Frigidaire EFIC452-SS Ice Maker Review

Intro

Countertop ice makers sit between convenience and appliance-level performance. The Frigidaire EFIC452-SS is positioned as a high-capacity countertop unit that makes clear, square ice on demand — listed to produce up to 40 pounds per day. For home bars, frequent entertainers, or households that burn through bagged ice, it aims to be a compact workhorse. That said, owner feedback shows a few recurring usability and setup quirks to be aware of before you commit.

What it is / first look

The Frigidaire EFIC452-SS is a compact, plug-in countertop ice maker. The listing presents it as a stainless-steel finished machine available in three finishes: stainless, red stainless, and black stainless. The product dimensions listed are 14" deep x 11" wide x 15" high and the machine is described in the listing by Frigidaire as a 40 lb per day extra-large clear ice maker. The manufacturer-specified electrical ratings are 120 watts at 115 volts, and refrigerant R134a is listed in the specs.

On the front you get a transparent viewing window and a digital LCD control panel (both listed features). The listing also calls out a 2.3 quart water tank, an interior basket that holds up to 2.4 lbs of ice, and an included ice scoop. The machine offers two cube-size options and is listed to produce 24 square cubes in under 15 minutes per cycle (the listing calls out fast ice production and the ability to produce 24 cubes in less than 15 minutes).

Marketing points in the listing include a claim that the unit was voted 2023’s best overall countertop ice maker by The Wall Street Journal’s Buy Side (a listing claim) and that Frigidaire is part of the Electrolux Group with a long brand history (also stated in the listing copy).

In daily use

Users who bought this model consistently report that it makes a different kind of countertop ice than the cheap “bullet”-style units. The repeated themes in owner feedback are clear ice that’s dense and long-lasting and sheets of 24 square cubes that often harvest as a connected slab. Owners commonly describe this ice as more like restaurant-style clear cubes — less air, slower melting — which is the main draw for buyers who want cubes that preserve drinks longer.

Performance & cycle times

The listing claims the maker can produce up to 40 pounds of ice per day and that a full sheet of 24 cubes can be produced in less than 15 minutes. Owners corroborate that first cycles take longer (the unit must chill down) and that subsequent cycles run around the listing’s timing — many report about 15 minutes per sheet at mid settings. The machine has an adjustable setting for cube fill (owners mention settings like +4, 0 and -4 in practice), letting you push for denser sheets or slightly hollowed cubes depending on preference.

Noise and harvest

Owner feedback about sound is consistent: the unit hums quietly like a small refrigeration appliance while chilling, but the harvesting stage — when the frozen sheet releases and falls into the bin — is loud and can startle. Several owners describe a constant low-level motor/compressor noise during operation and a noticeable clatter when ice drops into the basket, especially on early or empty cycles.

Harvested ice & storage

The ice commonly drops as sheets that remain largely intact. Owners like that because sheets are easy to bag and freeze for later use, but the sheet format means you usually break the slab into portions with an ice pick, mallet, or by bagging and banging it. Owners also note the bin holds about 2.4 lbs of ice at a time (this is the listed interior basket capacity), so frequent emptying or bagging to the freezer is needed if you want a larger on-hand stash.

Daily maintenance & cleaning

The listing highlights an easy-clean drain plug feature; owners confirm it drains and that cleaning on a periodic basis (some clean about every six months) is straightforward. One recurring owner tip: expect to run cleaning cycles or flush the system if water begins to leave a residue. Owners also recommend filtered or chilled water to speed initial cycles and reduce visible impurities in the ice.

Common user hiccups

• Drain confusion: owners report that the reservoir and drain behavior can be confusing when you first set the unit up — one owner found that you must plug the machine in (not just remove the drain plug) to engage the pump and allow the back drain to flow. The manual doesn’t explain this clearly, so it’s a common surprise.
• Full-bin lever sensitivity: the harvest sheet can sometimes trigger the “bin full” sensor or lever even if the basket isn’t actually full. Owners advise checking and rearranging ice if the unit stops in mid-cycle for a false positive.
• First-batch slowness: initial cooldown cycles take longer while the machine brings the system temperature down — owners say this is normal and later cycles run faster.

Materials & build quality

The product page lists the material type as metal and plastic and promotes a stainless-steel countertop design in bullet copy. Owners consistently praise the look and the stainless finish, calling it sleek and bar-worthy. Several owners also report the back metal cover is relatively thin and that removing it (for troubleshoot or inspection) exposes sharp sheet metal edges — an incidental construction detail that’s worth knowing if you’ll be tinkering or doing user service.

Internally, the unit uses a chilled metal freezing grid (how the machine forms a sheet of cubes), a plastic water reservoir and a removable plastic interior basket (the listing includes a scoop). The control panel is described as an LCD digital panel in the listing copy; owners describe it as functional but not complicated. The listing also notes a drain plug for easy emptying.

