Nugget ice makers are becoming more popular, especially as designs get better and smaller, and more homeowners can fit them in their kitchen countertops. We will be looking at the Pros and Cons of this nugget ice maker to see if it lives up to the hype.
This nugget ice maker is a tabletop model from the Opal range. Let’s take a look at this in-depth review of this ice maker to see if it’s worth pursuing.
What is nugget ice?
Nugget ice or compressed ice is excellent in drinks because it is known for its smooth, soft and crunchy texture. Because the ice is so compressed it has a much slower melting rate than regular ice that you get out of your freezer.
You can have nugget ice at your favorite restaurant. And now with the Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker, you too can have this style of ICE right from home.
How big is this nugget snow machine?
In terms of size, this nugget ice maker is not the smallest or largest in a bunch of ice machines for the home. It is 17.25 inches at its highest point, and the width is 10.5 inches by a depth of 15.5 inches. She weighs 44 pounds. The Opal is not a small nugget ice machine, and you will have to think about where you want to put this in the kitchen before you buy.
What does this nugget ice machine look like?
In our opinion, the Opal snow machine looks good. It has a smooth stainless steel finish that gives it a sleek look. With only one central control button that is set on the viewing window, which keeps the illuminated light to a minimum. We like this about the look of this snow machine.
Water source
Like all ice machines, you either have a source of water that runs directly into the machine or you need to fill the water reservoir. This particular machine requires you to manually fill the water reservoir.
What are the snow rates and amounts this machine will produce?
This machine should give you enough ice and the ability to keep drinks flowing.
- Reservoir capacity: 3 pounds of ice
- Ice made per hour: 1 pound
- One reservoir full of water: Produces ice for three hours
Features of the Opal Countertop Nugget Ice maker?
Many of the newer machines now allow you to control the snow machine via Bluetooth and sensors that allow you to control the snow machine from your tablet or smartphone. What can you control? You can turn the ice machine on and off, dim the LED surface light, make ice, or schedule it to run.
Things to be aware of with this machine
Because it has a sensor that tells the machine that your water level is low or your ice is high enough to stop producing ice you should keep an eye on the ice bucket.
Ice can tend to collect on one side and cause the sensor to stop making ice when in reality there is still more room. You just have to move the ice so that it falls into the open sides and the machine starts producing more ice.
Advantages
- Makes excellent nugget and oval ice cubes
- Sleek stainless steel design
- 3 pounds of ice holding capacity
- Able to control the machine remotely
Cons
- Staking the ice on one side will throw a sensor to stop producing ice
- Big and heavy for a portable ice machine
- The empty reservoir will not prompt you to refill
In closing
We hope this review on the Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker has shed enough light to help you make a more informed decision about purchasing a nugget ice maker. While not perfect this machine will produce some great shaped nugget ice cubes for your next party. From the pure point of view of how we make nugget ice I really like this machine. As far as size that can be a sticking point some of you can’t move.
Byline:
Adam Smith is the owner of checkthereview.com which specializes in kitchen products and gadget reviews.
