The Frigidaire EFIC101 – the one that starts the whole Frigidaire countertop ice maker lineup – might be showing its age a little bit now but it packs in good basics of making ice. With the very slow progress in countertop ice making, I think this Frigidaire EFIC101 review can continue to contribute its value for several years more.
In Ice Artisan, I only review the ice makers that I had used or repaired. So I can guarantee that:
- I give you honest review (both pros and cons) of an ice maker. No hidden deal behind the website.
- I share my technician’s point of view, so I focus not only on the performance, but also the build of an ice maker.
- I compile an ice maker ranking list (coming soon) so you can compare all ice makers easily.
Jump to:
PROS
- More budget price
- Good durability
CONS
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
- Ice quality is thicker
Frigidaire stands as one of America’s most established appliance brands, with over 100 years of innovation since its founding in 1918. Originally called Guardian Frigerator Company, the brand became so ubiquitous that “Frigidaire” became synonymous with refrigerators throughout the mid-20th century.
Frigidaire ice makers
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Price
- Available to buy now
- Costs $74 in the U.S market
- Amazon’s Choice
Once launched at more than $150, the Frigidaire EFIC101 celebrates its 10th anniversary at around $74, making the first budget countertop ice maker to be even more budget. This is the one to go for if you want a good value countertop ice maker under $100, that has a reputable name slapped on it.
However, if all prices are the same, I must remind you that the 10-year old Frigidaire EFIC101 is superseded by the Frigidaire EFIC128. The newer countertop ice maker seems to be interesting, and I planned to write a quick review for it soon enough.
At that price point, the Frigidaire EFIC101 is even cheaper than other Chinese countertop ice makers that keep flocking the U.S market like the Euhomy IM-06D and Silonn SLIM21. However, the older product lacks self-cleaning function and carry handle, which are super convenient once you get used to use them.
Related post: Best ice maker 2025.
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Durability
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Design
- Portable ice maker
- Looks like a black Frigidaire EFIC108
I should write about the Frigidaire EFIC101 first, because it is the origin of Frigidaire countertop ice makers, with a very “boring” design that continues in the Frigidaire EFIC108. At 14.1″ D x 9.5″ W x 12.9″ H, it is still the Frigidaire countertop ice maker that we know, but it is less portable as my pick – the Frigidaire EFIC121. It weighs a bit more at 18.31 pounds, still creating a compact footprint suitable for most countertops.
The contemporary black plastic housing provides a sleek appearance that complements modern kitchen aesthetics. The unit’s form factor balances portability with stability, though it lacks the carry handle found on many competitors. It could be a reason why modern countertop ice makers continue to copy the color option of the Frigidaire EFIC101, even in the latest Frigidaire EFIC128.
As the first countertop ice maker, the Frigidaire EFIC101 doesn’t vary in color options, sparing for the next Frigidaire EFIC102. The black finish shows fingerprints and water spots more readily than darker color choices, so you need regular cleaning to maintain its appearance.
Unlike the Frigidaire EFIC108 after, the Frigidaire EFIC101 is generous with its cooling ventilation. Its effectiveness is adequate, but in my technician’s eyes, the Frigidaire EFIC101 offers a better cooling than other cheap ice makers on the market. However, it isn’t a miracle to keep saving frozen ices for long, and you need to move all your ices into a freezer soon, if you want to keep them later.
The viewing window provides good visibility of ice production, and the control panel layout is intuitive. However, I personally prefer the larger window on the Frigidaire EFIC189 – it just suits my taste better. Of course, that’s a subjective opinion, so you should go with whichever design appeals more to you.
Related post: Best countertop ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Build
- Frigidaire has better durability
- Never see in my shop
The Frigidaire EFIC101 features plastic exterior construction with food-grade materials for ice-contact surfaces. The plastic housing is reasonably durable for normal use, especially when I find it similar to a partly steel construction like the Frigidaire EFIC108, in real world use. Inside the Frigidaire EFIC101, there are some metal components, and I always recommend to clean your ice maker regularly, to prevent rust from developing over time.
Based on its popularity, I’m surprised to never see the Frigidaire EFIC101 appear in my shop (though I understand that budget countertop ice makers are meant to be disposable). A quick AI research through Amazon reviews shows that the Frigidaire EFIC101 starts to fail after 2 years, which is actually better than an average countertop ice maker.
The compressor-based cooling system ensures reliable temperature control for consistent ice production, using R600a refrigerant – which is more environmentally friendly and contributes to better durability. This design choice is common among countertop ice makers, as maintaining cold storage temperatures would significantly increase both energy consumption and unit complexity.
At least, one thing you can feel easy to buy the Frigidaire EFIC101 is it being a “Frigidaire” countertop ice maker. With many service centers nationwide, the Frigidaire EFIC101 benefits from more accessible customer service. People who don’t believe in the warranty should come back to my section of “Price”, to look for another cheaper option.
