Do you ever take a sip of cold refrigerator ice and think to yourself, “Ugh, this tastes terrible!”? You’re not alone. Many people have reported that the ice made by their refrigerator’s ice maker tastes bad. Ice may taste not-so-fresh for several reasons, but most of them can be fixed with little effort.
Refrigerator Ice Tastes Bad?
This May Be Why…
This blog post will discuss the five most common reasons refrigerator ice tastes bad. We’ll also provide tips on how to fix each issue and make your fridge’s ice taste better than ever!
Why Does the Ice In My Fridge Taste Bad?
From impurities in your water supply to mold, mildew, and other microorganism growth, the ice in your refrigerator ice maker can taste and smell bad for several reasons. Let’s review some of the most common causes of refrigerator ice tastes bad.
The Fridge Is New
If you’ve just purchased a new refrigerator, it’s not uncommon for the ice to taste bad. This is because the water lines in a new fridge have never been used before and may contain impurities that can affect the taste of the ice. To fix this, simply flush out the water lines by running water through the ice maker for several minutes. Once you’ve done this, the ice should taste much better!
The Water Filter Needs To Be Replaced
If your refrigerator has a water filter, it’s important to replace it every six months.
A clogged or dirty water filter can cause the ice to taste bad because it cannot remove impurities from the water properly. Replacing the water filter is a quick and easy fix that will make a big difference in the taste of your ice!
Ice Is Absorbing Odors From Food
Another common reason refrigerator ice tastes bad is that it absorbs odors from food. This can happen if the ice is stored in the refrigerator for too long or if there’s food stored near the ice maker. To fix this, throw away old ice and store any food that might be causing odors in a sealed container.
Old Ice Is Stale
If you’ve had the ice in your refrigerator for a while, it might start to taste stale. This is because the ice has absorbed flavors from the air and is no longer as fresh as it once was. To fix this, throw away the old ice and make a new batch!
How To Clean an Ice Maker
If none of the above tips seem to be working, it’s possible that the ice maker itself needs to be cleaned. Ice makers can become dirty over time, which can cause the ice to taste bad. To clean an ice maker, simply follow the instructions in your refrigerator’s owner’s manual or use our DIY ice maker cleaning guide below.
Cleaning the ice maker is a simple process that only takes a few minutes:
- Unplug the refrigerator or turn off the power to the ice maker.
- Remove any loose ice from the ice tray and discard it.
- Use a mild soap and warm water to clean the inside of the ice maker, being careful not to get any water on the electrical components.
- Rinse the soap off with clean water and dry the ice maker thoroughly.
- Clean the ice maker chute of any debris or mineral build-up.
- Replace the ice tray and turn the refrigerator or ice maker back on.
- If any cleaning solution remains, dispose of the first batch of ice after cleaning.
How can I make my fridge ice taste better?
If your refrigerator ice tastes bad, there are several ways to help the ice maker produce fresh, clean-tasting ice. Make sure there are no open containers of strong-smelling food in the refrigerator or freezer, throw away any old or stale ice, and ensure the refrigerator water filter is good. Cleaning the inside of the freezer and refrigerator will also help eliminate foul-tasting ice.
Pro-Tip: Place a small open baking soda container in your refrigerator or freezer for extra odor-eliminating power. Make sure to change the baking soda monthly to keep your ice maker running fresh!
If you’ve tried all of these tips and your refrigerator ice still doesn’t taste good, or if your ice maker is not making ice correctly, there may be a more serious problem. In this case, it’s best to call a refrigerator ice maker repair technician like Dave Smith Appliance Service. Our technicians are experts at refrigerator, freezer, and ice maker repair and will be able to diagnose and fix the problem quickly. Contact us today to schedule a service call!
