Antarctic Star Nugget Ice Maker review

Intro

If you want soft, crunchy-when-you-want-it nugget ice without rewiring your kitchen or buying a full-size built-in, the Antarctic Star Nugget Ice Maker is a compact countertop option worth a look. The listing positions it as a portable nugget/sonic-style ice maker that delivers a first batch in roughly 10 minutes and up to 34 pounds of ice per day. It ships with an ice basket, scoop, and a removable top cover that lets you watch ice being made. Real owners repeatedly praise the chewable texture and speed, and they also flag a handful of practical issues—noise during cycles, the machine running a lot, and the need to clean and drain regularly.

What it is / first look

At its core this is a countertop nugget-ice maker: a compact, plug-in machine that produces soft, crunchy nugget ice intended for drinks and cocktails. The product listing gives these concrete specs: capacity listed as 1 liters, 370 watts of power, 110 volts, and an ice output of up to 34 pounds per day. The item dimensions are listed as 11.42"D x 9.06"W x 12.99"H and the listed material type is stainless steel. The refrigerant is listed as R600a.

The box contents are specific: the unit ships with an Ice Maker, Ice Basket, Ice Scoop, and a Manual. The listing also emphasizes a few user-facing design details: a clear lid so you can watch the ice-making process, a comfortable carrying handle for moving the machine, an ice scoop holder behind the unit, and an included storage basket for scooped ice. The listing calls out one-touch self-cleaning and built-in indicators for "Ice Full" and "Low Water."

Available color entries in the product data show several variants and casing names; the listing’s color field and image filenames indicate Silver and multiple black/grey options. Owners refer to the machine as lightweight and portable, and the listing explicitly markets it for home, office, RV, camping, bars, and parties.

In daily use

This section pulls together the listing facts and recurring owner experiences so you can picture what owning one is actually like.

How fast and how much ice

The listing says the first batch is ready in about 10 minutes and that the machine can produce up to 34 pounds of ice per day. Owners consistently report fast cycles and quick turnaround: you’ll see a full handful or scoopful within an hour under typical use, and some owners noted getting a full tray—roughly six scoops—within 45–60 minutes when running consecutive cycles. Those owner-reported times align with the listing's advertised speed and daily capacity, and they explain why many buyers find the unit useful for parties or steady household use.

Ice style and performance

The listing markets "chewable nugget ice" and positions the cubes as suitable for beverages and cocktails; owners echo that this model makes a Sonic-style, soft nugget that’s easy to chew and enjoyable in drinks. Multiple buyers describe the ice as light, crunchy, and "just right" for cold drinks and cocktails, and a few called it a game-changer for families and hosts who want that particular ice texture without a commercial machine.

Noise, runtime, and placement

Noise is a repeated theme. Owners say the unit is louder while producing ice—"a bit on the louder side" appears multiple times—though most also add it isn't intolerable and is intermittent rather than constant. Expect audible operation during ice-making cycles. Related to noise is runtime: buyers note the machine can run frequently to keep up with demand, so it isn’t a one-minute background hum and will be more noticeable in quiet environments.

Because the unit runs regularly and needs water access and occasional draining, owners recommend locating it near a sink or in a place where you can comfortably drain the reservoir and run cleaning cycles. One owner explicitly describes pulling the machine to the edge of a counter, opening a drain plug on the bottom, and letting the reservoir empty into a small jug or bowl—practical details that matter in daily use.

Cleaning and maintenance

The listing advertises a one-touch Self-Cleaning mode: the stated procedure in the listing says to add water, then turn off the machine and hold the power button for five seconds to start cleaning. Owner accounts expand on that: many report that a cleaning cycle takes about 15 minutes and that you should drain and rinse the reservoir afterward, repeating a couple times, and letting the unit air dry overnight before storage or continued use. Several owners say they purchased citric acid cleaner separately to remove mineral build-up and keep the ice tasting fresh.

Owners also point out that the unit is not designed for long-term insulated ice storage. Ice sits in a basket and melts back into the reservoir, which the unit re-cycles into fresh ice, so frequent cleaning and draining are part of normal upkeep—especially if the machine is used heavily or stored when not in use.

Portability and where to use it

The listing describes the machine as lightweight and portable with a comfortable handle; owners confirm the handle makes it easy to move from kitchen to living room or outdoors when power is available. The listed voltage is 110 volts, and the listing emphasizes suitability for home, office, RV, and camping locations—practical if you have mains power or a compatible inverter in an RV, but it’s not a battery-powered unit. Owners repeatedly highlight its usefulness for small parties, bar setups, dorms, and families that want steady access to nugget ice without a full-size ice maker.

Materials & build quality

The product data lists the material type as stainless steel, which is how the manufacturer presents the unit. Owners frequently describe the machine as feeling "sturdy" and "solid" physically; that's consistent with the listing copy promoting durability and an attractive finish. The clear top lid is a visible design choice the listing calls out, and buyers like being able to watch the ice make cycle.

