Refrigerator water dispenser cleaning?

Question

Hey everyone.

My refrigerator's water dispenser is in desperate need of cleaning... the water tastes horrible even when the filter is changed and now I started noticing that black specs are forming from the water dispenser!

Given that these specs form when water stands still, I suspect they are fungi and not bits of activated charcoal.

I drink water from the tap now so I don't use the dispenser, but it'd still be nice to know what to do about it... it looks ugly!

Answer 1

they make a sanitiser packet to kill fungi in reverse osmosis systems if you can pour some of this into the top if the filter then flush the dispenser for ten minutes it may take a week or so but the fungi in the lines may die and release from the walls of the tubing

Answer 2

I still think it might be charcoal. But you said that the water tastes real bad.

You didn't say what model or brand so I can't help you much.

But I know whirlpool will work without the filter in place. GE's come with a bypass for doing that. Some won't work that way. I say remove the filter first and flush it if you can.

One problem is that the charcoal removes the chlorine in the water. Then stuff can grow if it goes unused.

You can leave the chlorinated water in it by flushing it without the filter in place.

On older ones that use an actual tank, I have seen sediment build up in the tank. Those tanks are located behind the crispers. Some you can remove. Some you can't (without cutting it loose and adding connectors) But sometimes you can remove the screws and invert them and then flush it out by running it.

You might look underneath at the lines themselves and see if you see any mold in the lines. Under the unit is the most likely place since it is warm under there. You may need lines replaced.

The only time I have seen that here is when the customer double filter by using a charcoal filter for the whole kitchen and second one on the refrigerator. Definitely no chlorine for them .

Good Luck.

Edit-PS. We have seen some of those flexible waterlines, the reinforced plastic types, react with the water and stink real bad if your ph is high on the household water.

Answer 3

if you've changed the filter then i can only suggest changing the tubing that runs from under your sink to the back of the fridge