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Adding an ice maker to your fridge can provide convenient access to ice without the need for ice trays or buying bags of ice. Here are the steps to add an ice maker to your fridge:
1. Check compatibility: Make sure your fridge is compatible with an ice maker. Look for a water supply line and a water valve on the back of the fridge.
2. Gather materials: You will need an ice maker kit, a water line, a drill, a wrench, and a screwdriver.
3. Install the water line: Use the drill to create a hole behind the fridge. Connect the water line to the water valve on the back of the fridge and secure it with a wrench.
4. Install the ice maker: Follow the instructions in the ice maker kit to install it inside the freezer compartment of your fridge.
5. Test and adjust: Turn on the water supply and test the ice maker. Adjust the settings if needed.
With these steps, you can easily add an ice maker to your fridge and enjoy a constant supply of ice.
An automatic ice maker is like heated seats in a car – once you have it, you can’t imagine life without it. If your refrigerator doesn’t have one, or if your current ice maker is broken, don’t worry – you can easily install a new one. Many refrigerator manufacturers provide the necessary plumbing and wiring for an ice maker, making the installation process much simpler.
Understanding How an Ice Maker Works
An ice maker requires both electrical power and a water source to function. The ice maker itself runs off the power from the refrigerator, so no extra wiring is needed. However, you will need to connect it to an external water source. Most people choose to run a line from the refrigerator to the cold water pipe that supplies the kitchen faucet.
Once installed, a solenoid valve at the bottom of the refrigerator opens to fill the ice tray with water. The cold temperatures in the freezer then freeze the water into ice. When the ice tray reaches a certain temperature, a heating element briefly turns on to separate the ice cubes from the tray. The motor then activates ejector blades, which move the ice cubes from the tray to the ice bin. This process repeats as needed.
Choosing the Right Ice Maker
Fortunately, most modern refrigerators have the necessary space and mounting brackets for an ice maker. To find the right ice maker for your refrigerator, you’ll need to locate the model number. This number is typically found on the door, wall, or ceiling of the refrigerator compartment. It’s important to note that the model number is not located in the freezer.
If the model number is on the ceiling and difficult to read, you can take a photo of the sticker using your cellphone. By turning the lens around as if you were taking a selfie, you can position the phone to capture the number. Once you have the model number, you can search for the compatible ice maker. Home centers, plumbing supply stores, and the refrigerator manufacturer’s website are all good places to find the right ice maker for your refrigerator.
Some ice makers come with all the necessary installation parts, while others may require an installation kit. Be sure to check what is included before making your purchase.
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Ice Maker Installation Kits
Many kits come with saddle valves to connect the ice maker supply line to the cold water pipe that supplies the kitchen faucet. The valve clamps down on the pipe and a pin is turned to pierce it and start the water flow. However, these valves often fail. If an ice maker installation contains a saddle valve, it would not pass inspection by a building inspector, although a permit is not required for the installation.
There are other options available. One option is to cut into the pipe and solder a new fitting. Another option is to replace the shutoff valve under the sink with a dual-outlet, dual-stop valve. This valve provides an outlet port for the water line that runs to the refrigerator and an outlet for the sink faucet. The dual stops allow independent control of each outlet. These valves usually use compression fittings, although there are some that use push-to-fit fittings.
Many installation kits come with 1/4-inch-diameter tubing made of plastic or copper. An alternative option is to use stainless steel braided water lines. These lines are flexible and have a tough outer sheath that resists damage.
The stainless steel braided lines may have a vinyl or PEX water line inside. Braided lines have built-in 1/4-inch compression fittings that can be easily screwed on. They are available in lengths up to 25 feet.
Things You’ll Need
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Ice maker kit
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Water shutoff valve
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Stainless steel braided water line (optional)
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Flat-head screwdriver
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Utility knife
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Needle-nose pliers
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Nut driver
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Adjustable wrenches
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Drill and drill bits
How to Install an Ice Maker
Step 1: Unplug the Refrigerator
It is recommended to keep the refrigerator closed or move perishables to another location during this project. Clear out the freezer to create space for the installation. If there is a shelf in the freezer, remove it.
Step 2: Prepare the Installation Site
Most refrigerators are already equipped for ice maker installation. There are mounting holes on the left wall of the freezer and a plastic cover on the back wall of the unit in the upper left-hand corner.
- Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the plugs covering the mounting holes.
- To remove the cover on the back wall, insert a screwdriver into the opening and release the tab holding the cover in place. This will expose a hole that will later hold the ice maker fill tube and a wiring harness that will connect to a harness on the ice maker.
