If your freezer’s ice maker only makes those sad, watery cubes, we need to talk about what’s back on Costco shelves this summer: the Frigidaire Gallery Nugget Ice Maker. Yes, the one that keeps going viral on TikTok. Yes, the one that makes the soft, chewable “hospital ice” (or “Sonic ice,” or whatever you call the good stuff) that people are genuinely obsessed with. And yes, it’s currently one of the most talked-about small appliances in the warehouse aisle.
Nugget ice has quietly become one of the biggest kitchen trends of 2026. Whirlpool, GE and LG all announced refrigerators with built-in nugget ice makers this year, and there’s an entire Reddit community (r/icechewersanonymous) with thousands of members who talk about little else. But you don’t need a $3,000 fridge to get in on it. Costco’s countertop version has been selling for well under what you’d pay for a name-brand nugget maker elsewhere, which is exactly why shoppers keep posting about it.
What Makes This Ice Different
Nugget ice (sometimes called pellet or pebble ice) is made by compressing shaved ice flakes into soft, porous little chunks. Unlike hard cubes, it’s easy to chew, it chills drinks fast, and it soaks up flavor instead of watering everything down. It’s the same style of ice you’ll find at Sonic, Chick-fil-A and, since 2023, Starbucks. Costco’s countertop machine brings that exact texture home, and shoppers are treating it like the ultimate iced coffee and cocktail upgrade.
“Great deal for $99. Have one of these and as long as you clean it with vinegar once a month it will work just fine… and it’s Costco, so if it dies you just take it back,” one shopper wrote in a deal forum thread about the machine.
The machine holds up to 3 pounds of ice in its basket and can churn out roughly 44 pounds a day, which is more than enough for a full weekend of iced coffee, sparkling water and backyard drinks. It comes with a stainless scoop and a compact, countertop-friendly footprint, so you don’t need to sacrifice a whole corner of your kitchen to get “the good ice.”
Is It Actually Worth Buying?
Like most warehouse appliances, this one comes with a few trade-offs worth knowing before you toss it in your cart. It’s not silent (expect a steady hum plus a mechanical clunk each time ice drops), and because it’s not a true freezer, ice left sitting in the basket will slowly melt and recycle back into the reservoir. You’ll also want to run a vinegar-and-water cleaning cycle every couple of weeks to keep things fresh, especially if you’re using tap water instead of filtered.
None of that seems to be scaring shoppers off. Between the price point and Costco’s famously forgiving return policy, most reviewers land on the same conclusion: for anyone who goes through a lot of iced coffee, sparkling water or summer cocktails, it pays for itself fast. It’s a genuinely fun upgrade for entertaining, and it turns “can I get some ice” into a non-issue for the rest of the season.
Tips Before You Buy
A few things to check before you load one into your cart. Availability and pricing can vary by warehouse, and floor models are sometimes marked down further, so it’s worth checking your local Costco’s app listing before you go. Shoppers also recommend using filtered or distilled water instead of straight tap water to extend the machine’s lifespan, and sticking to that biweekly vinegar cleaning cycle so it doesn’t develop the dreaded “swimming pool” aftertaste.
Speaking of keeping things cold and fresh, if you’re already stocking up on ice, don’t miss Aldi’s $4.99 crystal clear ice cubes, which are causing their own debate in the freezer aisle. And if you want more ways to stretch your warehouse membership, check out these 7 Costco membership hacks most shoppers never use, plus what’s inside Costco’s new August coupon book.
Bottom line: if “the good ice” has been living in your head rent-free, this is your sign to go check the small appliance aisle on your next Costco run. Just grab a flat cart, because once you see it in person, it’s an impulse buy waiting to happen.
Photo credits: hero image via Slickdeals/Costco listing photos; lifestyle image via Unsplash (Nathan Dumlao).
