Distilled water is boiled and steamed, leaving behind all impurities. It makes the clearest, purest ice possible — no cloudiness, no weird tastes. Ice makers love it because there’s nothing to form scale. Machine stays happy, you stay happy.
The downside? It’s a bit flat tasting (no minerals for flavor), and it’s not great for drinking straight. But for ice? Absolute perfection. Just don’t use it in your coffee maker — you’ll miss the minerals that make coffee taste good.
A Quick Note on Temperature
Whatever water you choose, make sure it’s cold before you put it in the ice maker. Warm water freezes slower and creates more air bubbles, leading to cloudy ice. Pro tip: chill the water in your fridge first for the best results.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/faw-pellet-nugget-ice-makers-test-ge-profile-opal-2-countertop-side-tank-nsimpson-218-71c8e3298a2b4209be4a69875cab82a9.jpeg)
The 3 Best Nugget Ice Makers of 2026, Tested & Reviewed
And clean your ice maker regularly — like once a month. Otherwise, mold and slime will find a home in your ice bin. Not a fun surprise for your guests.
