How to Use a Countertop Ice Maker for the First Time

On this page (10 sections)

1. How do you choose a countertop ice maker?
2. How do you set up a countertop ice maker for the first time?
3. What water should you use in the reservoir?
4. How do you start a batch and handle the ice?
5. Which countertop ice maker suits a first-time user?
6. How do you clean and descale a countertop ice maker?
7. What common mistakes should you avoid?
8. What should you do if the machine won't make ice?
9. How should you drain or store the machine?
10. Which countertop ice maker should you choose?

To use a countertop ice maker, place it on a level counter with room for airflow, fill its reservoir, and start the cycle as the manual directs. Check the first batch, then move ice you want to keep to your freezer because the Frigidaire EFIC128 does not keep ice frozen.

Before you buy, decide what kind of ice you want, where the machine will sit, and how often you plan to make ice. A reservoir model needs refills and routine cleaning, while a water-line model needs a suitable connection.

How do you choose a countertop ice maker?

Choose by ice style, counter space, and the effort you're willing to spend refilling and cleaning it. Daily drink habits matter more than a machine's maximum daily output if you only need a few servings at a time.

Bullet ice suits people who want a straightforward batch for cold drinks, gatherings, or a small household. Nugget ice is the better fit if you prefer soft, chewable pieces, but its cleaning routine and price tier may not suit someone who wants the simplest possible machine.

Measure the counter's width, depth, and height, including room to open the lid and reach the basket. Leave the vent clearance stated in the manual, and make sure the machine can sit near a suitable outlet without the cord crossing a wet area.

If you don't want to refill a reservoir, compare the installation needs of countertop ice makers with a water line. For a broader look at bullet, nugget, and clear ice, see our guide to choosing an ice maker for home.

How do you set up a countertop ice maker for the first time?

Unpack, clean, fill, and start the machine in the order shown in its manual. Keep it upright on a stable surface and leave the vents clear so air can circulate.

1. Remove packaging, tape, and any protective film identified by the manual.
2. Set the machine on a level, dry counter near a suitable outlet.
3. Wash removable parts as directed, then dry them.
4. Add clean water to the reservoir, stopping at its fill mark.
5. Run an initial rinse or cleaning cycle if the manual calls for one.
6. Start the ice cycle and wait for the machine's signal.
7. Check the first ice and discard it if the manual advises this.

Don't pour water into the basket, vents, or control openings. Never immerse the main unit, and unplug it before cleaning or moving it.

What water should you use in the reservoir?

Use clean drinking water and fill only to the line specified in the manual. Don't exceed the maximum mark or add water to the ice basket.

Water quality can affect ice taste and mineral buildup. If your tap water leaves scale on kettles or faucets, check the manual for advice about water choice and cleaning frequency.

Never add juice, flavoring, or cleaning solution to the reservoir for an ice cycle. Use a cleaner only in the way its instructions and your machine's manual allow.

How do you start a batch and handle the ice?

Start the cycle with the machine's controls, then follow its indicators for a full basket or low water. The first batch can take longer while the machine starts up, so give it time before troubleshooting.

Don't reach into the ice-making area while the machine is running. Use the supplied scoop or another clean utensil, and keep hands away from moving parts.

Many portable countertop machines make ice without keeping it frozen. Ice left in the basket may melt; some machines recycle the water for another batch, so transfer ice you want to keep to a freezer promptly.

Which countertop ice maker suits a first-time user?

Pick the Frigidaire for bullet ice and simple status alerts, or the Euhomy for nugget ice and a built-in cleaning cycle. Skip either model if its footprint, ice style, or manual cleaning steps don't fit your kitchen routine.

The Frigidaire EFIC128 has a transparent window and alerts for low water and a full basket. It makes 9 cubes per 5 to 6 minute cycle and can produce up to 26 lb in 24 hours.

Choose it if you want to see the ice level and prefer bullet ice for everyday drinks. Skip it if you specifically want nugget ice or need the machine itself to store ice frozen.

