New fridge/freezer - is the extra money for an ice dispenser worth it? Are non-plumbed models OK?

ChasingtheWelshdream

I am looking for a new American fridge freezer, and have narrowed down a few models I like. 

I have decided against a non-plumbed water dispenser (only), as we had one before and never remembered to re-fill it, and by the time we did, the water could have been standing for a couple of weeks so needed replacing. It just wasted fridge space really.

I do quite like the idea of a ice dispenser though, as we make a lot of ice cubes in trays, but the plumbed versions are a lot more money and extra depth.

Until recently, I didn't realise you could get non-plumbed ice makers and I have found a couple within budget. 

Does anyone have first-hand experience of a non-plumbed ice-maker? Are they a pain? Is it only worth going for a plumbed-in version?(In which case I don't think I can justify the extra £2-300 average for one).

My thinking is there would still be a reservoir of standing water in the water dispenser part, or am I wrong?

Brie

No experience but I would wonder how much space you lose to this particularly if you have to have space for the water as well.

DullGreyGuy

ChasingtheWelshdream said:

I am looking for a new American fridge freezer, and have narrowed down a few models I like. 

I have decided against a non-plumbed water dispenser (only), as we had one before and never remembered to re-fill it, and by the time we did, the water could have been standing for a couple of weeks so needed replacing. It just wasted fridge space really.

I do quite like the idea of a ice dispenser though, as we make a lot of ice cubes in trays, but the plumbed versions are a lot more money and extra depth.

Until recently, I didn't realise you could get non-plumbed ice makers and I have found a couple within budget. 

Does anyone have first-hand experience of a non-plumbed ice-maker? Are they a pain? Is it only worth going for a plumbed-in version?(In which case I don't think I can justify the extra £2-300 average for one).

My thinking is there would still be a reservoir of standing water in the water dispenser part, or am I wrong?

Ours, Samsung, is a total waste of space.

There is no standing reservoir, no automatic production etc, there is basically an ice tray thats strapped to the door with a pot under it so you fill the tray with water, it freezes, you pull the leaver that pivots the ice tray and bends it and 16 ice cubes fall into the pot below. You then have to bring over the water and fill the tray again then wait for it to freeze to make the next 16 cubes. Also you have to open the door to get to the ice so not even a benefit there. 

Took it out, put in longer shelves and just use the extra space.

There are "automatic" ones which are inevitably going to be better but rely on you having a reservoir as you say. 

ChasingtheWelshdream

This sounds similar to the set up in our old one, which wasn't on the door and was a glorified ice cube tray, but I did find it quite useful actually and was refilling it every day at least. Hence a door dispenser is appealing, but only if it refills and freezes automatically.

We also can't plumb a dispenser in for a few months until we move the kitchen around, so couldn't use a dispenser for a while. 

Buy HISENSE PureFlat RS694N4TBE American-Style Fridge Freezer - Black | Currys This is one I saw in the flesh last night.

Although, I've just seen this one which is plumbed and cheaper!  Buy KENWOOD KSBSDIT23 American-Style Fridge Freezer - Dark Inox | Currys But, will stick out significantly more in depth.

Both are still  significantly more than a plain one though....Buy LOGIK LSSBSS23 American-Style Fridge Freezer - Inox | Currys

I do like the idea of ice (the teenagers love it), and this is the first brand new appliance I will be purchasing for years so want to get the 'right' one, but is it work the extra? Decisions, decisions...

silvercar

My old fridge/ freezer was American style with plumbing for ice and water. We liked it. In the kitchen refurb we completely forgot about spec-ing for it and so we don’t have this feature anymore. It has mattered less than I expected. Once you have trained everyone to consider replacing the water in the ice trays if the stock of ice cubes is low, it is fine. It was a nice novelty to have but I wouldn’t sacrifice the space it took up within the appliance if choosing again. 

Kiran

Have you considered buying 2nd hand? I bought a Samsung smart american fridge freezer  with plumbed in water and ice for £120. Perfect condition, they end up going for a bargain because people can't aways fit them into a car. Definitely worth a look if you wan some moneysaving! 

casper_gutman

I'd been considering replacing my freezer with one with an ice dispenser as I couldn't be bothered with the faff of filling ice cube trays. I rejected the idea of a non-plumbed one as that wouldn't solve the problem. Then when I figured out how much it would cost to buy a fancy new freezer and have it plumbed it, I decided just to buy a big bag of ice from the supermarket for a pound or so once or twice a month for the rest of my life instead!

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thank you. It sounds like the non-plumbed are not much to write home about, and I really don't think I can justify the extra on a plumbed version. 

secla

Ive had both and preferred the non plumbed in version. it had an ice cube tray at the top that you filled manually and then twisted a handle when frozen and the ice cubes fell out into a tray below.

The Samsung i had which was plumbed in was good for filtered water but the ice machine part just kept clogging up as all the ice froze together and frosted up and it takes up a big chunk of room in the freezer. Also if your having a lot of people over for a party etc. then you will soon run out anyway as it doesnt make ice cubes any quicker than a regular ice cube tray would

andy1886

We’ve an lg non plumbed model and you fill a water tank in the fridge , either remove it and use tap or fill it in the fridge with a jug , this transfers to the freezer section where ice cubes are stored on the back of the door . You then have the option of chilled water , crushed shards of ice or ice cubes dispensed from the freezer . Just have to turn the ice maker on as and when needed . Brilliant to be honest 

ChasingtheWelshdream

andy1886 said:

We’ve an lg non plumbed model and you fill a water tank in the fridge , either remove it and use tap or fill it in the fridge with a jug , this transfers to the freezer section where ice cubes are stored on the back of the door . You then have the option of chilled water , crushed shards of ice or ice cubes dispensed from the freezer . Just have to turn the ice maker on as and when needed . Brilliant to be honest 

This is the kind I was wondering about. 

Do you find you are constantly filling the tank up?  

When you have dispensed ice, does it automatically refill the ice maker from the tank in the fridge?

Does the ice dispenser clog up at all?