A fridge with a built-in ice maker sounds like convenience at its finest. But according to one home expert, the feature isn’t just expensive, it’s designed to lock you into hidden costs.
A recent TikTok video has sparked debate over whether those sleek dispensers are worth the price.
Expert calls fridge filters a ‘scam’
Twin Home Experts (@twinhomeexperts), run by brothers Dave and Jim Schuelke, share home care tips with their 908,400 followers. In their latest viral post, which has already hit more than 2.1 million views, one of the brothers breaks down why he thinks ice-maker refrigerators are a bad deal.
“Ninety-nine percent of people that buy a refrigerator with an ice maker and a water dispenser don’t know this,” he says. “My professional opinion, they’re being scammed.”
He listed three major issues. First, the filters need replacing every six months. Second, each one costs about $60. And third, the language on the packaging is misleading. “They’re using the word ‘reduce,’” he said, rather than claiming the filter removes contaminants entirely.
Manufacturers control what filter you buy
The biggest scam, he argued, is how manufacturers design the filters themselves.
“Every manufacturer makes their own filter. And underneath the sticker, there’s a computer chip. Where you install the filter, there’s a QR code preventing you from using any other filter,” he explained.
That system forces customers to keep buying brand-name replacements. But the expert says companies don’t want you to know about one simple workaround.
“By law, every manufacturer has to produce and manufacture a plug,” he revealed. “So if you ever wanted to bypass your water filter, you can do it. And I highly recommend you do that and use an RO system to filter your water.”
He claimed this not only saves money but also keeps families safer, since most fridge filters aren’t designed to handle all contaminants.
Are fridge filters actually effective?
Yes, fridge water filters remove chlorine, lead, mercury, or pesticides, but they don’t address more serious risks like bacteria, viruses, arsenic, microplastics, or pharmaceutical residues.
However, for the protection they do provide, these filters must be changed every six months. For families who forget to swap them out, the device can become little more than a placebo.
Can your fridge run without a filter?
For those wondering if pulling the filter will ruin their appliance, most modern fridges are built to run without one.
Quality Water Lab reports that many newer models include an automatic bypass feature or accept a bypass plug, which tricks the system into thinking a filter is installed. Without the plug, ice makers and dispensers may stop working, so checking the manual is key.
No filter means no protection, of course. That’s why experts like the Schuelkes recommend installing a separate reverse osmosis—or RO—system, which pushes water through a semipermeable membrane and removes far more contaminants than a fridge filter ever could.
@twinhomeexperts BIGGEST refrigerator SCAMS you should really know …. #refrigerator #dontdoit #scams #scam #beware ♬ Timeless – Franksille
Commenters weigh in
Viewers had plenty to say about the video.
One person admitted, “I’ve been using a generic filter from Amazon in my fridge for 8 years.”
Another was more skeptical, writing, “Doesn’t matter. The ice maker will quit working 30 seconds after warranty expires.”
Some joked about gaming the system. “If the water tastes good, just pretend you replaced it and reset the reminder,” one commenter suggested.
Someone else added, “I’ve never hooked up my water dispenser or ice maker yet my fridge tells me every 6 months it needs replaced yet it’s brand new.”
The Mary Sue has reached out to Twin Home Experts for further comment.
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