Whirlpool Refrigerator Icemaker - Styrofoam

Hello, I was wondering if anyone can provide some feedback on this issue. I bought a Whirlpool WRF550CDHZ few months ago, and recently noticed small Styrofoam bits coming out of the ice maker. I called Whirlpool, and they said they will send out a tech, but said I will be charged if this is not a functional issue. I just noticed couple pieces last few days, but I am afraid I cannot reproduce the issue when the tech comes to investigate.

Is this something I can fix myself or is there something really wrong within the icemaker or fridge?

Thank you for your help.

 

How are you confirming the material is styrofoam, can not think of any component that would have that material anywhere withing the water system.

Possibly some calcium deposits that are flaking off somewhere?

Are you on a well, water softener?

Does the unit have a water filter?

 

Coming out of the ice maker ?
Do you mean in the ice itself ?

Please double check that model number. Try to get it directly off the ID plate.

 

I am pretty sure it was some type of plastic, leaning heavily toward Styrofoam. I felt it and it felt just like Styrofoam. I found some in my drink after the ice has melted. I could not verify if they were frozen within the cubes, or if they were just dispensed together.The icemaker dispenses cubed and crushed ice together, so it is hard to tell where it exactly came from.

The unit has a water filter. I am not on a well or water softner.

I cannot find the icemaker model number. It just comes with Whirlpool fridge WRF550CDHZ, and could not locate a model number for the icemaker inside.

 

You posted an incomplete model number.

This is a group model number. In order to look up your fridge.... I need the full model number for the fridge.... not the icemaker.

 

Sorry, the label in the fridge says: WRF550CDHZ01

Thank you in advance.

 

Thanks. I'll check in to it for you.

One thought I have is that there are air passages between the fridge and freezer. Some are plastic and some are polyfoam ducts. It's possible to get bits of foam coming out of that duct. I'll check on the locations of them.

 

Thank you so much!

If there are indeed foam coming out of those ducts, is this part of an warranty issue, and I need a technician to fix this? Thanks again.

 

If anyone can help me on this, that would be great.

I am worried that the source is in the water supply now. Should I not be drinking the water from this refrigerator then?

 

Get a glass full of ice cubes. Rinse them off. Allow them to melt. Is there anything in the glass ?
(other than water)

Styrofoam would stay squishy while a mineral like calcium or something in the water would dry out and could be crushed into a powder. I've checked with other appliance techs and no one has had a problem with styrofoam. Whereas the white flakes in the ice from calcium and other minerals is a recurring problem.

I've been looking over the interior breakdowns and it looks there is fan over the ice maker that circulates cold air. I also see a cold air damper there. The parts breakdowns don't list what the products are made of so it's hard to tell if styrofoam is in the air stream but it certainly could be.

Searspartsdirect.com/model-number/wrf550cdhz01

 

No, you are not the only one. My family just got a new refrigerator and the same thing is happening. At first it was big chunks of styrofoam. After a day of getting ice out of the ice maker it is now little pieces. I'm not sure if you're getting styrofoam in your ice but I am 100% sure I'm getting it in mine. And there is a plausible explanation for it I found online for another type of fridge.

From Fixya user:
"Over the past few years the appliance companies have found that it is less costly and more efficient to replace the traditional spray in foam insulation to Styrofoampanels. They do sometimes shift. When they shift they can come in contact with the fan. The blade shaves them and then blows the foam particles into the unit. If you are comfortable with doing repairs then you can fix this. You will need to un-plug the refrigerator and remove everything in the freezer. You will see a series of screws in the back inside panel. Take these screws out and remove the panel. You will expose the coil and fan assembly. Inspect it and make any adjustments to the foam at this time. assemble in reverse. Hope this helps. Good luck. RE-post with updates. Thanks cj2176."

I haven't made attempts to try and resolve the issue yet but I was looking online right now for other people with solutions or similar problems. Please update us with your situation.

 

Hello, I tried melting few batches of ice to see what the white pieces were. They are definitely not calcium chunks, they seem to be very tiny pieces of Styrofoam. We noticed much less and less every batch we melted. It looks like no more is coming out now, so maybe the foam has shaved off completely in that area? I am not sure...

 

Hey.

MY ice dispencer is doing the same thing. There is a dark colored foam that seals the ice chute. Mine froze shut and when i pushed to dispence ice it ripped it apart. Now if i use it, ittle bits of the foam end up in my glass along with the ice.

Here is the part number WP2180353

There are a few youtube videos showing how to replace the flap

 

Welcome to the forums.

The problems in this thread are a little different than yours. Your problem is a cracked or broken flapper door.

The problem with these other members is styrofoam in the cold air path between the fridge and freezer.

 

Hi. I just noticed little bits of Styrofoam in my ice on my Samsung refrigerator. I have no idea whats causing it, but just to let you know, you're definitely not alone. Wish I had an answer.

 

Welcome to the forums.

I work on fridges but haven't come across this problem. There are several different fridges mentioned in this thread. One member mentioned the fan was hitting styrofoam and shaving it off. That is very possible..... with some makes and models that have an additional fan supplying cold air to the ice maker.

I do know that styrofoam is used in the ductwork and as ductwork between the freezer and the fridge. It is possible to see some flakes from the original installation but I would think that would diminish fairly quickly.

 

Hello jsmlee1207

I arrived at this site after performing a Google search about my whirlpool refrigerator .

Today 4/29/21 we received our brand new Whirlpool refrigerator, model WRS321SDHZ.

At our first attempt to dispense the cubed ice and crushed ice it seemed pretty good. However at 2nd attempt of “crushed” ice , huge chunks of styrofoam dispensed with the ice. This is in fact styrofoam and is easily recognizable. Once we noticed that styrofoam was dispensed we immediately stopped and has not used it since.

@jsmlee1207 or anyone else who experienced this ...what was the end result of your issue. Is it still happening ? Was there a fix?
I’m assuming this is a manufacture defect. I will be calling Whirpool customer service tomorrow. Thanks for any help that can be offered from anyone.

 

I was taking my iced maker out because it.stopped working. I noticed a big molded piece of Styrofoam in the icemaker tray above the dispensing bar. Its molded but i don't know if its part of the functioning or part of the delivery stability.

 

My frigidaire started spitting out styrofoam also. I finally found the location. Maybe this will help someone. A piece broke off