Ice Smells Bad

I have the same issue with my Samsung fridge. Water tastes fine, but the ice has a bitter chemical taste - as if there was dishwasher detergent residue in the cup. All the water lines are plastic, I've changed the filter three times in the last four months, I've cleaned out the ice maker and the fridge and even replaced the bin and the ice maker itself and still have nasty ice. We still use the water from the fridge door dispenser but we buy ice. Makes me wonder why we got such an expensive refrigerator!

hi John.
Troubleshooting an Ice Maker That Leaks

When troubleshooting ice maker there are a lot of different things to be aware of. Ice makers are very useful when working correctly, however if there are any problems, it's important to fix these as quickly as possible. One common problem with ice makers is that they can leak. A leaking ice maker can be a result of a number of different reasons.
You will need to put your detective's cap on in order to inspect and diagnose what is actually causing the problem with your ice maker.
Checking Your Refrigerator For the ice maker to work properly it needs to be perfectly level. If it isn't level, this can cause leakage.
Before leveling the freezer you should unplug it so that you can work on it safely. Check that the freezer is perfectly level by placing a spirit level on top of the freezer from side to side. The leveling feet can then be adjusted by twisting them to raise and lower them. Continue this until the freezer is aligned properly from left to right.
Then repeat the process by putting your spirit level from front to back to ensure the freezer is completely level.
Ice Maker Level The ice maker unit itself can also be leveled. This is inside the unit and can be repositioned if needed. Loosen the mounting screws and align the ice maker unit so that it is perfectly level. After leveling, ensure that the mounting screws are tightened to prevent the ice maker from moving.
Water Supply Line The water supply line could also be damaged or broken. This is the tube that is behind your freezer. It's a fairly strong tube and is susceptible to damage. Check that the pipe isn't pinched or kinked.
Fill Cup When water enters your freezer it will be put into the fill cup. This is a funnel that directs the water into the ice cube molds. If this isn't aligned correctly, it can cause problems with leaks.
If you see any ice forming on the fill cup, this could be because the valve is not working properly.
Inlet Switch Remove the inlet switch and inspect it for signs of corrosion or damage. If any of the terminals have corroded, you will need to replace them. Using a multimeter, you can check that the switch is working properly. Press the switch and check that it connects and reduces the resistance as it should.
Inlet Valve If you are testing the inlet valve, you must first disconnect the power so it's safe to work on your freezer. The inlet valve is located in the bottom of the freezer. Turn the water off at the source and then disconnect the supply line. Use a bucket to catch all of the water from inside the inlet valve.

Label the location of all the wires and disconnect them. You will also need to remove the inlet supply tubes. Using a multimeter, check the resistance of the coil. Also inspect the mechanical functioning of the inlet valve, as it can fail mechanically as well as electronically.
After following this troubleshooting guide for your ice maker that leaks will get you back in business. Now you can enjoy a cold beverage for your hard work!
Comments Troubleshooting an Ice Maker: Ice Tastes Bad
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When troubleshooting ice makers there are a number of steps that you can take to find the cause of the problem and put it right. One common problem is when the ice doesn't taste right. If the ice tastes bad, then there can be a number of reasons for this.
When working out why the ice tastes bad there are several things that you will need to consider. The problem could also be caused by one or more of the factors that could make solving it slightly move complicated.
Washing the Ice Bin The ice bin is the container that stores the ice, if this becomes dirty or moldy it can make the ice taste nasty. Simply taking the ice bin out of the freezer and then washing it will solve the problem. Read the instruction manual to find out where the ice bin is located.
Unscrew or unclip the ice bin and then wash it in warm soapy water. Dry the ice bin and then reassemble it. Place it back into the fridge and then find out whether it has resolved the problem.
Old Food If there is any old food in your refrigerator, it should be removed. The ice could taste funny because of this food. Empty your refrigerator of any old food and wash all of the shelves so that the fridge is completely clean.
Once the old food has been removed and the fridge has been cleaned completely you should then test the ice maker to find out whether the problems still affect you.
Flushing the Supply Line The supply line carries water to the ice maker. Sometimes the water can become stale, which is why you might be able to cure the problem by flushing the water pipe out with fresh clean water.
Test the ice maker after flushing the supply line to ensure that the water is now clean that the ice doesn't taste bad.
Water Inlet Valve If the water inlet valve is damaged, then this could also be because of the water inlet valve. If the water inlet valve is damaged or broken, it can leave the water exposed to smells inside your fridge, which can make the ice taste bad.
The water inlet valve will need replacing if it is damaged or broken. By replacing this water inlet valve you will be able to correct the problem and enjoy better tasting ice.
Replacing the Water Filter There is a water filter inside of your fridges ice maker that is designed to remove particles and bad smells from the water. The water filter needs to be removed and replaced.
The water filter should be replaced with the same type and model suitable for your freezer. Use your freezers model to ensure that the correct filter is fitted.
Supply Line Filter If your fridge doesn't already have a supply line filter, then fitting one could greatly help to reduce problems with the ice tasting bad. These can be fitted to virtually any ice maker.
Now you should be in good shape thanks to this troubleshooting guide for an ice maker that was producing bad tasting ice. It's time to reward yourself with a cold beverage.

