Sometimes, you can get to your ice maker to get ice for your coffee and then discover your ice maker drops ice on the floor.
First, you’ll panic, thinking your ice maker has a fault, but it might be a minor fault from you.
Your ice maker might have a minor fault that needs fixing. The ice maker comes with a refrigerator which makes it possible to freeze water to produce ice.
Your Ice maker dropping ice on the floor can be a result of using a small container to collect the ice from the dispenser, or it can be that the temperature is too low, thereby causing more frosts. For this to break, it’ll produce tiny particles of ice that will be scattered and might not fall into the container.
You must check your ice maker properly if you notice any of these in your home; if it’s the container, you’ll get a new one.
Why Does My Ice Maker Drop Ice On the Floor?
You discover little pieces of ice drops on the floor when you turn on the ice dispenser; then you’ll have to find the problem then sort it out.
However, don’t panic before you try to find out the reason behind the ice that’s dropping on the floor, then make sure to fix it.
Below are some reasons your ice maker is dropping ice on the floor.
#1. Small Container
The container used in collecting ice must be wide enough to contain all the ice it dispenses at that particular time.
The container should be able to cover the area where ice spills when dispensing to prevent it from pouring on the ground.
If it pours, try using an enormous container and see if it works out, and if it doesn’t, then the container is not the problem.
It is usual to pour if the container is too small to collect the ice cubes.
#2. Low Temperature
If the freezer temperature is too low, the ice maker will produce more crystals, making it very hard to dispense.
When your ice maker is on, and there is no ice, the ice cubes will clog in the tiny pipe connecting the water source to it (ice maker).
When breaking the ice seems problematic, producing ice cubes will put more pressure and split the ice into small pieces.
#3. Clogged Pipes
If your ice maker is on and more ice is produced, it’ll clog when this ice gets to the pipe without being dispensed.
When it’s trying to dispense it, it finds it difficult to release a vast mass of ice; when it tries breaking it, it breaks into tiny pieces.
These tiny pieces spill off when the ice maker is trying to dispense them, making pieces of ice drop on the floor.
How Do I Stop My Ice Maker From Spilling Ice?
Your ice maker spilling ice is not a big deal; it just needs a few steps to fix, depending on the actual problem.
Always check for the actual problem before trying to fix your ice maker to avoid ruining something else.
If the problem is technical, do not hesitate to contact a professional technician to fix your ice maker appropriately.
#1. Small container
If you turn on your ice maker and find out your ice is spilling on the ground, you first have to check the size of the container you’re using.
If the opening of the container needs to be wider to contain or collect all the ice dropping from the ice maker, you’ll find some dropping on the floor.
Always get appropriate site containers for collecting ice from your ice maker, and avoid smaller containers.
Also, if you turn on your ice dispenser and the container you’re using to collect the ice gets filled up, ice will drop on the floor.
It would help if you also avoided narrow containers; it’s better to use something open than slim to prevent ice on the floor.
#2. Low Temperature
It is not advisable to put your freezer on when you’re not using it, and so is your ice maker.
Putting your ice maker on at all times will have it over-freezing or getting too cold, which might be a problem.
When it becomes too cold, it freezes ice cubes ready to be dispensed on the pipe and makes it into a large clump of ice.
When you want some ice, the ice maker will try to dispense it in cubes because that’s how it works.
It will break the big clump of ice, which, of course, produces other tiny pieces of ice.
Then when it Comes out of the dispenser, these tiny pieces will spill out of the ice maker and might even spill on the ground.
Fixing this is simple; you must turn on your refrigerator’s thermostat to cool the fridge.
You can also turn it off and allow it for a couple of hours, which can also help it cool and melt the ice clumps.
How Do You Keep Ice Chips From Falling On The Floor?
When ice chips fall on the floor and melt, they tend to attract dirt, as wet feet attract dirt and stains faster than dried floors.
It can also be a risk factor for you and your family. When wet, floors are slippery, and you can slide and fall if not careful.
Falling on wet floors is very dangerous, and sometimes it can cause minor injuries like cuts and bruises.
Sometimes it can even cause significant injuries like broken bones, strains, and others that can threaten your life.
To stop your ice chips from falling on the floor;
- Make sure you use the appropriate size containers
- Make sure you turn the dispenser off once it’s full
- Always hold the container in place when collecting the ice
- Use containers that do not leak
- Turn off your ice maker when not needed
- Use the thermostat set to cool it when it’s too cold
- Please turn it off and let it cool when you notice it’s too hard.
- If you notice ice chips falling on the ground after trying all this, it is advisable to call a technician to run a check on it.
- Also, ensure nothing is blocking the tip of your ice dispenser, as this can make the ice force itself to come out and produce chips.
How Do I Adjust My Ice Maker?
Adjusting an ice maker is relatively easy and convenient, depending on your type of adjustment.
You need to know what you’re adjusting and how to change it. Few adjustments that you can find in ice makers.
#1. Minor Water Level
To adjust the minor water level, you should follow the following steps.
- Remove the cover of your ice maker using a screwdriver
- You’ll find a screw on the upper part of the ice maker
- Using a screwdriver, screw in a clockwise direction
- Fix the cover of your ice maker
- Monitor the rate of production
- You can repeat the steps to get to your desired level of production
#2. In-Depth Water Level
To adjust the depth water level of your ice maker, follow these steps.
- Unplug your Refrigerator
- Unhook or unscrew your ice maker from the refrigerator
- Allow ice on it to melt
- Remove the cover of the ice maker
- Grab the circular ejector and rotate clockwise till you hear a click.
- Adjust water level
- Run another test to see if the production rate is satisfactory
- Place back your ice maker cover
- Return the ice maker to the refrigerator
- Plug it in and put it on.
How Do You Remove Ice From an Ice Maker Ejector Arm?
Your ice maker ejector arm lets the ice maker drop or dispense ice. Ice can pass when it flips open, and you cannot collect ice when it’s closed.
It is very frustrating needing ice, and when you try flipping the ejector’s arm, you find out it’s frozen and wouldn’t move.
If your ejector’s arm is frozen, you cannot collect ice from your ice maker until the ice melts off completely.
To fix this, they’re two ways to do it.
#1. Defrost Setting
Your refrigerator has a defrost setting that melts away ice faster. When you notice your ejector’s arm is frozen, you must defrost it.
You will look for the defrost button or setting as it varies based on model and product.
And defrost your refrigerator if you find it. After defrosting, allow it for a couple of minutes before reusing it.
#2. Manual Defrost
You can also defrost your refrigerator manually so clogged ice can melt away, or the cubes will reduce the size.
You have to turn off your refrigerator, unplug it, and allow it to cool down before using it. Allow the ice to melt off completely before trying to plug back the refrigerator or put it on for your use.
The table below contains the differences between manual and automatic defrost methods.
| Manual | Automatic |
|---|---|
| It doesn’t need a button. | It requires a switch to turn it on. |
| It can be done when you don’t know the defrost setting of your refrigerator. | You can only do this if you know the defrost setting of your refrigerator. |
| The refrigerator is allowed to rest and cool down without work. | The fridge is still on and with a source of electricity. |
Conclusion
Having an ice maker at home is a very great idea. You would want to avoid taking warm water drinks or coffee on a hot day.
- You can use it for juice.
- You can also use it if you like your coffee cold.
- Also, for water, if you want it cold.
Lastly, always ensure to maintain your refrigerator. Also, defrost your refrigerator whenever it is essential.