Who wants a lukewarm sip? Not me! Let’s face it, ice cubes make a drink. There is nothing better than knocking back and enjoying a refreshing beverage floating with mini icebergs.
What happens when your ice maker is not functioning as it should? A common complaint many people have is their ice maker only creates hollow or small ice cubes. These types of ice cubes are most often symptoms your ice maker does not have an adequate water supply. Your standard ice maker typically fills for 7.5 seconds and should have an output of 4.5 ounces of water. With little to no water pressure, the ice cube mold will partially fill resulting in hollow or small cubes. There are a few issues that could to be to blame for these types of cubes. Listed below are some troubleshooting tips: 1. Test your water filter A dirty refrigerator filter can restrict water flow, leaving you hollow or small ice cubes. To rule out your water filter, let’s do a simple test. Fill up a cup of water and take note of the water pressure and time it takes to dispense. Then, remove your water filter and test the flow again with your cup. If you find the water fills quicker, you either have an improperly installed filter or have a clogged filter than needs to be replaced. Filters should regularly be replaced based on your owner’s instruction manual. If you find there is no change in your water output, you will need to troubleshoot your refrigerator with the following tips below. 2. Inspect your water line Unplug & pull out your refrigerator, turn off your water supply and check over your water line for any bends, kinks or twists. If your line is bent and you are unable to straighten it out, disconnect and replace your water line. 3. Test your water line's pressure If there are no bends or kinks in your water line, test your water pressure. Place your line into a bucket or container and turn on the water supply valve. A weak flow signifies you most likely have an issue with the line or water supply valve, and needs to be replaced. A strong stream suggests you have a damaged or clogged water inlet valve. 4. Replace your water inlet valve A defective inlet valve restricts the amount of water coming into your refrigerator. Shown below is a tutorial from PartSelect on how to replace your water inlet valve.
Photo by: Darren Hester (Openphoto.net)
