Ice makers are now an essential part of households. Sometimes considered a luxury, adding an ice maker to your kitchen provides a convenience that is definitely worth the expense. Installing an ice maker the right way is as vital as buying the correct model according to your needs.
A slight error in the installation of an ice maker may result in unnecessary damage or poor performance. Then again, you don’t need to be an expert to learn how to install ice makers, but you should at least have a clear understanding of how the necessary tools are used. For that, you can count on us.
Before we teach you the process of installing an ice maker, though, let us first talk about whether or not it is indeed a good addition to your kitchen.
Benefits of Having an Ice Maker
Having an ice maker at home is very convenient, especially for those who love ice-cold beverages. Here are the many other essential benefits that you would get to enjoy if you install an ice maker in your kitchen:
Better parties
If you like to entertain at home and inviting friends and family over, it is essential to have a stock of ice in your freezer. If you don’t have an ice maker, you’d have to buy several ice bags so that you don’t run out of ice in the middle of the party. Buying and stocking ice bags from the supermarket will take a lot of space in your freezer. You can prevent all these dilemmas if you have an ice maker.
Access to unlimited ice
Depending on the size of your ice maker, you can have all the ice that you need, anytime that you need it. You don’t have to worry about running out of ice, especially during special celebrations. You can also always serve ice-cold drinks when surprise guests arrive.
Better-tasting drinks
Cold drinks are so refreshing and seem to taste better, especially during hot summer days or after rigorous activity. Some beverages do not taste good unless it’s served cold or chilled like wine and champagne.
Convenience
Having an ice maker adds convenience and comfort to your daily lives. Investing in an ice maker will prove to be more economical than buying ice bags.
Sometimes, there is leftover ice from the ones purchased from the supermarket. When this happens, you only have two options: stock them and let it occupy precious space in your freezer or leave it on your counter or sink and let it melt along with the money you have paid for it. If you have an ice maker, then this scenario won’t ever happen.
Versatility
You might think that you don’t need an ice maker machine, but when the need arises, you will realize the importance of having one at home. Having an ice maker means ice is readily available on demand. You can chill drinks, concoct cold desserts, chill food in a large container, and more.
Furthermore, ice is not just for food preparation. Ice is also indispensable in medical facilities such as nursing homes, medical clinics, and hospitals.
Best Ice Maker for Home Use
Now that we have learned what benefits we can get from an ice maker, let’s also check what kind of ice machine to use in our homes. Technically, there are five different types of ice makers.
Refrigerator Ice Maker
Refrigerator ice makers, or sometimes called in-the-door ice dispensers, are considered an added convenience in your ordinary appliance. With this feature, ice is always at your disposal with just a touch of a button or a press of a lever.
What’s more, you can be sure that you will always have clean, fresh, and ice-cold water whenever you want it since the machine has its built-in filter that captures water impurities.
Portable Ice Machine
As the name implies, this ice machine is movable and can be placed anywhere as long as you have a power source to connect it to. The compact size of a portable ice machine is perfect for countertops. You will have a constant supply of ice during family gatherings, parties, and celebrations. You can even attach it to a DC adapter while on a road trip.
Portable ice makers also produce ice in as fast as 10 minutes after connecting it to a power source, pouring water in it, and letting it do its work. The melted ice cubes recycle itself by reusing the water to create more ice. Aside from the ice machine’s user-friendly operating system, you can also choose from different ice variants.
Freestanding Ice Maker
A freestanding ice maker is the type of unit that is not supposed to be installed in tight spaces or under counters. The vents for this kind of equipment can be found at the back and sides of the machine. A freestanding ice machine needs to be placed in an area where it can release its heat while producing ice.
Undercounter or Built-In Ice Makers
A built-in ice maker is a kind that you install under the countertops, among the line of lower cabinets in your kitchen and should complement your kitchen design. It has front ventilation and needs a plumber to install it correctly with permanent water and drain line.
Undercounter ice makers can produce a more considerable amount of ice without taking any space from your freezer. It can generate and store a more substantial amount of ice compared to a portable one.
Modular Ice Makers
This ice maker is suitable for commercial use, be it small or large establishments, such as restaurants, bars, and even hospitals. It can produce large amounts of ice and is best to stack on top of a soda or rice dispenser or an ice bin. You also have the option to choose what kind of ice to produce and dispense.
Modular machines are composed of two parts: the ice maker and the ice dispenser. These are usually stacked together to save space and fit the small and busy kitchen of restaurants, bars, and other business establishments. The size and ease of use are some of the reasons why these modular machines are trendy.
How to Install Ice Makers
Since there are different kinds of ice makers, there are also different ways of installing it depending on the type to be installed.
