Creating ice is one of the simplest functions of your refrigerator that most people overlook, at least until it stops working. If your icebox stops making ice, chances are you will call in a repairman. If it is only making less than normal, you may be wondering why or what steps to take to rectify the problem. Alpha Appliance Services is here to help you identify what may be causing your ice maker to underperform and how to fix it.
Is It Really Underperforming?
Before jumping to solutions, it is important to check to see how much ice your ice maker is actually producing. Most modern ice makers will generate 120 cubes or slices of ice each day. That comes down to about a tray of ice every hour and a half. For new refrigerators or ice makers, this rate of production will be much slower. On the other hand, using the quick-freeze option will speed up your ice cube creation process to one batch per hour. If you notice that your ice maker only makes 40 to 80 cubes per day, then it can be considered as being underperforming.
Check Your Freezer Thermometer
Once you have determined that your ice maker is not performing as efficiently as it should, you should start looking for solutions. The first thing to check is your freezer temperature. High temperatures while result in lower ice production, lower temperatures can cause misshaped ice or smaller ice cubes. For the most efficient production, the temperature should at or under -15 degrees Celsius.
Check Your Water Filter
In order to make ice, you need water. If your water filter is clogged, it can result in a lower production of ice cubes. Check your water filter to see if it is clogged with debris, contaminants, or if it just needs to be changed. Some ice makers will automatically stop working if the filter has not been replaced after a certain amount of time. In addition to lower ice cube production, you may also end up with ice that has a weird smell or taste. Yuck. It is a good idea to check your water filter every six months and change it if required.
Overfilled Bins
Sometimes you may notices that there are half-melted cubes under the ice bin or around the tipping mechanism. Your ice machine has a sensor that lets it know when the bin is full so that it can stop or pause production. Sometimes ice will fall under the sensor causing the ice maker to “see” a filled bin even if it is actually not full at all. Clean your bins periodically to prevent this common problem.
Call Us When You Need Help
We hope these tips have helped you to restore your ice maker to its optimal function. If your refrigerator is still showing signs of disrepair, Alpha Appliance Services can help. We offer a wide range of ice maker and appliance repair services in Richmond Hill for a great price. If you’d like more information, give us a call at (416) 577-5354 today.
