Whirlpool has unveiled what it claims is an industry first: a refrigerator with a built-in nugget ice maker.
Announced ahead of KBIS 2026 in Florida, the new 36-inch Wide True Counter Depth French Door model integrates soft, chewable nugget ice directly into the door. This means no countertop machine is required.
For years, nugget ice has been the preserve of standalone makers cluttering up kitchen counters. However, Whirlpool’s approach folds it into a full-size fridge, complete with dual ice makers that dispense both traditional cubes and nugget ice from the same appliance.
It’s a small upgrade on paper, but for households that love the softer, chewable style popularised by cafés and fast-food chains, it removes the need for an extra gadget.
The refrigerator comes in both three-door and four-door French Door configurations and is designed to sit flush thanks to its true counter-depth build. Whirlpool says the goal is to combine convenience with a cleaner kitchen layout, effectively replacing a niche appliance with something already central to the home.
The nugget ice feature headlines Whirlpool’s wider showcase at KBIS 2026, where the company is leaning into “industry-first” innovations across multiple categories. Alongside the fridge, Whirlpool also introduced a Front Load Laundry Tower with UV Clean technology that uses ultraviolet light during the wash cycle to help reduce bacteria without relying on higher temperatures that can fade fabrics.
In the kitchen, a new 24-inch stainless steel dishwasher is also debuting, featuring what Whirlpool describes as the first 360-degree spinning lower rack, designed to make loading and unloading easier. It pairs this with an AI-powered sensor-controlled wash cycle that automatically adjusts water temperature and soil levels.
But it’s the nugget ice fridge that stands out. While high-end refrigeration has focused heavily on smart screens and app integration in recent years, Whirlpool is betting that practical upgrades — like better ice — might be what families actually notice day to day.
Pricing and availability haven’t yet been detailed. However, if you’ve been eyeing a countertop nugget ice maker, you may soon be able to reclaim that space entirely.