Installing an ice maker in a refrigerator
Step 1: Inside your freezer, remove the plastic plugs at the back wall and sides by disengaging it with a flat screwdriver. You will find mounting holes for the ice maker and an access point from the back of the refrigerator for the water fill tube.
Step 2: Look for the water inlet tube access at the back of the refrigerator. Expose the hole where it will be installed by removing the foam and sticker that temporarily separates the cold freezer air and the room air.
Step 3: Locate the wiring connection point so that you can install the wires of the ice maker. Pull out the wiring harness found in the uncovered hole and connect the ice maker wires, snapping them together to lock.
Step 4: Look for the mounting screws on the side of the refrigerator to mount the ice maker. Glide the mounting slots over the ice maker’s mounting screws. Snug the screws tightly together using a nut driver.
The small threaded bolt and the L-shaped bracket are then fitted under the ice maker. This process will keep it level and fully supported.
Next, press the clamp firmly on the side of the refrigerator while holding up the ice maker before ultimately tightening the bolt. Lower the lever on the ice maker and install the tray for the ice machine to work.
Step 5: Put the water fill tube into the uncovered hole at the back of the refrigerator. You will then insert a half-moon shaped tube, making sure that the U shape is facing up after installation.
There are locking clips found on the sides of the water fill tube. Fix the circular foam tube insulation and press it firmly into the back.
Step 6: Next, tighten the plastic tubing connector to the water fill tube and secure it with pliers. Unroll and leave the rest of the tubing hanging towards the floor.
Fix the two water hose clamps at the back of the refrigerator. Pull the stickers off the spaced-out braces and then stick it to the fridge. The tubing should go down to the bottom. Secure the pipe by pushing it into the water valve water inlet.
Step 7: Reach inside the opening and look for the wiring harness at the lower right side of the refrigerator. Pull the wiring harness out, and plug it into the electrical connection of the water valve. Then, slide it into the brass terminal tube for security.
Step 8: Remove the back cover to expose the area where the compressor is located. Install the water valve at the back of the refrigerator by using the mounting screws.
After installing the ice maker, connect the water line to the cold water supply using the shutoff tap valve. Turn the water on to fill the pipe and check for leaks. The freezer needs to be chilled before the ice maker starts making ice.
Installing an Undercounter Ice Maker
Step 1: Tap a copper tubing to create an exclusive cold water line for your new under-counter ice maker, securing it with a compression joint. Carefully install the ice maker to avoid water damage, break other plumbing, or coming in contact with electrical wirings.
Step 2: Turn off the primary water source before proceeding with the project. Turn on the cold water faucet and let the water come out of the pipe.
Step 3: Next, clean an area on the cold water pipe where you will connect a saddle valve. Tighten it with clamps to grip the pipe securely.
Step 4: Turn the valve in a clockwise direction until the needle pierces a hole into the pipe.
Step 5: One end of the tubing should be connected to the valve opening. Tighten a small compression joint to fix the connection.
Step 6: Make sure that all your connections are fastened tightly. Then, you can turn on the water source after connecting the copper piping and the saddle valve.
Step 7: Open the saddle valve by turning it counter-clockwise. Let the water flow into a bucket before closing the lid.
Installing a Commercial Ice Machine
Step 1: All commercial ice maker installation needs three basic things: electricity, water, and drain. Ensure that you have all these things before proceeding with the installation.
A supply line should be within six feet of where the ice maker will be placed. A committed shut-off valve should be placed next to the ice machine for easier maintenance.
Step 2: A drain is vital to the commercial ice machine installation to get rid of melted water and overflows. If the floor drain is not available, you need to install in a drain pump.
Step 3: Check that the machine is installed correctly and that everything is set up correctly before attempting to start ice production. Check the manufacturer’s provided manual to make sure that you follow the right procedure of how the equipment is handled.
Many commercial ice maker models need to be hardwired by a duly licensed electrician. Before buying your ice machine, make sure that the electrical requirements will match the available resources to its installation location.
Remote condensers are also required for commercial ice machines, which are usually installed on top of roofs and need the help of a professional technician to comply with specific codes and regulations.
Water-cooled compressors or a closed-loop water system is also an essential part of a commercial ice machine installation. This system ensures that the water is reused instead of dumping and replacing it with a fresh one.
Conclusion
Learning how to install ice makers are as important as determining the right machine to purchase to meet your everyday needs. If the project requires professional help, it is best to seek the assistance of one to ensure that everything is done the proper way.
Safety should always be your priority in every project you intend to do. Your machine will also last a long time if handled correctly and will save you a lot of money for repairs. Checking the user’s manual while conducting troubleshooting steps is also important to ensure that you are not doing any damage to the machine.