5 Best Nugget Ice Makers for Home 2023

Nugget ice, pellet ice, Sonic ice, chewy ice, the good ice. Whatever you want to call it, chewable ice cubes are undeniably delicious! Nugget ice has come a long way since it was invented by ice maker manufacturer Scotsman in the early 1980s and now has what can only be described as a cult following.

The nugget ice fan base continues to grow! With the growth of Sonic and the explosion of Chick-fil-A across the nation, there are now more people consuming nugget ice across America than ever before.

If you are hooked on the good ice, and spending a lot of your time going to and from restaurants and stores that sell nugget ice, it might be time to consider investing in your very own nugget ice maker (or maybe just because you want to)!

Just a quick heads up. Nugget ice makers are relatively complicated machines vs. normal hard ice makers and subsequently are quite a bit more expensive. Nugget ice makers start at about $300 with models like the GE Profile Opal 2.0 coming in at over $500. Are they worth it? I don't know anyone that has ever regretted buying one.

I have reviewed the best nugget ice makers out there at the moment to help you out if you are considering buying. Happy shopping!

How to Choose a Nugget Ice Maker

There are six things you want to consider when choosing a nugget ice maker:

• Water line vs. Water tank
• Production capacity
• Ice storage capacity
• Speed of production
• Specific features and traits (e.g. self-dispensing)
• ...and of course price

Nugget ice makers don't come cheap and start at about $300. This is mainly due to the relative complexity of the devices (you can read my full article on how nugget ice makers work here.

About My Reviews

In addition to eating a lot of ice, I have trawled through review sites, forums and spoken with fellow nugget ice lovers. I hope it will help make your decision making process easier!

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, i’m going to address some frequently asked questions about pellet ice makers to make sure you know everything you need to know!

1. Where To Buy Nugget Ice?

There are a lot of stores and restaurants that sell nugget ice. If you’re looking to buy a nugget ice maker, Amazon has the largest variety of nugget ice makers in stock. You can find all kinds of different nugget ice makers such as counter-top, freestanding, under-counter, and more.

2. Which Refrigerators Come with Built-in Nugget Ice Makers

If you’re looking for a refrigerator with nugget ice maker, you’re in luck. Due to the rising popularity of “the good-ice”, some manufacturers actually started to design refrigerators with pellet ice makers built inside.

Samsung just introduced a super fancy refrigerator that makes sonic ice, called Bespoke 4-door flex.

Besides Samsung, there are a few other manufacturers entering the market with new refrigerators with nugget ice makers like LG and KitchenAid.

Definitely something worth checking out!

3. Should I Choose a Counter-top, Freestanding or Under-counter Machine?

Again, which type of nugget ice maker is best for you this really depends on your own wants and needs.

Let’s have a closer look at all of them:

Countertop

The main advantage of the small (er) countertop models is that they are very easy to set up and install. Most of them have a water reservoir which means you won’t even need to hook it up on a water supply. The countertop models are also the most flexible/portable. Perhaps most importantly, the countertop models are the cheapest of the 3 (prices range from approx. $300-$700)

However, at this price point, the ice makers are usually limited to 25-50 Lbs of nugget a day (which is still a lot for a normal family). In addition, they can take up a lot of space on the counter. Those are definitely some things to keep in mind.

Freestanding

Freestanding models can produce more ice but most of them require a hook up to a water supply. These standalone ice makers are definitely not cheap, but that price tag will get you anywhere between 50-300 Lbs of nugget ice a day.

These freestanding nugget ice makers are usually used for commercial use.

Under-counter

Under-counter nugget ice makers are perfect for those who have a lot of space under the kitchen counter. With these models, you can choose between both built-in and “freestanding” options.

Simar to the freestanding nugget ice makers, the under-counter models do come with quite the price tag.

4. Can I Make Nugget Ice Without A Nugget Ice Maker?

A lot of people want to know if they can make sonic ice without a sonic ice maker.

The answer is… kind of…

Although it’s impossible to get the same soft and chewy structure as you’d get with a nugget ice maker, it is possible to create small pebble-style ice at home.

You just need the right tools and follow the right steps!

Take a look at my article on how to create pebble ice at home if you want to find out more!

