We’ve all been there before. You take out a tray of ice from the freezer to make a drink, and you notice that it tastes a little funny. What’s going on? Why does ice from the freezer taste bad? There are actually several reasons why this might happen. Here are some of the most common causes of bad-tasting ice and how to fix them!
Why Does Ice from the Freezer Taste Bad
Let’s figure out why your ice maker is making gross ice and then how to fix it with these tips below!
1. Contaminated Tap Water
One of the most common reasons people ask “why does ice from the freezer taste bad” is contaminated tap water. If your home has well water, it might be that the minerals in the water are causing the problem. Or, if you live in an area with hard water, the high levels of calcium and magnesium can also make your ice taste bad.
The best way to fix this problem is to install a water filtration system or softener in your home. This will remove the contaminants from your water and make your ice taste great again!
2. Brand New Refrigerator
New fridge ice tastes bad? If you’ve just bought a new refrigerator, it’s not uncommon that the ice cubes taste weird. This is because the water lines in your fridge are new and need to be flushed out. To flush out your water lines, simply run some water through them until the water runs clear. Once the water runs clear, your ice will taste great!
3. Old Cubes Have Gotten Stale
If you’ve had your freezer for a while, and the ice tastes like freezer burn, it’s possible that the ice cubes have gotten stale. This is because, over time, ice cubes can absorb odors from your fridge. To fix this problem, simply throw out all of the old ice cubes and make fresh ones!
4. Ice Cubes Absorbing Food Odor
Another common cause of bad-tasting ice is that the cubes have absorbed food odor. This can happen if you store strong-smelling foods in your fridge or freezer, like fish or garlic. Throw out the ice and make fresh cubes, and be sure to store strong-smelling foods in airtight containers.
5. Water Filter Needs Replacing
If you have a water filter in your fridge, it’s possible that it needs to be replaced. Most filters need to be replaced every six months or so. If it’s been longer than six months since you’ve replaced your filter, go ahead and do that now! Make sure to go with the OEM version and not an off-brand.
6. Dirty Ice Maker Module
Wondering why your ice maker smells like mildew? The ice maker module is what actually makes the ice in your fridge. If it’s dirty, it can cause your ice to taste bad. To clean your ice maker module, simply unplug your fridge and remove the module. Clean it with a mixture of warm water and vinegar, then rinse it off with clean water. Dry it off before putting it back in your fridge.
There you have it! The answer to “why does ice from the freezer taste bad”. These are some of the most common causes of bad-tasting ice and how to fix them. If you’re having other difficulties check out the other tips on our blog like what to do if your ice maker won’t make ice. If you’re still having trouble, give our ice maker repair service team a call or schedule a service appointment online. We’re always happy to help! Thanks for reading!
