We are having a problem with our GE refrig icemaker. Basically if we do not empty the ice every week, the inside of the ice maker and the ice get coated with some brown gunk which is vet difficult to clean.

The GE people told me this is normal and is called oxidatation. This does not seem normal to me. The ice actually smells

an other person told me that it is the mineral in our water supply.

I would appreciate any help on to prevent this stuff from taking over my ice maker.

Also what is the cause.

Thanks

** if we do not empty the ice every week, the inside of the ice maker and the ice get coated with some brown gunk **

Even the ice which was made right after cleaning but left sitting in the ice bin??

** another person told me that it is the mineral in our water supply. **

That might be a possibility if all ice being made is affected. The condition shouldn't go away just by cleaning the *icemaker*, it would be constant.

** The GE people told me this is normal and is called oxidatation. **

You actually had someone to your home to inspect the matter??

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=GE+Fridge
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

Yes the brown stuff on the "chrome" parts will get on the ice cubes if they touch.

I called the GE Helpline and they told me brown stuff was oxidation and was normal. They were of no help on cleaning, cause or prevention.

Please clarify...

Which chrome parts? In the ice *dispenser* mechanism (if whatever model of GE fridge has an ice dispenser) on in or around the *icemaker* (which you originally said had the problem)??

Please also post your fridge's complete model and serial number so we can look up what design of appliance you're dealing with. You can find tips for locating the model and serial number tag on your appliances in the 'Repair Parts' section of my web site linked below.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=GE+Fridge
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

The GE model number is TFH27PR.

The item I am talking about is the plastic bucket that the ice drops into. Inside the bucket is a chrome colored device that look like a big corkscrew. If we do not empty the ice every week and clean the "cork screw" then the device gets coated with some brown junk. This junk takes quite an effort to get off. In time the brown gunk gets on the ice cubes. Bottom line is the ice maker is not usable. I spoke to the GE Hotline people and the call this oxidation and they statet this normal. Again that seems strange to me. My feeling is some mineral in my water/ice is this effect on the corkscrew.

The ice cubes are fine when the come out of the maker and will stay fine for a few days.

Let me know if you need more information.

** the plastic bucket that the ice drops into. Inside the bucket is a chrome colored device that look like a big corkscrew. **

Ok, that is usually called the "auger" of the ice dispenser.

** the device gets coated with some brown junk. **

I don't know what the "brown junk" is but if it is continually forming on the auger, that auger may need to be replaced.

** The GE model number is TFH27PR **

I'm afraid that is only *part* of a model number, did you get it right off the appliance's model and serial number tag (*on the appliance*)? That is the only reliable place the complete information will be found.

** Bottom line is the ice maker is not usable. **

It sounds to me that the "icemaker" is making the cubes Ok (that's all the icemaker is suppose to do). The ice "dispenser" may not be usable however with the condition you described.

** I spoke to the GE Hotline people and the call this oxidation and they state this normal **

The only "normal" I can think of in such a situation is the part may be defective (which happens occasionally) and might need to be changed. If you get the full model number *off the refrigerator*, we can look it up to see how much a replacement part might be and you can go from there.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=GE+Fridge
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

thanks

MN TFH27PRSA

SN QH232730

It seems that your refrigerator's auger which spins to push ice to dispenser is rusty. My GE refrigerator I bought in 2000. The auger, in the ice storage bin, was made by steel with chrome-plated. Once it chips by hard water and moisture, its whole spin will be rusty. The ice will look brown and even contaminated.

** [model number] TFH27PRSA **

Sorry, I didn't see your reply with the model number until today. It's probably no longer an issue but you can see the auger used on your model at the following link:

- GE TFH27PRSA Ice Dispenser Auger
LINK > http://www.appliance411.com/data.php?rc=294013

JFYI

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=GE+Fridge
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

Dan

Thanks for the help. I got the replacment part yesterday. Do you know where I could get installation instructions ?

I could not find anything on-line

Thanks