An ice making assembly may include a conductive ice mold, an insulator ice mold, and an external insulator jacket. The conductive ice mold may extend along a vertical direction between a top conductive mold end and a bottom conductive mold end. The conductive ice mold may define a mold cavity having a vertical opening at the top conductive mold end. The insulator ice mold may be selectively received on the conductive ice mold and cover the vertical opening. The insulator ice mold may define an internal water passage extending above the mold cavity in fluid communication with the mold cavity. The external insulator jacket may be selectively received on the insulator ice mold and cover the internal water passage.

A method of making clear ice includes circulating a refrigerant through a refrigerant loop. A portion of the refrigerant loop is in contact with a mold body. Thus, the refrigerant chills the mold body. The method also includes spraying a first volume of liquid water into a mold cavity of the mold body. As a result, a first volume of ice is formed in the mold cavity. The method also includes spraying a second volume of liquid water into the mold cavity after the first volume of ice has formed. Thus, a portion of the first volume of ice is melted and a second volume of ice is formed in mold cavity. The clear ice includes an unmelted portion of the first volume of ice and the second volume of ice.

A method of making clear ice includes circulating a refrigerant through a refrigerant loop. A portion of the refrigerant loop is in contact with a mold body. Thus, the refrigerant chills the mold body. The method also includes spraying a first volume of liquid water into a mold cavity of the mold body. As a result, a first volume of ice is formed in the mold cavity. The method also includes spraying a second volume of liquid water into the mold cavity after the first volume of ice has formed. Thus, a portion of the first volume of ice is melted and a second volume of ice is formed in mold cavity. The clear ice includes an unmelted portion of the first volume of ice and the second volume of ice.

An icemaker appliance includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a first circulation system associated with the first reservoir, and a second circulation system associated with the second reservoir. Liquid in the first reservoir is directed toward a first set of ice molds and liquid from the second reservoir is directed toward a second set of ice molds. Liquid in the first reservoir is selectively supplied to the second reservoir.

An icemaker appliance includes a cabinet forming an ice storage compartment, an ice maker provided in the ice storage compartment, a first reservoir storing liquid, a filter nested within the first reservoir, and a circulation system to deliver the liquid from the first reservoir to the ice maker. The liquid not frozen on the ice maker is filtered through the filter and resupplied to the circulation system.

An ice maker has a bottom wall with a sensor opening. A time-of-flight sensor is supported in relation to the bottom wall such that the time-of-flight sensor can an optical pulse signal through the sensor opening toward the ice bin and subsequently detect a photon of the optical pulse signal that returns to the time-of-flight sensor through the sensor opening after reflecting off of one of a floor of the ice bin and ice in the ice bin. The time of flight sensor is configured to determine a duration between the emission of the optical pulse and the detection of the reflected photon(s). Based on the determined duration, the time-of-flight sensor or another processor can determine an amount of ice in the ice bin. The ice maker can be configured so that the time-of-flight sensor is removable, allowing a window pane of the time-of-flight sensor to be periodically cleaned.

An ice maker has a bottom wall with a sensor opening. A time-of-flight sensor is supported in relation to the bottom wall such that the time-of-flight sensor can an optical pulse signal through the sensor opening toward the ice bin and subsequently detect a photon of the optical pulse signal that returns to the time-of-flight sensor through the sensor opening after reflecting off of one of a floor of the ice bin and ice in the ice bin. The time of flight sensor is configured to determine a duration between the emission of the optical pulse and the detection of the reflected photon(s). Based on the determined duration, the time-of-flight sensor or another processor can determine an amount of ice in the ice bin. The ice maker can be configured so that the time-of-flight sensor is removable, allowing a window pane of the time-of-flight sensor to be periodically cleaned.

A refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker provided within a cabinet of the appliance, the ice maker including a plurality of walls forming a receiving space, a conductive ice mold provided within the receiving space, the conductive ice mold defining an internal cavity and an exterior surface, a primary water supply positioned below the conductive ice mold to direct an ice-building spray of water to the conductive ice mold, a heat exchanger disposed on the conductive ice mold to draw heat therefrom, and a secondary water supply provided adjacent the exterior surface of the conductive ice mold. The secondary water supply dispenses ice-melting water over the exterior surface of the conductive ice mold.

An icemaker appliance includes a cabinet forming an ice storage compartment; an ice maker provided within the cabinet; a first reservoir provided below the ice maker; a second reservoir provided below the ice storage compartment; and a circulation system in fluid communication with the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The circulation system includes a return line conduit; a first pump connected to the return line conduit to pump the liquid from the second reservoir to the first reservoir; and a cleanout line conduit in fluid communication with the first pump, wherein the first pump selectively pumps the liquid from the second reservoir through the cleanout line conduit.

An evaporator for an ice maker includes an evaporator body having a refrigerant flow path formed therein; a dipping member connected to the evaporator body, for a refrigerant having a temperature lower than a freezing point of water to flow in the refrigerant flow path to generate ice in a state in which at least a portion of the dipping member is submerged in water; a heater having at least a portion inserted into the refrigerant flow path, and directly or indirectly heating at least one of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path, the evaporator body, and the dipping member to separate the ice generated on the dipping member from the dipping member; and a connection member connecting the evaporator body and the refrigerant flow path to be connected to a refrigeration cycle, and inserting the at least a portion of the heater into the refrigerant flow path.