Most of the refrigerators have built-in ice makers which allow you to simply push a button and get some ice for cold drinks in the summers. Getting ice ready whenever you need it is a great luxury. However, a broken ice maker can be an inconvenient thing. But getting refrigerator ice maker repair on time and regular maintenance can prevent it from suffering from common problems. Below mentioned are some of the best maintenance tips for your ice maker.

Replace The Water Filter Regularly

Usually, the filter in your ice box needs to be replaced once every 6 months. It depends on how often you use the ice maker. If the filter on your ice maker is dirty, it might restrict it from filling completely. This can cause the motor to overheat. Using the ice from an ice maker with a dirty filter can cause health problems for you and your family. This is why you should keep changing the water filter regularly.

Only Fill It 3/4

Keeping the freezer only filled 3/ 4 of its maximum capacity is a great idea for the well-being of your fridge in the long run. If you fill the freezer too much, it will have to go through a defrosting cycle too often. This cycle can keep the ice from freezing in the freezer. So, only fill your freezer 3/ 4 of its original capacity to avoid breaking it.

Preventing Dirty Ice

If the ice from your freezer is looking cloudy or smells bad, you can probably prevent this issue by thoroughly cleaning the ice maker. Here are the simple steps you can follow to clean the freezer perfectly and get cleaner ice.

You can turn off the fridge/ ice maker first to ensure your safety. After that, remove the bin from the freezer, and take out any ice that is freezing in the bin. You can safely leave the bin in your sink to let the ice melt.

Once the ice is melted and the bin empty, you can proceed with the next step that is cleaning the bin. You can use a mixture of half cup vinegar and half cup warm water for this purpose. You can run warm water through the bin afterwards to kill the vinegar’s smell. Let the bin dry before putting it back in the freezer. You can now turn the freezer back on and expect it to make clean ice without any impurities and smell.

Use The Right Temperature Settings

The ideal temperature for the ice maker to work properly is between -18 and -15 °C. You can also manually check the freezer to see if the set temperature is actually achieved.

If your freezer is running at a high temperature, you need to make sure that the condenser coils and fan are working properly. If there seems to be an issue, you can call a professional for help.

Keep The Dispenser Clean

If you have hard water in your area, lime deposits might start forming in the dispenser after a few months of usage. Lime deposits might look like a small problem at first, but they can literally block the dispenser altogether. So, whenever you notice lime scales building up, you can clean the dispenser nozzle and keep the water flow good. You should only use certified and safe products/ chemicals to clean the dispenser nozzles of lime deposits.

To start the cleaning process, first you’ll have to unplug the water dispenser. Then take a cloth soaked in white vinegar and sit it on top of the lime deposits for a while. Leave it for a longer time if the lime deposits are thick.

After doing this, you should be able to wash away the loosened lime deposits that are now detached from the dispenser. You can clean the remaining deposits with the help of a dry cloth. After the lime is removed, soak a cloth in liquid dish detergent and wipe the area one last time before running water on it to clean the nozzles thoroughly. This should make the dispenser look like new once again.

This is how you can do regular maintenance of your ice maker to keep it away from any issues. For repairs, don’t DIY and hire an appliance repair Fairfax technician.