Frigidaire EFIC108 Countertop Ice Maker Review

intro

The Frigidaire EFIC108 is a compact countertop ice maker that the listing says can produce up to 26 pounds of ice per day and makes nine bullet-shaped cubes roughly every seven minutes. The spec sheet lists a 2.3-quart capacity and a 500-watt motor on 120 volts; the product bullets also call out a 2.1-quart water tank and an interior ice-basket that holds about 1.5 lb at a time. Owners praise its speed, compact footprint, and ease of use for parties and everyday cold drinks — but owner reports also surface recurring problems: noisy pumps, occasional sensor failures that trigger 'add water' errors even when full, and a handful of units that failed in under six months. This review pulls together the product facts and buyer feedback so you can decide whether this is a confident gift or a gamble.

What it is / first look

What the listing says: the EFIC108 is a portable countertop ice maker described by the listing as producing up to 26 lbs. of bullet-shaped ice per day with two size options. It has a transparent lid for viewing the ice basket, a digital LED control panel, a drain plug for cleaning/emptying, and an included ice scoop. Specs in the listing name the model as EFIC108-RED (the product is shown in a red default color), list its external dimensions as 13" D x 9" W x 12" H, call out 500 watts / 120 volts power, and identify the material type as plastic. The refrigerant listed is R410a.

Practical first impression for gift shoppers: this is a compact, plug-in ice machine rather than a built-in appliance or a freezer-attach unit. It’s small enough to sit on a countertop or bar cart but large enough that owners point out it needs some counter real estate to run comfortably. The listing advertises straightforward controls and a see-through lid to monitor ice levels — features owners often mention as conveniences on day one.

Who this is a good gift for

Match the unit to the right recipient and setting — owners’ experience helps highlight the best fits and assumptions that must be true for the recipient.

The host who throws seasonal barbecues

Why it fits: the listing emphasizes fast production (9 cubes per cycle, roughly every 7 minutes) and up to 26 lb/day output. That makes it a practical party backup so guests aren’t waiting for freezer trays. Assumes they have the counter space and tolerance for a countertop appliance that will be running while entertaining.

The dorm-room or office coffee/drinks person

Why it fits: compact footprint (13" x 9" x 12") and plug-and-play simplicity. Owners used this model in offices and small kitchens and reported it fits easily on counters. Assumes shared-space rules allow a small appliance and the recipient can refill/empty it as needed.

The apartment dweller without an ice-maker in the fridge

Why it fits: small living spaces without built-in ice dispensers benefit from a portable ice-maker that keeps a ready stash on the counter. Assumes the recipient isn’t extremely space-constrained and can live with intermittent noise when it runs.

The casual entertainer who wants an easy upgrade

Why it fits: it’s an upgrade from ice trays and makes cups of ice quickly; owners repeatedly mention guests appreciating ready-made ice. Assumes the recipient cares more about convenience than silent operation or heavy-duty commercial reliability.

Not a good fit if the recipient is very noise-sensitive or needs long-term, heavy-duty commercial performance

Owners report pump/grinding noise and some reliability variability (see the 'Safety considerations' and 'Who should skip it' sections). If silence or multi-year commercial use is essential, consider a higher-end built-in option instead.

In daily use

How owners say it actually behaves day-to-day — distilled from repeated buyer feedback and the listing details.

Setup and start

• The listing positions setup as simple: add water, plug it in, and use the LED controls to choose cube size and start. Owners describe very quick first cycles (the listing claims nine cubes every seven minutes). One owner wrote the unit started producing in about six minutes, while another reported a roughly 13-minute cycle; the listing’s stated cycle time is about seven minutes. Expect some variation based on room temperature and water temperature.
• Included accessories: the listing notes an ice scoop is included and the interior basket holds up to 1.5 lb at a time for immediate use.

Daily performance and convenience

• Speed and output: owners commonly praise the machine for producing a lot of ice fast and keeping up during gatherings. The listing’s 26 lb/day headline is how the product is marketed; owners’ practical experience is that it can be relied on for moderate entertaining and continuous household use.
• Footprint and storage: at 13" x 9" x 12", it’s compact relative to under-counter devices but not tiny — several owners flagged the need to plan counter space for long parties, and one buyer noted it felt 'on the large side' for their kitchen.
• Controls and visibility: buyers like the transparent lid and LED control panel because they can see ice levels without lifting the cover. That means less interruption of the cycle and easier monitoring during an event.
• Cleaning and maintenance: the listing highlights a drain plug for easy emptying. Owners call cleaning straightforward. One practical warning from an owner: do not put the removable ice tray in a dishwasher — that owner reports the tray warped after a dishwasher cycle.

Noise, quirks and packaging

• Noise: buyer notes range from 'surprisingly quiet' to 'grunts and growls.' Multiple owners describe a loud pumping sound or grinding that can be disconcerting; one owner even said the unit shook a nearby appliance. Noise reports vary unit-to-unit.
• Packaging: at least one buyer received packaging that was dented or roughly stapled; others did not mention shipping damage. If presentation matters for gifting, consider this as a possible risk.
• Accessories: some owners found the included plastic ice scoop to be thin or awkward to use and swapped it for a sturdier metal scoop they preferred.

Materials & build quality

Listing facts first, then how owners interpret them.

