How a Refrigerator Ice Maker Works

A home refrigerator ice maker is one of the great modern conveniences that once you have enjoyed, it is difficult to do without. Without a doubt it is a great convenience to have ready-made ice at your fingertips, without having to go to the trouble of filling plastic ice trays or having to bang the ice trays against something to empty the ice. And who hasn't forgotten to fill the trays on occasion, only to discover empty trays when the ice is needed most. If you or your family members consume a lot of ice, you can, no doubt, appreciate the advantages of a refrigerator ice maker. Maybe you've wondered how an ice maker creates the cubes, or maybe your children have asked you to explain the ice making process to them. Although it is a fairly simple process, it is actually quite ingenious and well-designed.

The Ice Making Signal

The ice making process begins with a simple switch that sends a signal to a solenoid-operated water valve. When the valve receives this signal, it opens and allows water to flow into a freeze chamber. The solenoid is a coil of wire wrapped around a magnet. Energy is created when a current passes through this coil.

The Valve Releases Water

It is the valve that, when opened by the signal to make ice, releases a measured flow of water into the ice maker. It releases ust the right amount to fill the ice cube molds, but no more.

The Ice Molds

Once released by the valve, water flows into individual ice molds. Each of these molds has several small openings, or channels, that connect each individual mold. A small notch in each mold aids in the transforming of water into ice cubes.

The Cooling Element

Once the water has entered the molds, the cooling element of the ice maker cools the metal molds and consequently freezes the water into cubes.

Ice Temperature Control

A sensor in the ice maker monitors the temperature of the ice molds and the ice that forms in them. When the water has frozen into individual ice cubes, the freezing process is interrupted until the ice is emptied and water again flows into the molds.

Ice Is Dumped

Once the ice has reached the designated temperature, a small heater element is activated, heating the metal sides of the molds and creating a thin film of water to develop between the ice cube and the wall of the mold. At this point, an electric signal activates a motor that turns a gear connected to a shaft. When this shaft turns, the shaft blades then eject the cubes into a holding tray.

Ice Making Is Monitored

Once the cubes have been ejected into the holding tray, a shut-off-arm is raised by the growing pile of ice, automatically signaling the ice maker to stop making ice. When the ice cube lever is again reduced and the arm lowers, the ice making process begins again.