Winterizing the ice maker

[jmblake]

Never had to winterize before and I never had a refrigerator with a ice maker.  what's the best way to winterize the ice maker?

[chessie4905]

Pump some rv antifreeze through it. Just remember to toss the first couple  of cycles of cubes after changing back to regular water through it. Or remove ice maker and drain feed line.

[jmblake]

I took the line off at the refrig and got the anti freeze up to that point but I can't get it any further than that, I tried turning the fridge on and the icemaker on but couldn't get the valve to open. thought maybe I was missing something simple. Maybe I can get the line off on the other side of the valve and blow it out with the air compressor.

[Raymond smith]

Your valve is 120 volts.make a cord up to power it. Pressurize with antifreeze, take the line off feeding the icemaker, you do not want antifreeze inside. Once pressured up plug the jumper wire in,antifreeze will come out then blow the water out of the feed line going inside with your mouth or low pressure compressed air.   Raymond

[Raymond smith]

Sorry  forgot to ask,RV type fridge or house fridge. The info i posted is for RV fridge icemakers

[jmblake]

Thanks, It's a Dometic rv type fridge

[luvrbus]

Just remove the lines from the solenoid on the fridge that's all there is too it, don't use the rv antifreeze and don't worry about the compartment it's made to freeze ice.

The solenoid is the only part that will freeze and break,it's funny RV dealers charge $129.00 for the solenoid and you can buy it from Sears Parts for $19.00 now that is markup     

[goutoe]

I hook my water hose connection up to an air compressor set the regulator at about 30 psi. leave the air connected overnight till it stops making ice, also works for the dish washer. >>>> John.

[bevans6]

Same with me, I have a connector with an air valve on it, hook that to the city water input and put my compressor on it.  I blow out all the water from every line, and then leave the low point drain open.  I only use RV antifreeze in the drains.  Which reminds me that I forgot to put RV antifreeze in the drains this year.  Oh well.

Brian

[goutoe]

I use windshield washer antifreeze in all of the drain traps, less expensive and just as effective.>>> John.

[jmblake]

Thanks everyone, I took the line off at the valve and blew the water out and I know I got antifreeze up to the valve, so I should be good to go. Hopefully it won't be outside very long but it has been hovereing around 5 degrees at nite. Thanks Jason

[belfert]

I use windshield washer antifreeze in all of the drain traps, less expensive and just as effective.>>> John.

Is it really that expensive to buy RV antifreeze for less than $3 a gallon?  I typically use one and a half gallons each year so $4.50 a year.