Included components are explicit and simple: an ice basket, an ice scoop, and a manual accompany the machine. The listing also mentions a scoop holder behind the unit so your scoop has a dedicated place instead of getting tossed around. The stated dimensions (11.42"D x 9.06"W x 12.99"H) make it a true countertop device, and owners say the compact footprint is easy to tuck next to sinks or on a bar cart.

The refrigerant is listed as R600a. The listing does not elaborate further on serviceability or certifications in the copy provided, so consult the current manufacturer documentation if you need official product safety or refrigerant-handling guidance.

Safety considerations

Here are the concrete safety-relevant facts and owner signals to watch for before you buy or place the unit.

• Electrical spec: the listing lists 370 watts and 110 volts. That’s relevant when planning where to plug the machine in and how it will load a circuit—especially if it will run frequently during parties or heavy use.
• Refrigerant: the listing states the refrigerant is R600a. The listing does not include further refrigerant-handling instructions in the provided copy; follow manufacturer documentation for service or disposal guidance.
• Drain and cleaning: owners report a bottom drain plug that must be opened and emptied into a container when cleaning. The listing emphasizes a one-touch self-cleaning function; owners describe doing a short cleaning cycle, draining, rinsing, and repeating. Owner feedback also includes questions the listing anticipates (for example, "Why does my ice machine still have black mold after cleaning?" appears in the listing copy), which signals that cleaning frequency and proper draining are meaningful for hygiene and mold prevention.
• Noise and placement: several owners call the unit "noisy" while making ice and note it can run frequently, so place it where noise and vibration won’t be a problem. Good ventilation and a stable, level surface are common-sense precautions for any countertop refrigeration appliance.

Because the listing supplies the refrigerant type and electrical rating, confirm local handling and disposal guidance and check the manual for maintenance and repair instructions. If you have concerns about refrigerants, professional service, or electrical compatibility in alternate-power situations (like RVs), verify the manufacturer documentation or consult a qualified professional.

Who this is for / who should skip

Who this fits:

• People who want true nugget/chewable ice for drinks and cocktails—owners repeatedly praise the ice texture this unit makes.
• Households, small parties, dorms, or bars that need a steady daily supply: the listing states up to 34 lb/day and owners report practical daily output that meets family and casual entertaining needs.
• Anyone who needs a compact countertop solution and has a 110V outlet available; the listing markets it for home, office, RV, and camping locations and notes a comfortable carrying handle for portability.

Who should probably skip it:

• Buyers who need long-term insulated ice storage—owners note the unit isn’t insulated for long-term storage and that ice will sit in a basket and melt back into the reservoir.
• Those seeking a whisper-quiet appliance. While most owners call the noise tolerable, many note the machine is noticeably louder during ice production.
• Users who don’t want routine cleaning. Owner feedback emphasizes frequent cleaning and draining to avoid taste issues and mold—if you want a low-maintenance ice solution without upkeep, a built-in or commercial machine with larger storage might be a better fit.
• People who need specific third-party material certifications or lab testing. The listing lists stainless steel as the material type but does not provide independent certification claims in the supplied copy; verify any critical material or safety certification on the current manufacturer listing if that matters to you.

Verdict

The Antarctic Star Nugget Ice Maker is a compact, well-specified countertop nugget ice machine that delivers the signature soft, chewable ice enthusiasts want. The listing backs the performance with concrete numbers—first batch in 10 minutes, up to 34 lb/day, 370 watts at 110 volts—and owners confirm the machine’s practical strengths: good ice texture, fast cycles, and a sturdy feel for a small appliance. The package includes everything you need to get started (ice basket, scoop, manual), and the detachable lid and scoop holder are thoughtful touches for countertop convenience.

The main trade-offs are operational noise, frequent runtime under sustained demand, and the maintenance habit: you’ll need to clean and drain the reservoir regularly. Owners’ repeated advice—keep it near a sink, run the one-touch clean cycle, and expect to drain the bottom plug—should inform where and how you plan to use the unit. If your priority is fast, chewable nugget ice for drinks and you accept routine upkeep and some noise, this is a strong budget-to-mid-range countertop choice. If you need insulated storage or absolute quiet, consider other options.

Check before you buy

• Confirm you have a 110V outlet where you intend to place the unit (the listing lists 110 volts and 370 watts).
• Measure counter space against the listed dimensions: 11.42"D x 9.06"W x 12.99"H.
• Decide where you’ll drain and clean—owners recommend placing it near a sink because the unit requires draining and periodic cleaning cycles.
• Expect audible operation during ice production; if you need silence, test or consider a quieter alternative.
• Verify the color/finish you want—available color names in the listing include Silver and several black/grey variants—and confirm the variant on the seller page.
• Read the manual for the one-touch self-cleaning procedure and any refrigerant-handling or disposal guidance (the listing lists refrigerant R600a).

Bottom line: For fans of nugget ice who want a compact, countertop solution that’s portable and fast, the Antarctic Star unit delivers the texture and production owners praise. Be prepared to clean and drain regularly and to tolerate some noise during cycles.