Icemakers need to be cleaned about every 90 days, especially if it is a bin type unit that holds recirculated water in a tank which is then pumped over a grate to make ice. You didn't indicate what type of ice maker you have. Many manufacturer produce a cleaning produce for their ice makers. Here is a link to the Whirlpool/Kitchen Aid product:
http://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-4396808-Machine-Cleaner-16-Ounce/dp/B001ECQ1YM/ref=sr_1_1/177-5038340-6980446?ie=UTF8&qid=1397503407&sr=8-1&keywords=Ice+Machine+Cleaner

It is made primarily for a bin type ice maker and does an adequate job if you use it on a routine basis (i.e., every 90 days).
If your commercial ice maker has removable parts, remove all parts that have direct contact with the ice. Wash these parts in hot, soapy water and use a brush to remove any dirt or mildew from the parts. Remove any ice or water storage bins and wash them in soapy water. Rinse each part thoroughly to remove all traces of soap. Use a 50/50 vinegar/water solution to break up any hard water (calcium) deposits on the parts. Sanitize your ice maker parts by soaking them in a solution made of 1 oz. of bleach and 1 gallon of warm, clean water. Allow the parts to soak for at least 30 seconds and leave them to air-dry.
Clean and sanitize ice makers that do not have removable parts by running two or three cycles and discarding the ice. Check you manufacturer's instructions for how to clean your ice maker. Some machines may not tolerate diluted bleach solutions, so check the sanitizing solution specified by your instruction manual through the machine. Always throw away the first batch of ice made after cleaning. Also change your water filter, if so equipped.


If you

If It were me I would change the filter in the fridge, that always worked on mine.

It sounds like the ice maker if equiped. Remove Ice bin and clean out,and try a lite spray of bleach or vinegar (don't mix) If the smell is still happening and comming from ice you may want to install a inline filter.

change the water line filter

I'm sorry that I don't have a solution, but we have the exact same problem with an older model KitchenAid side-by-side. Did you get this problem solved? If so, can you share what you did?

I had a side by side refrigerator with an Ice maker from Sears. The ice it makes smell fishy so bad that I could not use to drink with anything else but throw away to the plants. So I unscrewed the ice maker . It is not that bad, but quite simple to take it out. I noticed rusted pieces of metal generating strong fishy smell. I could not get rid of rust with soap, detergent, oil so I wrap it in plastic bag then screw it back into the refrigerator. Screwing back the ice maker. Voila. The smell is going away. The ice is good. Pina Colada and Daiquiri here we go .

I believe that you might have a coolant leak causing the chemical odor. You really should get it checked out by a fridge repair-person because it's not healthy to breathe in the fumes.

What you can do is either replace the fill tube, with a plastic one,, or you can install a filter.