GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker | Portable Ice Machine Complete with Bluetooth Connectivity | Smart Home Kitchen Essentials | Stainless Steel Finish
[{'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Item arrived in a strapped box with a crushed corner. Once I unpacked the item I noticed a huge dent in the top left back of the machine :( It was obviously dropped on the corner in shipping and despite a fair amount of padding materials it still was damaged. I immediately went online to return/exchange the item and was alarmed when the system wouldn\'t let me - I received "this item does not qualify for returns". I could already feel my blood boiling... I then chose the "Call Me" option in customer service, explained the issue and they immediately took care of - no hassle at all, quickly and without question. This is why I keep shopping at Amazon - they make everything right!\n\nNow, as far as the ice maker goes - it has worked flawlessly for the past week. Not one single problem. It makes perfect nugget ice and quickly too! I am glad that I chose this version (GE Profile) instead of the 1ST BUILD one as the all stainless look is much nicer and this version includes the additional water reservoir. It also includes a 1 year warranty by GE when you register the product.\n\nThe Bluetooth app is a take-it or leave-it benefit and there are no instructions on how to connect (download the FirstBuild app regardless of the GE name) . I could not get it to work with the latest version of Android and received a warning notice when installing the app that the version may not be compatible (the app is over 2 years old). I was able to connect and schedule ice making using my iPad and the iOS version of the app without any issues. Basically all you can do in the app is schedule when you want it to make ice, if you want the "nite light" and some basic diagnostics. It\'s not really a big deal if you don\'t use the app, but scheduling the ice making is a nice benefit.\n\nOverall if you like nugget ice this ice maker is a winner and looks very cool on my countertop - and will impress any ice connoisseur!'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I run a portable ice maker on my bar almost constantly. In fact, I’ve worn 4 out over the last 6 years (all liked and all from Amazon). Although cheap with a cost of $100 - $150 each, they just did not last and the ice was OK. Enter the GE Opal ice maker with side tank and the “good ice” it makes.\n\nI had to research what good ice was and the staying power it had before committing to a $430 prime purchase. The ice is actually pellets about 1/2” long and 1/4” in diameter. It is soft enough to chew and hard enough not to water down pop or vodka.\n\nThe other deciding factor for me was the built in cleaning function. So long as I use it weekly as recommended, I’ve not seen mold take hold the way it did in the other style ice makers.\n\nAs a bit of a geek, I used the Bluetooth app and set up a run schedule to make life even easier for us.\n\nEven with the price, I have to give this 5 out of 5. Only time will tell how long it will last running 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'So far so good!! I buy sonic and Zaxby’s ice by the bag ... at least 2 a week.\nRead all of the instructions before you start.\nWhen I started making ice it ran water for a minute or so and I was a little concerned. Not to worry ice started falling shortly after. The kids could not wait, like a good mom I let them have the first scoop.\nWe started making ice about 5:30pm yesterday and by 11:00am today out ice bin in the freezer is full. Not to mention how much we have eaten.\nStraight out of the bin it is the perfect soft ice. Out of the freezer it is hard, (same as the bagged ice after you freeze it) my recommendation is to fill your cup and leave it for about 10-15 mins and it will soften up some.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Be forewarned, I bought this unit for Thanksgiving. It doesn’t work and Amazon says it’s not returnable! How can an Amazon Prime purchase that doesn’t work not be returnable? They told me to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer told me to contact Amazon. I have called, emailed, with no resolution. I am out $$ for a unit that doesn’t work, and seem to have no recourse. But they have my money! Unbelievable.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': ' Absolutely the best ice...\nAbsolutely the worst icemaker and the WORST support. Even purchased the 5 year replacement from amazon and they dont honor it.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': " I don't know if I got a bad one or what, but I will be replacing it through amazon... Ill change my review after...\n\nBut Hey, the family and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the ice, it really delivers. Perfect Sonic Nugget ice, makes it pretty quick too.\n\nLook, its a $500 machine, that is, for me, very very annoying.\n\nThe squeals and squeaks from my unit, are unbearable, I have attached a video. BUYER BEWARE, and get an extended warranty! Which I will when I get my replacement unit."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': ' Starts making horrible noise when it runs for a few hours. Have to unplug it and let it set.\n\nOPAL Will not repair or replace without “video proof”\n\nWell here it is....'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-4 review-rating', 'review_body': "Two years ago, when I quit smoking, I found crunching/chewing on ice from Sonic helped with cravings. It did everything a cigarette did, giving me something to do to relieve stress. It also got me fuller faster. But, after a while, it too became an expensive habit. My nephews were annoyed with me asking them to go to Sonic to get ice. And I developed a slight complex because I felt weird ordering JUST the ice at the Sonic drive thru.\n\nRight or wrong....frugal or wasteful...I decided to save time a money and get an ice machine that makes Sonic ice; my XMAS present to myself.\n\nWhen the box arrived I was so excited. The box was big but I was able to move it into the kitchen easily with no help. The setup instructions were straightforward and easy to follow. After doing GE's recommended 1st cleaning (which is also easy), the ice marker powered on and got right to work.\n\nBecause I have tall cabinets, I couldn't tuck the machine on a kitchen counter with cabinets above, keep alt locations on wheren you'd like to keep the machine in mind. Also, read the instructions on how to work the machine and how the machine works. Because it's so easy to setup, don't be tempted to start making ice until you read. Also, the ice maker isn't obnoxiously loud...to me its an appliance sound. The GE Profile can turn on and off so I have no complaints with the sound.\n\nI'm didn't guve the product five stars because I haven't had it long enough...but so far it's a good investment. No problems to report."