The GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker best review of 2022

The GE Profile Opal countertop nugget ice maker is among people’s favorites because it makes 1 pound of fresh ice per hour. It has a large capacity bin to hold up to 3 lbs of crunchable ice. Has built in bluetooth connectivity to control it with your smartphone and it recirculates water from melted ice to the 0.5 gallon reservoir.

Sale
GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Portable Ice Machine Makes up to 24 lbs. of Ice Per Day | Stainless Steel Finish
  • Note : Please check the dimension and item weight of the product and confirm it fits your space.Quiet Package 39 dBA.Control Type : Electronic, Hertz/Amps : 60 Hz; 2.5 A.
  • OPAL NUGGET ICE, THE GOOD ICE - Serve up chewable, crunchable, craveable nugget ice that's ready fast and retains its flavor, unlike traditional hard cubes; Refreshing nugget ice is made from...

If you crave crunchy, chewable ice like the kind served at a fast-food restaurant, then the GE Opal Nugget Ice maker is for you. This luxe countertop nugget ice maker has many unique features, including an ice bin that opens from the front, a side tank that holds and recycles water and Smart Bluetooth Connectivity.

What Exactly is this GE countertop ice maker?

geprofileopal countertop nugget ice maker
GE Profile Opal countertop nugget ice maker.

The GE Profile Opal is a portable countertop ice maker that produces a special kind of ice that is made from compacted ice flakes called nugget ice. Just plug into any 120v standard outlet, fill the side tank with water and it will produce batches of ice. 

The unit is constructed of stainless steel wrap, with gray accents and LED lighting and comes with an ice scoop and drip tray.

It has a large capacity 3lb bin made from triple wall clear plastic. It opens from the front (like a stove does). The bin door is transparent so you can see the amount of ice in storage. It’s innovative design allows the recycling of water back from the bin into a side tank, where it is made into ice again, 

It is also a smart ice maker that comes with its own app, allowing you to view the ice machine’s status, schedule a batch of fresh ice and order parts.

What’s in The Package of the Opal countertop?

The GE OPAL nugget ice maker comes fully assembled. The box includes a gallon side tank that attaches manually to the unit, a drip tray, and an ice scoop.

It also comes with an instruction booklet as well as the GE Opal Bluetooth Smart App.

Technical Specifications

Here are the technical specifications for the GE OPAL nugget ice maker, which is manufactured by the General Electric Company of Boston, Massachusetts.

Product Weight and Dimensions 

This icemaker’s dimensions are 15.5 x 10.5 x 16.5 inches and it weighs 47 pounds.  The included clear plastic side tank holds 2 quarts of water.

Power

The GE Opal ice maker has a voltage of 120 V.

The GE Profile Opal comes with Bluetooth connectivity to an app in your smartphone

There is a version of the Opal Ice maker that comes with bluetooth connectivity via an app you install on your smartphone.

The convenience of this is you can check the status of your ice machine, set a schedule for making new ice and even order some cool accessories for your Opal ice machine.

Capacity and Run-Time

ge profileopal countertop nugget ice maker side tank
GE Profile Opal countertop nugget ice maker side tank

Once you fill the GE Opal ice maker it is ready to make nugget ice, also known as pellet ice or “drive-in ice.” It is made from water compacted into ice flakes by the interior compressor. 

As all of the water used is recycled, it can operate continuously until you unplug it. The sensor automatically stops making ice when the bin is full.

Advantages of the GE Profile countertop ice maker vs. Similar Products

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GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Portable Ice Machine Makes up to 24 lbs. of Ice Per Day | Stainless Steel Finish
CROWNFUL Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, Makes 26lbs Crunchy ice in 24H, 3lbs Basket at a time, Self-Cleaning Pebble Ice Machine, with Scoop and Basket, Portable Ice Maker for Home/Kitchen/Office/Bar
VIVOHOME Electric Portable Compact Countertop Automatic Ice Cube Maker Machine with Self Cleaning Function Visible Window and Hand Scoop Silver 26.5lbs/Day
NutriChef Countertop Nugget Ice Maker Machine - Electric Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Ice Scoop and Basket, Includes Rear-Mounted Hose Drainage, Compact, Convenient, and Incredibly Fast - NCICNUG
Item
GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Portable Ice Machine Makes up to 24 lbs. of Ice Per Day | Stainless Steel Finish
CROWNFUL Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, Makes 26lbs Crunchy ice in 24H, 3lbs Basket at a time, Self-Cleaning Pebble Ice Machine, with Scoop and Basket, Portable Ice Maker for Home/Kitchen/Office/Bar
VIVOHOME Electric Portable Compact Countertop Automatic Ice Cube Maker Machine with Self Cleaning Function Visible Window and Hand Scoop Silver 26.5lbs/Day
NutriChef Countertop Nugget Ice Maker Machine - Electric Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Ice Scoop and Basket, Includes Rear-Mounted Hose Drainage, Compact, Convenient, and Incredibly Fast - NCICNUG
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$471.70
$199.99
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GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Portable Ice Machine Makes up to 24 lbs. of Ice Per Day | Stainless Steel Finish
Item
GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Portable Ice Machine Makes up to 24 lbs. of Ice Per Day | Stainless Steel Finish
Prime
Amazon Prime
Star Rating
-
Reviews
-
Price
$471.70
Image
CROWNFUL Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, Makes 26lbs Crunchy ice in 24H, 3lbs Basket at a time, Self-Cleaning Pebble Ice Machine, with Scoop and Basket, Portable Ice Maker for Home/Kitchen/Office/Bar
Item
CROWNFUL Nugget Ice Maker Countertop, Makes 26lbs Crunchy ice in 24H, 3lbs Basket at a time, Self-Cleaning Pebble Ice Machine, with Scoop and Basket, Portable Ice Maker for Home/Kitchen/Office/Bar
Prime
Amazon Prime
Star Rating
-
Reviews
-
Price
$199.99
Image
VIVOHOME Electric Portable Compact Countertop Automatic Ice Cube Maker Machine with Self Cleaning Function Visible Window and Hand Scoop Silver 26.5lbs/Day
Item
VIVOHOME Electric Portable Compact Countertop Automatic Ice Cube Maker Machine with Self Cleaning Function Visible Window and Hand Scoop Silver 26.5lbs/Day
Prime
Amazon Prime
Star Rating
-
Reviews
-
Price
$97.49
Image
NutriChef Countertop Nugget Ice Maker Machine - Electric Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Ice Scoop and Basket, Includes Rear-Mounted Hose Drainage, Compact, Convenient, and Incredibly Fast - NCICNUG
Item
NutriChef Countertop Nugget Ice Maker Machine - Electric Nugget Ice Maker Countertop with Ice Scoop and Basket, Includes Rear-Mounted Hose Drainage, Compact, Convenient, and Incredibly Fast - NCICNUG
Prime
Amazon Prime
Star Rating
-
Reviews
-
Price
$220.63

