April 19, 2023

Freestanding Ice Maker: Why does the ice in my freestanding ice maker taste bad?

If the ice cubes from your ice maker taste bad, likely causes include a dirty evaporator plate, untreated water supply or food items being stored in the ice storage bin. Mineral deposits build up on the evaporator plate and can eventually lead to bad-tasting ice, so run a cleaning cycle to clean the evaporator plate.

If ice cubes still taste bad after running the cleaning cycle, check the water supply going to the ice maker—bad-tasting water will produce bad-tasting ice. To check the water supply, unplug the ice maker and shut off the water supply cut-off valve. Disconnect the water supply line and collect a sample of the supply water in a container and taste the water. If it tastes bad, have a plumber examine and repair the water supply going to the ice maker.

Don't store food in the ice bin because the ice will absorb odors and taste from the food.

freestanding ice maker

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR FREESTANDING ICE MAKER PROBLEM

JC-IM-Run-an-ice-maker-cleaning-cycle

Run an ice maker cleaning cycle

Follow the directions in your owner's manual to run a cleaning cycle on the ice maker. The cleaning cycle removes hard water deposits and residue from the evaporator plate so the ice slab to forms quickly on the evaporator plate.

Run an ice maker cleaning cycle

Find the required part specific to your product.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your freestanding ice makers

Choose a symptom to see related ice maker repairs.

Main causes: failing compressor, bad condenser fan motor, faulty drain pump, bad recirculation pump, water supply proble…

Main causes: dirty evaporator plate, untreated water supply, food items being stored in ice storage bin…

Main causes: cracked water supply line, leaky drain line, broken drain pump, cracked water reservoir, leaky ice bin…

Main causes: wiring failure, broken cutting grid, faulty electronic control board…

Main causes: bad electronic control board, water supply problems, faulty recirculation pump, sealed system failure, brok…

Main causes: water supply problems, control board failure, weak recirculation pump, clogged water distributer, faulty cu…

Main causes: bad bin thermistor, condenser fan failure, faulty control board…

Main causes: lack of electrical power, bad power cord, wiring failure, bad control board, faulty bin thermistor, bad eva…

Most common repair guides to help fix your freestanding ice makers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your ice maker.

How to replace a freestanding ice maker cutter grid

How to replace a freestanding ice maker cutter grid

When the cutting grid is broken, ice cubes don’t drop into the ice bin. Use the steps in this repair guide to replace a…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a freestanding ice maker electronic control board

How to replace a freestanding ice maker electronic control board

When the electronic control board won’t activate the ice maker components, follow these steps to install a new one.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to replace a freestanding ice maker recirculation pump

How to replace a freestanding ice maker recirculation pump

If your ice maker isn’t making ice, the pump could be the problem. Here’s how to replace it. …

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your freestanding ice makers

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your ice maker.

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

Learn how to repair broken, frayed or damaged wires in your appliances.…

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working…

Freestanding ice maker troubleshooting

Freestanding ice maker troubleshooting

See what troubleshooting steps to take with your freestanding ice maker before calling for repair.…