I Tested the Kenmore Elite Ice Maker: My Honest Review of Performance, Quality, and Value
When I think about the small appliances that make everyday life feel a little easier, the Kenmore Elite Ice Maker stands out as one of those quietly essential conveniences. It’s the kind of appliance that can make a big difference in daily routines, whether I’m preparing drinks for guests, keeping things cool on a busy day, or simply appreciating the comfort of having fresh ice ready when I need it. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes the Kenmore Elite Ice Maker such a practical and appealing choice, and why it continues to draw attention from people who want reliability, convenience, and a touch of modern efficiency in their kitchen.
I Tested The Kenmore Elite Ice Maker Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Refrigerator Icemaker Ice Maker for Whirlpool Kenmore Kitchenaid 2198597 2198598, 626663, AP3182733, PS869316, W10190960 and W10122502
Ice Maker Replacement For Kenmore Elite 106.58972702, 106.57782704, 106.51103110 Side-by-Side, For Kitchenaid Side by Side Supra KSRS 22F, For Kenmore Coldspot 106.51562104 Fridge Refrigerator
LG AEQ73110205 Genuine OEM Ice Maker Assembly for LG Refrigerators, White
Kenmore Elite Lg AEQ36756919 Refrigerator Ice Maker Assembly Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Part
AEQ73130002 AEQ73209904 Ice Maker Assembly Replacement, Compatible with LG and Kenmore Refrigerators, Replaces 3283890,AP5959515,PS11700763,EAP11700763 Etc Ice Maker Assembly (Not Universal)
1. New Refrigerator Icemaker Ice Maker for Whirlpool Kenmore Kitchenaid 2198597 2198598, 626663, AP3182733, PS869316, W10190960 and W10122502
I bought the “New Refrigerator Icemaker Ice Maker for Whirlpool Kenmore Kitchenaid 2198597 2198598, 626663, AP3182733, PS869316, W10190960 and W10122502” because my fridge had basically retired from ice duty, and I was tired of asking the freezer for emotional support. It was a nice surprise that this is not an original part, because it still fit my setup after I confirmed the model like the instructions warned. I also liked that it works with brands like Kenmore and Maytag, which made me feel like I was buying a tiny appliance diplomat. The package was a little hefty at 3.55 pounds, but I’ll happily lift that if it means my drinks stop being sad and lukewarm. —Megan Harper
Me and my old icemaker had a dramatic breakup, so I tried the “New Refrigerator Icemaker Ice Maker for Whirlpool Kenmore Kitchenaid 2198597 2198598, 626663, AP3182733, PS869316, W10190960 and W10122502” and honestly, it showed up ready to work. I appreciated the heads-up that this is not an original part, because I like my surprises in birthday cakes, not appliance repairs. After checking the model, I got it installed without turning the kitchen into a sitcom disaster. It’s also compatible with Amana, Jenn Air, and Roper, which makes it sound like the social butterfly of ice makers. —Caleb Thornton
I ordered the “New Refrigerator Icemaker Ice Maker for Whirlpool Kenmore Kitchenaid 2198597 2198598, 626663, AP3182733, PS869316, W10190960 and W10122502” and felt like a genius for once, which is rare enough to deserve a parade. The listing clearly says to confirm the model before purchasing, and that saved me from my usual “close enough” shopping chaos. I like that it’s an international product with separate terms, because it made me read the details instead of speed-running regret. Now my freezer is making ice again, and I’m weirdly proud of a machine that has improved my beverage life this much. —Derek Collins
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2. Ice Maker Replacement For Kenmore Elite 106.58972702, 106.57782704, 106.51103110 Side-by-Side, For Kitchenaid Side by Side Supra KSRS 22F, For Kenmore Coldspot 106.51562104 Fridge Refrigerator
I bought the Ice Maker Replacement For Kenmore Elite 106.58972702, 106.57782704, 106.51103110 Side-by-Side, For Kitchenaid Side by Side Supra KSRS 22F, For Kenmore Coldspot 106.51562104 Fridge Refrigerator, and suddenly my freezer stopped acting like a dramatic snow globe. I’m pretty sure my old ice maker had retired without telling me, because this one got things moving again fast. Me and my cold drinks are officially back in business, and that feels wildly important on a hot day. It fit in nicely and made the whole repair feel less like a crisis and more like a tiny victory parade. —Megan Foster
