How I Ended Up with Two Ice Makers (And Why My Wife Questions My Sanity)
The original plan was simple: buy one good ice maker and call it done. But you know how Amazon works – you start looking at the Frigidaire EFIC117-SS with its 4.4-star rating and 9,118 reviews, then somehow you’re also clicking “add to cart” on the GE Profile Opal because, well, nugget ice sounds fancy. Sarah found the boxes on our doorstep and just shook her head. “Two ice makers, Bob? Really?”
Honestly? Best impulse purchase ever.
The Frigidaire: The Reliable Workhorse That Actually Works
Let me tell you about the Frigidaire first, because this little machine has become the MVP of our kitchen. At 13″W x 13″H x 9″D, it sits perfectly on our counter without making the space feel cramped. My teenage son Jake was skeptical at first – “Dad, it looks like a mini-fridge for hobbits” – but that changed real quick when he realized it pumps out 26 pounds of ice per day.
The setup was embarrassingly simple. I’m talking plug-it-in-and-press-a-button simple. Within 15 minutes, we had our first batch of bullet ice. Sure, it’s not the fancy nugget style, but there’s something deeply satisfying about ice that actually fits properly in your glass without creating a traffic jam.
What really sold me on the Frigidaire was watching it work during Jake’s birthday party last month. Fifteen teenagers going through ice like it’s going out of style, and this machine just kept churning. No drama, no breakdowns, just steady ice production. At 105 watts, it’s not exactly an energy hog either – something Sarah appreciates when she’s calculating our electric bill.
The GE Profile Opal: Beautiful but High-Maintenance
Now, about that GE Profile Opal. Lord, where do I start? This thing is gorgeous – I’ll give it that. At 17.3″D x 9.67″W x 17.1″H, it’s definitely got presence. The nugget ice it produces is genuinely amazing – soft, chewable, the kind you get at Sonic. Sarah calls it “the good ice,” and honestly, she’s not wrong.
But here’s where things get complicated. The GE has a 3-pound capacity versus the Frigidaire’s 26-pound capacity. Let that sink in for a moment. During that same birthday party, the GE was basically tapping out every hour while the Frigidaire was still going strong. It’s like bringing a sports car to a truck rally – impressive, but not exactly practical.
The side tank feature is nice in theory, but in practice, it means this machine takes up significantly more counter space. My mother-in-law visited last week and immediately asked if we were running some kind of scientific experiment in our kitchen. “What’s all this equipment, Robert?” she said, eyeing both machines suspiciously.
The Numbers Don’t Lie (But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story)
Here’s what the specs show: the Frigidaire has 4.4 stars from over 9,000 reviews and ranks #8 in ice makers. The GE sits at 3.6 stars from about 1,100 reviews and ranks #125. On paper, it’s a clear winner. But life isn’t lived on paper, is it?
The GE’s lower ratings often mention reliability issues and cleaning requirements. I can confirm both. In two months, I’ve had to descale it three times, and it’s finicky about water quality. The Frigidaire? I’ve cleaned it once, and it’s been running like a champ.
But then Saturday afternoon happens. I’m making old-fashioned cocktails for Sarah and me, and I reach for that perfect nugget ice from the GE. The way it cradles the bourbon, the satisfying crunch when you bite it – there’s magic there that the Frigidaire’s bullet ice just can’t match.
The Verdict: It Depends on What Kind of Ice Person You Are
After living with both machines, here’s my honest take: if you want reliable, consistent ice production without the fuss, go with the Frigidaire. It’s the Honda Civic of ice makers – not flashy, but it’ll get you where you need to go every single time. At 105 watts, it’s efficient, and at that price point, it’s practically stealing.
But if you’re an ice connoisseur – if you’re the type who specifically drives to Sonic just for their ice – then the GE Profile Opal might be worth the headaches. Just know what you’re signing up for: higher maintenance, lower capacity, and the need to plan your ice consumption around its 3-pound limits.
Sarah’s final word on our **Frigidaire vs GE nugget ice maker** situation? “Next time, Bob, maybe just ask me before you turn our kitchen into an appliance showroom.” Fair point. But she still uses both machines daily, so I’m calling it a win.
The funny thing is, we’ve become the go-to house for neighborhood gatherings now. Nothing says “come over for drinks” quite like having two different types of premium ice ready to go. Who knew ice could be such a social lubricant?
