If you are a fan of soft, crunchy ice that you can easily chew on, you might be interested in the benefits of nugget ice. Nugget ice is a type of ice that is made from compressed ice flakes, resulting in small, porous cubes that absorb the flavor of your drink and melt evenly. Nugget ice is also known as pebble ice or Sonic ice because it is popularized by fast-food chains like Sonic and Chick-Fil-A.
This type of ice is versatile and you can use it for various purposes. You can enjoy it with your favorite soda, juice, cocktail, or smoothie. You can also use it to make cold desserts like shaved ice or slushies. Nugget ice is also ideal for healthcare facilities, as it is easy to chew and swallow, and you can mold it into therapeutic cold packs.
But how can you make nugget ice at home?
You might think that you need a fancy commercial machine or a special attachment for your refrigerator, but that’s not the case. There are many countertop nugget ice makers that you can buy online or in stores, and they are relatively affordable and easy to use. Here are some of the best nugget ice makers that we recommend:
- GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker: This is one of the most popular and highly rated nugget ice makers on the market. You can produce up to 24 pounds of nugget ice per day and has a 3-pound capacity ice bin that you can refrigerate to keep the ice fresh. It also has a water reservoir that holds up to 2.5 quarts of water and you can connect to a water line for automatic refilling. The Opal 2.0 has a sleek design and a touchscreen control panel that lets you schedule ice-making, adjust the size of the nuggets, and monitor the status of the machine. You can also control the machine with your smartphone via Bluetooth or WiFi.
- Euhomy Countertop Nugget Ice Maker: This is another great option for nugget ice lovers. You can get up to 30 pounds of nugget ice per day and has a 2.2-liter water tank that you can fill manually or hook up to a faucet. It also has a 2.5-pound capacity ice basket that is removable for easy cleaning. The Euhomy nugget ice maker has a simple LCD display that shows the water level, ice-making time, and ice full indicator. It also has a self-cleaning function that helps to maintain the hygiene of the machine.
Kitchen Basics 101 KBice Self Dispensing Countertop Nugget Ice Maker: If you want a nugget ice maker that can dispense ice directly into your cup, this is the one for you. You can get up to 30 pounds of nugget ice per day and has a 1-liter water tank that you will need to refill manually. It also has a sensor that detects when your cup is full and stops dispensing automatically. The KBice nugget ice maker has a compact design and a simple button control that lets you turn on/off the machine and select the size of the nuggets.
Now that you have your own nugget ice maker at home, you can enjoy making various recipes and drinks with it. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Lemonade Slushie: Blend some lemonade with nugget ice until smooth and slushy. Add some fresh mint leaves for extra flavor and garnish with lemon slices.
- Iced Coffee: Brew some strong coffee and let it cool slightly. Fill a glass with nugget ice and pour the coffee over it. Add some milk, creamer, or sweetener as desired.
- Margarita: In a blender, combine some tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, and nugget ice. Blend until smooth and frosty. Rim a glass with salt and pour the margarita into it. Garnish with lime wedges.
- Shaved Ice: In a small saucepan, combine some sugar and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until slightly thickened. Add some food coloring and flavoring of your choice (such as strawberry, blueberry, pineapple, etc.). Transfer to a squeeze bottle and let it cool completely. Fill a bowl with nugget ice and drizzle the syrup over it.
- Mojito: In a glass, muddle some fresh mint leaves