A Frigidaire countertop ice maker can be a fantastic way to provide ice for a party, reunion, or cookout. While these machines can make ice in minutes, you may be wondering how long the ice will last once it’s been made. Does ice stay frozen in a Frigidaire ice maker?
Ice will not stay frozen in a Frigidaire countertop ice maker, as the machine is not a freezer and has no way to keep the ice cold long-term. However, there are ways to help preserve the ice, and get the most out of your Frigidaire countertop ice maker.
Keep reading to learn more about how the Frigidaire countertop ice maker works, how to keep your ice cold, and the smartest ways to use your Frigidaire countertop ice maker.
Will a Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker Keep Ice Cold?
A Frigidaire countertop ice maker can freeze water into ice but cannot keep these ice cubes frozen indefinitely.
This is because while the ice maker uses refrigerant and a heat transfer system to create ice in the ice tray, this portion of the machine is wholly separate from the bin into which the finished ice cubes are deposited.
The ice tray portion of your Frigidaire countertop ice maker goes through several steps to create ice:
- First, tap water is poured into the water reservoir
- This water is drawn up into the ice tray by a series of tubes or lines
- Metal prongs full of refrigerant use heat transfer to super cool, creating ice cubes around the prongs
- These prongs then heat up enough to release the ice from the prongs, and into the ice bin below
The ice bin is not cooled, and the Frigidaire countertop ice maker contains no components that would allow ice to stay frozen. In other words, it is not a freezer. So, how long will your ice cubes last?
How Long Will Ice From My Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker Last?
The sooner you can use the newly formed ice, the better. Don’t make more ice than you need and consider showing your guests how to refill and operate the ice maker should you run out.
This will help avoid wasting the ice and ensure newly frozen cubes are readily available.
The ice held within the ice bin of your Frigidaire countertop ice maker will last about 2 hours, before completely melting and draining back into the water reservoir.
As the ice liquefies, it will begin to refreeze a bit as it melts, creating clumps of ice as opposed to cubes.
There are also some tricks you can try to help the ice in your Frigidaire countertop ice maker last as long as possible, as well as ensure the longevity of your machine.
Keep Your Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker Cool
An easy way to help your newly formed ice last longer is to make sure that your Frigidaire countertop ice maker is not in direct sunlight, near any hot appliances, and away from any bright lights.
The cooler you can keep your ice maker, the slower the ice will melt, and the better off your Frigidaire countertop ice maker will be.
The cooler your appliance is, the less energy it will take to form the ice, and the longer internal components will last.
Keeping the ice maker away from heat will also reduce the likelihood of damage, fires, and appliance breakdown.
Your Frigidaire countertop ice maker has plastic components that could easily melt if left close to a burning stove, and the rubber encasing surrounding the power cord needs to be kept away from heat, as well.
Apart from keeping the ice maker away from heat and light, what else can help keep your ice cubes cold?
Transfer Ice from the Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker to a Freezer
Once the ice is formed, you can keep it available longer by simply transferring it to a freezer.
Transferring your ice will prevent any melting and can help keep your ice cubes separate, and easy to use, as opposed to clumpy and solid.
We recommend having a separate ice bin in your freezer to store finished ice if your party or get-together is especially large.
An insulated cooler can be another handy place to store newly formed ice.
Conclusion
A Frigidaire countertop ice maker won’t keep your ice frozen, as it has no internal freezer.
While supercooled metal prongs help turn water into ice cubes, the ice bin where finished cubes are stored has no coolant system to keep them from melting.
Ways to help keep your ice cool and usable longer include making sure that your ice maker is away from direct sunlight, hot appliances, or working stoves.
This is better for your ice maker, as well, and can help it run more efficiently.
For the maximum amount of usable ice, transfer newly formed ice cubes to an ice bin in your freezer, or into an insulated cooler for easier access.
