Refrigerator ice question?

Question

I have 4 refrigerators and 2 ice machines that all have the same problem. They make ice but the ice at the bottom of the tray freezes into a solid lump and is not usable without removing the tray and breaking the ice with a hammer. I first thought that frequent opening of the door affected the ice, but some are rarely opened. I do live in a warm climate but the top ice is being made and not thawing. All friges & machines are clean and well ventilated. The temp is right on all. Any ideas????

Answer 1

Your problem is FROST

A deposit of minute ice crystals formed when water vapor condenses at a temperature below freezing. This crystals get solid when they get in contact with a solid and cold surface such as the ice, Therefore forming a solid ice block.

You need FROST FREE refrigerators and ice machines.

Cheers

Answer 2

maybe the door seals are bad.

Answer 3

It's simple science, water freezes as 32F, for some reason your freezer is going above this temp. If your not constantly opening the door than either your temp is set low enough or the thermostat is function or the compressor isn't properly working or your gaskets around the door are not sealing properly.

I never have this problem but, my freezer is cold enough if you would touch your tongue to sometime metal in it, your tongue would freeze to it (just like the boy on the flag pole in that old Christmas Story)

Answer 4

Put water filters on your icemaker supply lines.  Purified water freezes much better and the ice is less likely to stick together.

Answer 5

If 6 appliances all have the same "problem", look for the common denominator.  

Are you constantly opening and closing the door?  (Some are rarely opened.)

Is the temperature set correctly?  (You can adjust the temperature lower, but avoid freezing foods in the refrigerators.)

Are the door seals bad, or the thermostats and compressors faulty?  (On six appliances at once?  With that kind of luck I don't want to be standing next to you!)

Or is this a normal condition?  

The refrigerators are frost free, which means the freezers are periodically warmed up to eliminate the frost and then cooled to freezing temperatures again.  This is the reason frozen foods develop "freezer burn" and go bad over time.  This is continually softening and refreezing your food and ice as well.  

The ice maker appliances usually have manual defrost, so you must periodically shut them off, defrost and clean them.  The  best ice maker appliances are equipped with drains and have a cycle that melts the bottom layer of ice and drains it to keep the best quality of ice.  Less expensive models are not equipped with drains, and do not have the ice melting function.  

All ice will begin to fuse together over time, whether commercial ice you buy from the store, or snow in the Himalayas (did they leave the door open too long?).  

So re-read your owner's manuals again for proper operation and maintenance instructions, turn off the ice makers you use infrequently, and expect to clean the other units periodically.  It seems rather normal to me.