EFIC189 Ice Maker: Is the Crunch Really Worth the Noise?

I admit it: I have an ice chewing habit. When the summer heat turns my apartment into a sauna, standard half-moon freezer ice just does not cut it. It is too hard, too dense, and completely lacks that satisfying, porous crunch you get from a drive-thru soda. That obsession with good ice is exactly what led me to clear off precious counter space for the efic189 ice maker. People who love nugget ice are a dedicated bunch, willing to sacrifice kitchen real estate and deal with extra appliances just to get that perfect texture at home. But as I quickly learned while testing the frigidaire efic189 compact nugget ice maker, bringing the drive-thru experience into your kitchen comes with a few compromises.

Quick Takeaways

• Produces highly chewable, porous nugget ice that absorbs beverage flavors perfectly.
• Requires roughly 12 by 17 inches of counter space and needs adequate ventilation clearance.
• Operating noise hovers around 55 to 60 decibels, which is noticeable in quiet or open-concept rooms.
• Drops its first batch of ice in about 15 minutes, with a max daily output of 44 pounds.
• Requires weekly cleaning and regular descaling to prevent mold buildup in the water lines.

EFIC189 Ice Maker: Unboxing and Footprint

When the box arrived, the first thing I noticed was the weight. At nearly 35 pounds, it is a substantial appliance. Pulling it out of the packaging was straightforward, but finding a permanent home for it required some kitchen Tetris. The unit measures roughly 12 inches wide, 17 inches deep, and 19 inches tall. You cannot just shove it flush against a wall or tuck it under low-hanging cabinets.

The exhaust fan sits on the side, and it needs at least six inches of clearance to prevent the compressor from overheating. Setting it up was simple enough. I wiped down the interior, filled the bottom reservoir with distilled water to the max fill line, and plugged it in. There is no water line hookup required, which makes it highly portable, provided you have the muscle to move it. Just remember to let it sit upright for 24 hours before turning it on, allowing the refrigerant to settle after shipping.

Testing the Frigidaire EFIC189 Compact Nugget Ice Maker

I ran this machine continuously for two straight weeks in my own kitchen to see how it handled daily life. My testing methodology was simple: I wanted to know how much ice it realistically made, how fast it melted, and whether the machine drove me crazy while I worked from the adjacent dining table.

I used it for morning iced coffees, afternoon sodas, and evening cocktails, emptying the bin multiple times a day to force the machine to keep producing. I also tracked the ambient room temperature, which hovered around 72 degrees, to see how the uncooled storage bin affected the ice melt rate over several hours.

The Crunch Factor: Analyzing the Nugget Texture

This is the main event. If you are buying this machine, you are doing it for the texture. I am happy to report that the ice quality is fantastic. It produces true nugget ice, which consists of compressed flakes of ice that are highly porous and incredibly chewable. When you pour a cola over these nuggets, the ice absorbs the syrup, making the leftover ice at the bottom of your glass a treat all on its own.

It is significantly softer than the bullet ice made by cheaper portable machines. It shatters easily between your teeth without sending a shockwave through your jaw. However, managing your expectations is important. Understanding the reality of countertop nugget ice means accepting that these nuggets are slightly wetter out of the machine than the commercial-grade ice you get at a restaurant.

Because the internal bin is insulated but not actively refrigerated, the ice is always in a slow state of melting. This gives the nuggets a slightly slushy exterior if left sitting in the basket for hours. To get the absolute best crunch, I learned to scoop the ice right as it dropped from the auger chute.

Speed, Melt Rate, and Production Capacity

When you hit the power button, the machine takes about 15 minutes to drop its first handful of nuggets. It is not an instant process. The internal auger slowly scrapes and compresses the ice, pushing it up and out into the basket.

Over the course of 24 hours, the manufacturer claims it can produce up to 44 pounds of ice. In my practical testing, keeping the bin consistently empty, I yielded closer to 38 pounds. That is still more than enough for a family of heavy ice chewers. The storage bin holds about three pounds of ice at a time.

As mentioned, the bin is insulated, not refrigerated. As the ice slowly melts, the cold water drips through the basket back into the lower reservoir, where the machine simply recycles it into fresh ice. I found that a full basket takes about three to four hours to melt down completely in a room-temperature kitchen.

The Elephant in the Room: Operating Noise

Here is the honest downside I promised. The machine is loud. If you live in a small apartment or have an open-concept living space, you will absolutely hear this thing running. I measured the noise level from three feet away, and it consistently hovered between 55 and 60 decibels.

There are three distinct sounds you have to tolerate. First, the compressor kicks on with a low, steady hum, similar to an older mini-fridge. Second, the exhaust fan runs continuously while making ice, sounding quite a bit like a microwave running in the background.

Finally, there is the intermittent squeak and groan of the internal auger compressing the ice, followed by the clatter of the nuggets dropping into the plastic bin. If you are watching television in the next room, you will likely need to turn the volume up a few notches. For dedicated chewers, the noise is a fair trade-off, but I ended up turning the machine off at night because the hum carried down the hallway to my bedroom.

Cleaning and Maintenance Realities

Nugget ice makers are notoriously high-maintenance, and this unit is no exception. Because the internal workings are complex and constantly wet, mold and hard water scale can build up quickly if you neglect it. I highly recommend using distilled or reverse osmosis water to minimize mineral deposits.

The manufacturer recommends a thorough cleaning every week or two. The process involves draining the rear tubes, mixing a solution of water and citric acid, and running the machine through its self-cleaning cycle. You then have to flush it with fresh water two or three times to remove any lingering chemical taste.

Wiping down the internal reservoir with a soft cloth to remove any biofilm is also crucial. It takes about 45 minutes of active and passive time to clean it properly. If you are not willing to stick to a strict cleaning schedule, a nugget ice maker is going to become a gross science experiment very quickly.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy This Model?

So, is the crunch really worth the noise and the upkeep? For me, yes. Having an endless supply of soft, chewable ice at my fingertips completely changed my daily hydration habits. I found myself drinking twice as much water just as an excuse to eat the ice.

However, it is not for everyone. If you have a tiny kitchen, hate background noise, or know you will slack on cleaning, you should pass on this appliance. If you are on the fence, it might be worth looking into newer countertop nugget models that boast slightly better sound insulation.

But if you are a die-hard ice chewer who understands the maintenance required, this machine delivers exactly what it promises. You get perfect, drive-thru quality ice right on your kitchen counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the EFIC189 keep ice frozen?

No, the storage bin is insulated but not refrigerated. The ice will slowly melt over a few hours, and the water drips back into the reservoir to be remade into fresh ice.

Can I use tap water in this ice maker?

While you can use tap water, it is highly recommended to use distilled or filtered water. Tap water contains minerals that will quickly build up inside the machine, requiring much more frequent descaling.

How long does it take to make a full bin of ice?

It takes about 15 minutes to get the first handful of ice. To fill the entire three-pound basket, expect the machine to run continuously for about two to three hours.