How Long Does an Ice Maker Take to Make Ice?

If you only use your ice maker once or twice to fill a glass per day, you might not notice how long it takes your ice maker to refill. However, not only does knowing how fast an ice maker should be producing ice help you plan for guests and parties, but it can also give you a good indicator if something is wrong.

In most modern ice makers, you can expect them perform quickly. They usually take about 90 minutes to produce around 10 cubes of ice. It will then cycle about 16 times per day or until the ice bin is full. Most people don’t use a glass full of ice, but even if you do, you should have a full glass ready in an hour and a half.

If you have noticed that your ice maker is producing slower than this, especially when it happens suddenly, it can be an indicator of a problem. These potential problems include:

• Low Water Pressure – Your ice maker needs at least 40 psi to function optimally. If you needed to shut the water off recently, you will want to check if the valve is open all the way.
• Dirty Water Filter – You should change your water filter at least every six months for it to work as designed. However, if it has been a while – like perhaps a few years – it will start to affect how much water flows to your appliance.
• The Ice Maker is Off – Checking if the ice maker is actually on will be your first step. However, your feeler arm may be broken as well and that is keeping your icemaker in the off position.
• The Freezer Isn’t Cold Enough – If your freezer is too warm, either via the cooling malfunction or the door being left open, ice won’t be able to form properly, and thus, it will not be dropped as quickly.