How big is a nugget ice maker?#
A nugget ice maker is compact on the counter — 10 to 14 inches wide and 15 to 18 inches tall for the standard countertop model — or a full 15 inches wide and 34 to 35 inches tall as an undercounter built-in. The table below covers all three, and the clearances give the venting each needs to shed heat.
Nugget ice maker dimensions by configuration#
| Configuration | Width (in) | Height (in) | Depth (in) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop nugget ice maker | 10–14 | 15–18 | 13–18 | chewable ice on the kitchen counter |
| Undercounter nugget ice maker | 15 | 34–35 | 24 | a built-in bar with chewable ice |
| Large countertop nugget maker | 14–18 | 16–18 | 17–20 | a family that goes through chewable ice fast |
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Installation clearances for a nugget ice maker#
- Countertop vent gap: 2–4 in in of open space around a countertop nugget ice maker so it can shed heat.
- Undercounter cutout height: 34–35 in in of cabinet height a built-in nugget ice maker needs under a standard counter.
- Water supply: A nugget ice maker either takes a plumbed water line or refills from a tank, so plan for one or the other.
- Rear clearance: 2–5 in in behind a nugget ice maker for the condenser exhaust.
Will your nugget ice maker fit? Clearances and door swing#
A nugget ice maker's fit depends entirely on whether it lives on the counter or under it. A countertop model just needs 2 to 4 inches of open space around it so it can shed heat — set it back from a wall or a backsplash by that much and it is happy. An undercounter unit is a different animal: it needs a 34-to-35-inch cabinet cutout height to seat under a standard counter and 2 to 5 inches of rear clearance for the condenser exhaust. Water is the other planning question, because a nugget maker either takes a plumbed water line or refills from an onboard tank — decide which before you place it, since a plumbed unit needs a line reachable at the spot. Measure the counter or the cabinet opening, confirm the vent gap, and settle the water source.
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Nugget ice maker sizes by type: countertop nugget ice maker, undercounter nugget ice maker, large countertop nugget maker#
The countertop nugget ice maker, 10 to 14 inches wide and 15 to 18 inches tall, is the small footprint that puts chewable ice on a kitchen counter or a coffee bar with nothing more than a nearby outlet and a vent gap. The undercounter nugget ice maker is the built-in, 15 inches wide and 34 to 35 inches tall, dropping into a bar cabinet for a flush look with plumbed water and rear venting. The large countertop nugget maker, 14 to 18 inches wide and 16 to 18 inches tall, is the higher-output counter model for a family that goes through chewable ice fast, trading a bit more footprint for capacity. Choose the standard countertop for occasional ice, the undercounter for a finished bar, and the large countertop when demand is high but you cannot build one in.
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Experienced technician with 8 years specializing in dishwasher repairs and European appliance brands including Bosch and Thermador.
