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GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker Review

If you’re looking to own a superior nugget ice maker, then the GE Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker is suitable. This compact and portable countertop ice maker comes with a chic stainless steel design to match your modern kitchen perfectly.

It is well made to produce 24 pounds of chewy and crunchy ice daily. What’s more? The innovative ice-making unit features wi-fi connectivity, an LED screen, voice control functions, and a detachable ice storage tank.

First off, nugget ice refers to crushed ice squeezed into nuggets and is popular with the masses, particularly for its chewy texture. It is often used in cocktails, sodas, iced teas, and other drinks. 

Here, we will give you an in-depth review of the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker, so you are well informed on the product before making the final purchase.

Furthermore, we will delve into some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), such as

  • Are Nugget ice makers worth it?
  • What is nugget ice?
  • How long does it take for GE Opal to make ice?

GE Profile 2.0 review

The Opal Nugget Ice Maker is innovatively and elegantly designed to match the décor of your smart kitchen. It comes with a sleek design that enhances its look and a durable stainless steel body that would sit on your kitchen countertop for a very long time.

This convenient ice-making appliance has a large-size water tank on the side that can hold enough water. This detachable ice tank saves you from the hassles of refilling water frequently and is also easy to clean.

This quality ice maker can rapidly create 24 pounds of nugget ice daily as the machine efficiently crushes the clean ice into flakes to produce a pound of soft and crunchy ice every hour.

What’s more? The modern-design nugget ice maker incorporates some state-of-the-art features such as wi-fi connectivity and voice control functions, making it more appealing and suitable.

Also, the GE Opal ice maker features an LED display that lights up during operation and dims out when it rests, thus providing you with smooth and distraction-free functions that suit you and your home.

Thus, this exceptional ice maker is a quality nugget ice maker perfect for big gatherings and parties with a persistent need for ice, but you’ll be relieved to own it as you will never run out of ice to serve your guests.

The only downside of the GE Opal 2.0 is that it can be a bit pricey and may be relatively slow in producing ice. Nonetheless, it is worth the price and the wait as you will be pleased to find out that it makes the best nugget ice maker suitable for your taste.

What we like

Good quality ice: The GE Opal nugget ice maker is our favorite for making nugget ice. The quality machine efficiently produces chewable and soft nugget ice that perfectly chills and blends into your beverages, making them more savory and enjoyable. 

Owning this ice-making device allows you to serve yourself clean, refreshing, and chew-able ice from the comfort of your home.

Unlike traditional ice cubes, which are hard to chew, we like that the Opal ice is crunchy, spongy, and flavorful in taste and texture. 

24 pounds of nugget ice daily: With its large capacity, the GE Opal nugget ice maker can hold sufficient water to efficiently create 24 lbs of nugget ice in a day which means you’ll never run out of ice. Moreover, the impressive unit makes the first set of nugget ice in just less than twenty minutes.

Integrated wi-fi and voice control: This high-tech ice maker features wi-fi connectivity that conveniently allows you to connect your unit via the company-dedicated SmartHQ App on your smartphone. 

This advanced feature lets you schedule clean, fresh ice to make nugget ice automatically, and you can keep an eye on your ice maker’s status at your convenience through the Opal app on your smartphone. 

In addition, you can access the voice control functions through Google or Alexa and get regular software updates, so you don’t miss out on the latest versions and upgraded features of the unit.  

Convenient LED-backlit screen: This ice maker comes with a convenient LED screen that lights up when the device is on and automatically turns off when not in operation. This excellent feature also gives you an option of turning off the storage tank or dimming, all at your convenience and depending upon your needs. 

Compact and sleek design: The GE Opal 2.0 nugget ice maker has a sleek, stylish design that gives your kitchen a modern look. Moreover, its compact size allows for easy storage on your kitchen countertop. 

Large capacity water tank: Another superior feature we like about the Opal ice maker is the water reservoir attached magnetically on the side of the unit. This removable side tank can hold and supply about 0.75-gallon of water allowing you to produce thrice as much ice you need. 

In addition, its substantial size saves you from the need to refill water constantly. And because the tank is detachable, you can easily remove it for clean-ups.

Automatic refill: The Opal 2.0 ice maker is innovatively and thoughtfully designed. When the ice nuggets dissolve, the excess water automatically seeps back into the device’s tank to make another batch of nugget ice again. With its ability to refill water automatically, you will never run out of fresh, clean ice again. 

Deep self-cleaning capability: This state-of-the-art ice maker comes with a highly developed, self-cleaning capacity to clean itself and keeps your unit free from mildews and molds when you pair up with the Opal Cleaning Kit. Also, the built-in Ultra Violet (UV) light limits the formation of bacteria on your unit. 

