Built-in ice makers are a great, convenient way to have fresh ice whenever you want it. But what if your ice maker is working a lot slower than it should? If you’ve noticed a significant increase in the length of time your ice maker takes to freeze, there’s probably something going on. There are a few different causes of a slow ice maker, ranging from the wrong temperature setting to a problem with the motor itself. Read on to find out what to do!
To understand where the problem lies with your ice maker, you need to understand how the ice maker works. Although this can differ from model to model, the majority of ice makers work similarly. Water flows through the water inlet valve into an ice mold. The ice tray has a thermostat that ensures the ice freezes at the correct temperature.
Once the ice has frozen, the thermostat triggers a heating mechanism on the mold, which slightly warms and loosens the ice cubes. They are then ejected into a storage bin, ready to be used. This ensures a constant supply of ice – as long as everything is working properly, that is!
The temperature of your freezer plays an important role in the function of your ice maker. To put it simply, if your freezer isn’t cold enough, it won’t be able to create ice, or it will take longer to make ice than it usually should. This makes your ice maker less efficient, and you may be waiting a long time for each batch of ice to freeze. Here’s what to do:
Another issue that can cause a slow ice maker is a clogged water filter. If the filter hasn’t been changed for a while, sediment or minerals can build up and slow the flow of water. If it gets bad enough, it could delay your ice cube tray filling up, or it may not fill up at all! Here’s what to do:
Just like with the clogged filter, if there is an issue with the water supply to your refrigerator, it can slow down the icemaking process. This could be due to an issue with the water supply to your home, or due to a blocked or kinked water line. Here’s how to check.
Your freezer door seals ensure warm air stays out of your freezer and the cold air stays in. If the seals are loose, damaged, or old, then warm air will enter the freezer cavity and your freezer will struggle to stay cold enough to maintain the right temperature. Here’s what to do:
If your freezer is overfilled, the air vents may be blocked, affecting the interior temperature. This can prevent cold air from circulating as it should, affecting the freeze time of your ice maker. This one is a simple fix, just follow these steps:
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