Whether you’ve just bought a Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker or you’re considering picking one up, it’s important to know what kind of water you should use for the best results. Soft water, hard water, or distilled water – which will work best with your machine?

Per Frigidaire’s ice maker manuals, you can use any type of water you want (hard water, spring water, etc.) in your machine. But you should ensure that the temperature isn’t hot. It should be room temperature or lower for the machine to work effectively. 

The answer seems pretty clear, but which type of water is best to use in your specific case? In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the main question and then help you decide which water you should use in your Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker. Let’s get right into it! 

What Water Do You Use In a Frigidaire Ice Maker?

The type of water you use in your Frigidaire ice maker has a profound effect on how efficiently the machine operates. 

Frigidaire’s manuals are clear about the type of water they recommend. Literally any kind of water (room temp or cooler) is okay for use with your ice maker.

Different Types of Water

Though you can use any type of water in your Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker, it may not always be the best choice. 

Between tap water, hard water, distilled water, and more, you may find that one water type works better for you than another.

Tap Water 

Water from the tap is usually the most cost-effective option, and it’s usually what most people use in their countertop ice makers. 

Tap water is generally safe to drink but may contain minerals or other contaminants that can affect the taste of your ice. 

These same minerals and scale deposits can even build up in your machine and cause it to malfunction.

Hard Water 

Hard water is water that contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. 

It’s not necessarily unsafe to drink, but it can quickly leave behind scale deposits in your machine that affect its performance. 

We don’t recommend using hard water in your Frigidaire Countertop Ice Maker.

Distilled Water 

Distilled water is one of the best waters to use in your ice maker.

Distilled water is:

  • Contaminant-free
  • Tasteless
  • Void of minerals
  • Won’t create build up in your machine

But that’s not all – it produces clearer ice, which can be important if you’re making ice for a formal, upscale affair. Just be aware that distilled water is expensive. 

Soft Water 

Soft water can be expensive, and its lack of minerals can make it difficult for some ice makers to detect that there is indeed water in the machine. 

Soft water is water that contains low concentrations of dissolved minerals. It’s the most common type of water used in ice makers, and it produces among the clearest and best-tasting ice cubes. 

The few issues with this water shouldn’t be much of a problem for your Frigidaire ice maker, but could be an issue for others.

Spring Water 

Spring water is sourced directly from natural springs. So, it may have a higher mineral concentration than other water types. 

It could cause scale buildup, so you should be careful when using spring water in your ice maker.

The same warnings apply here as with hard water – 

Keep the Water In Your Ice Maker Clean

At the end of the day, the cleanliness of your water is paramount, no matter which type you choose to use in your ice maker. 

If there are any contaminants present in the water you’re using, it can lead to a variety of issues down the line.

Dirty water makes your ice smell and taste bad, and it can even make you sick. This ice maker doesn’t have continual water flow – water is added manually, so any contaminants that get into the tank remain there until you change the water.

Now let’s take a look at what temperature of water you should use.

Don’t Use Hot Water

The reason why you shouldn’t use hot water in the ice maker is that it can slow down the ice- making process. 

Hot water takes longer to freeze than cold water, so it’ll take more time for your ice maker to do its thing. 

And if the water is super hot, it can stop your machine from working altogether. 

Conclusion

There you have it – everything you need to know about which type of water you should use in your Frigidaire ice maker. 

Remember, any type of water will work in the machine, but some may produce better ice quality than others. 

To make the most of your ice maker, be sure to keep the machine clean and the water fresh. Good luck!