We invest in modern kitchen appliances because we long for convenience in our everyday lives. One such appliance we usually have or wish to have in our kitchen is an ice maker, more specifically, a Kitchen Aid ice maker. Although not a must-have item, an ice maker does allow you to experience convenience, especially when hosting a house party.
However, like most kitchen appliances, an ice maker would ultimately come across wear and tear issues. In times like this, you shouldn’t always rely on a professional to solve your problem. If you learn basic Kitchen Aid ice maker troubleshooting tips as early as now, then you won’t have to spend extra on professional fees.
Kitchen Aid Ice Maker Troubleshooting Steps
If you rely on electronic devices to do various tasks for you, then you should be prepared for the circumstances that come with it. The same thing applies to the use of ice makers. Lucky for you, we’re here to help.
Below, we tackle basic Kitchen Aid ice maker troubleshooting steps that you can do to address the most common issues when it comes to your machine. Later on, we’d also provide you with a list of FAQs and their answers, as well as a few maintenance tips.
For now, here’s how to troubleshoot your KitchenAid ice maker:
1. Check the Power Cord
The first thing that you have to do is to make sure that the power cord is plugged in a working outlet. There have been a lot of cases where a technician had to visit the house to check the problem with the ice maker only to find out that the issue is actually with the outlet.
If you plugged the power cord and the ice maker is not working, check the outlet first. If the outlet is working, check the power cord if there are any damages. Call a technician if the ice maker didn’t work after doing this.
2. Check the Ice Maker Control
Once you have successfully checked the cord and the ice maker turned on, the next thing to check is the ice maker control. You have to make sure that it is turned on because it won’t make ice when it is off. Again, this is a very simple troubleshooting technique, but most people forget about this easily.
3. Check the Room’s Temperature
If the machine suddenly turned off and you already did Steps 1 and 2, you have to check the temperature of the room. The machine will automatically turn off if the temperature of the room goes below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Use the Clean Button
If the machine failed to operate, you could also press the clean button. If you noticed that there is a green light, it means that the machine is receiving enough power to operate, but you have to clean it first.
5. Defrost the Ice Maker
There are instances when the ice maker is operating just fine, but it can’t seem to produce ice. If you’ve done all the other steps and the ice maker is still not working properly, you can check the water fill tube and see if it is already frozen.
If the water fill tube is frozen, the water can’t enter the unit, so there is no way it can create ice. What you need to do is to unplug the ice maker and let it defrost. It would take about eight hours or more for the machine to defrost completely.
Resolving Common Ice Maker Problems
A lot of issues may arise while using your KitchenAid ice maker, and not all of them require a visit from a technician. While most of you would say that it is better to let a technician handle the fixing, you can always do your own troubleshooting for issues that are not too complex.
Below, we listed down some of the common issues that you might encounter when using your KitchenAid ice maker and how to resolve them.
1. Ice Maker Is Not Producing Ice
This problem can be resolved with just a few tweaks, and it may not need the help of a technician at all. The most common reason why your ice maker is not producing ice is that the water supply of your ice maker is not connected to the main water supply line, or you forgot to turn it on.
The first thing to do before you lose your mind is to check if the ice maker is turned on. This issue happens a lot, and most people become hysterical when they noticed that the ice maker is not working. Calm down and check if you turned it on first.
Basically, the ice maker will continue to work, and it will produce a buzzing sound even if the main water supply is not connected. If you hear the buzzing sound, and it is still not producing ice, it means that the water supply is not connected. Turn the ice maker off and reconnect the water supply line before you turn it back on again.
2. Jammed Ice Maker
This is a very common problem that requires a relatively easy solution. However, before you remove the jammed ice, you should first understand why your ice maker was jammed.
When the harvest fingers started harvesting the ice cubes, there is a chance that the ice might not be fully frozen yet. As a result, the cold water will then attach to the stripper. On the next cycle, the icy water attached to the stripper might create an ice bridge, and that will cause the harvest fingers to get stuck.
The best solution for this is to use a plastic utensil to remove the ice from the ejector’s arm. You can use an ice scraper to remove the ice to make sure that that ice maker won’t be damaged. Do not use anything sharp or anything that can damage or scrape the ice maker.
3. Thin or Low Ice Production
There are also instances where the ice maker produces ice, but it is not producing the amount that it is supposed to make. If you are experiencing something like this, it means that the water supply is still connected to the ice maker. The problem, then, probably lies in the water filter.
