Antarctic Star HZB-15N/S Countertop Nugget Ice Maker, 34 lbs/24h

If you want soft, chewable ice for everyday drinks rather than hard cubes, the Antarctic Star HZB-15N/S makes nugget-style pebble ice in a compact countertop format. Its 1.1-liter water tank and stated output of up to 34 pounds per day are suited to keeping drinks supplied at home, in an office, or at a home bar. A basket and scoop are included, and the stainless steel exterior gives it a defined place among countertop appliances.

For a casual round of cold drinks, the one-click controls and indicator lights make the basic process straightforward. It’s a different approach from filling trays with hard cubes: the appeal here is the soft, granular ice texture, not a choice of cube sizes or shapes.

What to know

This machine is designed for nugget ice, also described as chewable or pebble ice. The product details state that it can make ice in about 6 minutes and produce up to 34 pounds in 24 hours. Actual output will depend on use, and the listed daily production figure is not the same as the amount the basket can hold at once. The 1.1-liter tank is the water supply, while the included basket collects the ice.

Buyers commonly praise the ice quality and production speed, and some say the ice works well as a substitute for the style served at Sonic. Feedback on noise is mixed: some describe quiet operation, while others find the sound noticeable during ice making. There are also reports that stored ice does not stay cold and melts quickly. That matters if you expect to make a batch and leave it in the machine for later, it makes more sense to use the ice as it is produced or transfer it for immediate serving.

The machine has one-click operation, indicator lights for low water and a full basket, and a transparent top cover for checking progress. It runs on 115 volts and is rated at 136 watts. You’ll appreciate it if chewable ice is a regular part of your drinks routine and you want an appliance that sits on the counter. It’s not for you if your priority is keeping a large supply of ice frozen in storage, given the buyer feedback about melting.

Cleaning & care

A self-cleaning cycle is built in. The manufacturer’s instructions say to press and hold the ICE/CLEAN button for 5 seconds to start a 15-minute automatic cleaning cycle, one press stops the program. The supplied instructions also say the process does not require taking the machine apart. This gives routine rinsing a clear, simple procedure, though the listing does not provide a fuller cleaning schedule or specify other care steps. Follow the included manual for ongoing maintenance.

Usage tips

Place the machine where you can reach the controls and scoop easily, then use the indicator lights to tell when water needs attention or the basket is full. For a small gathering, the stated production rate may help keep fresh ice coming, but plan to serve it rather than treating the basket as freezer storage. The included scoop and holder keep the serving tool close by. If low noise is important in a shared space, take the mixed buyer feedback into account instead of assuming operation will be silent.

Questions before you buy

What kind of ice does it make? It makes nugget-style ice with a soft, granular texture, rather than conventional hard cubes.

How do you start self-cleaning? Hold the ICE/CLEAN button for 5 seconds to begin the automatic 15-minute cycle. The cycle can be stopped with one press.

Does the basket keep ice frozen? The product information does not describe the basket as a freezer. Some buyers report that ice melts quickly, so plan to use or transfer it rather than relying on long-term storage.

Buying verdict

The Antarctic Star HZB-15N/S is worth considering when the texture of nugget ice is the main reason for buying a countertop ice maker. Its stated output, simple controls, self-cleaning mode, and included scoop support regular drink service without the tray-and-freezer approach. The trade-off is that production capacity should not be mistaken for cold storage: buyer reports about melting make this a better fit for serving ice as needed than for keeping a ready-made reserve.