Electactic Countertop Ice Maker Review

Intro

The Electactic countertop ice maker is a portable unit aimed at home cooks and hosts who want quick, hard, square ice without a dedicated freezer bin or built-in appliance. The listing advertises 16 ice cubes in about 5 minutes, two water-fill options, a 24-hour timer, and a daily production figure listed in different places. Owners report it makes dense, slow-melting cubes for drinks, but feedback is mixed on noise and internal cleaning. Below I lay out what the machine actually is, how it behaves in daily use according to buyers, build details from the listing, safety flags to watch for, and who should consider this versus who should skip it.

What it is / first look

On paper this is a compact, freestanding countertop ice maker with an external removable water tank and a top reservoir. Key listing specs and features:

• Model: Z5813AF, Brand/Manufacturer: Electactic.
• Item weight: 16.7 pounds; dimensions: 11.81" D x 8.66" W x 16.54" H.
• Wattage and power: listed at 170 watts and 115 volts.
• Refrigerant listed as R600a; material type listed as metal.
• Performance claims from the listing: 16 ice cubes in about 5 minutes and an ice-production rate the listing lists variously as up to 29 lbs/day in the feature bullets and 34 lbs/day elsewhere in the product specs.
• Two water-fill methods: a 1.5 L external removable tank and a 0.5 L top-opening reservoir, plus an included ice basket and a stated self-cleaning feature and 24-hour programmable timer.
• Ice type: classic square cube ice, each listed as about 5–10 g per piece; the listing emphasizes hard, slow-melting cubes rather than nugget-style ice.
• Operating noise is listed as below 45 dB in the product bullets.

Appearance and color options (as presented on the listing and inferred from product images):

• Cube Ice - Grey
• Nugget Ice - Black
• Cube Ice - Black (currently unavailable)

Those are the color/variant names shown on the listing; the product images reflect multiple finishes and at least one nugget-style variant appears to have been offered. The listing and images indicate the unit is meant to sit on a countertop and plug into a standard outlet.

In daily use

Buyers who left positive feedback consistently praise the shape and hardness of the cubes and the machine's day-to-day convenience. Owners repeatedly point to the convenience of the external water tank and say the unit is compact enough for kitchen counters and even for use at work or in small living spaces.

Making ice and capacity

The listing claims 16 cubes per cycle in about 5 minutes and gives a daily production figure that appears inconsistently across the listing: feature copy notes "up to 29 lbs per day," while the product specs and the product title state 34 lbs/day. Owners report it makes a lot of ice for its size and that you frequently need to empty the ice basket into freezer storage to avoid melting or ice clumping inside the machine. That matches the design: the unit produces ice quickly in short cycles and holds only a modest amount in the internal basket.

Water-fill and refilling

The dual water-fill design is a repeated owner positive: the removable 1.5 L external tank is singled out as convenient for refills, and the 0.5 L top reservoir provides a backup. Multiple owners say filling the external tank is straightforward and that filling it is enough to feed the internal reservoir, so you don't need to pour into both places every time.

Noise

The listing claims operating noise below 45 dB. Owner experience is mixed: several owners say the machine is quiet or only intermittently noticeable, while at least one owner reports it became very loud after a few months. That pattern—mostly quiet but with at least one loud-failure report—is an important signal when you plan to use the machine in a noise-sensitive environment like an office or a bedroom-level space.

Ice quality and handling

Positive reports describe hard, clear square cubes that melt slowly in drinks. Some buyers emphasize that the cubes fall as solid pieces and need to be broken up with the included scoop before they fit in glasses; one owner described the formed ice as "big chocolate bar"-like pieces that require breaking into usable chunks. Another owner noted ice sometimes sticks together and can form large planks that need separation.

Cleaning and maintenance

The listing mentions a self-cleaning feature in the title and includes a note in the bullets about simple user controls, but the owner's manual is reported to be short on details for some internal cleaning tasks. Multiple owner notes flag the small water separator pipe or tube inside the unit as tricky to access and clean; one owner said they had a hard time figuring out how to remove the tube and had to find a third-party video for guidance. Another buyer reported rapid sliminess in the unit's water path despite using filtered water. The listing and owner reports together indicate you should plan on periodic internal cleaning and that some internal parts (a separator pipe) may require extra attention and patience to clean properly.

Storing and using the ice

Several owners point out a practical workflow: make ice, transfer to freezer-safe containers or the freezer for storage, and then use the stored ice as needed. The internal ice basket is small and does not function as long-term storage. Owners who use the unit daily emphasize emptying the basket frequently to avoid melting and clumping inside the machine.

Use cases where owners found value

Owners who bought it for apartments, small kitchens, office use, or RV/camping use reported it provided enough ice without the footprint of a full freezer appliance. Rewarded behaviors in owner feedback are:

• Daily drink-mounted use for a household of one or two people (owners say it supplies more than their needs on many days).
• Temporary event or party use when you need portable ice production without a dedicated plumbing hookup.
• Office or work use where the unit sits on a counter and is used frequently by a few people.

Materials & build quality

The listing lists material type as "Metal" and refrigerant as R600a. Beyond those declared items, the listing provides limited materials detail: it does not specify plastics, food-contact liners, or certifications for food-contact materials in the copy provided. The manufacturer claims features like an external tank, a top reservoir, a 24-hour timer, and self-cleaning capability; owners note the included scoop and the top clear cover.

