Ice maker terms — harvest cycle, evaporator plate, bin sensor, fill tube, clear ice, and water filtration explained.
Thermador ice maker terminology
Dedicated ice makers use more specialized components than refrigerator ice makers. Understanding these terms helps with troubleshooting and service communication.
- Harvest cycle: The process of releasing formed ice from the evaporator plate into the bin. Involves warming the plate briefly so ice slides off
- Evaporator plate: The cold metal surface where water freezes into ice. Mineral scale buildup on the plate reduces ice clarity and production
- Bin sensor: Infrared or mechanical sensor that detects when the ice bin is full and pauses production
- Fill tube: Tube directing water from the inlet valve onto the evaporator plate. Can freeze shut if water flow is too slow
- Clear ice: Ice produced without trapped air bubbles — achieved through controlled freezing, filtration, and clean evaporator surfaces
- Water inlet valve: Solenoid-operated valve that opens to allow water into the ice maker during the fill cycle
- Condensate pump: Optional pump for installations where gravity drain isn’t available. Pumps meltwater to a nearby drain
- Descaling: Chemical cleaning process that removes mineral scale (calcium, magnesium deposits) from the evaporator plate
- Production rate: Measured in pounds per day under ideal conditions (50-65 lbs for Thermador models)
For specifications, visit the Thermador official site. For service, Schedule service online.
