Do you know why your refrigerator ice tastes funny or smells bad? A lot of people don’t understand what’s going on with their ice and assume there’s something wrong with the fridge. Your ice cubes should be clear! If your cubes are white or leave floaties behind when they melt in an empty glass, something is wrong. We’ll go over six common reasons why your refrigerator ice might taste or smell strange so you can take steps to prevent them from happening in the future!
What to Do When Your Refrigerator Ice Tastes Funny
Do your ice cubes taste weird? No one wants to serve guests contaminated ice that tastes funky! If your ice has a funny taste, there are a few things you can do to try to improve the situation.
1. Refrigerator Is Brand New
New fridge ice tastes bad? Sometimes the refrigerator ice tastes funny because the water in the ice maker hasn’t had a chance to flush completely. Run the ice maker for a few days to see if it fixes your new fridge ice tastes bad problem.
2. Tap Water Is Contaminated
If you use tap water to fill your ice maker, the ice might taste funny because the water is contaminated. Hard water and minerals sometimes can also be why your refrigerator ice smells bad too. If this is the case, you may want to consider adding a water softener to your house.
3. Need to Dump Out Old Cubes
If your ice has been in the freezer for a long time, it can start to taste funny, and can make it so your ice tastes like freezer burn. Dump out all of the old cubes and let your fridge make fresh ice if you suspect this is the problem.
4. Ice Absorbing Odors from Food
The ice in your freezer can absorb odors from food. If you notice that the ice tastes like the food in your fridge, try sealing up food in a more properly sealed container. Also, try to avoid putting particularly smelly food in the freezer and even your fridge.
5. Old Water Filter
If it’s been a while since you replaced the water filter in your fridge, it might be past time for a new one. An old filter can become ineffective and cause the ice to taste funny. Most filter change recommendations are at least once every 6 months.
*Important Tip: We highly recommend having your water filter replaced by a professional. We have seen (and repaired) many instances of leaks and broken refrigerator components due to DIY replacements gone wrong. This is especially true for generic, non-OEM replacement filters, so beware!
If the problem with your water supply is significant, you may want to invest in a home water filtration system.
6. Ice Maker Module Needs Cleaning
If your refrigerator is in need of any ice maker cleaning, the ice might taste funny and it can even make it so your ice maker smells like mildew. Sometimes mildew can even grow if it’s left long enough without cleaning. The module is located in the back of the freezer and can be cleaned with a vinegar and water solution. You can often remove the bin, and we’d recommend washing that in your sink with soap and water.
We hope this guide was helpful in understanding some of the common reasons why your refrigerator ice tastes funny. If you have any other refrigerator ice maker repair questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us! We’re always happy to help.
P.S. While you’re here check out our guides on common ice maker problems and ice not dispensing issues.