Concrete build points from the listing and owner notes:

• The unit weighs 16.7 pounds and measures roughly 11.8" deep by 8.7" wide by 16.5" high—compact for a countertop ice maker.
• Electrical design: 170 watts at 115 volts, so it runs on standard household voltage per the specification block.
• Owners describe the exterior as clean-looking and reasonably compact for counter placement.
• Some owners reported cosmetic shipping scuffs on removable parts (one owner received a used unit with a scuff on the removable water tank but otherwise functional), which suggests packaging is adequate but may not prevent minor blemishes in some shipments.

Because the listing does not include explicit claims about food-contact certifications or detailed material breakdowns for every component, verify those items on the current listing or manufacturer documentation if material composition or certifications matter to you.

Safety considerations

Flagging safety items is a priority when a product contains water channels and refrigeration components. From the listing and owner feedback, important safety and usability points are:

• Electrical: the product lists 170 W and 115 V. Owners repeatedly remind that the unit requires a plug and should be placed near an outlet.
• Refrigerant: the listing specifies R600a as the refrigerant. The listing provides that fact but does not include regulatory or handling instructions in the provided copy; consult manufacturer documentation for refrigerant-handling guidance and any transport or disposal recommendations.
• Cleaning and microbial risk: at least one owner reports the water path became slimy quickly even with filtered water; the listing and several owners emphasize periodic cleaning of internal tubes and the water separator. That owner feedback is a practical red flag: if water sits inside the system, microbial buildup is possible, and owners report that cleaning the internal tube can be awkward because the manual lacks detail on how to remove it. Plan to clean the machine as recommended by the manufacturer and verify those instructions on the current listing or manual.
• Noise and mechanical failure: multiple owners call it quiet, but a critical review describes the unit starting to make a "terrible and loud noise" after a few months. Unusual loud noises can indicate mechanical failure—if you hear grinding or excessive vibration, unplug and consult the manufacturer or seller.
• Ice handling: owners note cubes sometimes fall as larger blocks and need to be broken up; no holder for the scoop is reported in owner notes, so be mindful where you will store the scoop and how you will transfer ice safely so you don't burn yourself on hot beverages or slip on spilled water.

Because the listing does not detail material safety certifications for every component or provide an extended cleaning procedure in the provided copy, confirm current manufacturer cleaning instructions and material claims on the product page before relying on it for heavy daily use in foodservice contexts.

Who this is for / who should skip

Use the short profiles below to match the product to likely buyers based on listing claims and owner reports.

Good fit

• Small households or couples who want a steady supply of hard, slow-melting cube ice without needing a chest freezer or built-in ice system—owners report it makes dense square cubes useful for cocktails, iced coffee, and sodas.
• People with limited counter space—measured dimensions and the 16.7 lb weight keep it reasonably portable for kitchen counters, office break rooms, and some RV/portable camping setups (owners use it in workplaces and small kitchens).
• Hosts who plan to use it for occasional parties—fast cycle time (16 cubes in about 5 minutes, per the listing) means rapid replenishment when cycles are staggered and internal basket capacity is managed.

Who should skip or be cautious

• Buyers who need large-volume, unattended multi-day ice production without emptying and storing ice—the internal basket is small and the listing shows daily production figures that require frequent emptying and freezer storage if you want a lot of ice on hand.
• Those who want a maintenance-free unit: owners report occasional sliminess if the water path isn't cleaned regularly and the manual may not fully explain how to access the water separator tube. If you want entirely hands-off operation, this unit may need more attention than you expect.
• People extremely sensitive to appliance noise—although many owners call it quiet, at least one owner experienced excessive noise after several months. If quiet operation is critical, consider this mixed feedback and verify return policies and warranty coverage.

Verdict

The Electactic countertop ice maker delivers on the listing's main promises in many owners' experience: compact footprint, quick cycles (16 cubes in ~5 minutes as claimed), and firm, square cubes that melt slowly in drinks. The dual water-fill design gets repeat praise for convenience, and the machine's small size makes it an attractive pick for tight kitchens, office counters, and light-duty camping or RV use.

However, there are two practical, repeated caveats to weigh before buying. First, cleaning: owners report that parts of the internal water path—specifically a small separator tube—are awkward to remove and clean, and at least one owner experienced sliminess in that path shortly after setup. Second, noise and durability: most owners say the unit is acceptably quiet, but at least one buyer described a machine that began making loud noise after a few months. Finally, the listing itself shows inconsistent daily-production numbers (bullets say up to 29 lb/day while the spec and title show 34 lb/day), so expect some variability between claimed output and real-world results depending on ambient conditions and how often you empty the basket and refill water.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the exact daily production figure you care about on the current listing (the product text lists both "up to 29 lbs/day" and "34 lbs/day").
• Verify the color/variant you want—listing shows Cube Ice (Grey), Nugget Ice (Black), and Cube Ice (Black) is currently unavailable in some listings.
• Read the manufacturer cleaning instructions and confirm how to access and clean the water separator tube; owner feedback says the manual is not clear on that part.
• Check the return policy and warranty period on the current listing in case you receive a noisy or defective unit; owners report a minority of early failures.
• Plan to empty the internal ice basket into freezer containers if you need long-term ice storage; the internal basket is not meant for indefinite storage.

Bottom line: a compact, fast machine that makes hard, slow-melting cubes and suits small kitchens and casual hosting, as long as you accept the need for periodic cleaning and monitor for noise or early mechanical issues.