Nurfosttek 2198597 Ice Maker Review — Refrigerator Replacement Part

Intro

The Nurfosttek 2198597 ice maker (model RIM597) is a replacement unit aimed at getting older refrigerators making ice again. The listing calls it compatible with mainstream Whirlpool-family brands — Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana and Roper — and advertises fast, efficient ice production. For shoppers replacing a failed factory ice maker, this is the sort of off-brand swap-in that promises a low-cost fix without replacing the whole refrigerator. That said, owner feedback shows a few recurring installation and fit issues to watch for. This review walks through what the part is, how it behaves in daily use, what the listing claims about materials, common safety flags from owners, and who should buy (or skip) it.

What it is / first look

The 2198597 is a drop-in style replacement ice maker listed under the Nurfosttek brand and sold as part number RIM597. The listing specifies these technical facts: capacity 1 liters, wattage 185 watts, voltage 115 volts (AC), and refrigerant R600a. The unit's external dimensions are listed as 4.59"D x 11.42"W x 4.78"H. The product is presented as a direct replacement for several OEM part numbers, including W10122502, 626663, 1016069 and 2198678, and is described as compatible with over 100 refrigerator models (the listing gives example model numbers such as JCB2488MTR00, JCB2581WES00, JCD2395WES00 and others).

Bulleted listing features emphasize that the unit makes eight ice cubes each cycle and calls out 185W power for efficient operation. The listing also says the product is manufactured with "food-grade safe material" and claims it solves common problems like no ice production, abnormal cubes, water leakage and abnormal noise. Installation guidance in the listing advises turning off power and water before installing and explicitly warns that the product does not include a lifting arm; if your refrigerator needs a lifting arm, you should reuse the old unit's lifting arm and sensors.

Out of the box the listing shows multiple images (file names included with the listing). Images suggest the product is finished in the common appliance colors for ice maker modules; available colors may include white, gray, and stainless-like finishes (see the colors list below).

What's included

• 1 x 2198597 Ice Maker (listed included component)

Quick facts

• Brand / Manufacturer: Nurfosttek
• Model / Part: 2198597 (RIM597)
• Electrical: 185W, 115 volts AC
• Capacity / Size: 1 liters; 4.59"D x 11.42"W x 4.78"H
• Refrigerant listed: R600a
• Claims compatibility with Whirlpool/Maytag/KitchenAid/Amana/Roper and specific part numbers

In daily use

The listing positions this model as a fast, efficient fix to restore ice-making, and several owners confirm that it does produce ice reliably once installed. The listing states the unit produces eight ice cubes each cycle. Owners report the unit can begin cycling and making ice within an hour once the refrigerator is at the correct temperature, and several purchasers described consistent cube ejection and quiet operation after installation. Those positive signals suggest the motor, mold, and heater systems in this unit are functional for many buyers when the unit is matched to a compatible refrigerator and wired correctly.

Fit and installation (reported by owners)

Installation is a common point of friction with refrigerator replacement parts, and owner feedback highlights two consistent themes: (1) this unit sometimes differs from the original design enough that you may need to reuse small parts from your old ice maker, and (2) wiring and the on/off control arm may not come configured exactly like the factory part.

• Owners repeatedly note that the unit does not include a lifting/on-off arm. The listing explicitly states the product is sold without a lifting arm; if your refrigerator model requires that arm to stop ice production when the bin fills, you should plan to remove and reuse the old ice maker's arm and associated sensors.
• Some buyers found the wiring harness connectors were not a literal plug-and-play match for their original harness. At least one owner removed the old wiring harness and continued using it with the new ice maker because the wires were swapped on the replacement unit.
• When installed correctly (sometimes using the old harness and arm), owners report the ice maker aligns with mounting points and begins producing ice quickly. Multiple buyers describe the unit ejecting cubes consistently and operating quietly.

Common operational snag: control arm and overflow

Buyer feedback contains an important repeated warning: a few owners report the replacement's tray or control geometry can prevent the control arm from tripping the shutoff. That means the cycle keeps making ice after the bin is full and can eventually overflow into the ice compartment. One owner summed this up as: the replacement design is slightly different and the control arm can't reach the ice container to shut it off. Another described "borrowing" the shutoff lever (lifting arm) from the old unit to make it work.

Because the listing and owners agree the unit does not include the lifting arm and because wiring/harness differences occur, expect to have some basic repair or swap skills (or a repair technician) on hand when installing this unit. If you're not comfortable reusing components from your old ice maker or exchanging wiring harnesses, budget for a pro install or consider a replacement that is guaranteed to be a literal OEM match for your model.

Use cases and where this fits

The 2198597 is aimed at homeowners with an older refrigerator where the ice maker has failed but the rest of the fridge is serviceable. Owners successfully used it in an older 27-year-old Whirlpool secondary refrigerator in a utility room, and many of the listed compatible part numbers are common on Whirlpool-family machines. This unit is for restoring ice function rather than upgrading to new features — it’s a repair part.

Materials & build quality

The listing describes the product as being "manufactured with safe and reliable food-grade materials" and that it "complies with food safety standards." Those are manufacturer/listing claims; the listing does not provide independent certification names or test reports. In owner feedback, several people remarked the overall build "feels solid" and the components appear well assembled once mounted. That said, installation often required reusing the old fill adapter, mounting bracket, wiring harness, or lifting arm — indicating the replacement geometry is close but not always identical to the original equipment.

