What to Do If Ice Maker Cubes are the Wrong Shape

Ice makers are a convenient device slipped into a necessary appliance. They’re a fantastic add-on that can make your lifestyle a lot more enjoyable. Whether you like ice in your drinks or blend ice into smoothies, having an ice maker can save you a lot of time. No filling, emptying, cleaning, and refilling ice trays. No worrying about how much ice you have because the ice maker is always making more.

Of course, the quality of your ice can make a difference. Everyone knows that clumping ice is a problem. But ice that is too small, hollow ice, or shattered ice is also a problem. Even perfectly shaped ice that is too big can be a problem.

So how do you deal with misshapen ice or ice that is the wrong size or shape? There are a number of possible causes and you can eliminate each one. 

Ice Cube Size Controller

First, check if your ice maker has a cube size controller. Some ice cube molds are movable and can be adjusted to make larger or smaller cubes. This is controlled by a small switch on the ice maker. If your ice cubes are coming out too small or too big, it’s natural to check and see if this switch is been misadjusted. If the switch is nudged too far one direction or the other, your ice cubes may become non-functional in size, either too big or too small for household purposes.

Reorganizing the freezer makes can sometimes result in bumping the switch, especially if no one knows it’s there. Any amount of moving around packages or stacking things up might have bumped that ice sizing controller. So investigate. If you find this switch, adjust it in the direction you desire, bigger or smaller, and wait a day to see about the ice it produces. 

Not Enough Water per Cube

Hollow ice cubes are one of the stranger phenomena of refrigerator ice makers. You may find that your ice cubes are being dispensed at the right size, but not the right mass. We’re not talking cylinder cubes, but rather ice cubes that seem to have a bubble of empty air in the middle of the cube. This can be caused by an insufficiency of water in the mold. Ice forms quickly as it enters the mold and creates the outer shape, but with not enough water in each mold section to form an entire cube.

The most common cause is an obstructed water line or a damaged valve. Investigate the ice maker water lines for secure contact and the possibility of leaks. Then check the settings to ensure that enough water for the cube-size is being dispensed into each section of the ice mold.

You may also have a problem with your water supply. Check on the water supply line from the back of the fridge to the valve in the kitchen. Ensure that the valves are open on both ends of the line and that the line is neither clogged nor leaking. 

Clogged Water Filter

You water filter may be an alternate source of obstruction. If not enough water is getting through your fridge system to the ice maker, it might be because the water filter is clogged. A clogged filter only allows a small amount of water to get through, which can limit the flow and, therefore, how much water gets into each mold.

A clogged water filter can result in irregular water flow, poor water pressure, and dirty-tasting water and ice. If you can’t remember the last time you replaced the water filter, now is probably a good time either way. Water filters are usually located in the upper-right-hand corner or at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment, but there are about ten various spots that different fridge makes and models may place them.

Find your water filter slot and replace the filter with the right model for your fridge. 

Ice Chips Left in the Molds

One of the most common issues with ice shape is ice cubes broken when delivered to the ice bin. When the ice cubes are dropped from the mold, ideally the entire cube falls out cleanly. However, if the ice shatters and some of the previous cube is left in the bottom, this creates a mess for all future cubes to come until the molds break clean again.

If your ice molds have ice chips left in the bottom, your cubes are probably crumbly and malformed. You can fix this problem quite easily in three steps. Step one, throw out the ice and clean the ice bin. Step two, place the empty ice bin under the ice maker. Step three, pour warm water into the ice molds until they melt clear. Use the ice bin to catch the water, clean it, and then let your ice maker try again. 

Irregular Freezer Temperature

If your freezer is just barely too warm or the temperature fluctuates too much,  your ice may melt and reform several times before you use it. This can cause clumping, and it can also cause your ice to form into irregular shapes. Regulating your freezer temperature can be done or approached in a number of ways.

First, make sure your freezer vents aren’t blocked. Look for vent spaces, especially between the freezer and fridge, that allow for circulation. If there is a vent in the back of the freezer, make sure it has some breathing space. Listen for a fan to see if there is a rattle or a stopped fan that needs to be fixed.

Get a metal thermometer and keep track of your freezer temperatures. Calibrate the freezer temp correctly, and keep your freezer closed most of the time. —Fixing the shape of your ice can be done in a number of ways, depending on your ice maker and the original problem. You can clean the ice maker, secure the water lines, replace the filter, and improve the freezer conditions just to name a few. For more insights into home appliance care, repair, and how to get the best results, contact us today!