The easiest way to do this is to reduce the freezer's temperature. Ideally, freezers should be set to between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -15 C). When the freezer is colder, the ice freezes faster and the ice cube tray thermostat reaches its set temperature.

If your icemaker is producing hollow or thic ice or if it's failing to product ice at all, here are three possible fast fixes:

Make sure the freezer's temperature is zero degrees F (-18 degrees C) or lower.
If you discover the temperature is above this range, your refrigerator may be having difficulty properly removing heat from the unit. The most common culprit for this is dirty condenser coils. Coils attract dust, dirt and pet fur. Accumulated layers make it harder for the coils to release heat. Making the coils work harder means greater energy consumption and higher bills for you - and eventually, rising temperatures and failures.

Simple fix: Clean those coils! Condenser coils are mostly commonly found beneath the refrigerator unit. These should be cleaned every 12 to 18 months. If you have pets, you may need to increase cleaning frequency to every six months.

On most models, you can access these radiator-like coils by removing the bottom grill or kick-panel located at the front or an access panel at the back. A flashlight will be helpful in this dark area to prevent any damage to the fan. Using your vacuum's crevice attachment or a convenient long hose attachment, carefully remove dust and fur on and around the coil. We like this one because it's also great for cleaning beneath other large appliances. Be sure to remove stubborn dirt by gently running a long-handled bristle brush over the coil. Vacuum again, if necessary, and restore power to the unit.

If your refrigerator's coils are located at the back, you can gently brush away dust and dirt with a long-handled bristled brush.

***Remember to disconnect power to your refrigerator before cleaning or performing any kind of maintenance.***

Check the frost buildup on your freezer's evaporator coils.
Next, check the evaporator coils for frost buildup or lack of frost buildup. RepairClinic.com has disassembly videos to help you quickly and easily access the evaporator coils. There should be a consistent amount of frost on each coil. If only a few coils have frost, it's likely the system has developed a leak or there is a restriction. You will need to check the defrost components for a failure. With your refrigerator's model number handy, head to our Repair Help for information about how to do this.

Make sure you have sufficient water pressure.
The most common problem with ice makers doing a poor job or failing to do their job at all is water pressure. There must be a minimum of 20 PSI of water pressure in order for the icemaker to work well.

Testing is simple. Turn off the water, disconnect the supply line from the water inlet valve (which is usually located behind the refrigerator), hold the line over a bucket and then turn the water back on. If the water flow is weak (indicating low water pressure), there's likely something wrong with your home's water supply. If the water stream is steady (indicating proper water pressure), the water inlet valve may have a restriction and will be need to be replaced.

RepairClinic.com has free troubleshooting information with symptoms for common icemaker problems. There, you'll find information about the likely causes, the correct, recommended parts as well as how-to repair information. With your refrigerator's model number, head to

RepairClinic.com.

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