Frigidaire 44 lb Nugget Ice Makers: Which One to Choose?
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Frigidaire is one of the best-known names in home appliances, and its countertop nugget ice makers bring the soft, chewable ice you find at some restaurants and drive-throughs into an ordinary kitchen. Nugget ice (sometimes called pellet or “sonic” ice) is made from thin layers of ice pressed together, so it is airy, soaks up the flavor of your drink and is easy to chew. If you are shopping for a Frigidaire 44 lb nugget ice maker for yourself or as a gift, this guide explains the numbers on the box in plain words and compares six models.
In short, four of these machines are rated for up to 44 pounds of ice per day and two for 33 pounds, and they differ mostly in color, self-cleaning, portability and how their controls report what is happening.
Frigidaire Nugget Ice Makers Compared
Frigidaire
Frigidaire Nugget Ice Maker, Countertop Ice Machine with Transparent Window, Sonic Ice Maker with 44 lbs. Capacity, Auto Self Cleaning Ice Maker Machine, 2.0 Gen, Cream
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Frigidaire Nugget Ice Maker
Best for: Kitchens wanting a soft cream finish
Pros
- Up to 44 lbs daily
- First ice in 10-15 minutes
- One-button self-cleaning
- Fits under cabinets
Cons
- Bin holds only about 3 lbs
| Model | Ice per day | Self-cleaning | Finish | Wattage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire Nugget Ice Maker (EFIC255, Cream) | Up to 44 lbs | Yes, one button | Cream | 500 W |
| Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget (EFIC165, Black) | Up to 44 lbs | Yes, one button | Matte black | 500 W |
| Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 (Navy) | Up to 44 lbs | Yes, one button | Navy matte | 500 W |
| Frigidaire EFIC237 | Up to 44 lbs | Not listed | Black stainless | Not listed |
| Frigidaire Gallery 33 Lbs (EFIC201) | Up to 33 lbs | Not listed | Black with stainless trim | Not listed |
| Frigidaire Touchscreen Nugget Ice Maker (EFIC2320) | Up to 33 lbs | Yes, 20-minute cycle | Slate | 192 W |
What 44 lb Per Day Really Means
A quick explanation before the models. “44 lbs per day” is the most ice the machine can make across a full 24 hours if you keep emptying it. It is not how much it holds. The storage bin on these models holds about 3 pounds at a time, so for a party you would scoop ice into a freezer bag or cooler as it fills. A 44 lb model simply refills that bin faster than a 33 lb one.
These machines also do not work like a freezer. The Frigidaire Gallery 33 lb listing says it directly: the unit makes ice but does not keep it frozen, so ice slowly melts in the bin. On the EFIC237, that meltwater drains back into the reservoir and gets turned into new ice.
Frigidaire Nugget Ice Maker in Cream for Bright Kitchens
The Frigidaire Nugget Ice Maker is the cream-colored version of the Frigidaire Gallery nugget ice maker 2.0, model EFIC255. The listing notes it was a CES 2023 Innovation Awards Honoree. It produces up to 44 pounds of ice a day, with the first nuggets ready in about 10 to 15 minutes after you fill it.
It uses a touch control panel, a drawer to reach the ice and a viewing window so you can check ice levels without opening it. There is no water line to install: plug it into a regular 115-volt outlet and pour water into the reservoir. A press of a button starts the auto self-cleaning function, which is a real convenience because nugget ice makers need regular cleaning to keep ice tasting fresh. In the box you get the ice maker, ice bin, scoop and drip tray, with a 1-year limited warranty and a 500-watt rating.
The listing says it is sized to fit under kitchen cabinets. It suits anyone who wants the full 2.0 feature set in a softer, lighter color that blends with white or wood kitchens.
Frigidaire Gallery Countertop Nugget Ice Maker in Matte Black
Frigidaire
Frigidaire Gallery, 33 Lbs. Countertop Ice Maker, Nugget Shaped Ice, Stainless Steel Trim (Black)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Frigidaire Gallery
Best for: Smaller households fitting under cabinets
Pros
- Up to 33 lbs daily
- Under-cabinet height
- Stainless steel trim
Cons
- Lower daily output
- Ice melts, needs freezer transfer
Best for: Matte black kitchens and dark decor
Pros
- Up to 44 lbs daily
- Drawer access with viewing window
- Auto self-cleaning
Cons
- Warranty not stated on listing
The FRIGIDAIRE Gallery Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget ice maker is also sold as a 2.0 Gen model, listed as model EFIC165 in black. It shares the headline features of the cream EFIC255: up to 44 pounds a day, first ice in 10 to 15 minutes, a touch control panel, drawer access with a viewing window, auto self-cleaning and no water hookup.
The listing describes a matte exterior and includes the ice bin, scoop and drip tray. It lists a 500-watt rating at 120 volts. Unlike the EFIC255 listings, this one does not state the warranty length, so check the product page if that matters to you.
This is a natural fit for kitchens with black appliances or dark cabinets. Feature for feature it matches the cream model, so choose by color and by how the model number lines up with what you prefer.
Frigidaire Gallery EFIC255 in Navy for a Standout Gift
Frigidaire
FRIGIDAIRE Gallery EFIC255 Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker, 44lbs per Day, Auto Self Cleaning, 2.0 Gen, Navy
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
FRIGIDAIRE Gallery EFIC255 Countertop Crunchy Chewable
Best for: Gift buyers wanting a bold color
Pros
- Navy matte finish
- Up to 44 lbs daily
- Self-cleaning at a button press
Cons
- Voltage not listed on this color
The FRIGIDAIRE Gallery EFIC255 Countertop Crunchy Chewable nugget ice maker is the navy version of the same Frigidaire EFIC255 found in cream above. Same 44-pound daily output, same 10 to 15 minutes to first ice, same one-button self-cleaning, drawer access and viewing window.
