GE has introduced two new variations of its well-liked Opal Nugget ice maker with a smaller footprint, much less counter house, and a extra inexpensive worth level. Like GE’s bigger and costlier Opal 2.0 Extremely, the 2 new machines make nugget ice (additionally typically known as chewable ice or pellet ice) by freezing layers of ice flakes, producing nuggets which have a bigger floor space, are simpler to chew, and funky drinks quicker.
Beforehand solely obtainable in eating places, GE launched the primary Opal machine in 2015 to make iced nuggets at house. Current fashions just like the Opal 2.0 Extremely begin at $579, whereas the brand new GE Profile Opal Mini is anticipated to price $299 when it launches someday in July 2026, and the GE Profile Opal Mini Professional will price $379.
The entry-level GE Profile Opal Mini is far smaller than different Opal fashions as a result of it has a water tank on the aspect as a substitute of a built-in reservoir that fills up from the highest. It could possibly produce as much as 34 kilos of ice per day in case you empty and refill it regularly, and features a filter and computerized descaling characteristic to enhance the style of your nuggets. However as The Verge’s Jennifer Pattison Tuohy found throughout her evaluation of the Opal 2.0 Extremely, cleansing these machines can nonetheless be troublesome.
The Professional model of the GE Profile Opal Mini features a aspect tank, which eliminates the necessity for frequent refills (bigger footprint). It additionally features a filter to cut back scale build-up, a stainless-steel ice scoop, and a higher-grade stainless-steel end (colour choices are nonetheless being finalized). The Professional mannequin additionally contains Wi-Fi connectivity, so you possibly can schedule the equipment and obtain notifications about upkeep points out of your cell app.
