As the old saying says – 'a good ice maker makes the summer season tremble.' While it is not an old saying, it is still absolutely true. Whether you enjoy cocktails, smoothies, or just a good cup of iced coffee, ice is essential. While you can always go to a store and get a bag or two every day, that is not the most convenient way there is.
On the other hand, with a proper ice maker, you will have pounds of ice by performing only a few simple controls. Although common refrigerators include an ice maker with a cube dispenser, investing in a particular machine separate from the refrigerator is a much better choice.
Still, whichever option you choose, there are a few things you need to know. First, you shouldn’t skimp on the water quality as the natural minerals may build up, causing the ice maker to stop working. Along with that, regular cleaning and maintenance is a must.
Last but not least, if you want to have a long-lasting ice maker that is going to perform well even after a few months of heavy use, you need to be aware of the many possible issues that could slow it down. In order to make the maintenance easier, and give you an answer to why your ice maker is so slow, we will present you the process and the fix to this common problem.
How Does an Ice Maker Work?
An ice maker that is a part of a common refrigerator uses a simple process that is based on water being pumped out and refrigerated under the temperature that is inside the refrigerator. While it is effective, it is nearly as good as investing in a proper ice maker. The result is fogged ice cubes that don’t have a universal shape.
On the other hand, a separate ice maker is based on three main components – the copper pipe, the evaporator, and the refrigerant. As soon as you pour the water into the back unit, it is pumped through the evaporator where it meets the refrigerant gas that cools it down and leads to the formation of uniform ice cubes. While the process is quite clear the question of 'why is my ice maker so slow' still remains.
Issues That May Slow Down Your Ice Maker
Performing regular checkups and maintenance is a must unless you want to buy a new ice maker every few months. If the ice dispenser is a part of your common fridge and not a separate product, you will need to put in some extra effort, as a simple ice maker issue can lead to a huge problem, damaging your fridge as a whole. Bearing this in mind, consulting with a professional (unless the problem is clear such as the water filter or line being clogged) is your best bet.
The first common reason why your ice maker may be slow is that the ice bucket is too full. Most ice makers can hold up to 1.5 lbs. of ice at a time, so unless you unload it and put those to use, the process of making ice cubes will slow down or stop.
Another common thing is that an error is popping up on the LCD display and you left it unattended. You can’t expect the ice maker to run at its full power if something is messing up the interior. Whether it is the cooling system that turned off or the evaporator sensor has detected dirt or mold, it is time to take a deeper look at the inside.
Along with this, if you notice that the ice maker is running slowly or it has completely stopped working, check the power source – it can be as simple as the fridge/ice maker being unplugged. Last but not least, be sure to check and clean the fill tube, condenser, and the ice bucket every now and then – it is common for water chemicals to build up, thus slowing down the ice production process.
Conclusion
No one enjoys waiting more time than they should. Thus, unless you want to have an extremely slow rate of ice production (which is not something you paid for) you should be aware of the above mentioned common problems. Do the checkup yourself or call in a professional, and make sure to act according to the given instructions related to cleaning and maintenance of your ice maker. This way, no problems will be able to take hold. Happy ice making!