What Ultra Ice Does on Your Kenmore Refrigerator and How to Use It

Ultra Ice is a fast-freeze setting that drops your freezer temperature to speed up ice production

Ultra Ice on a Kenmore refrigerator is a feature that temporarily lowers your freezer to a colder-than-normal temperature, usually around −4°F instead of the standard 0°F. The purpose is simple: make ice cubes faster when you need them. When you turn it on, the compressor works harder and longer to pull heat out of the freezer compartment, which means your ice maker fills and freezes ice trays in roughly half the normal time.

This is not a permanent setting. Ultra Ice runs for a set period—typically 2 to 4 hours on most Kenmore models—then automatically shuts off and returns your freezer to its normal temperature. You do not have to remember to turn it off. The feature exists for situations where you actually need ice quickly: a party tomorrow, a cooler you are filling for a trip, or simply because your ice bin ran empty and you want it refilled before dinner.

The trade-off is real but manageable. Running Ultra Ice uses more electricity during those hours, and it can temporarily make your entire freezer colder, which might affect how quickly frozen foods thaw if you open the door frequently. For most households, running it once or twice a month costs very little extra. If you run it every single day, you will see a small bump in your electricity bill and put extra wear on the compressor.

Key Takeaways

• Ultra Ice lowers your freezer temperature to around −4°F for 2 to 4 hours to speed up ice cube production by roughly half.
• The feature turns off automatically after its timer expires and does not require you to manually switch it back to normal.
• Using Ultra Ice occasionally—once or twice a month—adds minimal cost and wear; daily use will show up in your electricity bill.
• Your freezer will be noticeably colder while Ultra Ice is running, so avoid opening the door frequently during those hours.
• Ultra Ice works only if your ice maker is connected to a water line; it cannot make ice if the water supply is off or blocked.

Where to find the Ultra Ice button on your Kenmore

The location depends on your model year and whether your Kenmore is a top-freezer, bottom-freezer, or side-by-side. On most newer Kenmore refrigerators, the Ultra Ice button is on the control panel inside the refrigerator compartment, usually on the right wall near the top. It is often labeled "Ultra Ice" or sometimes "Fast Ice" or "Ice Boost," depending on the specific model.

On some older Kenmore models, the button is on the exterior of the fridge, typically on the front face near other ice-maker controls. If you cannot find it, check the model number on your refrigerator (usually on a sticker inside the fridge or on the back) and look up the manual for that specific model on the Kenmore website or through a manual database. The manual will show you exactly where the button sits and how long the cycle runs on your particular unit.

If your Kenmore has a digital display panel, you may need to press a menu button first to access Ultra Ice as an option rather than finding a dedicated physical button. Read the small text above or below each button on the display—one of them will say "Ultra Ice" or show an ice symbol.

How to turn Ultra Ice on and what happens next

Press the Ultra Ice button once. Most Kenmore models will show a light or indicator next to the button to confirm it is active. Some models beep or display a message on the control panel. That is all you need to do—do not press it again unless you want to cancel the cycle early.

Once activated, the compressor will run more frequently and stay on longer than usual. You may hear the refrigerator running more often or notice the sound is slightly louder. This is normal. The freezer temperature will drop noticeably, and if you have a thermometer in there, you will see it fall to around −4°F or lower. Your ice maker will begin filling and freezing ice faster than it normally does.

After 2 to 4 hours (the exact time varies by model), the Ultra Ice cycle ends automatically. The indicator light turns off, the compressor returns to its normal cycle, and your freezer temperature climbs back to 0°F. You do not have to do anything. If you want to stop the cycle early—for example, because your ice bin is now full—press the Ultra Ice button again to cancel it.

When to use Ultra Ice and when to skip it

Use Ultra Ice when you actually need ice quickly. A party or gathering tomorrow, a camping trip next weekend, or an empty ice bin that you want refilled before guests arrive are all good reasons. Running it once or twice a month for these situations is the intended use and will not strain your refrigerator or noticeably increase your bills.

Skip Ultra Ice if your ice bin is already full or nearly full. There is no point running the feature when you have nowhere to put the ice. Also skip it if you are about to leave the house for several hours or if you have frozen foods in the freezer that you plan to thaw soon—the extra cold can make thawing take longer and can freeze items harder than you want.