There is an additional, indirect material consideration in owner comments about older factory ice makers: one owner noted that on some older refrigerator ice makers, an internal coating can chip and end up in the ice — a situation that prompted replacement. That comment refers to the older OEM unit rather than the Nurfosttek replacement, but it does explain why many shoppers replace the whole ice maker when they encounter coating failure on older parts.

What the listing does and does not say about materials

• The listing claims "Food-Grade Safe Material" and compliance with food safety standards — present that as a manufacturer claim rather than an independently verified fact.
• The listing does not specify the exact plastics or metals used, certifications, or a warranty length in the product description. If you need explicit material verification for food-contact parts, the listing doesn't provide that documentation.

Safety considerations

Kitchen safety should be front of mind with any appliance part. The listing itself gives a practical safety reminder: turn off the power and water sources before installing. Beyond installation cautions, owner feedback raises a few real-world safety and nuisance flags that should influence your decision.

Key owner-reported safety/operational issues

• Control arm shutoff mismatch: Multiple buyers report the replacement’s tray or geometry can prevent the control arm from tripping the shutoff. When the control arm fails to stop production, the ice maker can overfill the bin and spill water/ice into the compartment. That is both a nuisance and a potential water-leak concern inside the fridge.
• Missing components: The unit does not include a lifting arm. If your refrigerator relies on that arm to stop ice production, the listing explicitly tells you to reuse the old arm; owners confirm this is necessary for many installs. Failure to reuse a needed arm can let the unit overproduce and overflow.
• Wiring differences: At least one buyer swapped in their old wiring harness because wire positions differed on the replacement unit. Incorrect wiring can prevent the unit from operating or, in a worst-case scenario, create electrical problems. The listing doesn’t provide wiring diagrams in the product facts, so plan for basic troubleshooting or professional help if connectors don’t match exactly.
• Refrigerant listed as R600a: The listing specifies R600a as the refrigerant. The product facts include that as a specification, but the listing does not expand on handling or disposal instructions for this refrigerant. Follow local guidelines and professional service practices when a refrigeration circuit is involved.

Given those signals, treat this replacement as a moderately involved DIY job if you are planning to install it yourself. Follow the listing instruction to shut off power and water first, confirm whether your fridge requires the old lifting arm, and be prepared to reuse small parts like the wiring harness or mounting bracket. If you don’t want to do that level of component swapping, seek a literal OEM-match replacement or a professional technician to install it.

Who this is for / who should skip

This is an appliance-part purchase: the right buyer is someone who wants to restore ice-making function in an existing refrigerator without replacing the whole appliance. The listing and owner feedback point to a few specific buyer profiles.

Buy if...

• You have a Whirlpool/Maytag/KitchenAid/Amana/Roper refrigerator and the model/part numbers listed match (the listing names several compatible models and replacement part numbers).
• You’re comfortable with a modest DIY replacement that may require reusing the old lifting arm, mounting bracket or wiring harness if connectors or geometry differ.
• You want a mid-range replacement part that owners report will start making ice within a typical timeframe and produce eight cubes per cycle once installed and operating at the correct temperature.

Skip if...

• You need an exact, plug-and-play OEM replacement with absolutely no reusing of parts — owners report the Nurfosttek unit sometimes requires reusing the old arm or wiring harness.
• You don’t want to troubleshoot wiring differences or check that the control arm engages properly after installation.
• You need documentation of material certifications or a specified warranty length; the listing claims food-grade materials but doesn’t supply independent certification details or a stated warranty term.

Verdict

The Nurfosttek 2198597 (RIM597) replacement ice maker is a practical, budget-friendly option to restore ice production in many Whirlpool-family refrigerators. The listing provides useful technical facts — 1 liter capacity, 185W, 115 volts, listed dimensions and refrigerant R600a — and highlights eight cubes per cycle and compatibility with several OEM part numbers. Owners who matched the 2198597 to their refrigerator and reused their old lifting arm and/or wiring harness generally report quick, quiet, and consistent ice production. Several buyers called it a successful drop-in replacement after those small adjustments.

However, the unit is not a guaranteed literal plug-and-play replacement for every model. The listing explicitly states it does not come with a lifting arm, and owner feedback shows that wiring harness differences and small geometry changes can require reusing parts from the old unit. The most important recurring warning: confirm that the control arm will actually reach the ice bin and stop production after installation. If it doesn’t, the ice maker can overfill and overflow into the bin. Because of that real-world mismatch signal, this replacement is best for homeowners comfortable with a little basic parts swapping or who have experience with refrigerator repairs.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Confirm your refrigerator model or OEM part number appears in the listing's compatibility notes (the listing lists many Whirlpool-family model numbers and replacement part numbers).
• Plan to turn off both power and water before attempting installation (the listing instructs you to do so).
• Identify whether your fridge relies on a lifting/on-off arm to stop ice production. The replacement does not include that arm — the listing advises reusing the old arm when required.
• Inspect the wiring harness on the old unit. Owners report harness differences and sometimes reused the old harness to ensure correct operation.
• After mounting, verify the control arm actually trips the shutoff at the correct bin level to avoid overfilling/overflow.
• Note: the listing claims "food-grade safe material," but it does not provide certification details — verify the current listing or manufacturer documentation if you need independent proof.

Overall, the Nurfosttek 2198597 can be a cost-effective solution that restores ice making for many homeowners. It’s particularly attractive if you already plan to reuse a lifting arm or wiring harness and you want a practical repair rather than a full appliance replacement. If you need a guaranteed plug-and-play OEM match, or if you’re uncomfortable with basic electrical or mechanical adjustments, consider a different option or a professional install.

Colors shown

• available colors may include: white, gray, stainless