There may be issues with the water filter or water line if your KitchenAid refrigerator water tastes bad. Learn how to solve the problem in this article.
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KitchenAid Refrigerator Water Tastes Bad – How to Fix
Do the following if your KitchenAid refrigerator water tastes bad:
1. Replace the Water Filter
The water filter in your refrigerator is vital to how clean the water is and how good it tastes. Using refrigerator water without a filter may change the taste, and you may drink impure water. If your appliance needs a water filter, but you do not have one, consider installing it to improve the taste and quality of the water.
However, if you already use a filter but the water still tastes bad, you may need to replace it. Typically, a water filter lasts only six months before it needs a replacement. In homes with constant water and ice usage, the filter may need to be replaced every three to four months. The filter status light informs you when the filter should be replaced, so keep an eye on it. If you have not replaced the filter in your refrigerator, it explains the bad-tasting water.
Ensure you use the Everydrop or KitchenAid water filter brands when replacing the filter. Alternatives may be more affordable but do not always deliver the best results. In other words, they may not fully purify the water or remove the taste. Check online for replacement filters from KitchenAid or contact the KitchenAid Center for further assistance.
Clear the system of trapped air whenever you replace the filter. It helps to reduce pressure and ensure the water or ice is not cloudy. Simply dispense water from the dispenser or the water line at the back of the refrigerator for a few minutes. You may get only air the first one or two minutes before water gushes out. However, when water comes out, keep dispensing until it is clean and free, which may take another two minutes.
2. Clear the Water Line
Another possible cause of bad-tasting water from your KitchenAid refrigerator is the water line. May refrigerator users do not know that the water line must be flushed after installation and cleaned every month. If you recently installed the water line and did not flush it to remove impurities, it may explain the water taste.
Flushing the line is simple; once installed, open the main water supply valve and channel the line into a container. Allow the water to flow out of it for a minute or two to remove dirt and impurities. Afterward, close the supply valve and finish the connection to the water inlet valve. The water should taste better after this process.
But if the water line is not new and the water tastes bad, you may need to clean it. To clean the water line, turn off the water supply and disconnect it from the dispenser. Get distilled vinegar and pour it into the water line; you will need a small funnel to feed the vinegar into the tube. Allow the vinegar to sit in the water lien for about five to ten minutes before you discard it.
Drain the vinegar out of the water line through the dispenser and flush the system with water as often as needed. This is to remove the taste of vinegar from the water line and dispenser, leaving the water tasting better and healthier. Afterward, reconnect the water line and taste the water again.
3. Fix the Water Source
Sometimes, the bad-tasting water comes from the main source. Report the matter to the municipal and see if there is any solution. However, you must determine the source before making any report. If the water is from a well, it may explain the odd taste. That means you need a treatment system for the well water to make it clean enough for consumption.
But if it is from the municipal, you can get the authorities to fix it. However, the municipal authorities only treat water when it is a threat to health. And when it has a bad taste or smell, you need to handle it yourself. Add a carbon filter at the water’s entry point into the house to treat the entire water supply to fix the issue.
4. Increase Water Usage
Irregular water usage can store water in the water line and change its smell and taste over time. So, when you dispense water, it tastes bad due to the old water in the line. A simple method of fixing the problem if irregular usage is the source is to dispense water for a few minutes to remove the old one from the line.
You may need to dispense up to ten glasses before the water is fit to consume. Taste it and see if it is clear, and keep dispensing until it tastes better. Alternatively, turn off the water supply to the refrigerator if it is not in constant use. That way, you know to clear the water line and clean the dispenser whenever you need to use the refrigerator water again.
5. Use a Different Water Line
The water’s taste may come from the water line material. Typically, the water line is copper or plastic, but copper lines may change the taste of the water over time, especially with poor maintenance. Plastic lines are easier to maintain and do not change the water’s taste easily.
If your water line is copper or any other material that is not plastic, consider switching to plastic to improve the taste. Alternatively, clean the lines and repeat the process every six months to keep the water clean and tasteless. You can consult the refrigerator’s user manual for water line materials suitable for your KitchenAid refrigerator.
