Ice cube trays are often made of plastic, but also of soft rubber, silicone, and stainless steel. It is an essential accessory for your refrigeration appliance. It allows you to prepare refreshing cocktails and delicious smoothies to cool off during the summer.
What are the different types of ice cube trays?
Removable manual-fill trays
Simply fill the tray's compartments with water and then place it in the freezer for a few hours, or alternatively, in a freezer. Afterward, you can easily remove the ice cubes to cool your cocktails. The ease of removal depends on the material of the tray, which can provide more or less flexibility for extracting the ice cubes.
Ice drawer
Some fridge/freezer combos come with a designated space for making ice, often in the form of a drawer. All you need to do is pull out the module, pour a sufficient amount of water, and then close the drawer to quickly get ice for your drinks. Some models are called "twist" because they have a handle that makes it easier to release the ice cubes.
Ice maker
Also known as an ice machine, this feature is often found in American refrigerators. You don't need to add water manually; the American fridge is connected to the water supply network. When you activate the "Ice" function, the refrigeration appliance starts producing ice cubes, which you can hear falling into the storage compartment as they are made.
What is an American fridge ice maker?
In contrast to a standard refrigerator or freezer, an American fridge connects to the potable water supply to power a fountain and, for some models, an ice cube dispenser. You no longer need to fill plastic ice cube trays; the appliance continuously handles it for you!
Simply select the ICE function on your refrigerator for the ice machine to start producing ice cubes until you deactivate the ice mode.
How to choose the right ice cube tray for your freezer?
One of the factors to consider is the ease of removing the ice cubes. The more flexible the tray material, the easier it will be to remove the ice. Silicone models are particularly easy to handle and allow you to create ice cubes in unique shapes.
Additionally, some trays come with a lid to prevent water spillage. Sometimes, the lid has a kind of funnel for filling the compartments without spilling water in the kitchen!
You should also consider the size of the ice cube tray based on your needs and the available space in the freezing compartment of your refrigeration appliance.
How to find the right ice cube tray reference for your fridge?
Standard ice cube trays can be used with all models of fridge-freezers based on their dimensions. However, some models, such as American fridges or no-frost models, require a specific reference.
To avoid mistakes, note the technical reference of your refrigeration appliance. You can find it on a label either inside the refrigerator compartment (sometimes behind the vegetable drawer) or at the back of the fridge. With this reference, you can find a list of available spare parts for your appliance, including the ice cube tray or ice maker. Here are some examples of references: Original Whirlpool fridge ice cube tray for IKEA, Original SIEMENS BOSCH ice maker, Original soft rubber ice tray ARTHUR MARTIN ELECTROLUX, Ice maker for American fridge SAMSUNG, LG ice cube tray drawer
How to repair a malfunctioning ice maker?
- First and foremost, before any disassembly, check the fuse located inside the ice maker. If the ice dispenser is not receiving electrical power even though the fridge is powered, the fuse may be defective.
- If the fuse is functional but the fridge still can't produce ice, you will need to replace the ice dispenser.
- To replace this spare part, we recommend defrosting the refrigeration appliance. Only intervene after disconnecting the electrical appliance.
- Next, open the freezer compartment door to access the element. Start by removing the front of the ice maker. Identify and unscrew the screws at the ends of the ice cube tray to free it. Then, unclip the tray from the freezer wall, making sure to disconnect the connector beforehand. Once the element is removed, install the new ice maker, ensuring you reconnect the wiring. Continue by reinstalling the previously removed screws. Finish by reattaching the front. You can close the freezer door, plug in your appliance, and enjoy a good book while waiting for the ice cubes to be ready for aperitifs!
For more information on this topic, read this article: How to replace the ice cube tray of an American fridge?
How to descale an ice maker?
The ice dispenser is an electrical device, and its electrical components can deteriorate over the years, leading to malfunctions in your accessory. To extend the life of your ice maker, it is important to regularly maintain it.
Failures often occur when the device is restarted after an extended period of downtime (such as during winter or at a second home). Avoid this inconvenience by descaling the machine.
Similarly, an excess of scale can affect the quality of the ice cubes and lead to the breakage of certain parts. To descale your ice maker, use a suitable descaling agent or citric acid. In both cases, it is essential to thoroughly rinse all components of the dispenser that have come into contact with the descaling agent.
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