Fridge water filters
The cartridge inside an American-style fridge freezer that filters the water and ice dispenser. Usually a manufacturer-specific part.
Most fridge freezers with a water or ice dispenser have a filter cartridge inside, either in the top-right corner of the fridge compartment or behind the bottom grille. It is a consumable and it has a replacement interval, typically six months, which the appliance will usually remind you about with an indicator light.
These are mostly proprietary. Samsung, LG, Bosch, Whirlpool and the rest each have their own cartridge families, and within a brand the fitting changes between generations. Getting the right one means matching the part number, not the brand.
Compatible third-party cartridges exist for most popular fittings and are considerably cheaper than the manufacturer's own. The good ones are certified against the same standards; the poor ones are not certified against anything. Look for a certification with a named list of what it covers rather than a generic claim.
Best for
- American-style fridge freezers with water and ice dispensers
- Anyone whose fridge filter light has come on
- Improving the taste of dispensed water and ice
Domestic appliance part. Commercial ice machines and dispensers use inline or dedicated systems instead.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple twist-and-replace on most models
- Noticeable improvement in the taste of dispensed water and ice
- Third-party equivalents are much cheaper than branded
Cons
- Proprietary fittings — easy to buy the wrong one
- Manufacturer cartridges are expensive
- Quality of compatibles varies a great deal
- Only filters the dispenser, nothing else in the house
Can you install it yourself?
Yes, this is a realistic DIY job
Skill level: Easy · Time: about 10 minutes
Quarter-turn, pull out, push the new one in, turn to lock. Then run three or four litres through to flush the carbon dust out and reset the indicator light.
Tools you will need
- None on most models
Maintenance
Every six months on most models, regardless of what the indicator says — the indicator is usually a timer, not a measurement.
Replacement interval: roughly every 6 months, though volume matters more than time. More on cartridge intervals.