Step 3: Prepare the Back of the Refrigerator
Pull the refrigerator away from the wall, leaving ample space to work. The ice maker inlet valve, or fill valve, needs to be connected to the water inlet tube that directly feeds into the ice maker. Both locations are typically marked on the back of the refrigerator.
Step 4: Installing the Inlet Tube
To install the water inlet tube for top-mount freezers, locate its position near the top right-hand corner of the refrigerator. For bottom-mount freezers, the inlet tube will be located lower down. Use the tubing provided with the ice maker to connect the fill tube to the water inlet valve.
- Use a utility knife to cut the sticker that covers the opening of the inlet tube. The sticker should have instructions on how to make the cuts.
- Remove the foam insulation from the tube opening using needle-nose pliers.
- Insert the inlet fill tube into the freezer compartment.
- Place the rubber seal over the end of the fill tube on the outside back of the refrigerator. This will seal the opening and hold the tube in place. Note that your kit may require a different attachment technique.
- Connect the water line from the installation kit to the fill tube. Hand-tighten the compression fitting and then give it a quarter turn using pliers.
- Secure the tubing to the back of the refrigerator using the provided clips. Some clips have adhesive backing, while others may need to be screwed into pre-drilled locations on the refrigerator.
Step 5: Installing the Ice Maker Fill Valve
Most refrigerators have a cardboard cover at the bottom to access the motor and compressor. The water inlet valve is usually located in the lower right corner of the unit. If there is no existing opening for the valve, it will be marked on the cover.
- Remove the cover using a nut driver.
- Connect the supply tubing to the outlet port on the valve. Push the tubing firmly until it reaches the bottom of the fitting. The tubing may have markings to indicate proper installation. Give it a tug to ensure it is securely installed.
- Connect the wiring harness on the valve to a matching connection near the bottom of the refrigerator.
- Attach the valve to the pre-drilled holes on the refrigerator frame using the nut driver.
- Replace the cardboard cover.
Step 6: Installing the Ice Maker
Attach the ice maker to the sidewall of the freezer using the mounting screws provided in the ice maker kit. Ensure that the unit is leveled and that the fill cup of the ice maker, which receives water from the previously installed fill tube, aligns with the fill tube coming through the freezer wall.
- Securely attach the leveling bracket to the underside of the ice maker.
- Insert the mounting screws into the designated holes, but do not fully tighten them.
- Hang the unit on the screws, ensuring that the fill cup on the ice maker aligns with the inlet tube.
- Connect the wiring harness to the corresponding mate in the freezer wall.
- Adjust the ice maker so that there is an equal space of approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch between the ice maker and the freezer wall from top to bottom. Tighten the leveling screw.
- Fully tighten the mounting screws.
- If applicable, replace the cover over the wire harness opening.
- Position the ice bin, which collects the ice cubes, under the ice maker.
Step 7: Install the New Shutoff Valve
While any cold water pipe can be used, most people connect the ice maker water line to the cold water pipe that supplies the kitchen faucet. There are various methods to connect the valve to the pipe, including soldering the fitting and using push-to-fit connections. Compression fittings are commonly used. The new valve should be compatible with the sizes of the faucet supply line, typically 3/8 or 1/2 inch, and the ice maker water line, always 1/4 inch.
- Turn off the water. As the existing shutoff valve will be replaced, shut off the water supply to the entire house.
- Use a wrench to disconnect the compression nut on the existing valve. Hold the fitting steady with one wrench and loosen the nut with another wrench.
- Remove the compression ring and nut, and clean the end of the pipe.
- Slide a new nut onto the pipe, followed by a compression ring. Hand-tighten the compression nut to attach the new valve. Use one wrench to hold the valve steady while tightening the nut with another wrench. Ensure that the outlet port for the faucet supply line faces upward.
- Connect the faucet water supply line to the new valve using compression fittings.
Step 8: Install the Ice Maker Supply Line
Run the supply line in the shortest route between the new under-sink valve and the ice maker inlet valve on the refrigerator. Most people run the line through the base cabinetry, so drill the necessary holes in the cabinets. When measuring the length of the water line needed, include an additional 6 feet that can be coiled behind the refrigerator. This will allow the refrigerator to be pulled out for cleaning without disconnecting the ice maker.
- Run the water line between the shutoff valve and the ice maker water inlet.
- Attach the water line to the new shutoff valve using compression fittings. If using a braided line, the fittings will already be attached to the line.
- Attach the other end of the line to the inlet port on the ice maker water valve. First hand-tighten and then use a wrench to fully tighten the compression fitting.
- Turn on the water to check for any leaks.
- Move the refrigerator back into its original position and plug in the power cord.
- Test the functionality of the ice maker.
