Frigidaire 26 lb Portable Ice Maker Review — countertop ice maker

Intro

The Frigidaire portable countertop ice maker (listed as EFIC117-SS / EFIC120) is a compact, metal-and-plastic unit that promises up to 26 pounds of ice per day and two cube sizes on a fast cycle. The listing highlights a transparent lid, a digital LED control panel, a 2.1‑quart water tank and a 1.5‑pound interior basket. Owners generally praise its speed, the size of the water reservoir and the approachable price point — but they also repeatedly report that the machine makes wet, soft (“chewy”) bullet ice that will not stay frozen in the unit for long, so you’ll need to plan for transferring ice to a freezer if you want to store it.

What it is / first look

The product listing names the unit as the Frigidaire 26 Pound Ice Maker (model numbers EFIC117-SS / EFIC120). Basic specs from the listing:

• Capacity: listed as 26 pounds per day
• Water tank: 2.1 quarts (listed)
• Interior ice basket: holds up to 1.5 pounds (listed)
• Power: 105 watts, 120 volts (listed)
• Refrigerant: R134a (listed)
• Dimensions: 9" D x 13" W x 13" H (listed)
• Material type: Metal, Plastic (listed)
• Included: ice scoop (listed)

Cosmetic options in the listing read as: STAINLESS, RED STAINLESS, BLACK STAINLESS and COPPER STAINLESS. Owners report the brushed-metal finishes look attractive on a countertop and the different colorways give you a chance to match the machine to a kitchen or bar aesthetic. (Colors are listed in the JSON and mentioned later in this write-up.)

First impressions from owners

Owner feedback in the internal notes shows a few consistent early impressions:

• Many owners say setup is straightforward: add water, plug in, choose a size and the machine begins making ice.
• The machine is compact enough to sit on a counter, but it still has a larger-than-average water reservoir compared with many portable makers — owners point to that as a practical advantage.
• Appearance and build feel: owners call the finish attractive and say it feels solid; a small number reported damaged units on arrival that were replaced under customer service.

In daily use

This is the section buyers care about: how quickly it makes ice, how much you can keep on-hand, the noise level, and the maintenance routine.

Speed and output

The listing states the machine produces up to 26 pounds of ice per day and makes nine bullet-shaped ice cubes every seven minutes, with two size options. Owner notes consistently back up the “fast” claim: multiple owners describe first batches taking around 7–10 minutes, then speeding up after the unit is chilled; one owner reported 6–7 minutes after initial warm-up. Owners who tracked fill-to-fill output report several batches per tank; one owner said they got about 4–5 batches from a single 2.1‑quart fill. Another owner shared they filled a 1‑gallon bag in roughly an hour — that owner’s observation matches the listing’s larger water tank compared with many compact units.

What the ice is like

Owners repeatedly describe the ice as bullet-shaped and wet when it’s ejected into the basket. Multiple owners used words like “soft,” “chewy,” or “slushy” to describe the texture, and one owner compared it to sonic/pellet-style chewable ice. The listing’s bullet copy refers to "bullet-shaped ice cubes," and owner notes explain why the cubes are wet: owners describe a freeze-off process where cold rods form ice and the cubes drop into the basket with residual moisture. That wetness causes cubes to stick together if you store them in a freezer bag without separating them first.

Storage and handling

Important: the listing and owners make a clear distinction between making ice and storing it. Owners say this unit is an ice maker, not a freezer — the internal notes describe the countertop box as insulated but not designed to keep ice frozen for long periods. Several owners recommend transferring newly made ice to a freezer if you want a multi-day supply. When left in the unit, the ice will gradually melt and the melted water returns to the reservoir; that’s by design according to owner explanations and observations of how the cycle works.

Noise and running characteristics

Noise reports are mixed but generally unalarming. Some owners call the unit "surprisingly quiet" and liken the hum to a refrigerator; others note that the clunk/rumble when ice dumps into the tray is noticeable and that the compressor noise can be louder than expected. If you need near-silent operation for a bedroom or very quiet office, the mixed owner feedback suggests you should expect modest operating sound. Several owners say the noise is not a dealbreaker for kitchen or bar counters.

Maintenance and cleaning

The listing highlights a drain plug for emptying/cleaning the reservoir and a transparent lid so you can monitor ice levels. Owners appreciate the drain plug and an included scoop. Some owners describe tipping or moving the unit to empty it but advise keeping the machine level per owner-reported references to internal refrigerant fluids. Follow manufacturer instructions on draining and cleaning — the listing indicates the drain plug is meant to assist with maintenance.

Use cases in practice

Small kitchens, apartments & dorms

This machine’s compact footprint (9" D x 13" W x 13" H) and fast cycles fit small kitchens and dorm rooms well. Owners used it as a replacement for fridge icemakers that had stopped working and liked the ease of counter placement and the larger-than-typical water tank.

Busy households & entertaining

The listed 26‑lb/day capacity and quick cycles make this workable for small gatherings or regular family use — but owners caution it’s not the right fit for very large parties or continuous heavy-duty use without a plan to move ice to a freezer. One clear pattern: owners who keep the unit running all day must drain and periodically move ice to a freezer to avoid clumping and remelting.

