Ice Maker Madness

[mthomas58]

I think I'm jinxed. We have a Samsung Fridge with door dispenser of ice and water. Ice maker is in the fridge compartment which freezes up constantly and then breaks the solenoid rendering it inop. Have repaired it twice then gave up and installed an Under counter 15" wide True Residential Clear Ice Machine which retails for nearly $5k. First one died and was replaced under warranty. The new unit failed in < 1 yr requiring a new water valve - warranty repair in process. So frustrating!!!

[stevej37]

My Kenmore Fridge ice maker quit working over a year ago. I took it out and found a broken/stripped gear that wouldn't let the thing push the cubes out.

I found an identical one on ebay brand new for $75
It's still working.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by mthomas58

I think I'm jinxed. We have a Samsung Fridge with door dispenser of ice and water. Ice maker is in the fridge compartment which freezes up constantly and then breaks the solenoid rendering it inop. Have repaired it twice then gave up and installed an Under counter 15" wide True Residential Clear Ice Machine which retails for nearly $5k. First one died and was replaced under warranty. The new unit failed in < 1 yr requiring a new water valve - warranty repair in process. So frustrating!!!

Certainly sounds like you're jinxed.

[Zeke]

Hard to think that a True failed you 2wice. I think I'd be all over True on that.

The smaller machines may be imports. Or cheap parts. You might want to discuss this with an service tech.

AFA Samsung, I'm not surprised in the least.

[mthomas58]

Obligatory pics. I told the service tech about our problems with the Samsung icemaker. He referred to them as Scamsung and said they no longer do any Samsung warranty work.

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Hard to think that a True failed you 2wice. I think I'd be all over True on that.

The smaller machines may be imports. Or cheap parts. You might want to discuss this with an service tech.

AFA Samsung, I'm not surprised in the least.

Good points Milt. Did discuss extensively with the service tech today. He stated that True are extremely well built and the unit that he would buy for himself. Further, their repair rate is on the low side in his esperience. I will say that they are relatively new to the Residential Market but have been in the commercial market for a long time as you probably know. Their residential ice machine unit is not that old. My warranty replacement unit is their v2 with an upgraded refrigerant system. My experience with True's customer service, technical support and warranty dept has been top notch - super impressed.

Thanks!!!!

[Zeke]

Very nice bar! You open tonight?

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Very nice bar! You open tonight?

The bar is always open! Here is the other side taken from the sunken living room. The bar was originally a Decon's Closet that had doors that closed the bar when the Church Decons come to visit.




Cheers!

[MMiller]

I don't think you're jinxed, I think ice makers are just problematic in general. Friend of mine had an under counter Whirlpool unit installed, been working on and off for over a year, now out of warranty. Her Thermador side by side ice maker had to be serviced again last week as well.

It's why the ice maker is always out of service on your floor at the hotel too!

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by mthomas58

Is that a bottle of Caol Ila that I spot on the right side? And you did mention the bar is always open?

[pwd72s]

remember when you'd put water in compartmented trays, then place them in the freezer compartment to make ice?

I still do that...it's never failed.

[greglepore]

True is top notch stuff. We had several freezers/fridges in the our restaurant and it was reliable.
Have a Scotchman undercounter icemaker here at home, came with the house, installed in 2007. Its been reliable, but we regularly clean coil and demineralize the unit itself. My only issue is that the bin itself isn't refrigerated-it relies on the ice temp, and it loses about 1/3 of its capacity in the summer even though the house itself is just a few degrees warmer.
All in freezer icemakers suck unless you use a lot of ice from them-the defrost melts and fuses it all together.

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Is that a bottle of Caol Ila that I spot on the right side? And you did mention the bar is always open?

You're close.

[Rusty Heap]

Geezus how much do you and your friends drink to require a 15 person ice machine?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I looked at used clear ice cube makers on FBMP, some said they worked fine, several said needs repair so I just got one of these. The huge clear cube is really nice with Woodford's double oaked.

True Cubes Crystal Clear Ice Cube Maker- 4 Large Clear Ice Cubes for Cocktails, Drinks & Whiskey

[mthomas58]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I looked at used clear ice cube makers on FBMP, some said they worked fine, several said needs repair so I just got one of these. The huge clear cube is really nice with Woodford's double oaked.

True Cubes Crystal Clear Ice Cube Maker- 4 Large Clear Ice Cubes for Cocktails, Drinks & Whiskey

Another great benefit - clear ice machine cubes do not fizz as much with carbonated beverages preserving the carbonation in the drink. Just sayin!

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

Geezus how much do you and your friends drink to require a 15 person ice machine?

They are 15 inches wide, not 15 person...I own a couple of them and very handy to have, although they are a wasteful appliance - they just make ice 24/7 and the ice on the bottom just melts and drains out. They don't hold as much as you think, but way more than a built in fridge unit.