The listing describes a stylish matte exterior, a 1-year limited warranty, 500 watts, and includes the ice bin, scoop and drip tray. The voltage line is not listed for this color, though it is the same model family as the 115-volt cream unit.
Gift-givers often like this one because navy stands out on a counter and still looks tidy. If you want something quieter in color, the cream or black 2.0 models give you the same ice-making features.
Frigidaire EFIC237 for Tailgates and Travel
The Frigidaire EFIC237 Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget ice maker is the earlier model many shoppers compare with the Gallery 2.0 line. It also makes up to 44 pounds of ice per day, holds 3 pounds (about 2.5 quarts) in its ice basket and has first ice ready in roughly 10 to 15 minutes.
Its listing leans on portability: it plugs into any standard 115-volt grounded outlet and can come along to a camping trip or tailgate, with no water hookup required. One helpful detail is that melted ice water returns to the reservoir to be made into ice again, so less water goes to waste. The black stainless finish weighs 19 pounds. The listing does not mention a self-cleaning button, a viewing window or a drawer, which are the main upgrades on the Gallery 2.0 models.
Choose the Frigidaire EFIC237 if you want 44-pound output and plan to move the machine around. If automatic cleaning matters more, one of the 2.0 models above is the better pick.
Frigidaire Gallery 33 lb Nugget Ice Maker for Smaller Households
The Frigidaire Gallery 33 lb nugget ice maker (model EFIC201) makes up to 33 pounds of chewable ice per day and holds 3 pounds in its bin, the same bin size as the 44 lb models. The first ice arrives within about 15 minutes.
The listing says this version is sized to sit on the counter but is also the right height to slide beneath kitchen cabinets. It has stainless steel trim on a black body, an intelligent control panel, and comes with the ice bin, scoop and drip tray. At 21.1 pounds it is not light. The listing reminds you it does not keep ice frozen, so move ice to your freezer promptly. It does not mention self-cleaning or give a wattage.
A 33 lb machine suits couples and small families who mostly want ice for daily drinks. If you host often, the 44 lb models refill the bin faster. You can also compare it with our look at the Frigidaire 26 lb ice maker if you need even less ice.
Frigidaire Touchscreen Nugget Ice Maker for Clear Status Alerts
Best for: Low-power use with clear status alerts
Pros
- Touchscreen with status alerts
- 20-minute cleaning cycle
- Interior light
- 192-watt rating
Cons
- Smaller 1.2 L ice storage
- 33 lbs daily, not 44
The FRIGIDAIRE Touchscreen Nugget Ice Maker (model EFIC2320) in slate produces up to 33 pounds of nugget ice per day, with first ice in 10 to 15 minutes. Its standout is the LED touchscreen with status indicators for “Add Water,” “Ice Full,” “Ice Making” and “Water Level,” plus an interior light that makes ice levels easy to see in a dim kitchen.
It fills manually through a 1.8-liter water tank, needs no plumbing, and runs an automatic cleaning cycle that the listing says takes about 20 minutes. Ice storage is listed as 1.2 liters (about 0.7 kg), smaller than the 3-pound bins on other models. It has the lowest listed wattage here at 192 watts and a 1-year limited warranty.
This suits first-time owners who like clear reminders about water and cleaning. If you want more ice on hand, a 44 lb Gallery model is the step up.
How to Choose the Right Frigidaire Nugget Ice Maker
Start with daily output. If you often have guests or large families drinking iced drinks all day, a 44 lb model (the three Gallery 2.0 versions or the EFIC237) keeps up better. For one or two people, a 33 lb model such as the Frigidaire Gallery 33 lb or the Touchscreen model is plenty. Our broader countertop ice maker guide covers cube-ice models too.
Next, think about cleaning. Nugget ice makers hold water inside, so easy cleaning matters. The Gallery 2.0 models have one-button self-cleaning, and the Touchscreen model has a 20-minute cycle. The EFIC237 and 33 lb Gallery listings do not mention it.
Then consider where it lives. The Gallery 2.0 and 33 lb Gallery listings mention fitting under cabinets, while the EFIC237 is described as portable for tailgates.
Finally, pick a color. The EFIC255 comes in cream and navy, the EFIC165 in matte black, the EFIC237 in black stainless and the Touchscreen in slate. For a Frigidaire nugget ice maker comparison with premium features, see our premium nugget ice maker overview.
FAQ
What is the difference between the Frigidaire EFIC255 and EFIC237?
Both make up to 44 pounds a day. The EFIC255 is part of the Gallery 2.0 line with one-button self-cleaning, drawer access and a viewing window. The EFIC237 listing focuses on portability and recycling melted ice, without mentioning self-cleaning.
Does a Frigidaire nugget ice maker keep ice frozen?
No. These countertop machines make ice but do not freeze it for storage, so ice slowly melts. Move extra ice to a freezer if you want to keep it.
Do I need a water line?
No. Every model here fills by hand through a reservoir and plugs into a standard outlet.
Is a 44 lb or 33 lb Frigidaire ice maker better for me?
Both hold a similar small amount at once. The 44 lb models refill faster, which helps for parties or big families. A 33 lb model is enough for everyday drinks in a small home.
How soon will I get ice?
The listings say the first nuggets arrive in roughly 10 to 15 minutes after you fill and start the machine.
What comes in the box?
Every listing here names the ice maker, ice bin, ice scoop and drip tray.
