We hear the same request every May: “How do we keep drinks cold without fighting the freezer?” Our answer is simple. Nugget ice—often called good ice—turns water into soft, chewable pebbles that chill glasses fast. It fits busy cookouts, kids’ lemonade stands, and late-night iced coffee runs. This guide shows why we like nugget ice, the machine we trust, and the tricks we use to keep the bin full all weekend.
What Makes Nugget Ice So Good
Nugget ice forms in thin layers, trapping tiny air pockets inside each piece. Those pockets do two things:
- They soften the crunch, so the ice feels almost like crushed snow.
- They speed up cooling, since more surface area touches the drink.
Hard tray cubes can rattle and splash. Pebble-size nuggets sink, pack together, and cool evenly. They also absorb flavors. Sweet tea gets sweeter, cold brew feels smoother, and blended drinks reach a silky texture in seconds.
In our tests, nugget ice melted a little faster than solid cubes, yet the glass stayed just as cold. That steady melt keeps flavors balanced rather than watered down at the end of the sip.
Our Pick: GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
We like the Opal 2.0 because it turns a small corner of the counter into a mini ice factory. It is about 10.5 inches wide, so it sits next to a blender without crowding the workspace. A fresh batch appears in roughly ten minutes, and the bin can reach about thirty-eight pounds in a day—plenty for a full cookout.
Through Memorial Day, we’re letting the Opal 2.0 go for as little as $378 on the 11-inch and $430 on the 14-inch—up to $171 off the regular tag.
Fast Ice, Clear View
A front window shows the ice mound growing. We watched guests refill cups while the maker quietly topped itself off, so no one had to wait.
Easy Care and Smart Control
- Self-clean cycle removes mineral build-up with one button.
- An optional side tank snaps on to double water capacity.
- The SmartHQ app lets us start or pause production from a phone and set a daily schedule.
Spec | Opal 2.0 |
Daily ice capacity | Up to 38 lb |
First batch ready | ~10 min |
Footprint (W × D) | 10.5 in × 17.5 in |
Wi-Fi scheduling | Yes |
Self-clean cycle | Yes |
Owners tell us they run the Opal all summer for smoothies, iced lattes, and even snow-cone nights. After seeing how steady and quick the machine works in our warehouse, we reach for it first when party season starts.
Memorial Day Pricing
Right now, both Opal sizes sit well below list price at Masters Wholesale:
Model width | Sale price | MSRP | You save |
11-inch Opal 2.0 | $378 | $549 | $171 |
14-inch Opal 2.0 | $430 | $599 | $169 |
Prices were correct at the time of writing and are set to hold through the holiday weekend—while stock lasts. Take advantage of the sale while supplies last.
Hosting Tips With Nugget Ice
Start Early
Set the timer for 8 a.m. A full bin by noon keeps pitchers cold while the grill heats.
Build a Flavor Station
Put small jars of strawberry purée, peach syrup, and fresh mint near the ice maker. Guests spoon a little flavor over the nuggets, stir, and sip.
Chill a Party Cooler
Layer nugget ice at the bottom, stack canned drinks, then add one more ice layer on top. The cooler stays cold, and foot traffic stays out of the kitchen.
Soft Chews for Kids
The gentle crunch is easier on teeth and less likely to shoot across the patio. Parents appreciate the quieter cups.
Blend Smarter
Blenders glide through nuggets, reaching frosty perfection without straining the motor.
Setup and Care Made Easy
- Rinse and clean once. Fill the reservoir, run the cleaning mode, and drain.
- Fill and wait. Add fresh water, press Ice, and watch the first nuggets drop.
- Clean weekly. A quick vinegar cycle keeps minerals away.
A filter pack lasts about three months in most Sacramento-area homes. Drain and dry the bin when summer wraps up, and the maker is ready for its next run.
The Bottom Line on Nugget Ice
Soft, chewable nuggets turn any drink into a treat and keep refills simple all day. We trust the GE Profile Opal 2.0 because it makes ice fast, cleans itself, and fits small spaces. With Memorial Day pricing already live, now is a great moment to bring good ice to the backyard table.
