A properly running automatic ice maker equals fresh, on-demand ice anytime you need it. But, like any other appliance in your home, it requires a little bit of periodic maintenance to ensure that all the pieces and parts run properly. Not only can an ill-maintained unit lead to foul-tasting and discolored ice, it can also compromise efficiency and lead to downtime.
Regularly cleaning your ice maker is extremely important, especially if you have hard water where scaly deposits can alter the taste of your ice. Even if you don’t have hard water, you should follow the following ice maker maintenance tips for delicious, fresh ice all the time!
·
Swap Out the Water Filter — Your refrigerator’s ice machine
wouldn’t work at all without its water system, and the key to good-quality ice
is good-quality water. Replacing your refrigerator water filters every four to six months can help
prevent discolored ice, waterborne impurities, chlorine taste, and bad odors.
Most importantly, regularly changing your water filter keeps water tasting
fresh. Always read your refrigerator manufacturer’s instructions to determine
which type of filter to use. You can also contact us
for advice.
·
Clean It Regularly — If you find particles in your ice
or have noticed that the unit seems to be running less efficiently than it once
did, you’ll want to give your ice machine a good deep clean. One of the most
important elements to keep clean is the ice bin. Debris that builds up in the
ice bin can wind up in your ice—gross, we know—so cleaning it regularly with
soapy water is a must. Follow the instructions in your fridge’s manual to learn
how to properly remove the unit for cleaning. Some ice makers have
dishwasher-safe parts, which can be useful if you want to totally sanitize the
unit.
·
Think About Storage — According to LG, the way you store your food can have a lot to do with how
efficiently your ice machine runs. Even though it can be super-tempting to toss
a can of beer or soda directly into the ice bin for rapid cooling, this can
compromise the unit’s ability to produce ice. Never store any food inside your
ice maker’s bin. You also want to make sure that your ice maker is installed
exactly where the manual indicates that it should be installed to ensure that
the feeler arm has enough room to move.
·
Check the Feeler Arm — Anything in your ice bin that
gets in the way of the feeler arm—the metal rod or plastic paddle on the side
of the unit that helps judge the level of ice in the bin—can cause it to freeze
or break. If your feeler arm breaks, you’ll either need to replace the
component or the entire ice maker. Every couple of months, move the feeler arm
up and down to make sure that it’s not frozen. If it is frozen, wrap a warm
cloth around the part until it thaws.
·
Install a Water Purifying System — If you want to make sure that
your ice maker always works at its best, a water purifier filtration system may
be a good option. These systems help prevent minerals from accumulating in the
ice bin and tubes, which can cause debris and particles to appear on your ice.
For example, this Whirlpool water purifier is certified to reduce lead,
pharmaceuticals, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that can compromise
the quality of your water and ice.
·
Replace Parts, If Necessary — Replacement ice machine parts can
come in handy if you’ve thoroughly cleaned your unit, replaced filters, and
tried other things with no luck. The feeler arm and tubing are the two units
that most often break or wear down, and replacement of these components is
relatively simple. With that being said, you can also completely replace the
ice maker assembly. In many cases, you can replace these systems yourself without
the help of a professional. If your refrigerator is under warranty, the
manufacturer is likely to supply and replace parts for free.
· Change the Ice Cube Size — Sometimes, your water pressure can overfill the unit and cause certain components to become blocked or frozen. If you’ve noticed that parts regularly freeze or that the machine regularly overfills the bin, this may be an indicator that the water pressure is too strong. Rather than adjusting the pressure itself, which is often not an option, choose a smaller sized ice cube so that the bin can hold more.
