Had to swap one out for my uncle last year—thought it’d be a quick job, but nope. Ended up with the fridge halfway across the kitchen, cursing at a tiny screw I dropped. Trays might be basic, but at least they don’t fight back.
Honestly, those little screws are the worst part. Folks think it’s just “unscrew and swap,” but you’re wrestling with cramped spaces, brittle plastic, and sometimes even frozen-over parts. Labor costs add up fast when you factor in all the fiddly bits. Trays might be old-school, but they never leak water all over your floor...
You nailed it—those tiny screws are a pain, especially when you’re working in a fridge that’s seen better days. I’ve had plastic tabs snap just from looking at them wrong. It’s never as simple as “just swap it out.” Even with the right tools, you’re hunched over, trying not to drop anything behind the compressor. I get why the labor adds up. Still, I do miss the reliability of old-school trays... less drama, more ice.
Those screws are the worst, but what really gets me is when you finally get the old ice maker loose and realize the wiring harness is just a hair too short to work comfortably. I’ve had to fish out dropped screws with a magnet more times than I care to admit. And yeah, those plastic tabs—they’re brittle as crackers on some of these older models.
Honestly, the labor charge isn’t just about the time spent swapping the part. It’s the hassle of working in a cramped space, dealing with parts that don’t want to cooperate, and making sure you don’t accidentally crack something else in the process. I’ve seen folks try to DIY it and end up with a fridge that leaks or won’t make ice at all.
I do miss the old trays too. You knew exactly what you were getting—no sensors, no motors, just water and a twist. But people want convenience now, and that comes with a price tag... and a few headaches for whoever’s doing the repairs.
Man, you nailed it with the wiring harness being just a tad too short. I swear, whoever designs these things must have hands the size of a toddler. I always end up with my arm wedged between the freezer wall and some sharp bit of plastic, trying not to drop another screw down into the abyss.
I’ve had to fish out dropped screws with a magnet more times than I care to admit.
Same here. I actually keep one of those telescoping magnets in my tool bag just for fridge jobs now. And don’t get me started on those brittle plastic tabs—one wrong move and you’re explaining to someone why their ice bucket doesn’t quite fit right anymore.
I get what you mean about the old trays. There’s something satisfying about cracking an ice tray over the sink, even if half the cubes end up on the floor. But yeah, convenience comes at a price... and usually a couple of scraped knuckles. Funny thing is, I’ve seen people try to “save money” by doing it themselves and end up calling us anyway when water’s leaking everywhere. Sometimes paying for the headache is cheaper in the long run.
