I waited for about 1 1/2 years before reviewing this product. When I bought the product there were a bunch of negative reviews that it didn't last long and I didn't want to spend 350 dollars on something that only lasted a few months. I believe I know why other units didn't last which I will go over after the review of the product.
Pros:
* Great Ice
* Easy to fill
* Ice keeps for a while and remakes as the ice melts
Cons:
* MUST clean regularly
* Constantly adding water (daily 1-2 times a day with a family of 4), side tank would probably help
* Takes up a lot of counter space
* Can be loud at times, mostly when it gets low on water. Hasn't been a huge issue honestly.
* In the morning, the ice is half melted, I am not really sure why the low ice sensor never seems to kick on and it really hasn't been an issue, but it is strange :)
Warnings:
* If your bin is full of ice and the water bin is full and you lose power, unit gets turned off or unplugged, etc...) when the ice melts the water will overflow. Was almost an issue for me, when the unit accidently got turned off.
So is the unit worth it? I totally love it and don't regret the purchase, currently the only ice my family uses comes from that machine (even though we have 2 other ice makers in the refrigerator). Refilling the water can be a pain, but it doesn't take long and I hate cleaning the unit, but once again totally worth it for the nugget ice.
On to the reliability problem. I really think many of the issues have stemmed from 2 different things on the machine. First, you must clean this unit or it will get a mold|mildew issue which can clog the pumps and burn them out (this includes cleaning the air intakes). Second, I have noticed that the low water sensor on my unit doesn't always work as quickly as I think it should. This causes the pump to pull in air which could burn out the pump. I believe if you address these 2 issues you should have no problem with your unit.
I follow this regime for my unit:
1. I use distilled water (I notice the drastically cuts down on scale and mold issues between cleanings), if out I will use regular tap, but I preffer the distilled water.
2. I only clean out my unit every 3-4 weeks (it calls for every week) or if I see scale or any other issue start to pop up. (Regular tap water, I needed to clean about every week)
3. I use diluted vinegar to clean, run it through 2-3 clean cycles, then use diluted bleach water run it through 2-3 clean cycles, then run clean water through the unit a couple of times, draining each time. Then I throw out the first small batch of ice.
4. I keep my ice maker running all the time, but I make sure to regularly add water to the unit so it doesn't get low on water.
I think my cleaning step might be overkill, but it is pretty easy, I just move it next to the sink, and then let the hoses in the sink and uncork them to drain between cleanings. Totally worth the price and upkeep if you like nugget ice.
| Brand | FirstBuild |
|---|---|
| Model Name | Opal01 |
| Product Dimensions | 15.5"D x 10.5"W x 17.2"H |
| Capacity | 3 Pounds |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Manufacturer | First Build |
| UPC | 858957006008 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00858957006008 |
| Material | Stainless Steel, Plastic |
| Brand Name | FirstBuild |
| Model Info | Opal01 |
| Item Weight | 44 pounds |
| Item model number | Opal01 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Installation Type | Countertop |
| Part Number | Opal01 |
| Form Factor | Stand Alone |
| Color | Stainless Steel Wrap with Black Accents |
| Connector Type | Portable Ice Maker; Self Contained |
| Door Material Type | Plastic |
| Material Type | Stainless Steel, Plastic |
| Included Components | Opal Icemaker, Ice Bin, Ice Scoop, and Drip Tray |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
