How I Got My Whole Family (Even My Dog) to Stay More Hydrated
GE’s Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker is a gamechanger.
A victim of an effective algorithm, shiny social media posts drew me into GE’s Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker. Not to mention the fact that it’s one of Food Network Kitchen’s top-rated ice makers on the market. Considering all its potential use cases, from pitchers of water, to frosty cocktails and mocktails, to smoothies whirled with those tiny cylindrical ice cubes, I asked myself, is the high price tag worth it? Can an ice machine change the culture of hydration in your household? Here’s my review of GE’s deluxe ice machine.
Everyone Loves It, But What Is Nugget Ice?
Pebble, pellet or nugget ice are small pieces of ice that are softer than traditional ice cubes and what the GE ice maker is known for. There’s something terribly craveable about this type of ice made popular by Sonic – they lack the sharp, unpleasing edges of traditional cubes and are sturdier than crushed ice – they almost burst tiny squirts of water in your mouth when munched on. This type of ice is ideal for water bottles, large pitchers of water and to quickly cool down glasses of any beverage. The soft texture makes it perfect for blending into smoothies and frozen cocktails and mocktails. The smaller pieces melt rather quickly so they are better suited for drinks like mules, than straight liquor cocktails like an Old Fashioned. The athletic trainer in me can’t help but to also mention that you can also make excellent ice packs that mold comfortably to body parts, much like a bag of frozen peas, only better.
How the GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker Works
The GE machine is an electric countertop appliance. It does not require a water line hook up and is 10.5 inches wide, 16.5 inches high and 17.5 inches deep. There is an additional attachable side tank that can be connected for increased capacity. Even without the extra tank, the machine makes about one pound of ice per hour, which is substantial, even when entertaining. The machine is designed to allow any melted ice to drip back into the tank and be recycled into more ice, so you can leave the machine running for extended periods of time. Once the machine is turned on, the ice drops into a large bin. Simply slide open the bin and scoop out ice as desired.
The 2.0 machine retails for about $579.00 to $699.00, depending on the vendor. Set up is simple and requires some simple flushing of the machine. There is a filter mechanism and an electric “Cleaning” mode for flushing the machine with water and a very small amount of bleach. For descaling mineral deposits, the manufacturer suggests a series of steps to flush the machine with white vinegar. Additional appliance features include lights and WiFi capabilities through a free app called SmartHQ. The app allows you to control the power, lights and even schedule when the machine runs. It also indicates when the machine needs to be descaled.
Bottom Line: Worth It
Since setting up the machine, I always keep cups and a large pitcher of frosty water on the kitchen counter. Creating this little hydration station has undoubtably lead to more water consumption by my entire family. My kids’ friends come over and ask, “Can I try the ice?” showing that even teenagers can find interest in these simple pleasures. Even the family dog loves nugget ice. When I open the drawer and begin scooping, she comes running across the house in true Pavlovian fashion to fetch some.
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