• What the listing says: the specification sheet lists the material type as plastic and identifies the refrigerant as R410a. The model is EFIC108-RED in the default listing color (red), and alternate colors shown in the listing include black, silver, and white.
• Perceived build quality: many owners call it a "nice little machine" at its price point and say it’s lightweight and compact. Several buyers who used the unit daily reported a full year of reliable performance. Others describe trouble reassembling the case after repairs or cleanings, and one owner noted that one side of the case is sticking out slightly after getting the cover back on.
• Finish and fit issues: owner feedback includes examples of small finish/fit problems—slightly misaligned cases, dented boxes on arrival, and thin accessory plastics. Those are consistent with a value-oriented, mostly plastic build rather than a premium stainless-steel assembly.
• Durability signals: mixed. There are repeated reports of long service (a year or more) when owners used bottled water and cleaned the unit, but there are also credible reports of units failing in under six months with pump/sensor issues. The pattern suggests quality-control variability across units rather than a single uniform outcome.

Safety considerations

Safety-first highlights from the listing and owner feedback.

• Electrical: the listing specifies 500 watts and 120 volts. That makes it a standard North American countertop appliance; ensure the recipient has a suitable grounded outlet and avoid extension cords not rated for the load.
• Noise-related safety: several owners describe loud pumping or grinding noises. While noise itself isn’t an electrical hazard, unusually loud mechanical sounds can indicate a stressed pump or loose components; repeated loud grinding followed by failure is reported by at least one owner. If a gifted unit becomes loudly noisy, stop use and consult the manufacturer or seller.
• Plastic parts and accessories: the listing lists material type as plastic. The listing does not provide any third-party food-contact certifications or material safety statements in the provided product facts, so if you have concerns about liner or tray materials for direct food contact, verify current manufacturer documentation before gifting to someone with material sensitivities.
• Maintenance risks: owners specifically warn against putting the ice tray in the dishwasher because the tray warped after one buyer did that. Use the drain plug and hand-clean removable parts per the listing's cleaning guidance rather than high-heat dishwasher cycles unless the current listing explicitly permits it.
• Water-sensor quirks: a repeated owner complaint is the machine occasionally reporting an 'add water' error even when the basin is full; owners attribute that to a faulty water sensor or water line. This can leave the unit non-functional until reset or fixed. For a gift, that translates to a reliability risk and a possible return/repair step.

Who should skip it

Pick a skip if any of the following describe the recipient or situation.

• Noise-sensitive recipients: if silence is essential (light sleepers, baby rooms, or quiet office spaces), skip this model given the mixed noise reports.
• Expectations of commercial-grade continuous use: the EFIC108 is a countertop consumer unit marketed for home entertaining; owners report it handles household loads well, but there are enough durability reports that heavy commercial use or daily high-volume bars should look at purpose-built commercial machines instead.
• Gifting for someone who needs guaranteed long-term durability: the listing doesn't show a warranty length in the provided product facts, and owner feedback includes a few early failures. If the recipient expects multi-year trouble-free operation as a baseline, a higher-end model with explicit warranty coverage is a safer choice.
• Extremely tight counters or no available outlet: though compact, it still takes measurable counter space (13" D x 9" W x 12" H) and requires a 120V outlet; if space is tiny or outlets are unavailable, skip or measure before purchasing.

Verdict

Bottom line for gift shoppers: the Frigidaire EFIC108 is a practical little countertop ice maker that does what most buyers want — quick bullet-shaped ice, two size choices, a visible reservoir, and a drain plug for cleaning. The listing markets 26 lb/day output, a compact footprint, 500-watt power, and an included scoop. Owners consistently praise speed, convenience, and the unit’s usefulness for parties and daily drinks.

Why you might hesitate: there’s a readable pattern in owner feedback of variability. Some units run quietly and last a year or more; other buyers report noisy pumps, sensor problems that falsely read 'add water', and a small number of units that failed inside six months. Packaging and accessory quality also get occasional complaints. For gifting, that means this is a confident pick for casual hosts, dorm residents, or apartment dwellers who want fast ice and can tolerate some risk; it’s a weaker pick where silence, guaranteed multi-year durability, or pristine unboxing/presentation are critical.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the model number and color: EFIC108-RED is the model shown; the listing also lists black, silver, and white colors.
• Measure counter space: the listing gives dimensions as 13" D x 9" W x 12" H — make sure the recipient has that clearance and a 120V outlet nearby.
• Ask about noise tolerance: owners report a wide range of noise from quiet to loud pumping/grinding — consider the recipient’s tolerance for mechanical noise.
• Verify material/food-contact concerns: the spec sheet lists material type as plastic; if food-contact material certifications matter, check current manufacturer documentation or the product listing for explicit claims.
• Check warranty and return policy: the provided product facts do not specify warranty length — confirm current seller/manufacturer warranty before gifting if long-term coverage is important.
• Plan for maintenance: the listing mentions a drain plug for cleaning and an interior basket that holds ~1.5 lb. Owners warn not to put the tray in the dishwasher; plan to hand-wash removable parts.

Verdict call: buy with caveats. It’s a useful, practical countertop ice maker and a solid casual-gift pick for hosts, office users, and apartment dwellers who appreciate convenience. But because owner feedback shows reliability variance and occasional noisy operation, treat it as a value-oriented, practical present rather than a guaranteed long-term investment.