Nugget ice maker

An ice maker comprising:

• an evaporator body;
• an end cap mounted to an end of the evaporator body, the end cap comprising a cap bottom wall, a cap shelf wall, and a cap sidewall mounted to extend away from the cap shelf wall, wherein the cap sidewall is positioned within the evaporator body, wherein the end cap further comprises a shelf that extends inward from an interior surface of the cap sidewall;
• an auger comprising
• an auger body mounted within the evaporator body the auger body comprising a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end;
• a connector rod comprising a first rod end and a second rod end that is opposite the first rod end, the first rod end of the connector rod is mounted to the first end of the auger body and the second rod end of the connector rod is configured to mount to a motor, wherein the auger is mounted to rotate under control of the motor;
• and
• a base mounted to extend away from the second end of the auger body;
• a bearing mounted to the base of the auger within the cap sidewall of the end cap, wherein the bearing is supported by the shelf, wherein at least portions of the cap bottom wall, the interior surface of the cap sidewall, and a bottom surface of the bearing define a first air pocket to trap wear material and lubricant of the bearing;
• and
• a bearing cup comprising an auger mounting shelf wall mounted to the base of the auger and a cup sidewall mounted to extend away from the auger mounting shelf wall, wherein the cup sidewall surrounds the bearing and the cap sidewall of the end cap, wherein the bearing cup is mounted to rotate with the auger when the auger is rotated,
• wherein at least portions of the auger mounting shelf wall, the cap shelf wall, the cup sidewall, and the cap sidewall define a second air pocket to prevent fluid from reaching the bearing.