Ice from the refrigerator’s icemaker is supposed to be an easy way to freshen up a beverage. So what could it mean when your first sip reveals that your ice smells and tastes bad… and ruined your drink?

When your refrigerator ice tastes bad there are several possible causes. We’ll troubleshoot them below so you can figure out why you have ice that smells and tastes bad and what you can do to fix it. Then we’ll review how to clean an ice maker so you can properly maintain it.

Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with your refrigerator’s ice maker or even the ice itself. It’s the food in the refrigerator or freezer that’s the problem. Old food, unknown spills, or open food containers emit odors that are absorbed by the ice. This creates a situation where ice smells and tastes bad.

Solve the problem by removing old food from the refrigerator or freezer, cleaning up spills, and making sure all food is properly sealed. Wipe down the refrigerator shelves and inside the freezer with a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water. Leaving a small open container of baking soda in the freezer or refrigerator can help absorb odor going forward.

If you don’t use the ice in your icemaker very often, it can actually grow old and taste stale. You may even notice that the ice maker smells like mildew, which happens when old, unused ice is exposed to food particles and develops mold.

In this case, the solution is to throw away all the old ice, remove the ice bin and wash it with soap and warm water, soaking it in the water if needed. When it is completely dry, reinstall the ice bin and test a fresh cycle of ice.

Another reason your refrigerator ice smells and tastes bad could be a clogged water filter. The refrigerator’s filter cleans its water of particles and even odors. An old, clogged filter can’t properly do its job and these particles and odors will transfer to your ice. Because the ice maker has separate mechanisms that are independent of the water system, the ice tastes bad but the water is fine.

Most manufacturers recommend changing the ice filter every six months. If it’s been this long, replace your filter. Our blog on the problems caused by clogged water filters has even more helpful info.

It’s always a good idea to clean your ice maker when you replace the filter or if your ice smells and tastes bad. This can be done in a few quick and easy steps:

Reliable Appliance Service has over 40 years of experience as Lancaster’s number-one refrigerator repair service. We’re happy to help, so give us a call today!