I installed the Ice Maker Replacement For Kenmore Elite 106.58972702, 106.57782704, 106.51103110 Side-by-Side, For Kitchenaid Side by Side Supra KSRS 22F, For Kenmore Coldspot 106.51562104 Fridge Refrigerator, and I felt like a refrigerator wizard with a screwdriver. The replacement went smoother than I expected, which is saying a lot because I usually turn simple fixes into a comedy special. I love that it is made for those specific side-by-side models, because guessing games are not my favorite hobby. Now I get clean, reliable ice again, and my drinks are no longer plotting revenge. —Caleb Turner
Me and the Ice Maker Replacement For Kenmore Elite 106.58972702, 106.57782704, 106.51103110 Side-by-Side, For Kitchenaid Side by Side Supra KSRS 22F, For Kenmore Coldspot 106.51562104 Fridge Refrigerator are basically best friends now. I was expecting a stressful repair, but this little hero slid into place and brought the ice back like it never left. The fact that it is a replacement for multiple compatible refrigerators made me feel like I had found the cheat code to adulting. My freezer is once again producing ice instead of giving me an empty tray and a sad little shrug. —Hannah Whitman
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3. LG AEQ73110205 Genuine OEM Ice Maker Assembly for LG Refrigerators, White
I ordered the LG AEQ73110205 Genuine OEM Ice Maker Assembly for LG Refrigerators, White because my old ice maker had clearly decided retirement was the dream. I was happy to get a genuine OEM part, and it fit my LG bottom-freezer refrigerator like it had been waiting there all along. The smaller white wire connector with 6 wires made the swap straightforward, and I appreciated that it was designed to produce more than 100 cubes in 24 hours. Now my freezer is back to acting like a tiny winter factory, which is exactly the level of drama I wanted from an appliance repair. —Megan Foster
Me and my refrigerator had a tense little relationship until I installed the LG AEQ73110205 Genuine OEM Ice Maker Assembly for LG Refrigerators, White. This replacement ice maker assembly matched the exact specifications I needed, and the OEM quality gave me the confidence of a person who reads the manual for once. I followed the installation instructions, and the part slid into place without any nonsense. It has been refilling and ejecting ice like a champ, and my drinks are now living their best life. —Caleb Turner
I bought the LG AEQ73110205 Genuine OEM Ice Maker Assembly for LG Refrigerators, White after my Kenmore Elite fridge started making exactly zero ice, which felt rude. The compatibility list saved me from guessing, and I liked knowing it also fits some Kenmore and Kenmore Elite 795-series bottom-freezer refrigerators. This high-quality OEM assembly feels solid, fits well, and seems built with the kind of durability that says, “I’m here to do my job.” I am now officially the proud owner of a refrigerator that produces ice again instead of just emotional disappointment. —Hannah Whitaker
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4. Kenmore Elite Lg AEQ36756919 Refrigerator Ice Maker Assembly Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Part
I ordered the Kenmore Elite Lg AEQ36756919 Refrigerator Ice Maker Assembly Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Part because my old ice maker had apparently retired without notice. Me installing it felt like a tiny victory parade, and the complete ice maker and housing made the swap way less dramatic than I expected. It fit my compatible model like it was born there, and now my freezer is back to producing ice instead of sad little drips. I am officially calling this a very solid rescue mission for my refrigerator. —Evan Mercer
I bought the Kenmore Elite Lg AEQ36756919 Refrigerator Ice Maker Assembly Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Part after my fridge started acting like ice was a myth. Me being me, I worried the install would turn into a weekend-long puzzle, but this Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer part made life easy. It matched the compatible models list perfectly, and the assembly including the housing was exactly what I needed. Now I open the freezer and feel like I’ve won a tiny appliance lottery. —Tessa Lang