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-4 review-rating', 'review_body': 'We initially ordered the GE Profile Opal because we wanted great Ice for our drinks. Upon receipt, we setup the unit according to the provided instructions and ice was never produced. We returned the initial unit and Amazon replaced within a couple of days with no questions asked.\n\nThe second unit arrived and we setup according to the instructions. This time, the unit started to make ice within 15 minutes. However, the unit only produced about 3 cups of ice and then kicked into "Defrost" mode and constantly ran water for 30 minutes melting all of the ice. After defrosting, the unit would produce about 3 cups of ice then kick back into "Defrost" mode. This repeated consistently for about 3 cycles. Then the dreaded annoying "Squealing" sound started appearing prior to each "Defrost" cycle. The squeal would disappear during or slightly after the defrost cycle.\n\nAfter reading a review about a solution to the dreaded "Squeal", I noticed that the squeal comes from a rubber gasket/ring located below the Fan Motor that turns when the fan turns. I accessed the motor and lubed the rubber gasket with some white lithium grease. This eliminated the squeal and now the unit produces the full amount of ice with little noise. It has worked ever since. To perform this function, do the following:\n\n1. Unplug the unit and remove the back panel by loosening and removing the screws on the back of the main unit.\n2. Locate the White fan in the upper left hand portion of the unit.\n3. Below the white fan is the black motor and below the motor is the rubber gasket/ring that turns with the fan.\n4. Use a q-tip or some other applicator to place the grease around the entire rubber gasket.\n5. Clean off any grease that may have gotten on the motor or surrounding areas.\n6. Replace the panel and turn on the ice maker\n\nIt is pretty annoying that you have to do this, but it is a pretty simple solution if you don\'t want to deal with the returns and trying to get a new unit. Hopefully this helps.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'My family is in love with this GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker.\n\nWe have a franchise fast food place called Sonic, which has always been famous for its soft, chewable, ice. They literally sell bags of their ice and we bought ice there for years. I was horrified when my nearby Sonic closed. So when my daughter called me to tell me that she had purchased this GE Opal and that it makes "Sonic ice", I knew I had to have one. Mt daughter was so tickled, she sent me an Amazon gift card as an early birthday gift to cover part of the price so I ordered.\n\nIt comes in a very protective shipping box with custom molded foam inside. Mine fortunately arrived in perfect condition but others have not been so lucky so I strongly suggest opening and inspecting it immediately so you can return if necessary.\n\nAlso note that if you live in a city with hard water, as I do, you need to order a filter to install before first use. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07518FM17/ It snaps into the bottom of the water well in the ice maker. You have to really push to get it in place but there is a definite snap when it\'s in place. You need to run the cleaning cycle before first use but it\'s easy to do. It is outlined well in the user\'s guide. Also, you need to wash out the side, water tank before first use. Then you are ready to make ice.\n\nThis ice maker is pretty big but it fit fine under my upper cabinets. The side tank attaches magnetically on either side of the ice maker so it\'s pretty flexible. It\'s quite attractive with crystal clear plastic and a brushed, stainless steel skin. It\'s also pretty heavy at 47lbs so you may need help to pick it up and put it in place.\n\nYou need to understand how these work. The unit is not refrigerated. It does not keep the ice frozen. Instead, it makes the ice, which falls into a clear, plastic, ice drawer. When the drawer gets full, you transfer the ice to a bag or bin and place it in your freezer. That is, if you aren\'t using it the minute it gets made. ;-) If you leave ice in the bin, it will slowly melt and the water goes back into the water well beneath the ice drawer and will be reused to make more ice.\n\nIt is also not plumbed and there is no option for a direct plumbed line. Instead, you fill the water tank and the side water tank manually so it has water to make ice. The side water tank holds enough water to make about 3 drawers full of ice. The machine can make up to 24 lbs of ice per day and the drawer holds about 3 lbs of ice. It\'s plenty for my big family and I do make and bag ice so I don\'t have to run the ice maker all the time. (These are the bags I buy and use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INV51ZM/)\n\nIt is very easy to use once you set it up. The user guide provides good, clear instructions for this. It\'s mostly making sure you have the correct water line attached to the side water tank. Once it\'s set up and clean, you set the switch in the back to ice and start making ice. There is an illuminated, round, touch sensitive, button on front. The lights surrounding the button tell you the status of the ice maker. It tells you when to empty the ice drawer, when to add water, and when it\'s making ice. There is also Bluetooth connectivity and an app for your phone which allows you to see the status of the ice maker and control it remotely. However, the permissions were too invasive, IMO, so I did not install the app.\n\nOthers have mentioned that their machine is too noisy but I don\'t find that at all. It\'s louder when the fan comes on initially but for the most part, it\'s just a quiet hum and the sound of ice falling into the drawer periodically.\n\nBest of all, it makes that perfect ice we all love. It makes soft, chewable, small, nuggets. We are completely delighted with the quality of the ice. It also makes ice pretty fast. It\'s summer in Texas and we use a lot of ice and this machine keeps us in all the ice we can use. Do note that when you place the ice in the freezer for future use, it\'s not quite as soft as when it comes straight out of the ice maker and you do have to bang the bag of ice on the counter to break it up after it\'s been in the freezer. But it\'s still awesome.\n\nMaintenance is weekly descaling with vinegar or a product GE makes for that purpose. I am using vinegar and it works fine. You also need to clean it with bleach to prevent mold on a regular basis but neither is a huge chore and again, the process is covered well in the user manual.\n\nI am very pleased with this ice maker. It looks great on the counter. It makes perfect ice. The drawer is easy to pull out and empty or just pull out and scoop what you need. It\'s expensive, though. If you aren\'t a household that uses a lot of ice or enjoys chewing this special, soft, ice, I\'m not sure it would be worth it. You can buy much less expensive, counter top, ice makers.'}]