Do not run Ultra Ice continuously or every day. Your compressor is designed to cycle on and off throughout the day, not to run at maximum effort for hours at a time, day after day. Overusing it will shorten the lifespan of the compressor and increase your electricity costs. If you find yourself needing ice constantly, the real solution is a larger ice bin or a separate ice maker, not running Ultra Ice every single day.

Troubleshooting: Ultra Ice is on but ice is not being made faster

First, check that your ice maker is actually connected to a water line. Ultra Ice cannot make ice if there is no water supply. Look under your refrigerator or behind it—there should be a small plastic or copper tube running from the back of the fridge to your home's water line. If you do not see one, or if it is kinked or disconnected, that is your problem. Reconnect it or straighten it out, and ice production should resume.

Second, make sure the water inlet valve is open. On most Kenmore models, there is a small valve under the sink or behind the refrigerator where the water line connects. If someone turned it off, water cannot reach the ice maker. Turn it back on (usually by turning a small knob counterclockwise) and wait 10 minutes for water to reach the ice maker.

Third, check whether the ice maker itself is actually on. Some Kenmore refrigerators have a separate on/off switch for the ice maker, often a small lever or button inside the freezer. If it is in the off position, the ice maker will not work no matter what. Flip it to on, and try Ultra Ice again.

If the water line is connected, the valve is open, and the ice maker is switched on, but Ultra Ice still is not producing ice faster, the ice maker itself may be frozen or blocked. This is rare but can happen if water freezes inside the inlet tube. Unplug the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let any ice melt, then plug it back in and try again. If that does not work, contact a Kenmore service technician—there may be an internal blockage that requires professional cleaning.

Ultra Ice and your electricity bill

Running Ultra Ice for 2 to 4 hours uses extra electricity because your compressor is working harder. The exact amount depends on your local electricity rate and how often you use the feature. If you run Ultra Ice once a month for 3 hours, the added cost is typically less than 50 cents per month. If you run it every day, you might see an extra dollar or two on your monthly bill, depending on where you live.

The compressor also experiences more wear when running at maximum effort. This does not mean it will break, but it does mean the component ages slightly faster. For occasional use, this wear is negligible. For daily use, it adds up over years. If you are concerned about electricity costs or compressor longevity, use Ultra Ice sparingly—only when you genuinely need ice quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave Ultra Ice on all the time?

Technically yes, but you should not. Leaving it on continuously will increase your electricity bill noticeably and put constant stress on the compressor. Ultra Ice is designed for occasional use when you need ice fast, not as a permanent setting. Use it for a few hours when you need it, then let it turn off automatically.

Does Ultra Ice freeze my food harder or faster?

Ultra Ice makes your entire freezer colder, so frozen foods will freeze slightly faster if you are putting them in during the Ultra Ice cycle. However, this is not the primary purpose of the feature—it is designed to speed up ice cube production. If you want to freeze food quickly, use Ultra Ice as a bonus benefit, but do not rely on it as your main freezing method.

What if my Kenmore does not have an Ultra Ice button?

Not all Kenmore models include this feature, especially older units. Check your refrigerator manual to confirm. If your model does not have Ultra Ice, you can speed up ice production by raising your freezer temperature slightly (to around −2°F instead of 0°F), though this is less efficient than a dedicated Ultra Ice cycle. Some newer Kenmore models call the feature "Fast Ice" or "Ice Boost" instead.

Will Ultra Ice damage my ice maker?

No. Ultra Ice is a built-in feature designed by Kenmore engineers to work safely with your ice maker. It simply lowers the temperature temporarily—the ice maker is built to handle this. Using it occasionally will not cause damage. Overusing it daily for years may contribute to normal wear, but occasional use is completely safe.

How long does it take to fill an empty ice bin with Ultra Ice on?

This varies by model and by how empty the bin is, but typically an empty bin will be half full in 2 to 4 hours with Ultra Ice running, and completely full within 6 to 8 hours. Without Ultra Ice, the same bin might take 12 to 24 hours. The exact time depends on your water pressure, the size of your ice maker, and your specific Kenmore model.