The GE Profile Opal 2.0 XL delivers on the hype of soft, chewable nugget ice, dropping its first handful in 10 minutes or less. It cranks out 1.6 pounds an hour with a 1-gallon side tank that saves you from constant refills. However, you’ll need a rigid descaling routine to keep the machine running smoothly.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 XL Nugget Ice Maker
Buy the Opal 2.0 if you’re obsessed with fast-food style pebble ice and have the counter space to dedicate to a sizable appliance. It delivers an impressive 38 pounds a day, but the demanding manual descaling process and separately sold cleaning supplies are genuine trade-offs you have to accept.
Who It’s For
Who Should Skip It
The Ice: Chewy, Fast, and Flaky
The whole reason you buy this machine is the ice, and it nails it. The Opal 2.0 compresses ice flakes into soft, chewable nuggets that absorb whatever you’re drinking rather than just watering it down. You aren’t waiting long, either. Turn it on, and you’ll see the first nuggets drop into the bin in 10 minutes or less. Left alone, it chugs along at a reliable 1.6 pounds per hour. The internal drawer holds 3 pounds at a time, which is plenty for surviving a hot afternoon without waiting for trays to freeze.
Living with the 1-Gallon Side Tank
If you’ve used older countertop makers, you know the pain of constantly pouring cups of water into a tiny reservoir. The Opal 2.0 XL solves this with a 1-gallon detachable side tank. It essentially allows the machine to produce up to three times more ice before asking for your help to refill. The tank easily unclips for filling at the sink, which is far less messy than bringing heavy pitchers over to the machine. Just know it extends the overall footprint noticeably.
App Control vs. Manual Cleaning
The built-in WiFi actually makes sense here. Using the SmartHQ app, you can schedule the machine to start making fresh ice before you wake up, meaning your morning iced coffee gets immediate chill. It also pushes automatic software updates and syncs with Alexa or Google for voice commands. But while the tech is smart, the maintenance is decidedly manual. You’ll need to stay on top of descaling using GE’s citric acid powder (P4DNK6CLEAN) and replace the water filter (P4INKFILTR)—both of which you have to buy separately.
Buying Advice
Stock Up on Cleaning Supplies Early
GE doesn’t include the necessary maintenance supplies in the box, which is a frustrating surprise on day one. Go ahead and order the P4INKFILTR water filter and the P4DNK6CLEAN citric acid descaling powder when you buy the machine. Nugget ice makers are highly prone to mineral buildup, and keeping that powder on hand is essential for fresh-tasting ice.
Use the App to Manage the Noise
Making 1.6 pounds of compacted flake ice per hour takes mechanical effort. To keep your kitchen peaceful, use the SmartHQ app to schedule ice production during times you aren’t hanging out in the room. Have it run early in the morning or while you’re at work. Because the drawer holds up to 3 pounds, you’ll have plenty of ice waiting for you.
Prefilter Your Water
Even though you can buy the official GE filter for the reservoir, you will reduce your maintenance headaches if you fill the 1-gallon side tank with already-filtered water. Hard tap water will accelerate scale buildup inside the machine’s components, forcing you to use the citric acid descaling powder far more often to keep the machine running.
