the model’s capacity (measured in pounds of ice per day in the best-case scenario—usually 26 or 28 pounds, so it’s a small difference), and how long the machine has been running (the first batch is a bit slow, and we also noticed that the machines tend to slow down a bit after they’ve been running for an hour or more). Learn more. Clear ice cubes won’t make carbonated drinks fizz as much as cloudy ice does, so your bubbly beverages will taste better for longer. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. You can even use bleach, to sanitize the interior. They do sometimes crackle and thump when freshly made ice falls off of the freezing rods and into the ice basket.