The Euhomy makes nugget ice and has a 1.1 L water tank. Its maker says it can make up to 35 lb in 24 hours, and its self-cleaning cycle starts by holding the CLEAN button for about 5 seconds.

This model suits you if nugget ice is the main reason you're shopping and you want a cleaning cycle built into the machine. Skip it if you prefer bullet ice or want to avoid a model with a dedicated cleaning routine.

How do you clean and descale a countertop ice maker?

Follow the cleaning steps and schedule in your machine's manual. Unplug the unit, empty the reservoir and basket as directed, and let removable parts dry fully before putting them back.

A self-cleaning cycle can help with routine care, but follow the manual for any additional wiping, rinsing, or drying steps. For a nugget model, see how to clean a nugget ice maker.

Descaling removes mineral deposits and is separate from everyday cleaning. If your manual calls for it, use only an approved cleaner and follow its directions; our guide to descaling a countertop ice maker covers the general process.

STREALE Ice Machine Cleaner Tablets use citric acid and are intended for countertop and portable ice makers. Check that the cleaner suits your machine, then follow both sets of instructions.

Never mix cleaning products or use a solution your manual prohibits. Rinse as instructed before making ice again.

What common mistakes should you avoid?

The main avoidable problems are overfilling, blocking vents, skipping the manual's first-cleaning steps, and leaving ice in the basket when you want to keep it frozen. Each can lead to poor results or extra cleanup.

• Guessing at the water level: use the reservoir mark, not the basket, as your guide.
• Crowding the vents: leave the clearance stated in the manual and don't push the machine against a wall.
• Skipping an initial rinse: follow the model's instructions before serving its first batch.
• Using an unapproved cleaner: check the manual before descaling or running a cleaning cycle.
• Expecting freezer storage: transfer finished ice promptly if you don't want it to melt.
• Putting wet parts away: dry removable parts before reassembly or storage.

What should you do if the machine won't make ice?

Check the water level, basket placement, power, and indicator lights first. Use the manual to interpret alerts and confirm that the unit is set up correctly.

If it still won't run, switch it off and unplug it before checking for a blocked drain or a removable part that's out of place. Don't open the housing or try to repair electrical components yourself.

For brand-specific troubleshooting, read why an Igloo ice maker may not make ice. Contact the maker if the manual's basic checks don't solve the problem.

How should you drain or store the machine?

Empty the water and drain the machine as its manual directs before storage. Drain locations and steps differ, so don't tilt a full unit or force a plug.

Dry the reservoir and removable parts, then store the machine in the position specified by its maker. See our guide to draining a countertop ice maker for general steps and model-specific cautions.

Which countertop ice maker should you choose?

Choose the Frigidaire if you want bullet ice and visible water and basket alerts; choose the Euhomy if you want nugget ice and a built-in cleaning cycle. Measure your counter and check the manual before buying, especially if space or cleaning effort is limited.

For a first batch, keep vents clear, use clean water, follow the startup instructions, and move finished ice to the freezer if you want to keep it. Compare the available ice styles in our guide to ice makers for home.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do you put in a countertop ice maker?

Fill the reservoir only to the mark shown in your machine's manual. Reservoir size and fill instructions vary, so don't guess or pour water into the ice basket.

Use clean drinking water and refill when the low-water light or manual tells you to.

Do you have to dump the first ice from a new ice maker?

Follow the setup instructions for your model; some manuals call for discarding the first batch after cleaning and rinsing. If the manual doesn't say, check the ice for loose debris or an unusual smell before serving, and contact the maker if a problem continues.

Can a countertop ice maker keep ice frozen?

Most portable countertop models make ice but don't freeze-store it. Ice can melt in the basket, and some machines recycle that water for another batch.

Transfer the ice you want to keep to a freezer promptly, unless your model's manual gives different instructions.

How often should you clean a countertop ice maker?

Clean it on the schedule in its manual, and sooner if water sits unused, the machine has been idle, or the ice develops an odor. Empty and dry it before storage, and use only a cleaning method and solution the manufacturer allows.