The GE Opal’s main distinguishing feature from other ice-makers is that it makes nugget ice. An alternative is the Frigidaire Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker that has a similar front window. It is about $100 more expensive than the Opal and it has a narrower design. It produces up to 44 pounds of ice a day, whereas the GE Opal produces 24.

There are very few inexpensive self-contained ice makers that have a front bin like the GE Profile Opal.

Our Experience with this nugget ice maker

It is almost impossible for the GE Profile Opal to run out of ice. The minute any ice begins to melt the water runs through the hose back into the side tank, ready to start the process all over again.

Thanks to the side tank, this icemaker can produce three times more ice than other ice makers, so it is perfect if you have a lot of parties, or live in a hot climate. It produces 1 lb of ice per hour and the bin holds 3 lb of ice at a time.

ge countertop ice maker
The GE countertop ice maker looks and performs great.

This compact ice maker also looks great on a counter and is perfect for showing off to guests who will also marvel at your ice’s clean taste. This is due to the unit’s inbuilt UV water treatment, stopping bacteria from nesting in the water hoses.

What You Need to Know Before Buying a GE Opal Ice Maker

Be aware that this automatic ice-maker works best in an area with softer rather than harder water. Using hard water in the unit might affect the smooth working of the machine and also the taste of the ice. The descaling procedure of the GE Opal Ice Maker can be found on page 9 of the product’s Use and Care manual.

You also need to know that GE does not offer an extended warranty for this product.

Where to Buy the GE Opal Ice Maker

Sale
GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Portable Ice Machine Makes up to 24 lbs. of Ice Per Day | Stainless Steel Finish
  • Note : Please check the dimension and item weight of the product and confirm it fits your space.Quiet Package 39 dBA.Control Type : Electronic, Hertz/Amps : 60 Hz; 2.5 A.
  • OPAL NUGGET ICE, THE GOOD ICE - Serve up chewable, crunchable, craveable nugget ice that's ready fast and retains its flavor, unlike traditional hard cubes; Refreshing nugget ice is made from...

Care and Maintenance

If you live in an area with hard water, you have to descale your Opal once a month or even more frequently. This helps remove mineral deposits that damage the machine and affect the taste of the water.

The GE Opal Smart Bluetooth App that comes with your purchase has troubleshooting tips that can help you repair anything that goes wrong.

ge profile opal countertop nugget ice maker water storage
Be sure to clean your GE nugget ice maker every month.

Warranty, Returns and Repairs

GE does not offer an extended warranty on Opal ice makers at this time. It offers its standard 1 year warranty to replace defective parts.

On most sites where the GE Opal is sold, you usually have 30 days to return it, if you are not satisfied or if it is defective. 

Is the GE Opal Ice Maker Hard to Set Up?

It’s not difficult to set up the GE Opal ice maker, which comes with an instruction booklet. You can learn more about its many features by watching these videos here.

GE Opal ice maker manual

You can find more information about how to clean, descale and setup your Opal ice maker from GE with this user manual.

In case you need help troubleshooting this GE Profile Opal nugget ice maker, you’ll find a handy section inside this manual to give you some clues about what to do in some situations.

Closing Comments: A fantastic Ice Maker overall!

The GE Opal Ice Maker has several great features. Its steel and plastic facade looks fantastic sitting on a counter and it circulates water so you will never run out of ice.

It’s impressive that you can schedule ice-making and descalings in advance using the GE Opal Ice Maker Bluetooth Smart App. The app features how-to videos and troubleshooting tips as well links to where you can purchase parts and accessories.

It is also a green appliance as it continually recycles water from melted ice-cubes and the water is constantly cleaned by a UV to create what GE calls the “best ice”.

Sale
GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Portable Ice Machine Makes up to 24 lbs. of Ice Per Day | Stainless Steel Finish
  • Note : Please check the dimension and item weight of the product and confirm it fits your space.Quiet Package 39 dBA.Control Type : Electronic, Hertz/Amps : 60 Hz; 2.5 A.
  • OPAL NUGGET ICE, THE GOOD ICE - Serve up chewable, crunchable, craveable nugget ice that's ready fast and retains its flavor, unlike traditional hard cubes; Refreshing nugget ice is made from...