Overall build impressions from owners: attractive finish, solid performance, and construction that fits its countertop role. The thinness of some external panels and the sharpness of uncovered sheet metal when disassembled are the only repeated cautions about physical build.

Safety considerations

Flagged safety and usability items come from owner reports and the listed features. The listing specifies electrical ratings (120 watts, 115 volts) but does not list third-party certifications or special safety approvals in the provided copy, so verify current documentation if certification matters to you.

• Handle sharp edges when servicing: owners who removed the back cover to inspect tubes found thin metal that can be sharp — use care if you’re opening the chassis. This is a real owner-reported note and not a manufacturer claim.
• Drain behavior: owners report you sometimes need to have the unit plugged in for the pump to allow full drainage through the plug — otherwise the reservoir may not empty as expected. That can lead to standing water in the bottom bin if partially melted ice accumulates, so plan for manual emptying if you’ll stop using the machine for a while.
• Bin-level sensing: the machine has a lever-based “bin full” sensor that occasionally misreads if a sheet is stuck partway — owners say this can halt production and allow melting if not checked.
• Warm exhaust: several owners note warm air exhaust at the back during operation; keep the unit with breathing space behind it on the counter as the listing recommends placing it with room for ventilation.

None of the owner feedback points to a systemic electrical hazard or a recall in the notes provided, but the listing’s warranty is one year — the listing states a 1 YEAR warranty — so consider that coverage length when evaluating risk and potential repairs.

Who this is for / who should skip

Short version: this is for the home entertainer, the backyard host, a household that goes through a lot of ice, or a small bar setup that needs clear, long-lasting cubes without a plumbed water line.

Small kitchens & apartments

If you live in a small apartment or dorm and want bar-quality cubes without a built-in ice maker, this unit fits compact counters (listed 14"D x 11"W x 15"H). Owners who used it in tight spaces advise leaving clearance for the warm air exhaust and for accessibility to the drain plug.

Home bars & entertaining

Entertainers who prioritize clear, slow-melting ice love this machine’s cube quality and the ability to bag sheets for freezer storage. The listed daily output of up to 40 lbs and the sub-15-minute cycle for 24 cubes make it useful for ongoing party service. Keep in mind the internal basket holds 2.4 lbs at a time, so either bag batches into the freezer or be prepared to scoop and rotate ice during heavy use.

Who should skip

Skip this if you want completely silent operation (harvest is loud) or if you need a hard-plumbed, maintenance-free ice source — the listing and owner notes describe a manual water reservoir and a drain plug rather than a direct connection to a waterline. Also, if you need a machine that holds very large on-machine volume of ice without bagging to a freezer, this model’s 2.4 lb bin means you’ll be shuttling batches out for larger events.

Verdict

The Frigidaire EFIC452-SS lives up to the primary thing buyers want from it: clear, dense square ice in a countertop package. The listing’s headline specs — up to 40 lbs/day capacity, a 2.3 quart water tank, and the ability to churn out 24 square cubes in under 15 minutes — line up with owner experience. Buyers consistently praise the cube quality and overall day-to-day performance, and several owners report the machine lasting years with frequent use.

That said, plan for a little onboarding: read the manual (owner feedback says the manual can be hard to parse), allow an initial cooldown period for the first batch, expect loud harvest noise when sheets release, and be prepared to manage the modest on-unit storage by bagging extra ice to the freezer. Also note the small but real usability details owners flag — the draining behavior and the bin-level lever — so you won’t be surprised if you need a quick fix like rearranging ice or manually emptying water.

Check before you buy

• Measure counter space: the listing dimensions are 14" D x 11" W x 15" H — make sure you can give room behind the unit for warm air exhaust.
• Confirm electrical needs: the listing specifies 120 watts and 115 volts; verify outlet availability where you’ll place it.
• Expect to use the reservoir: the unit has a 2.3 quart water tank (listed) and is not described as plumbable — plan to refill it and bag excess ice to the freezer if you need capacity beyond the bin.
• Understand bin capacity vs daily output: the interior basket holds 2.4 lbs of ice (listed) but the unit can make up to 40 lbs per day (listed) — you’ll need to move ice off-unit if you rely on full daily capacity.
• Be ready for harvest noise and sheet-style ice: owners say the ice commonly comes out as slabs that you break up; harvesting is noticeably loud.
• Plan for simple maintenance: the listing includes a drain plug and owners report cleaning every few months as needed; the manual may be poorly written according to owners, so anticipate a learning curve.
• Check warranty and support: the listing states a 1 YEAR warranty — factor that into long-term service expectations.

Overall, if your priority is clear, long-lasting cubes and you want a countertop machine that can keep up with steady household or small-party demand, the EFIC452-SS is a strong contender. If you want hands-off automatic service or need an especially large on-machine ice bin, consider plumbed or built-in ice-making alternatives instead.

Available finishes:

• stainless
• red stainless
• black stainless