Does the Frigidaire EFIC452 SS Actually Make Clear Ice?
Nothing kills a $60 bottle of bourbon faster than a handful of cloudy, aerated bullet ice from a freezer tray. It melts in minutes, dilutes the flavor, and frankly, looks cheap. I spent years chasing that crystal-clear restaurant quality at home before finally dragging the frigidaire efic452 ss onto my counter to see if it could handle my Friday night hosting duties.
Most people buy a frigidaire efic452-ss because they want that 40 lb daily output. I bought it because I was tired of my drinks tasting like the frozen peas sitting next to the ice bin in my fridge. Clear ice isn't just about aesthetics; it's about density. Denser ice melts slower, meaning your drink stays cold without turning into a watery mess.
- Real-world capacity: Expect closer to 32-35 lbs unless your kitchen is a walk-in cooler.
- Ice Quality: True clear, square cubes—not the hollow bullets.
- Footprint: It is a beast. Clear your counter space now.
- Noise Level: Noticeable fan hum, but the ice drop is the loudest part.
Why I Ditched Cloudy Freezer Cubes for Good
Cloudy ice is full of air and impurities. When you use a standard freezer tray, the water freezes from the outside in, trapping gasses in the center. The frigidaire 40 lbs ice maker works differently. It sprays water over a chilled grid, freezing it layer by layer. This process pushes the air out, leaving you with a solid, transparent block.
If you have ever tried to carve clear ice from a cooler in your freezer, you know it is a mess. Having a dedicated countertop ice maker that does the heavy lifting for you is a luxury that becomes a necessity once you see the difference in your glass. The frigidaire 40 lb ice maker delivers cubes that look like they belong in a high-end Manhattan speakeasy.
My First Impressions of the 40-Pound Behemoth
Unboxing the efic452-ss is a two-person job if you value your lower back. This is a frigidaire extra large capacity ice maker, and it looks the part. The stainless steel finish is sharp, but it is a fingerprint magnet. Keep a microfiber cloth nearby if you are obsessive about smudge-free appliances.
It stands about 15 inches tall, so it fits under most standard cabinets, but keep an eye on the depth. You need space behind it for the fan to breathe. I set mine up on a dedicated bar cart. The frigidaire ice maker efic452-ss-cu feels industrial—no flimsy plastic hinges or cheap-feeling buttons here. It is built to churn out ice 24/7.
Speed Test: Does It Really Hit 40 Lbs a Day?
I spent a weekend testing this 40 lbs clear ice maker with a stopwatch and a kitchen scale. The marketing says 40 lbs, but that is under perfect laboratory conditions. In my 74-degree kitchen, I was pulling about 1.5 lbs of ice every hour once the machine was primed.
The first batch of the frigidaire efic452 takes about 20 minutes. Do not be discouraged; the first cubes are usually a bit thin. By the third or fourth cycle, the evaporator plate is cold enough to produce thick, heavy squares. If you are running the machine continuously, you will easily have enough ice for a party of ten without ever hitting the 'Add Water' light. Just remember that this is not a freezer—the bin is insulated, but the ice will eventually melt and recycle if you do not harvest it.
What the Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Manual Doesn't Tell You
The frigidaire efic452-ss manual is a bit dry. It won't tell you that the temperature of your source water is the biggest factor in clarity. If you fill the reservoir with lukewarm tap water, the machine has to work twice as hard. Use chilled, filtered water. Not only does it taste better, but the frigidaire clear ice maker will produce much clearer results.
Another tip: the ambient room temperature matters. If you put this frigidaire ice maker 40 lb in a hot garage, your cycle times will double. Keep it in the coolest part of your kitchen. The frigidaire ice maker 40 lbs needs air circulation. I have seen people tuck these into tight cabinets only to wonder why the ice comes out slushy.
Quick Troubleshooting for Common Sensor Glitches
If you see the 'Ice Full' light flashing when the bin is empty, it is usually just a bit of condensation on the infrared sensor. Wipe the sensors inside the rim with a dry cloth. For the frigidaire efic452-ss-cu troubleshooting basics, the 'Add Water' light can sometimes trigger if there is an air bubble in the line. A quick power cycle usually clears it right up.
If the efic452 stops making ice, check the drain plug on the back. If it is not seated perfectly, a slow leak can mess with the internal water levels. I have also found that if you are running the machine continuously, the sensors can get 'confused' by ice buildup near the top. Just give the basket a little shake to level the cubes out.
The Right Way to Clean the Frigidaire EFIC452 SS CU
Learning how to clean frigidaire ice maker efic452-ss cu is the difference between owning this machine for five years or five months. Scale buildup from hard water will kill the pump. I run a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water through a full cycle once a month. It smells like a salad bar for an hour, but it keeps the frigidaire efic452 ss cu cleaning routine simple and effective.
After the vinegar run, perform two cycles with plain filtered water to rinse everything out. Use a soft brush on the evaporator grid. If you see any pink slime or mold, you have waited too long. The frigidaire ice maker model efic452-ss-cu has a convenient drain plug, but it is on the back, so you will need to pull the machine forward to empty the reservoir completely.
The Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The frigidaire model efic452 ss cu is not for everyone. If you just want ice for a water bottle, get a cheaper bullet ice maker. But if you care about the quality of your cocktails and hate the taste of freezer-burned cubes, the frigidaire extra large ice maker is a solid investment. It is heavy, it is a bit loud, and it requires maintenance, but the ice quality is genuinely bar-grade.
FAQ
Is the ice from the EFIC452-SS actually clear?
Yes, provided you use filtered water and the machine is in a room with a stable temperature. It produces solid, transparent square cubes rather than the white, cloudy 'bullets' found in cheaper models.
How loud is the Frigidaire 40 lb ice maker?
It is comparable to a small dishwasher. You will hear the fan running while it freezes and a loud 'thunk' when the ice sheet drops and is broken into cubes. It is not silent, but it is not disruptive in a busy kitchen.
Does this machine keep the ice frozen?
No. Like most portable units, the frigidaire ice maker efic452-ss has an insulated bin, but it is not a freezer. The ice will slowly melt over several hours, and the water will drain back into the reservoir to be remade into new ice.