Ice Maker
An automatic device in a refrigerator or freezer that produces ice cubes on a regular cycle.
Definition
An ice maker is an automatic device that fills a mold with water, freezes it, and ejects the ice into a storage bin on a recurring cycle. Standard refrigerator ice makers produce 4-6 pounds of ice per day; premium dual-icemaker units (one in the freezer, one in the door) produce 10-15 pounds. Common failure modes include frozen water fill tubes, exhausted water filters reducing flow, failed water inlet valves, and worn ejector mechanisms. Ice makers are field-replaceable as a clip-in module on most refrigerators for $100-$200.
Where this term appears
Ice Maker comes up in product spec sheets, service reports, and troubleshooting documentation across most major appliance brands. If you encountered it in a manual or a service description and want context for how it fits into the larger picture, the related articles in the sidebar drill into the practical details. The glossary as a whole is intended as a quick lookup reference; for a deep dive on any specific topic, jump to the related buying guide or troubleshooting article.