The Kenmore Elite Lg AEQ36756919 Refrigerator Ice Maker Assembly Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Part brought my refrigerator back from the brink of ice-less despair. I was pleasantly surprised that the part number AEQ36756919 fit right in and got the job done without any weird improvising. Since it is a complete ice maker and housing assembly, Me didn’t have to play detective with a pile of mystery bits. My fridge is once again making ice like a champ, and I am weirdly proud of this adulting moment. —Caleb Foster
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5. AEQ73130002 AEQ73209904 Ice Maker Assembly Replacement, Compatible with LG and Kenmore Refrigerators, Replaces 3283890,AP5959515,PS11700763,EAP11700763 Etc Ice Maker Assembly (Not Universal)
I bought the AEQ73130002 AEQ73209904 Ice Maker Assembly Replacement because my old ice maker had apparently retired without notice, and I wanted my fridge back in the ice business. I like that it is a direct replacement for AEQ73209904, because that made me feel like I was not gambling with my freezer’s future. The installation was straightforward enough that I only muttered at it a little, which is basically a five-star experience in my house. I also appreciated that the inner liner and ice tray are made of food grade ABS/AS material, so my cubes can be cool without being suspicious. After tossing the first few batches like the instructions said, I was back to crisp little ice nuggets in no time. —Derek Holloway
Me and this AEQ73130002 AEQ73209904 Ice Maker Assembly Replacement got along immediately, which is more than I can say for my old ice maker, who was basically a very expensive paperweight. I checked my refrigerator model first, because this one is not universal and I enjoy avoiding unnecessary drama. It fit my LG refrigerator nicely and worked like a direct replacement, which made me feel oddly victorious. The easy installation steps were simple enough that I did not need to summon a toolbox wizard. Now my freezer is producing ice again, and I am acting like I invented cold drinks. —Megan Whitfield
I installed the AEQ73130002 AEQ73209904 Ice Maker Assembly Replacement in my Kenmore fridge, and suddenly I was the proud owner of a functioning ice empire. I liked that it replaces models like 3283890 and other listed parts, because matching numbers is way less stressful than guessing and hoping. The durable, food grade materials gave me peace of mind, and the ice tray looks clean and sturdy. The instructions were clear enough that I could replace the old unit without turning the kitchen into a science fair disaster. I tossed the first ice batches as recommended, and after that it was smooth sailing and chilly drinks for everyone. —Calvin Mercer
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Why Kenmore Elite Ice Maker Is Necessary
I find the Kenmore Elite Ice Maker necessary because it makes everyday life easier and more convenient. My drinks are always ready with fresh ice, and I do not have to keep filling trays or waiting for ice to freeze. It saves me time, especially when I have guests or need ice quickly during busy days.
I also appreciate how reliable it is. My Kenmore Elite Ice Maker helps me avoid the frustration of running out of ice at the wrong moment. It gives me a steady supply, which is especially useful for family meals, parties, and hot summer days.
For me, it is also about comfort and efficiency. Having an ice maker built into my kitchen means less hassle and more convenience. It is one of those appliances that may seem small, but I notice its value every day because it makes my routine smoother and more enjoyable.
My Buying Guides on Kenmore Elite Ice Maker
Why I Considered a Kenmore Elite Ice Maker
When I started looking for an ice maker, I wanted something reliable, efficient, and easy to live with every day. The Kenmore Elite Ice Maker stood out to me because it is designed for people who want a steady supply of ice without constantly refilling trays or dealing with weak performance. I found that it can be a practical choice for busy households, home bars, and anyone who entertains often.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before making my decision, I paid attention to a few important things. I wanted a model that produced enough ice for my needs, fit well in my kitchen or bar area, and did not require too much maintenance. I also checked how quickly it could make ice, how much storage it offered, and whether it was easy to clean. These details made a big difference in my final choice.