Related post: Best undercounter ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Performance
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Capacity
- Produces up to 26 lbs of ice daily
- Internal storage: 1.8 lbs
The Frigidaire EFIC101 produces 26 pounds of ice per day with a 1.8-pound storage capacity in its ice basket. This daily production rate places it squarely in the standard range for countertop ice makers, matching competitors from China. It has better storage capacity than a common China ice maker at 1.2 lbs, however in real-world use, the difference is negligible.
The first ice batch takes under 6 minutes to produce, with subsequent cycles completing every 7-15 minutes depending on the selected ice size. Each cycle produces 9 bullet-shaped ice cubes, creating a steady flow of ice throughout the day. The unit operates on a recirculating water system, where melted ice drains back to the 2.3-quart reservoir, maximizing water efficiency.
As an old countertop ice maker unit, the Frigidaire EFIC101 seems to deliver ices a bit better than current modern ice makers. It is very important when you don’t plan to run the ice maker continuously, or when you need ice quickly on the road.
Related post: Best commercial ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Ice Quality
- Bullet ice
- Thicker than normal Frigidaire bullet ices
The Frigidaire EFIC101 produces bullet-shaped ice cubes in two selectable sizes: small and large. These hollow, cylindrical ice pieces measure approximately 0.5-0.75 inches in diameter and 0.75-1.25 inches in length, depending on the size setting. The bullet shape provides excellent surface area for rapid cooling in beverages, and melt a bit slower than typical freezer ice cubes.
Ice clarity varies significantly based on water quality and ambient conditions. I made an useful article on “How to make clear ice in ice maker?”, and boiled and filtered water can make difference in aesthetic for your end results. However, the Frigidaire EFIC101 seems to produce thicker ices than a normal Frigidaire portable ice maker, providing good mouth feel for beverages.
Related post: Best clear ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Energy and Water Consumption
- Normal water consumption
- Energy consumption is higher than the Frigidaire EFIC121
I wrote an article of “How much electricity does an ice maker use?” to give you a free calculator to find out whether you are spending more on your ice maker or not. The Frigidaire EFIC101 consumes 200 watts during operation, translating to approximately 8 kWh per 100 pounds of ice production based on the 26-pound daily capacity requiring roughly 10 hours of active operation. At the national average electricity rate of $0.15 per kWh, producing 100 pounds of ice costs approximately $1.20 in electricity.
Nothing to discuss about the water consumption of a typical countertop ice maker, making bullet ices like the Frigidaire EFIC101. I estimate you would need approximately 12 gallons of water to make 100 pounds of ice. Read my article of “Does an ice maker use a lot of water?” to understand why you shouldn’t worry about water consumption for a countertop ice maker.
Related post: Best nugget ice maker.
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Noise Level
- Quiet operation
The Frigidaire EFIC101 shares the same compressor as its modern brothers, so you can expect the ice maker runs at less than 41 decibels, which is comparable to a quiet library or soft whisper. It is the nature of a countertop ice maker, as I wrote in “Are countertop ice makers loud?”. Unless you’re living in a remote place which is completely silent, I don’t think you bother checking the noise coming from your portable ice maker.
But hey, when the ice drops into the basket, it’s going to make some noise. I’ve seen people complain about it, and honestly, I’m not sure what to say, because that’s just how portable ice makers work. They release 9 pieces at once, and it’s simply impossible to eliminate the sound of all of them dropping.
Related post: Best ice maker for RV.
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Features
- Lacks self-cleaning feature
- Add water alert, ice full notification
- Adjusts ice size
The control board of the Frigidaire EFIC101 is essentially the same as every Frigidaire budget countertop ice maker you can find online. So, for features, the Frigidaire EFIC101 offers basic functionality with digital LED controls and essential ice-making features. The control panel includes power indicator, ice size selection buttons (S/L), and status lights for “Add Water” and “Ice Full” conditions. A large transparent viewing window allows monitoring of ice production progress without opening the unit.
The “Add Water” alert is often quite useless in countertop ice makers, since they rarely use the entire water tank before needing a refill. As for the “Ice Full” notification, it’s hit-or-miss, especially with portable models. Sometimes the sensor fails to detect the ice pile correctly, causing the machine to keep producing ice even when the basket is already full. I wrote an article “Why is my portable ice maker making too much ice?”, to help you troubleshoot this problem easier.
Sadly, the Frigidaire EFIC101 doesn’t have a self-cleaning feature, which is perhaps the most useful function I need for a countertop ice maker.
Related post: Best budget ice maker.
Verdict
The Frigidaire EFIC101 does a solid job as a Frigidaire portable ice maker, but it consumes more energy than the Frigidaire EFIC121 and Frigidaire EFIC123-SS. The ice quality is quite different from other Frigidaire products, so if you care about ice quality, you shouldn’t buy this ice maker.
But if you just want ices to cool your drinks, well, make sure the Frigidaire EFIC101 is the cheapest ice maker you can buy.
Frigidaire EFIC101 Review: Trusted Review in 2025
Read our Frigidaire EFIC101 review at IceArtisan.com. We tested ice speed, noise, durability, and portability to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your home.
Product Brand: Frigidaire
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 74
Product In-Stock: InStock
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