Choosing an ice maker is less about which unit is objectively best and more about how much ice you need, where it will live, and the style of ice you like. This frigidaire ice maker buying guide lays out the practical trade-offs in plain terms so you can match a unit to your kitchen rather than a generic recommendation.
Frigidaire covers two very different shapes of ice maker: small countertop and portable EFIC units that sit on a worktop and fill by hand, and the FGIC3600 undercounter unit that plumbs in like a built-in appliance. Each suits a different household.
The core choice in this frigidaire ice maker buying guide
Countertop and portable units are inexpensive, plug into any outlet, and start dropping ice within minutes of filling the reservoir. They make a modest amount a day, hold a small bin that is not freezer-cold, and need refilling by hand, which makes them ideal for a party, a dorm, an office, an RV, or a kitchen with no spare plumbing. The FGIC3600 undercounter unit is a 15-inch built-in that connects to a water line and a drain, makes far more ice per day, and runs automatically with a much larger storage capacity, which suits a busy household or an entertaining space, at the cost of needing a cabinet opening and plumbing.
Noise and placement deserve a thought too. Every one of these makers runs a compressor and a pump, so none is truly silent, and a countertop unit on an open worktop is more noticeable than the undercounter FGIC3600 tucked behind a cabinet door. If the maker will sit in a kitchen-diner or near a living space, that running sound is worth weighing alongside the output figures. A portable unit also lets you put the ice maker away when it is not needed, which a built-in simply cannot do.
Daily output and storage
Match the production to your real demand. A countertop unit that makes a couple of dozen pounds a day is plenty for drinks for a small household, but remember its bin is storage, not a freezer, so unused ice slowly melts and the unit remakes it. The undercounter FGIC3600 produces much more and holds a larger bin, but it too is rated for storage rather than long freezing. If you need ice held for days, plan to scoop fresh batches into your freezer.
Ice style matters more than you expect
- Bullet ice is the fast, hollow cylinder most compact units make. It chills quickly and is the quickest to produce.
- Nugget ice is the soft, chewable style many people love for cold drinks. Several Frigidaire countertop models specialize in it.
- Clear cube ice looks the best in a glass and melts slowly, and a few larger countertop units make it.
Pick the style you will actually enjoy, since it shapes which model fits. You can compare current configurations and ice styles on our Frigidaire ice maker models pages.
Think a step ahead to ownership
Factor in the practical side as well as the headline numbers: counter or cabinet space, whether you have plumbing for an undercounter unit, noise in a quiet room, and the upkeep each design asks for. Every ice maker needs regular descaling to keep output up, which our ice maker cleaning guide covers. A unit that fits your space, your demand, and your maintenance appetite will serve you far better than the one that merely wins on a spec sheet.
Book Frigidaire ice maker service
However you choose, our experienced, independent technicians install and service Frigidaire ice makers with genuine OEM parts and a 30-day labor warranty. Schedule a visit, see what our ice maker repair service covers, or confirm your model details at frigidaire.com.
