Twice a year is plenty

Clean your ice maker’s condenser coils every six months to keep it running efficiently.

More if you have pets or live in a dusty place. That’s the whole rule. Every six months is the sweet spot for most homes because ice makers run constantly and pull in air. Dirty coils make the compressor work harder, which means higher electric bills and a shorter lifespan for the machine.

How to do it? Unplug it, find the coils (usually behind a front grille or at the back), and vacuum or brush off the dust. If they’re greasy or caked on, use a coil brush. Takes 10 minutes. Don’t use water unless the manufacturer says it’s okay — you can bend the fins or rust things out.

Set a calendar reminder. If you wait until the ice gets slow or thin, the coils are already past due.

Not exactly thrilling maintenance, but cheaper than a new ice maker.