For years, the coveted “nugget ice” – that soft, chewable, and perfectly chilled ice once exclusive to your favorite fast-food joints and high-end restaurants – has been a luxury for home kitchens. GE Profile revolutionized this with its Opal ice makers, but their premium price and countertop footprint often put them out of reach for many. Now, GE Profile is set to democratize the nugget ice experience even further with two new, more compact, and significantly more affordable models: the Opal Mini and Opal Mini Pro.
The Dawn of Compact Chewable Ice
Unveiled as prototypes at the prestigious KBIS trade show, the GE Profile Opal Mini and Opal Mini Pro represent a strategic move to bring the popular nugget ice to a wider audience. These innovative machines promise the same beloved chewable ice – often called pellet ice or chewable ice – known for its unique texture and ability to cool drinks rapidly due to its increased surface area. The key difference? A much smaller footprint and a price tag that won’t break the bank.
Introducing the GE Profile Opal Mini: Affordable Indulgence
Slated for a July 2026 launch with an attractive price point of $299, the GE Profile Opal Mini is designed with space-saving in mind. Unlike its larger predecessors, this entry-level model integrates its water reservoir directly into the unit, allowing for a more streamlined design that occupies less precious counter space. Despite its compact size, the Opal Mini is a workhorse, capable of producing up to 34 pounds of ice per day, provided you keep its top-fill reservoir replenished. It also boasts a built-in filter to enhance ice taste and an automatic descale function for easier maintenance, though previous models have shown that thorough cleaning can still be a commitment.
Elevating the Experience: The GE Profile Opal Mini Pro
For those seeking a little more convenience and premium features, the GE Profile Opal Mini Pro will arrive alongside its sibling in July 2026, priced at $379. This “Pro” version reintroduces a side water tank, reducing the frequency of refills – a trade-off for a slightly larger footprint. Beyond the enhanced water capacity, the Mini Pro steps up with a specialized filter designed to inhibit scale buildup, a sleek stainless steel ice scoop, and more premium stainless steel finishes (with color options still under wraps). Perhaps the most significant upgrade for the modern home is its Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling users to schedule ice production via a mobile app and receive maintenance notifications directly to their smartphone.
Nugget Ice: A Home Kitchen Staple
Before GE Profile’s pioneering efforts starting in 2015, nugget ice machines were largely confined to commercial settings. The introduction of the Opal line brought this delightful ice into homes, quickly garnering a dedicated following. While earlier models like the Opal 2.0 Ultra commanded prices upwards of $579, the new Mini series makes this home luxury significantly more accessible. This move by GE Profile (a brand under GE Appliances, owned by Haier) underscores a commitment to innovation and consumer-friendly design, ensuring that the perfect chewable ice is within reach for more households than ever before.
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