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KitchenAid Refrigerator Ice Tastes Bad – Solved
If the water from your KitchenAid refrigerator tastes bad, the ice will likely taste bad as well. However, that is not always the case, and you must determine the reason for the bad-tasting ice. Follow the instructions below to troubleshoot and fix the issue of bad-tasting ice from your refrigerator.
1. Check the Ice Cubes
There is a chance that the ice you use is stale. If you do not regularly use the ice maker or dispenser, you may have old ice with a foul taste. Ensure you throw the old ice out and make new ones instead of using the old ones. If the ice maker has not been used in a long time, discard the first three ice batches before using the ice.
The ice maker may be dirty, or the water in the ice mold and water lien may be stale or contaminated. Regularly maintain the ice maker to keep it in optimum shape. Turn it off and disconnect the water supply if it is not in use, or empty it every week if turning it off is not an option. Also, clean the ice storage bin weekly to keep the ice consumable.
2. Check the Water Supply
The problem may not stem from the refrigerator if the ice tastes bad. The main water supply may have a bad taste, and you can determine this by running water into a glass straight from the kitchen sink. If the water tastes bad, you must find a water treatment method for your home to improve the water’s quality and taste.
The refrigerator may also be connected to a soft water supply, which uses chemicals to treat the water. That may explain the bad taste, and reconnect your water to another source if that is the case. However, if changing the source is impossible, ensure the water source is potable and in good working order to improve the water quality.
3. Check the Water Filter
A significantly dirty water filter is the most probable reason for bad-tasting ice or water. The filter removes impurities from the water as it flows into the refrigerator. The water you drink or the ice from the refrigerator is already clean enough for consumption because of the presence of the filter. However, constant usage clogs the filter with dirt and changes the water and ice taste over time.
If you have not replaced the filter in the last four to six months, it may explain the taste of the ice. Ensure you buy the correct filter brand and type for your KitchenAid refrigerator model. Follow the installation instructions to remove and replace the filter. Afterward, flush the system by dispensing ten to fifteen glasses of water in case of trapped air.
4. Check Stored Foods
Some food items have strong smells that often affect the smell and taste of other foods. And if they can change the taste of foods, they can also affect the ice and water in your refrigerator. Foods such as cheese must be tightly wrapped and stored in airtight containers to contain the smell.
Also, regularly check the refrigerator and freezer contents to remove rotten or stale food items. They can contribute to bad-tasting ice if left unchecked for a long time. Additionally, keep some space between the ice maker and food items to reduce contact and improve the ice maker’s functionality.
5. Clean the Ice Maker
When all else fails to fix the taste of the ice, the ice maker may be dirty. Part of maintaining the machine is cleaning it because it accumulates dirt over months of constant usage. So, remove the ice bucket and empty it of all ice. You want to soak it in warm water while you clean the ice maker. Turn off the machine and the water supply before cleaning it.
Mix mild detergent in warm water, and clean the ice maker inside and outside using a soft cloth. Another option is to remove it from the refrigerator for a thorough cleaning. Consider adding some vinegar to the water to achieve better results and remove microbes. Afterward, use a clean damp rag to clean the soap and vinegar residue off the ice maker. Ensure you thoroughly clean it to avoid having ice that tastes like soap or vinegar.
Leave it out to air-dry before putting it back into the refrigerator. Next, wash the ice bucket with mild detergent and thoroughly rinse it under running water. Scrub the stubborn stains with a soft cloth or sponge before rinsing the storage bin. Dry it with a microfiber cloth and leave it out to air-dry before putting it back under the ice maker.
KitchenAid Refrigerator Water Has a Plastic Taste – Quick Fix
If the refrigerator is a new installation, it may explain the plastic taste in the water. Run a few gallons out of the dispenser or water line to reduce or totally eliminate the taste. Also, ensure the correct water filter is in the refrigerator and is properly installed.
Incorrect filter installation can cause the water to bypass the filter and enter directly into the refrigerator. This may determine the water’s taste and quality. If you are unsure of the installation process, have someone else do the job to ensure you get the best results.
Furthermore, check the water lien; it may add to the odd taste. Some water line materials cause the water to taste like plastic. If the water filter is not the problem, you may have to install a new water line. Before doing that, try dispensing water directly out of the line for about two minutes; it may fix the taste. However, replace the line if the taste persists. Ensure you find the best option for a water line that will not produce a plastic taste in the water.
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