5. Is Nugget Ice Bad For Your Teeth?

No, nugget ice is not bad for your teeth. Due to its soft and chewy texture, it’s incapable of damaging your teeth.

Traditional ice cubes, on the other hand, can be damaging to your teeth. By chewing on solid ice cubes, you can wear down the protective layer around your teeth, exposing your nerves and ultimately causing your teeth to be sensitive.

6. What Is Sonic Ice?

You’ve heard of nugget ice, but what is sonic ice? Well, as I said before, they’re basically the same.

When we speak of sonic ice, we are referring to the soft and chewable ice that is also known as “the good ice”. It also has a lot of other names, such as cubelet ice, hospital ice, pellet ice, pearl ice, compressed flaked ice, pebble ice (altough pebble ice is less soft and chewy) and more.

As mentioned, sonic ice is commonly used in slushes and other desserts. This type of ice is also served at the popular fast-food restaurants chick fil a, Jack’s and Milos.

So in short, most people use the two (nugget ice and sonic ice) interchangeably.

7. Why Is Sonic Ice So Good?

A lot of people seem to ask the question, “why is the sonic/nugget/pellet ice so good“. But really, why is it so good though!?

Well… it’s not called the good ice for nothing! This type of ice is simply the most satisfying to chew on. You can feel the compressed flaked ice melt in your mouth and give you that cool, tingly feeling. It also doesn’t melt as quickly as most other types of ice which makes it the ideal type of ice for drinks and desserts (or simply to chew on ;)).

8. Who Invented Sonic Ice – Nugget Ice?

After decades of research and development, in 1981 nugget ice (and nugget ice makers) were finally invented.

It is actually one of the most popular and prominent ice maker companies known to date that invented nugget ice and nugget/ pellet ice over 40 years ago.

It was the Scotsman Company that invented a process to make nugget ice.

9. What Is The Difference Between Flake Ice And Nugget Ice?

Many people can’t seem to tell the difference between flake ice and nugget ice.

While nugget ice has a more solid form that is about the size of a tater-tot, flake ice can vary from small pieces of ice that look like coarse snow, up to pieces that are 9 mm thick.

10. What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Nugget Ice Maker?

Considering its price tag, it’s perfectly reasonable to wonder about the life expectancy of nugget ice makers.

There are several different factors that will determine how long a nugget ice maker will last. The most important factors are how much the ice maker is used and how well it has been maintained over the years.

A safe estimate of the life expectancy of a nugget ice maker would be roughly 4 to 10 years (depending on the brand and the other factors mentioned before), or within the warranty of the machine. But beyond the warranty, there is no actual guarantee.

11. Is Eating Nugget Ice Good For Weight Loss?

Yes, nugget ice can help you lose weight. There is actually something called “the ice diet”.

According to Weiner – one of the founders of the ice diet – you are actually serving two purposes while eating ice. On the one hand, you are burning calories, and on the other, you’re not eating positive-calorie foods.”

When you eat large amounts of ice, your body needs to burn energy to melt it. So by this logic, eating ice would help you burn calories while also providing some level of satiety as it fills space in the stomach and mouth.

So, it’s definitely worth a try if you're looking to shed some pounds!

12. Are Nugget Ice Makers Really Worth It?

There is no universal answer to the question of whether or not a nugget ice maker is worth it, as it mostly depends on personal preference.

13. Why Are Nugget Ice Makers So Expensive?

You can spend anywhere from $350 up to $5000+ depending on which type of sonic ice maker you choose. For the average person, this is actually quite a lot of money. Why are these nugget ice makers so expensive?

Well, it’s due to the fact that they are very sophisticated machines using complex technology. The technology that is used for nugget ice makers is quite a bit more sophisticated than traditional ice makers. You can read all about it by clicking here.

14. What Size is Nugget Ice?

Of course, there is no universal size for nugget ice, as the process of creating nugget ice is pretty complex and involves a lot of different steps. The process of freezing, shaving, and compressing the water/ice makes sure each nugget of ice is unique.

However, generally speaking, most nugget ice makers will produce nugget ice in sizes ranging from 1/2 to 1 inches in width and length.

15. How Do I Clean My Nugget Ice Maker?

The cleaning procedure actually differs between each nugget ice maker, however, if you’re looking for a general guide you can find it by clicking here.

