fridge - ice and water dispenser

[Heathcliff]

Am shopping for a new, side by side fridge. Almost all the models have that through-the-door ice and water dispenser, which strikes me as a needless complication. They are rare but I have found one or two models that don't have it. They seem to use a little less electricity, but are not cheaper to buy. So: do these dispensers break down or cause problems? Or, would I come to love it? Right now no one in the family routinely uses icel; we have a couple ice cube trays in the freezer and when guests ask for ice, we pull them out and the ice cubes have all sublimated down to where they rattle around in there. We do sometimes keep a bottle of water in the fridge though. If we buy one with the dispensers I will go ahead and hook up the water supply. -- H

[Don & Lucille]

[trader4]

I think ice dispensers have gotten a lot better over the years. I love the crushed ice from the Kitchenaid and would want it on any fridge I buy. If you haven't had crushed available, there is a huge difference. Unlike cubes it instantly chills down a room temp drink, without waiting. And it's easier to drink, as you don't have the big cubes to work around or keep from falling out as you get near the end. If you want cubes, you can get those from the dispenser too. Check out the Whirpool and Kitchenaid ice systems. After looking around quite a bit, that is the system I chose.

Also most fridges now have a water filter, which is nice too.

[Phisherman]

It is a personal preference. If nobody in the household uses ice on a regular basis, I'd get a fridge without an icemaker (these are usually the first part that breaks down) and utilize the extra freezer space.

[KLS]

Same here, plus I would rather avoid that extra run of plumbing.

[Boden]

Doesn't Whirlpool make the ice makers used by most of the refrigerator manufacturers? If ice makers fail often we may know who to look at.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Depends on your uses. We have both ice and water and I'd not be without it. Ice makers are know to be a trouble spot and yes, I had to replace mine once in about 15 years. If it broke again, I'd replace it again. My wife uses a lot of ice, I use some, but we both drink a fair amount of the cold water.

The ice maker can be turned off, but it takes up space. I'm willing to give up the space, but it sounds as though it would be a waste for you.

[Stormin Mormon]

Sounds like the ice maker would be a waste of time and space. If you aren't using ice cubes regularly, they tend to stick together. And the ice dispenser clogs with ice cubes stuck together.

Though, the water dispenser could be good. There is typically a quart or so bladder in the back of the fridge, so the dispenser does cold water.

Overall, it sounds like the ice and water dispenser would be a waste of money and space for your needs. Yes, they do break down.