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View Full Version : I need to break up ice clumps in my ice maker



Roger Feeley
01-24-2024, 8:07 AM
My ice maker drops ice into a lower freezer drawer. There’s no removable bin, just a partitioned section so there’s nothing I can remove. Since it’s plastic in the cold, it’s a pretty bad idea to pound on it or use a sharp implement. What I want is something like this:


514336

These are nippers a dentist (my dad was a dentist) would use for breaking up plaster models. I think they might work but are a bit small. Are there any similar pliers wher the jaw opens up to over an inch?

Paul F Franklin
01-24-2024, 1:28 PM
My first thought would be channelocks. You could grind them to be sharp, but I doubt you would need to, ice is pretty easy to crush. The tool you show also resembles cable cutters for large gauge wire, so that would be another option.

Is there no way to put some kind of removable tray under the ice maker?

Roger Feeley
01-24-2024, 4:41 PM
Is there no way to put some kind of removable tray under the ice maker?

Paul, you made me think. I can make a lexan trayish thing. I just need something to dislodge the ice from the bottom. It doesn’t have to hold water. I can make some handles for yanking it up. Thanks!

Bill Dufour
01-27-2024, 3:33 PM
Those look like mini electricians cable cutters. Or garden pruners. Problem will be do you have room to open the handles in there? They make garden pruners with pliers action on a 4' long stick.
Bill D.

https://www.amazon.com/Leverage-Communications-Klein-Tools-63050/dp/B0000302X1/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1BLSFMKDJSI93&keywords=cable+cutter.+klein&qid=1706387558&s=hi&sprefix=cable+cutter.+klien%2Ctools%2C160&sr=1-3

https://www.amazon.com/KSEIBI-143010-Bypass-Pruner-Cutting/dp/B075Q4XXSF/ref=asc_df_B075Q4XXSF/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242044563503&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15070113496982020887&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032277&hvtargid=pla-887179385459&psc=1&mcid=0750609f9f6e3896864cbe685bfcf9eb&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIopOT77T-gwMV4TetBh0_uwM3EAQYASABEgKOdvD_BwE

John Stankus
01-29-2024, 10:16 AM
My first thought would be channelocks. You could grind them to be sharp, but I doubt you would need to, ice is pretty easy to crush. The tool you show also resembles cable cutters for large gauge wire, so that would be another option.

Is there no way to put some kind of removable tray under the ice maker?

You may want to see if someone can 3D print you a tray or liner that fits the space.

Roger Feeley
01-29-2024, 10:36 AM
You may want to see if someone can 3D print you a tray or liner that fits the space.
Nah, I have a strip heater for bending acrylic or lexan.

Ole Anderson
01-30-2024, 8:57 AM
Ice pick and a small tap with a hammer.

Roger Feeley
01-30-2024, 9:31 AM
I bought the plaster nippers and they worked great.

Rick Potter
01-30-2024, 1:40 PM
Late to the party again, but I simply use a butter knife.