Whether you’re drinking your morning protein shake, relaxing after a workout, or hosting friends and family, constant cold and fresh ice is important.

Look for a model with the right storage bin and output capacity to meet your needs. Additionally, a high-quality water filter upgrade reduces scale building and contaminants for cleaner ice and better-tasting drinks.

Water Filter

Ensure that your ice maker is working at maximum efficiency with the help of an inline water filter. These filters limit dirt, scale, chlorine, and other contaminants from entering your ice cubes. Look for a model with a micron rating that matches your water quality concerns.

These filters tackle larger particles, such as silt and sediment, before the rest of your filtration system. They also prevent premature wear by reducing the load on subsequent filters.

Carbon filters are the flavor saviors of your ice, removing harmful chemicals that affect taste and odor. They rely on activated carbon to attract and absorb contaminants. Phosphate filters sequester the calcium and magnesium found in hard water to prevent the formation of scale deposits on ice machine components; find parts for Frigidaire ice makers here. With NSF certifications and a long lifespan, this inline filter is worth considering. It’s compatible with most refrigerator brands, ice makers, and under-sink systems. A mounting bracket is included for ease of installation.

Air Conditioner

Ice makers use a basic vapor-compression refrigeration cycle to cool water into ice. This process also absorbs heat from the ambient room temperature. When this refrigerant changes from liquid to gas and back again, it releases the heat it absorbed, and the warmer air in your space can slow down or stop ice production altogether.

Commercial ice machines use air-cooled condensers, which pull in surrounding air to help cool down the refrigerant and force it out as a hot vapor. This system can be problematic if the ice machine is in an overly warm room, especially in a tight spot that can’t be easily ventilated.

This can be an issue in restaurants and other commercial spaces with limited wall space for cooling equipment. Over time, the air-cooled evaporator coils can develop a furry coating of dust, which inhibits their ability to expel excess heat. Clean your ice machine’s coils using a nickel-safe cleaner to ensure they continue working properly.

Ice Cube Tray

Depending on where you live and your water quality, mineral deposits can find their way into your ice. If the taste and odor of these minerals are tainting your drinks, it may be time to invest in a high-quality ice machine filter to keep them out.

There are also several ice cube tray options, including those designed to create large cubes, slow-melting spheres for whiskey rocks, and long, slender sticks that fit in highball glasses and reusable bottles. Most are BPA-free, so they don’t leach chemicals into your drinks and foods.

Many people are reluctant to use the standard plastic ice trays that come with their fridges, as they can be hard to get out of the freezer without banging them around or running into the glass of water they’re frozen in. However, a few different types of flexible ice cube trays make removing the cubes an easy, stress-free experience.