Your Ultimate LG Refrigerator Ice Plus Guide: Activation, Performance, Energy, and More

To start, locate the control panel on the front of your LG fridge. The Ice Plus icon looks like a snowflake with a plus sign. Tap it, then hit ‘Yes’ when the screen asks if you want to enable the feature. The display will flash a green checkmark, and the ice maker will switch to the accelerated mode. If you ever want to revert, hit the ‘Ice Maker’ icon, select ‘Off’, and confirm. The process is instant, no reset required.

Ice Plus doesn’t alter the water’s purity; it still draws from the same filtered line if you have a filter installed. What changes is the crystal structure. The rapid cycle creates larger, less dense cubes that feel softer in your glass. They’re perfect for cocktails where you want a quick melt, but if you prefer a crisp, hard cube for long‑term storage, stick with the standard mode.

The first batch of Ice Plus ice is produced in roughly 1–2 minutes, thanks to a shortened freezing cycle. After that, the machine reverts to the normal 10‑minute cycle to allow the freezer to catch up. So you’ll see a burst of ice early on, then the usual rhythm resumes. If you’re in a hurry, set a reminder to grab the first batch right after you turn on the feature.

Running Ice Plus every day is fine; the compressor is designed for it. However, if you’re in a climate where the freezer is already running at full capacity, continuous Ice Plus can push the compressor harder, potentially shortening its lifespan. A balanced approach—Ice Plus when you need a quick supply, standard otherwise—keeps the system healthy.

When Ice Plus is active, the compressor cycles more aggressively for the brief freezing period. Studies show a 5–10% uptick in energy consumption during those minutes, but over a day, the difference is marginal—roughly 0.1 kWh. If you’re an eco‑conscious user, the trade‑off is minimal for the convenience it offers.

Ice Plus only affects the ice maker’s internal chamber. The rest of the freezer stays at the set temperature, usually between 0°F and −18°F. If your freezer is already at the lower end, the extra load can cause a slight dip in overall temperature, but modern LG models compensate automatically to keep everything cool.

Vacation mode is designed to shut down the compressor to save energy when the fridge is empty. Ice Plus requires the compressor to run, so it won’t activate during vacation mode. If you need ice while away, consider setting a temporary “Active” mode or using a portable ice maker instead.

For best results, set your freezer to 0°F (−18°C). This temperature ensures the ice maker’s chamber freezes quickly without over‑freezing, which can make the cubes too hard and slow the cycle. If you’re in a hot climate, you might push a few degrees higher, but don’t exceed 0°F or the ice will be icy and slow to form.

Because Ice Plus cubes are larger and softer, they melt more quickly—especially in a warm drink. To extend their life, store them in a sealed plastic bag or an airtight container. This trick keeps them solid for hours, even in a cocktail shaker.

Ice Plus pulls water from the same line as the standard ice maker, so the filter’s role remains unchanged. Make sure the filter is installed correctly and replaced every 6–12 months, depending on your water usage, to keep the ice crystal clear.

The accelerated cycle can produce a faint uptick in sound because the compressor works harder for a short burst. In practice, the difference is subtle—just a whisper compared to the usual hum. If your fridge is near a sleeping area, you may notice a tiny increase, but it’s hardly disruptive.

If you’re on a low‑energy day or just don’t want the quick cubes, tap the ‘Ice Maker’ icon, select ‘Off’, and confirm. The machine will return to its default cycle, and the Ice Plus icon will dim. You can toggle it back on at any time with the same quick tap.