If you’re reading this, chances are you need more ice from your ice maker and now you’re wondering, “how long does it take an ice maker to fill?” The answer is dependent on a few factors, such as the temperature of your freezer (ideally between 0-10 degrees Fahrenheit) and water being supplied (ideally under 70 degrees). Under those proper conditions, most ice maker cycles will produce about 8-10 full cubes (depending on the size of your tray) at a time. This cycle will repeat every 90 – 180 minutes until the ice tray is full, which can typically hold 4-11 lbs of ice.
How Long Does It Take an Ice Maker to Fill?
Considering the average refrigerator cycle is capable of producing 8-10 cubes every 90 minutes, that equates to about 130 cubes a day (approximately 4 lbs/day). However, not all refrigerators are made equal. If your refrigerator has “Quick Ice” feature or “Dual Ice Makers,” it can produce up to 40-50% more ice than those estimates.
What Does an Ice Maker’s Cycle Consist Of?
A cycle is the actual process of ice cubes being created by your ice maker (which takes about 2-3 minutes):
- Water is released from the supply by the water inlet valve into the back of the freezer through a small tube.
- Water is dumped into the ice cube tray and frozen over.
- A temperature gauge signals when the cubes are cold enough to be ejected from the tray. A heater at the bottom of the tray will produce just enough heat to facilitate this.
- A small motor powers the sweeper arm to push the cubes up and out of the tray and into the ice bin.
Your ice maker then begins preparing for the next cycle if the tray is not full.
Diagnosing Ice Maker Issues
If you’re concerned about your ice maker not filling like it should, there are a few things you can check in order to diagnose it.
- Check your water pressure. If the water being supplied from your house to the refrigerator is below 40 psi, your ice maker will not produce ice efficiently (or sometimes at all).
- Check your water filter. If your refrigerator water filter hasn’t be changed in awhile, the water flow to the ice maker can become restricted. It’s recommended that you change your water filter every six months.
Freezer Temperature Thermometer - Check your freezer’s temperature. Your freezer temperature should be between 0-10 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s too warm, the ice maker will not function properly. Check your temperature settings to see if you can turn the freezer colder. If that doesn’t work, your condenser coils could need a cleaning and/or an ice maker part could need to be replaced.
If none of this improves your ice maker’s production, it’s best to contact your local refrigerator repair technician for a full diagnosis and repair.
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