Frigidaire EFIC452-SS 40-Pound Clear Square Ice Maker

Choose it for clear square cubes, and accept slower batches

The EFIC452-SS is a stainless countertop machine sold under the Frigidaire name by licensee Curtis International. It makes clear, square cubes rather than cloudy bullet ice. The licensee's page and the listing agree on up to 40 pounds per day, a 2.3-quart reservoir and a basket that holds about 2.4 pounds, with a scoop included.

The daily figure assumes continuous running with the reservoir kept filled. The basket holds a small fraction of that, the machine pauses when its ice-full symbol shows, and the manual does not describe the basket as a freezer. Plan to bag and freeze ice ahead of a party.

The manual's cycle time is longer than the listing suggests

The listing says twenty-four cubes in less than fifteen minutes, and its description even mentions six minutes. The licensee's page says fifteen-minute capability. The manual supplied with the listing says a cycle lasts about thirteen to twenty-five minutes depending on room temperature, that the first batch takes longer, and that in very hot rooms it may vary but will not exceed thirty-five minutes.

The manual's troubleshooting table suggests water no warmer than 77°F and a room below 86°F if no ice forms, and notes that cooler water and cooler rooms produce more ice. The plus and minus buttons lengthen or shorten the freezing time by up to six minutes to make cubes thicker or thinner, starting from the next cycle. A timer can switch the unit on or off after a set number of hours.

Allow six inches at the back and sides, plus reach to the rear drain

Amazon's table lists 14 inches deep, 11 wide and 15 high, and 25.4 pounds. The licensee's page leaves unit dimensions blank and gives a 26-pound carton weight, so treat the body size as listing data. The manual requires at least six inches between the back and sides of the unit and the wall, on a level surface away from direct sunlight and heat, with the plug reachable.

Water is poured into a covered reservoir at the top, not into the small internal tank under the basket; the manual warns against filling the lower tank. The drain port is on the back. To empty both tanks fully, the manual says to plug the unit in without starting it, remove the rear drain cap and wait three to five minutes. You need access to the back and a sink or container each time.

Care is frequent and partly hands-on

This model has no cleaning button in its manual. It says it is better to change the water every twenty-four hours and clean the unit every three days, using diluted detergent, warm water and a soft cloth on the reservoir and tank, then rinsing and draining. It also says the water separator pipe and water filters must be cleaned periodically.

Water reaches the evaporator through small holes in a water separator pipe. The manual describes removing the water separator pipe and clearing each hole if water stops flowing, and its troubleshooting table repeats that step. It adds that poor-quality water can make the pump noisy. If you want a machine that needs little attention, this routine is a reason to look elsewhere.

Indoor use, a dedicated grounded outlet and a refrigerant conflict

The listing talks about camping trips and a back deck. The manual says do not use the ice maker outdoors, and asks for a standard 110–120 volt, 60Hz grounded outlet that no other appliance shares. It discourages extension cords, naming 14 AWG rated at 1,875 watts as the minimum if one must be used, and asks for one hour of standing time before first plug-in. Amazon's table lists 120 watts at 115 volts.

Amazon's table names the refrigerant as R134a. The manual carries flammable-refrigerant danger warnings, restricts repairs to trained service personnel and warns against puncturing tubing or using mechanical devices to defrost. Those two descriptions do not fit together, so read the rating label on the unit you receive. Error codes E1 and E2 indicate sensor faults that the manual says need a replacement sensor.

Warranty and seller checks

Amazon's details give the warranty only as one year, and the pages of the manual we read contain no warranty terms. Ask the seller or Curtis International for the written warranty before relying on it, keep proof of purchase, and check the condition and seller of the offer you choose. The listing also cites a 2023 publication award; we did not verify it and it does not change the fit checks above.