RVs, campers & temporary living

Several owners report using the unit in campers or temporary living spaces and praise the portability and performance. Note however that the unit is listed for 120‑volt operation; one critical owner said they received a unit requiring a transformer because it was 114 volts with an American plug. The listing itself specifies 120 volts; if you plan to use the unit in a location with different voltage (or in an RV), double-check power compatibility before you buy.

Materials & build quality

The listing lists material type as "Metal, Plastic." Owners often say the exterior finishes — especially the stainless and copper stainless options — look attractive on a countertop and that the machine feels solid for the price point. A handful of owners reported damaged units on arrival that were replaced through customer service, which suggests occasional shipping-related defects rather than a universal production flaw.

What the listing does not specify: any third-party food-contact certifications or glazing/lining materials. The Grounding Rule for this review means material claims must be taken from the listing or owner notes: the listing does not assert any specific food-contact certifications or proprietary liner materials. If material safety is a deciding factor for you, verify current manufacturer/listing documentation before buying.

Safety considerations

Kitchen safety first: here are the specific safety-related facts and owner-reported issues to keep top of mind.

• Electrical: the listing specifies the unit runs at 120 volts and 105 watts. One owner in the internal notes reported receiving a unit they described as 114 volts with an American plug and said it required a transformer — that is owner-reported and conflicts with the listing spec. Before buying, confirm voltage compatibility for your outlet and locale with the current listing/manufacturer documentation.
• Refrigerant: the listing specifies refrigerant R134a. Owners describe internal cold rods and a compressor cycle; the presence of refrigerant and a compressor means treat the unit like any compressor-based appliance: don’t puncture refrigeration lines and follow disposal guidance when the unit reaches end of life. Verify manufacturer instructions for safe handling and servicing.
• Ventilation: several owners note the unit needs clearance behind and alongside it to allow air circulation; one owner recalled seeing ~6 inches recommended. That is an owner observation — the listing notes the unit is compact but does not print a specific clearance figure. Give the unit some breathing room on the counter to avoid overheating or reduced efficiency.
• Ice handling: owners repeatedly point out the ice is wet when produced and will clump when stored in a freezer bag; moving warm, wet ice into the freezer will cause cubes to freeze together. Break apart clumps carefully — owners report using a butter knife or banging the bag on a surface to separate cubes. Exercise the usual care with sharp implements and follow manufacturer maintenance instructions if you need to dislodge stuck cubes.
• Stability: owners advise keeping the unit level and avoiding tipping. One owner referenced the unit’s internal refrigerant fluids and said the manual advises keeping the machine flat for proper operation — that’s an owner-reported summary. Follow the manufacturer’s placement and leveling guidance when installing.

If any of these safety items are critical to you — especially voltage or refrigerant concerns — verify the current listing and the manufacturer documentation before purchase or installation.

Who this is for / who should skip

Use-case matchups based on listing facts and owner experience:

• Buy if: you want a fast countertop ice maker with a relatively large water tank for a compact unit, you need chewable bullet-style ice for everyday drinks, you live in a small household or dorm and prefer to transfer ice to a freezer for storage, or you want a portable unit for occasional entertaining or RV/camper use (but verify voltage).
• Skip if: you expect this to replace a freezer or to keep large amounts of ice frozen inside the machine for days without moving ice to a freezer, you’re hosting very large parties and need continuous on-site storage of many pounds of ice without transfers, or you cannot accommodate the ventilation clearance the unit requires.

Verdict

The Frigidaire 26 lb/day portable ice maker is a solid, affordable countertop option for regular household use, dorms, campers and moderate entertaining. The listing-backed specs (26 lb/day, 2.1 qt tank, 1.5 lb basket, 105W/120V power, R134a refrigerant, metal & plastic construction, LED controls, transparent lid and included scoop) align with repeated owner reports of fast cycles and strong day-to-day performance. The consistent owner pattern to note is the wet, soft bullet ice that will not remain frozen inside the unit long-term — plan to move ice to a freezer if you need to store it.

Check before you buy (short checklist)

• Confirm the listed electrical spec (120V / 105W) is compatible with your outlet; some owners reported voltage confusion on arrival.
• Measure counter space — the listed dimensions are 9" D x 13" W x 13" H — and allow clearance for ventilation around the back/sides per owner guidance.
• Decide how you’ll store ice: the unit makes ice fast but does not keep it frozen for long; have a plan to transfer to a freezer if you want multi-day supply.
• Check the available finish options (STAINLESS, RED STAINLESS, BLACK STAINLESS, COPPER STAINLESS) to match your kitchen or bar aesthetic.
• Verify warranty details — the listing notes a 1 year warranty — and confirm current manufacturer/service options.

Overall, for buyers who want fast, portable ice production and understand they’ll need separate storage for larger inventories of ice, this Frigidaire unit is a practical, budget-conscious choice with a well-documented set of strengths and a few manageable limitations.

FAQ

See the dedicated FAQ below for short, listing-and-owner-based answers to common shopper questions.