Two essential elements are some “ice machine cleaner & descaler” and a dish sponge. If you already have both these things, you’re good to go. Follow the 20 steps in the article mentioned before and your nugget ice maker will be as clean as a whistle and you’ll be able to enjoy some fresh ice.

16. Should I Go For A Nugget Ice Maker With A Water Tank or Water Line?

There is no universal answer to the question of whether you should go for a nugget ice maker with a water tank or water line. Each one has its own set of advantages and drawbacks, and which one is best for you ultimately boils down to personal preference.

A benefit of a pellet machine with a water line is there is no need to go through the hassle of regularly refilling your nugget ice maker. On the other hand, a great benefit of having one with a water tank is that you have more flexibility on the ice maker’s placement in your home. You can find both the pros and cons to each one in my Water line VS. Water tank article.

17. Does Eating Nugget Ice Hydrate You?

Yes, eating nugget ice does hydrate you. Nugget ice is simply frozen water, which means the moment the ice melts (at the warm touch of your mouth) it’ll turn to water. So it’s simply an alternative way to consume water.

You can find more information on how nugget ice hydrates you by clicking here.

18. Why Is My Nugget Ice Maker Making White Ice?

Although nugget ice is always a bit cloudy and white compared to regular ice cubes, there are times when it can seem “a bit too white”.

Nugget ice appears more white than usual when the ice contains trapped air bubbles, minerals, and impurities.

It isn’t necessarily bad, however, clear ice can be seen as superior as it contains more pure water and melts slower. Possible solutions for white nugget ice can be found in the corresponding article (linked above). Give it a quick read and you’ll be able to enjoy fresh ice in no time.

19. Can I Leave My Portable Nugget Ice Maker On All the Time?

Similar to other types of household appliances, you can leave your portable nugget ice maker plugged in and turned on for as long as you like.

This is because portable nugget ice makers – just like any other type of household appliance – are actually designed to be powered on continuously.

If you want to learn everything there is to know about nugget ice maker energy consumption click the link above.

20. Are All Nugget Ice Makers Noisy?

Well… yes, all nugget ice makers produce noise (to a greater or lesser extent).

Like all ice makers, nugget ice makers are known to be quite noisy. The biggest source of noise from most nugget ice makers is the vibrations caused by the machine running which then transfer into the counter.

However, there are some ice machines that are quieter than others. In addition, there are some measures you can take to make your sonic ice maker quieter. Find out everything you need to know about noisy nugget ice makers by clicking the link above.

21. What Is Chewy Ice?

Chewy ice is the soft and crunchy ice that is more commonly known as nugget ice. As I said before, this type of ice goes by many different names, such as sonic ice, pellet ice, the good ice, pebble ice and hospital ice.

Why it has so many different names is unclear. Whether you want to call it nugget ice, sonic ice, pellet ice or any other type, it all comes down to the same thing, and that’s the soft and crunchy ice that we all love!

22. Which Types of Ice Are There?

You probably already know that there is more than enough choice with regards to ice! There are a lot of different types of ice you can choose from. When it comes to the ice type, all of them have different traits, benefits, and disadvantages, and are created using different technologies.

In general, there are 8 different types of ice which are:

• Nugget Ice
• Regular/half Ice
• Cubes
• Crescent Ice
• Crushed Ice
• Full Cube Ice
• Block ice
• Gourmet Ice
• Dry Ice

23. What Are the Best Residential Nugget Ice Makers for Home?

If you’re not looking to produce massive amounts each day (as you can do with a commercial ice maker), it’s definitely better to go with a residential sonic ice maker.

The best residential sonic ice makers are:

• The GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker
• The Frigidaire EFIC235-AMZ
• The KBice Self-Dispensing Nugget Ice Maker
• The Crownfull Nugget Ice Maker

24. What Are the Cheapest Countertop Nugget Ice Maker Options?

If you’re looking to buy a nugget ice maker without breaking the bank (but still want value for your money) I’d recommend one of the following the options:

• FRIGIDAIRE EFIC235-AMZ
• Northair Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
• KBice Self Dispensing Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

You can further analyze my top 3 cheapest countertop nugget ice makers here.