How many ice cubes can this NEWBULIG maker produce and how fast?
NEWBULIG says it makes nine bullet-shaped cubes in six minutes, for up to 26.5 pounds of ice a day, from a 1.5-liter tank. Speed is its strength, though one owner reports batches closer to ten minutes, and compressor ice makers of this type slow down in a warm room or with warm water. Treat six minutes as the best case.
Is it easy to move around, and where does it work best?
Yes. It weighs 15.4 pounds and has a built-in handle, and NEWBULIG pitches it for the kitchen, office, patio or an RV. Owners find it compact on the counter. One tip from an owner: it gives off heat as it makes ice, so it works best in a large kitchen, an office or outdoors, and can noticeably warm a small room in hot weather. Drain the tank before carrying it.
Do the two ice cube sizes actually change how much ice I get?
No, not in total output. Both sizes come from the same tank, compressor and cycle, so the setting changes the shape of the ice rather than the daily total. Small cubes chill drinks quickly and pack well around food; large cubes suit iced coffee and cold drinks. Owners count the choice as a plus, and one ice chewer rates the small setting highly.
How reliable is this ice maker over the long term?
This is where buyers should be most cautious. Reliability and noise reports are mixed: some units give months of trouble-free daily use, including one that paid for itself within a month, while others report units stopping within a week. Durability is a common complaint, with many owners reporting failures within four months. Even a satisfied owner finds theirs needs resetting every couple of days. Keep your proof of purchase.
Does the ice last, or does it melt quickly?
It melts, and buyers raise this often. The basket collects ice but does not keep it frozen, so cubes left in it start to melt from the bottom. That is normal for countertop ice makers of this type, as one owner points out. Use the ice soon after it is made, or bag it and move it to the freezer. One owner finds that letting the basket fill until the full light comes on slows the melting.
Is the auto-cleaning and ice-full feature fully automatic?
Partly. The auto-clean needs one press: add water, hold ON/OFF for 5 seconds, and a 15-minute cycle runs by itself. The infrared sensor flashes ICE FULL when the basket is full and ADD WATER when the tank is low. But once the ice-full light turns solid red, the machine stays stopped until you press ON/OFF, even after you empty the basket, so it is not a machine to leave entirely unattended.
