it's making really cloudy or milky looking ice cubes, not clear

Diagnosis

Cloudy or milky ice in the Newair AI-215SS is primarily caused by "trapped impurities," which consist of dissolved minerals (calcium and magnesium) and microscopic air bubbles. While the AI-215SS is engineered for directional freezing—pushing air and impurities downward to create a clear crystal top—this process is compromised if the water has a high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) count. When the water is too "hard," the minerals crystallize throughout the cube rather than being pushed to the bottom, resulting in a white, opaque core. Furthermore, air saturation plays a significant role. Tap water is often aerated or contains dissolved gases that become trapped as the freezing front moves through the cube. If the water is poured directly from a high-pressure tap into the reservoir, it introduces excess oxygen. You can confirm this is a mineral issue if you notice a white, chalky residue (limescale) forming around the edges of the freezing cylinder or on the interior walls of the water reservoir after a few cycles.

How to Fix It

To achieve professional-grade crystal clear ice, you must optimize the water chemistry and the loading process. Follow these exact steps:

1. Switch to Distilled or RO Water: Stop using standard tap water immediately. Fill the external water reservoir with distilled water or water processed through a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. This removes the minerals that cause the "cloud" effect.
2. Degas the Water: To eliminate air bubbles, fill a pitcher with your filtered water and let it sit uncovered for 2-4 hours, or boil the water and let it cool completely before pouring it into the AI-215SS. This allows dissolved gases to escape.
3. Perform a Deep Descale: If you have already used tap water, the internal lines may have mineral scale. Fill the reservoir with a mixture of 50% white distilled vinegar and 50% warm water. Run one full ice-making cycle. Once the cycle finishes, discard the ice and run two additional cycles with pure distilled water to flush the vinegar scent.
4. Optimize Temperature: Ensure the unit is placed in a room with a temperature between 65°F and 75°F. If the ambient air is too hot, the refrigeration cycle struggles, and the freezing front moves unevenly, which can trap more air in the center of the cube.
5. Maintain Water Levels: Keep the reservoir filled to the "Max" line. Low water levels can cause the pump to pull in small amounts of air, creating bubbles in the ice.

If That Didn't Work

• Check the Freezer Plate Alignment: Inspect the freezing cylinder for any physical debris or buildup. If a layer of scale has formed on the cooling plate, the heat exchange is inefficient. Use a soft brush and a mild citric acid solution to gently scrub the plate surface.
• Verify Power Stability: Ensure the unit is plugged directly into a wall outlet rather than a surge protector or extension cord. Voltage drops can cause the compressor to cycle inconsistently, leading to slower freezing speeds and cloudier ice.
• Adjust the "Clear" Setting: Ensure the machine is operating in its dedicated clear-ice mode. If the unit is malfunctioning and freezing too quickly, the directional freezing process fails. If the ice is freezing in under 15 minutes, the compressor may be over-cooling, which traps air.
• Test with ZeroWater Filter: If distilled water is unavailable, use a ZeroWater brand filter. Unlike standard carbon filters, ZeroWater removes virtually all dissolved solids, which is the specific requirement for the AI-215SS's directional freezing technology to work.

Heads Up

• Avoid Salt: Never add salt to the water reservoir to try and lower the freezing point; this will corrode the internal aluminum cooling elements and void your warranty.
• Weekly Flushing: Even when using distilled water, run a cleaning cycle every 14 days to prevent biofilm buildup in the narrow water lines.
• Avoid Overfilling: Do not exceed the maximum fill line on the reservoir, as this can cause overflow into the internal electronics or affect the pump's suction pressure.
• Siting: Keep the unit at least 6 inches away from walls or other appliances to ensure the condenser coils can exhaust heat properly. Overheating the unit is the fastest way to degrade ice clarity.