Okay, I'll admit it — I used to be that person who let the ice bin run completely empty before doing anything about it. Then I'd find myself Googling "which gas stations sell bags of ice" at 9pm on a Saturday night while guests were already arriving.
Then I discovered countertop ice makers, and honestly? My life has changed. Not dramatically, but in that quiet, "why didn't I do this sooner" kind of way.
Out of the Box and Making Ice in Minutes
The Frigidaire EFIC189 couldn't be simpler to set up. Find a spot on your counter (it needs about 4 inches of breathing room on the sides and back — not the most intuitive thing, but fine once you know), plug it in, fill 'er up to the Max line, pick your size, and hit the power button.
That's literally it. Seven minutes later, I had my first batch of bullet-shaped ice cubes ready to go. No waiting for trays to freeze, no wrestling with weird silicone shapes that never release properly.
Two Buttons and That's It
Here's what I love most about this machine: it's refreshingly dumb. I mean that as a huge compliment.
Everything these days comes with apps and WiFi and touchscreens and firmware updates. Sometimes you just want a tool that does one thing without needing a tutorial. The EFIC has an On/Off button and a Select button. That's it. You can pick small or large cubes, and indicator lights tell you everything else you need to know — when the water's low, when the basket's full, which size you're making.
My kids can use it without any help from me, which honestly feels like a miracle in this age of overly complicated everything.
It Reuses Melted Ice (Genius!)
Here's a feature I didn't know I'd appreciate until I had it: when ice melts in the basket, the water drains back into the reservoir and gets used again. So there's basically zero waste. You don't have to connect it to any water line — it just cycles through automatically.
This is perfect for those times when you make a big batch and then forget about it for a few hours. No big deal — the machine isn't just sitting there wasting resources.
The Noise Factor
I was worried about this thing sounding like a jet engine, especially since our kitchen is open to the living room. But honestly? You barely notice it. Most of the time I'm not even aware it's running. There's a subtle hum when it's working, and a slightly more noticeable sound when ice drops into the basket, but nothing that would make you turn up the TV or anything.
One Small Quirk
Okay, I'll be honest — the lack of a handle is a slight bummer. When you need to drain and clean the reservoir (the manual recommends changing the water every 24 hours for best performance), you have to carry this thing to the sink. It's not heavy, but it would be nice to have something to grip. This is a small complaint in an otherwise solid product, though.
Are the Two Sizes Really That Different?
The machine offers small and large ice cubes, and while they're technically different, I personally don't see a massive difference between them. The large ones are thicker, but they're roughly the same length as the small ones. If you're looking for more dramatic size variety, there are other options out there. But for everyday use? Both sizes work great in most drinks.
The Bottom Line
I'm not someone who needs smart appliances talking to my phone or learning my habits. Sometimes I just need ice, and I need it now. The Frigidaire EFIC189 delivers exactly that — no frills, no complications, just consistent bullet ice whenever I want it.
At around $130, it's not the cheapest ice maker on the market, but the simplicity, speed, and reliability make it worth every penny. My family goes through a lot of ice, and this little machine has made my life noticeably easier.
If you're tired of running to the store for bags of ice, or if you're someone who entertains often and needs steady ice production, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a look.