Ice clumping - freezer problem?

16 years ago

I have a Jenn-Air French door refrigerator, with freezer drawer on the bottom. I had a problem with the freezer over a year ago, and the compressor (I believe) was replaced under warranty. Now I'm noticing that the ice cubes, which used to fall into the tray and remain loose, now clump together, forming a huge, lumpy block. I'm wondering whether the temperature is varying so that the ice melts and refreezes continually.

Any ideas? I think that the thing is still under (extended) warranty.

Featured Answer

dodge59

16 years ago

Due to the price of the Fridge, Consumer reports obviously is not comparing "Apples to Apples" as SZ doesn't make a Fridge anywhere near that price range. But comparing all Jenn-Air Fridges and All SZ Fridges, in 2005-2006 Jenn-air was rated #1 for reliability and SZ was last.

You can also check posts here (GW) you will see far more post for problems with SZ Fridges/Freezers than you will for JA.(Talking about Fridges-not cooking appliances).

Now SZ folks will jump up and tell you how great and reliable they are, (since CR stated the failure rate of SZ fridges was 28% that still leaves 62% that haven't had problems or at least didn't report them. JA failure rates in 2005-2006 was 7%, so 93% of the folks would not have problems.

So You buy an SZ Fridge because it is something you want.
You don't but it because it has better reliability or a "More modern design like the JA (Variable Compressor) or is Extremely quiet as is the JA, etc etc,

So buy what pleases you, most likely either will be trouble free (Odds are better with JA).

Good Luck!!

Gary

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Comments (8)

lascatx
16 years ago
Being summer, are you opening the freezer to take out cold food and ice more often? That could both be allowing in warm air that softens the ice and causing the defrost to run more often -- also softening the surface of the ice and then causing the to stick together when they refreeze.
marisany
Original Author
16 years ago
I don't think that's it; the freezer is not opened all that much. I have the sense that something is wrong; will set up a service call.

Thanks for the suggestion!
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asolo
16 years ago
Whether opened or not the de-frost cycle in the freezer will do this.

I have two identical ref/freezers at two different locations. One location is only occupied once a week. The cubes in the Ice-bin in the one that's used "normally" every day stay free and separate. The ones in the once-a-week location are always clumped when I visit.

Don't know about your situation, but I regard mine as "normal".

There may be a switch that allows you to cancel the self-defrost feature. Some units have them.
snaggle
16 years ago
I will share my recent story because we may have the same thing going on. I have a bottom freezer JennAir and for a few years it has had what I thought were icemaker issues. Main problem is that the cubes were often hollow and ice lumps would form on the ice maker and keep it from making more ice. I had a repair company come and the guy put it a new motor. It worked for maybe a week, then same issue. I was traveling at the time and did not call the repair company to come back for over a month. When they said the new part was no longer under the pathetic 30 day warranty and I would have to pay all over again, I got mad and just put up with it for the last two years. Last week my D/W broke, so I researched a bit and found another repair place to come look at both. The guy came just today. He was super honest and basically said that I do not have an icemaker problem, but a whole temperature problem. He showed me how there was lots of melted ice at the bottom of the ice tray and described how the whole ice system will break down if the temp is a bit too warm. He said it could possibly be fixed with a new thermometer, but at $250, that was still a gamble. He feels that at 7 years old, this ($1600 new, I think?) unit is basically wearing out and if it were him, he would just deal with the ice thing until it totally conks out, then get a whole new unit. He said to get a sub zero since the fridge is clearly the "weak link" in an otherwise pretty upscale kitchen. I am depressed, but think he is probably right. If anyone else has a theory I would love to know, but to the original poster I just wanted to chime in because it may be a JennAir issue.
dodge59
16 years ago
Sorry, My "Proof Reading" isn't what it used to be.

I should have typed this, "You don't buy it because it has better reliability or a "More modern design like the JA (Variable Compressor) or is Extremely quiet as is the JA, etc etc."

I would also get a thermometer and check the freezer temp both for actual temp and also for "Variation" (Temp Swings).

It could be something as simple as an ill fitting door gasket, or something wrong with the defrost circuitry, or even the temp is not set low enough in the freezer compartment.

I did get a Kick out of the "Salesman Weak Link" in the Upscale Kitchen----Thanks----I would love to run the reliability numbers past him or even the posts on GW, (or lack of) problems with JA Fridges (OH OH Here they come Now) LOL

Gary
weissman
16 years ago
I think asolo hit the nail on the head. I have a KA sxs fridge with the ice bin in the door. If I haven't taken out ice in a while, I find the ice in the bucket in the door clumps together but not so when I'm frequently taking out ice. I believe it's related to the self-defrost cycle and is normal.
geo91324
16 years ago
Try this. Create some ice with an ice tray and once the cubes are completely frozen (and dry) place them in a (chilled) bowl and put them back in the freezer. If after a while the cubes stick together, the "problem" is with the freezer itself: temperature control, temperature recovery (when door is opened), humidity control, etc. If the cubes do not stick together, then the culprit is the ice maker itself: releasing cubes into the tray before they are completely frozen (dry).