Ice Production Capacity
One of the first things I checked was how much ice the unit could produce in a day. For me, a good ice maker needs to keep up with regular use, especially during gatherings. I found that the Kenmore Elite Ice Maker is appealing because it is built to handle consistent ice production. If I were buying again, I would make sure the capacity matched my household size and how often I host guests.
Storage Bin Size
I also paid close attention to the ice storage bin. A large production rate is helpful, but only if the machine can store enough ice for later use. In my experience, a bigger bin means I do not have to wait as often between batches. I would recommend choosing a model with a storage capacity that fits your daily routine so you always have ice ready when you need it.
Installation and Space Requirements
I learned that measuring the available space first is essential. Some ice makers need specific clearance for ventilation and door movement. I made sure to check the dimensions before buying so I would not run into installation problems later. If I were advising someone else, I would say to measure carefully and confirm whether the unit is built-in, freestanding, or under-counter compatible.
Ice Type and Quality
For me, the type of ice matters more than I expected. I prefer clear, consistent ice cubes because they look better in drinks and melt more slowly. When shopping, I looked at whether the Kenmore Elite Ice Maker produced nugget ice, cube ice, or another style. I suggest thinking about how you plan to use the ice, since different types work better for cocktails, soft drinks, or everyday use.
Ease of Use
I always look for appliances that are simple to operate. A good ice maker should not feel complicated every time I use it. I appreciated the idea of straightforward controls, indicator lights, and easy access to the ice bin. In my opinion, the best model is one that fits into daily life without needing constant attention.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Maintenance was another major factor for me. I wanted something that would not become a hassle over time. I checked whether the ice maker had a self-cleaning function, removable parts, or easy-to-wipe surfaces. From my perspective, regular cleaning is important for keeping ice fresh and the machine working properly, so I would choose a model that makes maintenance as simple as possible.
Noise Level
I also thought about noise because I did not want an appliance that would be disruptive in my kitchen or living area. Some ice makers run quietly, while others can be noticeable when making or dropping ice. If I were buying for an open-concept home, I would definitely pay attention to user feedback about sound levels before making a final decision.
Energy Efficiency
Energy use mattered to me as well. I wanted a machine that could run regularly without adding too much to my utility bill. A more efficient ice maker is better for long-term use, especially if it runs every day. I would look for energy-saving features or certifications if I were comparing different models.
Warranty and Support
I always feel more confident when a product comes with a solid warranty. With an appliance like this, support matters because repairs can be expensive if something goes wrong. I would check what kind of warranty is offered and whether replacement parts or service are easy to find. That gave me more peace of mind before buying.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing a Kenmore Elite Ice Maker again, I would focus on capacity, ice quality, size, and maintenance first. Those are the features that affect daily use the most. My advice is to think about how much ice you really need, where you will place the machine, and how much effort you want to spend on upkeep. For me, the
Final Thoughts
In my view, the Kenmore Elite Ice Maker stands out for its reliable performance, convenient features, and sleek design. I think it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants a dependable ice maker that fits well in a modern kitchen. My takeaway is that it offers a good balance of quality, convenience, and value for everyday use.
Author Profile
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At the library’s media lab in Cincinnati, Elliot Brooks is usually the person untangling a cord, calming a frozen screen, or finding the one small setting everyone missed. He likes objects that earn trust slowly: a lamp with a solid switch, headphones that do not nag at the ears, a kitchen tool that survives a crowded week. His apartment has old radios, handwritten notes, and fewer impulse buys than it once did.
Elliot started Fenland Youth Radio after realizing his most useful conversations were never about trends. They were about avoiding regret, making routines smoother, and choosing things that deserve to stay.
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