If your water filter is clogged, or if it is not installed properly after replacing it, the water flow to your ice maker would be reduced, or it can completely block the water from going in.
You can check your water filter if it is dirty, or if it is properly installed. If your problem is still unsolved after doing this, you can try replacing the filter with a new one. If the problem is still there, call a technician because it might be more complicated than you think.
How to Clean a KitchenAid Ice Maker
The only maintenance that you need to think about for your ice maker is cleaning it regularly. Yes, you have to clean your KitchenAid ice maker regularly to make sure that it is not contaminated. If you don’t clean the ice maker regularly, there is a chance that the ice would taste weird and bacteria will also grow inside.
Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning a KitchenAid ice maker:
Step 1: Turn the Ice Maker Off
You have to turn off your ice maker before you start cleaning. You need to stop the ice maker from operating so you can start cleaning it.
Step 2: Remove the Ice From the Storage
Wait for about 10 to 15 minutes before you remove the ice from the storage bin.
Step 3: Remove the Drain Cap and Let It Drain
Unscrew the drain cap from the storage bin. Then, turn it counterclockwise. Let the water drain from the storage bin and put it back right after.
Step 4: Use a Cleaning Solution
Get a bottle of cleaning solution and pour its contents in the water pan. Close the storage and press the “Clean” button in your ice maker. The cleaning process will take about 70 minutes.
Step 5: Check for Cleaning Solution in the Water Pan
Open the storage bin, and remove the drain cap. Check if the water pan still has some cleaning solution left. If there is still residue left, run the cleaning process again until the cleaning solution is completely removed. Lastly, close the storage bin and run the ice maker.
Frequently Asked Questions About KitchenAid Ice Makers
If you don’t have a KitchenAid ice maker, or if you are still in the process of getting one for your kitchen, you should know a few things about this machine. Let’s check out some of the frequently asked questions about this ice maker.
1. Do I need a dedicated water line for the ice maker?
Yes, you need to have a water line that is made specifically for your ice maker. Why? Think about this: It would be very inconvenient for you to connect and reconnect the water line to the ice maker if it is not made for it specifically.
Aside from this, there are also issues that would arise if you do this. Hence, if you plan to get an ice maker, you need to plan for a designated water line for it too.
2. How can I install an under-counter ice maker?
When it comes to installing an under-counter ice maker, the first thing to do is to connect the water line to the ice maker and run the drain line coming from the back of the unit. After that, simply plug the ice maker in, and you are good to go.
Then again, these are just the basics. If you want to be sure, we suggest that it is still better to check the instruction manual that came with the purchase so that you won’t miss anything. If you think that the process is complicated, you can just ask and pay a trusted professional to deal with the installation.
3. What is ice storage capacity and ice production capacity?
When buying an ice maker, you need to check its storage and production capacity. There are different models of KitchenAid ice makers, so you need to check both storage and production capacity before buying.
Ice production capacity is the amount of ice that the machine can create within a 24-hour period. Also, the production capacity of your ice maker would depend on the temperature of the room. Ice production might decrease if the room’s temperature is high.
On the other hand, ice storage capacity refers to the amount of ice that the ice maker can store. Usually, the storage capacity is less than the production capacity of the ice maker. The machine will stop producing ice once the storage is full, and it will start making ice when you use some of the ice inside it.
4. Do I need a water filter?
For under-counter ice makers, you don’t have to use a water filter. However, for most other ice makers, it is very important. It will guarantee that the ice is clean, and it will remove any weird tastes on the ice.
The water filter can also help make your machine last longer, and it will lengthen the time before the next cleaning session.
5. Do I need a drain for my ice maker?
Yes, you need a drain for the ice maker. Although your KitchenAid ice maker can maintain the ice inside it, you still need a drain so that the water won’t accumulate inside.
Conclusion
Before buying a KitchenAid ice maker for your home, you should at least educate yourself about it and make sure that you know how to maintain it. Although this ice maker is very durable and hard-wearing, you might have to deal with a lot of issues if you don’t have any idea how to clean it properly.
Troubleshooting your KitchenAid ice maker is not too much of a hassle too, as long as the problem is not too complicated. If you are only dealing with issues that are commonly seen in an ice maker, you can do the fixing without the help of a professional technician, thus saving you money on repairs.