Benefits of a Fridge With an Ice Maker
Many refrigerators come with an ice maker that is or is built into the door or in the freezer. This makes it easy to enjoy refreshing, cold water. These fridges can be more expensive, but they save you from having to fill and clean the ice trays.
To create Ice, the icemaker's circuit sends current to a water valve. The water flows into the mould and then freezes creating cubes.
Convenience
It is obvious that having an ice maker in your refrigerator will help you save time. Instead of filling tray manually, the ice maker will do this for you. It is usually activated by a sensor that detects the levels of water in the freezer. Once it reaches the proper temperature, the ice-making process begins. A valve opens and a cooling system channels water into molds for ice. A built-in thermometer measures the ice to make sure it is completely frozen and when it is, the valve shuts off and the ice moves from the molds to the storage bin.
This is also useful for those who entertain guests. This means that you will always have an ample supply of ice, and you can avoid the embarrassing moment when guests ask for more, only to find that you're out. There are refrigerators equipped with an icemaker with dispensers integrated into the door. This makes it easy to serve water and access the ice without opening the fridge.
Refrigerators that have ice makers are also more energy-efficient than traditional models. The ice maker uses tiny amount of energy to operate. Because they are utilized for a long period of time they can save you lots of money on your energy bills.
If you're looking to lower your expenses even more you can choose an appliance that does not use cooling towers. These "direct cool" units are fridges that include an ice maker. They make use of the same refrigerant to create ice as they do to cool your fridge. They are more energy efficient than traditional ice makers and can reduce your energy consumption by as much as 25%. This can save you money on utilities and reduce your carbon footprint.
Efficiency
The use of an ice maker means you don't have to spend time filling and freezing cubes of ice. These devices also have an ongoing supply of fresh ice that you can scoop into your cup or pour out of the refrigerator. These devices are more convenient than refrigerators that require you to go to the freezer to get an ice bag that has been frozen.
Most refrigerators that have Ice makers are combo models, which include an icemaker in the freezer as well as an ordinary fridge compartment. There are also standalone fridges and freezers with ice maker built into the door or at the back of the freezer.
Typically the ice maker in your refrigerator is powered by the main water supply line. To start the cycle, a timed switch in the circuit briefly sends electricity through wires that connect to an water valve. The valve is opened, which then lets water flow into the molds for making ice. The built-in thermometer will signal the timed-switch to indicate that the ice-making is complete. This signifies that the ice has been sufficiently chilled to stop the water from flowing into the molds. A motor spins a shaft that includes arms that move ice into the bins for ice.
Some ice machines permit users to choose between two types of ice which are standard ice cubes and crushed ice. The latter is a great option for hot weather, if you want to cut down on the time it takes for your drink to cool down.
If your ice machine stops producing ice or the resulting ice is small and sloppy, it could be because your freezer is set to a low temperature. Check your owner's manual to find the manufacturer-recommended temperature and try setting it higher.
The water fill tubes can be blocked if the ice maker is not producing ice, or is producing very little. The ice-making device draws its water from the household's main water supply line, therefore the tubes must be clear of obstructions to work properly. The tubes can get blocked as time passes due to mineral deposits, depending on the quality of the water in your home. These can be removed by using a pipe-cleaner or Frydge by running the water line in your refrigerator through a filter.
Water Dispenser
The water dispensers on refrigerators that have ice makers allow you to enjoy chilled drinking water, filtered and chilled without having to open the fridge door. Some models also let you add carbon dioxide to make sparkling water or pour hot water for instant coffee, tea and more. These models are usually more expensive than refrigerators that do not have ice makers, and require a separate connection to the water that is melted into the ice.
Refrigerators first started offering water and ice dispensers back in the 1980s, using simple ice makers with automatic controls that could produce a single block of ice each day. Nearly half of all refrigerators come with an ice maker and a water dispenser built in.
The dispenser pulls cold water from the plumbing of the refrigerator and transports it to a small filter that removes basic contaminants. The water is then transported to an ice mould, which transforms it into a single, solid block of ice. The ice is stored in a bin for collection until it's ready to be released.
If you're looking to drink water, a timed switch in the circuit of your refrigerator sends a brief current through two wires of electricity that are connected to the dispenser. The current triggers an solenoid that opens the water valve for seven seconds, allowing just enough water to fill an Ice mold. The ice mould is typically an unplastic well that has several cavities that are connected. When the ice is formed, the valve shuts again and allows the ice cubes to drop out of the mold into the bin where they await to be dispersed.
A little troubleshooting can resolve the majority of issues with refrigerator water dispensers or ice makers. For more in-depth information, refer to our Fridge Dispenser Troubleshooting article to find out the most frequently occurring reasons for these issues and how to resolve these issues.
Use a traditional ice cube tray that you can fill at the kitchen sink as an alternative to refrigerator water dispensers and ice dispensers. These trays can hold up 25 cups and permit you to select the amount of ice to have at any given time.
Cost
The convenience of having an ice maker in your refrigerator comes with an expense. Refrigerators that have an ice maker tend to be more expensive than those without one, as they have to be professionally installed and connected to a water supply and might require more maintenance or repairs. Also, refrigerators with ice makers consume more energy.
Most fridge/freezers that have an ice maker provide the option of making traditional ice cubes as well as crushed ice. Many also have a selection of sizes and shapes to choose from, so you can customize the ice you make according to your preferences.
It's common for people to get used to a specific type of ice and then be disappointed when they can't find it at the grocery store or restaurant. If you have an ice maker in your fridge you can get around the issue by setting it up to automatically produce your preferred type of ice.
It can be a hassle to be running low on ice if you are an avid drinker or host large gatherings. Whether you're sitting alone after a workout, chatting with your partner after a long day, or entertaining friends and family at your home, you should enjoy any time you want.
It's great to know that you can always have ice on hand for any occasion. However, if something goes wrong with the appliance, you'll likely need to call in an appliance repair pro to repair it.
The average cost of a refrigerator or standalone ice maker repair will depend on the issue, the model and appliance. Here are a few of the most common problems:
If the ice maker in your refrigerator isn't working it could be due to a blocked tube or defective valve. These components have electrical parts that are susceptible to damage over time, so hiring a professional to repair them can cost between $150 and $200.