We first reviewed the Opal Nugget Ice Maker back in 2018, and liked it for its gorgeous design and the fact that it could make great chewable ice nuggets at home. However, its hefty price didn’t go down well with most of us and we felt that it would run more quietly.
The latest GE Profile Opal 2.0 is even more expensive than its predecessor, but everything we didn’t like in its predecessor is much improved and smoother: Its smart connectivity is more fluent, its automatic refill is better implemented, and it sports a sleeker-looking chassis.
While the new improvements come at a price, we still feel that it’s well worth every buck you spend. If you’re a nugget ice addict out there and looking for the best countertop ice maker out there, this is the best you can get. We can’t recommend it highly enough.
What’s nugget ice?
Nugget ice is a type of chewable ice that was first made popular by the fast-food chain Sonic. Simply put, it’s ice that’s crushed or flaked and then compressed into pellets or nuggets.
Nuggets ice is comparable to traditional ice cubes, but it’s got to advantages over what you get from appliances such as the FRIGIDAIRE EFIC189-Silver compact ice maker. First, nuggets are chewable and folks like to munch on ice chips for various reasons, and nugget ice has a pleasant mouthfeel. Second, having a bunch of small nuggets cools a drink faster than big, clunky ice cubes.
About the GE Profile Opal 2.0
While the new GE Profile Opal 2.0 shares the same design as the original model, there are a few modest differences between the two nugget makers. It still uses the same stainless steel enclosure, but the interior and top plastic trim is gray – you can also get it in black stainless steel, but at an additional cost.
The Opal 2.0 is designed to sit on your counter top, and the 16.5 x 13.4 x 17.5-inches footprint doesn’t take much space, while the accompanying weight of 38 pounds is easy to move around. Notably, it’s still smaller and light than the 2017-released Opal Nugget Ice Maker.
Another difference between the two nugget makers is that while the original Opal uses a round backlit button and different colored lights to indicated the machine’s status, the Opal 2.0 uses suave text-based status indicators located on the face of the appliance, making it easier to see the ongoing processes. It also has a backlit Wi-Fi icon indicator that illuminates when the Opal 2.0 is connected to your network.
- Dimensions: 17.5” x 16.5” x 13.43” (D x H x W)
- Ice capacity: 3 pounds
- Ice per hour: Approximately 14 ounce
Design and Features
On the right of the device, there are three buttons – Clean, Light, and Power; with the Power button turning the nugget maker ON/OFF; Clean button puts it in cleaning mode; and, Light button turns on and off the interior ice bin light and also lets you adjust a high or dim lighting setting.
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 uses the same ice-making technology as its predecessor to make nuggets. It draws ice flakes from a chilled cylinder and compresses them into small nuggets that are softer than traditional ice cubes and easy to chew. The Opal 2.0 can process one pound of ice per hour and comes with a clear pull-out bin that holds up to three pounds of ice. Similarly, the interior reservoir has enough capacity to hold water enough to fill the ice bin before it can be refilled again.
Newer features introduced in this model include a side tank reservoir that holds water for up to three times the amount of ice, that’s around nine pounds. Another newer feature is the embedded 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio that allows you control the Opal 2.0 directly from your phone from your phone wherever you are (the original model was Bluetooth only). Also, there are a pair of tubes around the back that are used to drain the system after a cleaning cycle, one of which will be connected to the side tank when installed.
The Opal 2.0 connects to smartphones via the Smart HQ mobile app (available for both Android and iOS, the app interacts with all of GE and Haier’s current-generation smart appliances (Haier is GE and Opal’s parent company). From the app, you can monitor the machine’s filter status, schedule ice to be automatically made, and even turn the internal light on and off.
Bundled into the box are a clear scoop, an owner’s manual, a drip tray and a quick start guide.
- OPAL NUGGET ICE, THE GOOD ICE: Serve up chewable, crunchable, craveable nugget ice that's...
- 38 POUNDS OF ICE PER DAY: Begin enjoying your first batch of ice in 10 minutes or less....
- BUILT-IN WIFI AND VOICE CONTROL: Pair your ice maker with the SmartHQ app to monitor...
Preparing Nugget Ice
On the GE Profile Opal 2.0, making nugget ice is pretty easy. For first time use, you just have to do a specific cleaning procedure that entails washing out the bin and both the internal reservoir and the side tank warm water and soap. Next, you’ll have to rinse out the internal components.
To do that, you can mix five cups of water with one teaspoon of household bleach, pour the solution into the internal reservoir, turn on the ice maker and press the Clean button for up to three seconds to begin water circulation, until you see the Clean LED illuminate.
After several minutes, the circulation will stop and the LED goes dark. After that, remove the plugs from the drain tubes, drain the water into a sink; and repeat the circle now with five cups of water and let it circulate before draining. After three fresh water Clean cycle, the ice maker should be ready to go.
Pairing the Opal 2.0 with the mobile apps is equally straightforward. Download the SmartHQ app, create an app, then tap the plus icon in the upper right corner of the home screen, which opens an Add Appliance screen. Select Profile from the list, tap Countertop Appliances then select Opal Nugget Ice Maker. Having done that, follow the on-screen prompts and you’ll be ready to start making chewable nuggets in no time.
After completing the setup and cleaning processes, refill the reservoir with fresh water and the Opal 2.0 will begin making ice. We must appreciate how quiet this thing runs; granted it only emits a low hum, but it’s very quiet compared with the original model.
It takes around 15 minutes for ice to begin filling the bin, and after three hours or so the bin will be full of superbly crunchy nugget ice. The app does a good job of informing you of the Opal 2.0’s current status, and the machine has no trouble adhering to ice-making schedules.
Should you buy the new GE Profile Opal 2.0?
Yes, if you need the most classy and functional of all ice makers out there.
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is a great machine for the devoted ice chewers or folks who simply prefer chilling drinks with chilly little cubes. In addition to making crunch ice nuggets, the appliance is stylish and can connect to your home Wi-Fi network for remote access, allowing you to see when the ice bin is full and when its time to add water, and you can create ice nuggets on schedule, too.
However, the only obstacle is its price. There are cheaper competitors out there and you can purchase the original Opal. However, nugget ice fanatics will love the excellent chewable ice-making capabilities that taste crip and clean, and for people who are serious about cooling their drinks and hydrating with ice chips, the GE Profile Opal 2.0 is a worthwhile investment.
The Review
GE Profile Opal 2.0
The GE Profile Opal 2.0 is an excellent countertop nugget ice maker with side tank designed for the devoted ice chewers or folks who simply prefer chilling drinks with chilly little cubes.
Recommended Configuration
GE Profile Opal 2.0 | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Ice Machine with WiFi Connectivity | Smart Home Kitchen Essentials | Stainless Steel
$489.00 in stock
6 used from $399.99
PROS
- Excellent Smart Features
- Crisp Ice
- Quiet
CONS
- Expensive
- Slow
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
Last update on 2024-11-14 at 17:26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