Pros

  • Well built
  • Convenient compact design allows for easy storage and portability
  • Chic and modern look
  • It produces 24 pounds of good quality, crisp nugget ice daily
  • Built-in wi-fi connectivity
  • Voice control through Google Home or Alexa  
  • Convenient LED screen
  • Low noise during operation 
  • Easy to clean-up
  • Excellent value for money

Cons

  • Bit expensive
  • Relatively slow for some
  • It may be a bit loud

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are nugget ice makers worth it?

Whether nugget ice makers are worth owning depends on whether they fulfill your demands and requirements.  

There is no doubt that they are expensive as they cost around $550 to $700. Nevertheless, if you’re a big fan of nugget ice and are not hesitant to spend money on such a luxury unit, you must go for it as it is worth it.

Unlike traditional ice makers, nugget ice makers make quality nugget ice that is fresh, chewy, and soft when you add it to your drinks. You will find that they are, therefore, undoubtedly worth the investment.

In addition, assess the pros and cons to determine whether a nugget ice maker is a suitable option for you! 

What is nugget ice?

Nugget ice is a crunchy, chew-able, and spongy ice produced from a sheet of frozen chipped ice. It is commonly called sonic ice, pellet ice, or nugget ice, typically added in cold beverages.

Nugget ice doesn’t melt quickly and helps chill drinks while maintaining its flavor. Due to its excellent texture and taste, it has become a delicacy for many ice lovers worldwide.

How long does it take for GE Opal to make ice?

The GE Opal takes around 20 minutes max to make nugget ice that is chew-able and soft, exactly like the favorite nugget ice you get from a restaurant. The Opal nugget ice maker can produce 24-lbs of ice every day, and the tray can hold 3 lbs of ice in one go.

Why does my Opal ice maker stop making ice?

The reason your Opal ice maker stops making ice may be an indication that there’s a clog somewhere near the water supply line, a power supply issue, or that the tank has insufficient water.

Issues like a clog in the supply line will prevent the Opal ice maker from making ice at all or produce semi-circular or smaller cubes that greatly vary from their usual size. The most potential reason for a clog in the supply line is frozen water.

To fix these issues, follow the instructions here, check if your Opal ice maker is in self-cleaning mode, or refill the water tank if there’s less or no water. If these hacks don’t work, unplug the unit and reset the ice-making machine manually.  

How much energy does a GE Opal Ice Maker consume?

A GE Opal ice maker uses energy of about 350-kilowatt hours (kWh) per month at a regular fee of $0.06 per kWh, which would amount to around $21 per month.

So, unlike energy-saving freezers that typically use electricity of about 2,200 kWh or even higher. They will cost you no less than $136 per month. 

Are OPAL ice makers loud?

You might be thinking… Why is my ge opal ice maker making loud noise? It’s because of the mechanical and electrical parts, including a compressor, motors, pump, and fans, to produce flawless nugget ice efficiently. 

Thus, these components generate noise during the ice production process when the device powers up. However, these typical noises typically die down after about ten to forty-five minutes during the ice-making cycle. 

In addition, rigid surfaces such as countertops, floors, and walls can intensify these sounds. 

Sometimes a weak compressor, deteriorating condenser fans, or a defective drain pump can result in loud noise from the unit. Consider replacing the condenser fan if it makes loud noises and unplug or disconnect the device and clean any dirt lodged in the drain pump if it makes any unwanted noise. 

On the whole, it is not normal if the Opal Ice Maker makes a nonstop grinding sound. If the problem persists, contact GE Opal Customer service. 

Differences between opal and opal 2.0

The Opal and Opal 2.0 are both countertop ice makers that produce nugget ice, but there are some key differences between the two models.

The Opal 2.0 is the newer model and it comes with several upgrades and improvements over the original Opal. It has a larger ice storage capacity, and it can produce ice faster.

Additionally, it has a higher ice production rate, and it can also connect to WiFi and be controlled via an app on your phone. The Opal 2.0 also has an enhanced ice sensor that can detect when ice is low and automatically start producing more ice.

On the other hand, the original Opal is a more basic model with a smaller ice storage capacity and slower ice production rate. It does not have WiFi connectivity and it does not have the enhanced ice sensor.

Overall, the Opal 2.0 is a more advanced and feature-rich option with a higher price point, while the original Opal is a more budget-friendly option with less features.

Our Verdict

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The GE Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker is the best ice maker regarding efficiency, innovative designs, and features. With this device, you can now enjoy fresh, soft, and chewy nugget ice with your cold beverages.  

Besides, its sleek and modern design and high-tech features like the wi-fi connectivity and voice control ability to monitor through Google Home or Alexa appeal to many ice enthusiasts.

The Opal ice maker can be on the pricey side, but it certainly proves to be excellent value for money, and you will never be let down by owning it.

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