1/2 in. Push-to-Connect Brass Ice Maker Outlet Box

I DO NOT recommend attempting to retrofit this product unless you're willing to do significant repair to the finished wall because you need a large space to pop the box in. The plastic box SHOULD be made of that similar to electrical boxes, two of the tabs broke off when putting it in and the housing itself snapped. A third tab broke when putting in the nails. Unfinished work it'd be awesome, super easy. It's too expensive to be made of such flimsy plastic.

After researching the SharkBite Ice Maker Box on HomeDepot's website I could see the value in the 'kit' as it includes everything you need to do a complete installation. However, after buying the kit for $64 and getting it home I found that most of what is 'included' in HomeDepot's description doesn't exist. There is NO SharkBite Slip Tee, no 10ft of 1/4 PEX with connector to connect the fridge, and no disconnect tool. Luckily I bought extras for another project, but this would have been very disappointing when trying to install and realize half of the 'kit' is missing. Also, a competitor's comparable box is available for about half the price elsewhere.

SUMMARY: AN OK FIXTURE, BUT NOT FOR THE NOVICE DIY’ER. NOTE: This is NOT a novice DIY project. Check local regulations and plumbing codes to ensure you can perform this work. A knowledge of plumbing, carpentry, and electrical may be necessary to complete the installation. BACKGROUND: Our icemaker connection did not provide enough water flow for our ice maker. The chance to evaluate the SharkBite ice maker outlet box was too good to pass up. FIT AND FINISH: I’m a big fan of SharkBite and the fitting itself meets their high standards. However, the outlet box itself is a little on the flimsy side for my taste. FEATURES: From the Home Depot page, with my comments as appropriate. • The Push-to-Connect connection can be used with copper, CPVC or PEX lines. SharkBite Push-to-Connect connections decrease the time and effort needed to connect water distribution pipe. There is no glue, soldering or crimping needed. Simply cut your pipe, deburr, mark the pipe approximately 1 in. (for proper insertion depth), install pipe to proper depth and you're done. o That is a great summary of the SharkBite PTC system! • The Kit includes the Ice Maker Outlet Box, 1/2 in. SharkBite Push-to-Connect x 1/4 in. O.D. Compression Quarter-Turn Ball Valve, Faceplate Cover, 2 Support Brackets. o The box contained everything I needed. I did not find the “2 Support Brackets” mentioned on the web page, but the instructions did not indicate or show any separate brackets. The box itself has 4 attaching tabs, 2 on either side used to fasten the box to wall studs. • Perfect for use behind your refrigerator, ice maker or water dispenser to provide a clean installation and allow for easy shut-off to protect your home when away and water line is not in use to guard against accidental leaks. • Contour box design allows easy valve access and operation o The design is like washing machine outlets, recessed into the wall with the valve installed vertically through the bottom or top depending on the plumbing run. • DZR quarter-turn brass SharkBite valves o Again, one of the things I like about SharkBite is the quality of their fittings. • 1/4 in. O.D. compression outlet o An industry standard but would like to see this as a PTC (push-to-connect) as well. • Provides quick, safe water supply and shut-off for refrigerator ice maker and water dispenser o Although you seldom must shut off water to your ice maker, the outlet box does make it easier when necessary. • Box can be mounted to left or right of stud bay o The flanges for mounting are large and easy to use. • 1-piece box and flange design needs no additional support framing (saves material and labor) o This box is considered a “new work” item and is designed to be installed directly to wall studs. I personally would frame for the box to provide a stud on both sides for better stability. • Snap-on faceplate accommodates up to 3/4 in. drywall o The faceplate is easy to install on the box and has numerous detents molded in to allow a “ratchet” lock at several steps for various thicknesses of wall coverings. Because the box is designed to be installed BEHIND drywall, directly to the studs if it is mounted with the tabs IN FRONT of the drywall the faceplate will not fit flush against the wall. • 1/2 in Pipe Insertion Depth = 15/16 in. o This is a standard ½ inch SharkBite insertion depth. INSTALLATION: THIS IS NOT A NOVICE DIY UPGRADE PROJECT. The outlet box is designed as a “new work” item to be plumbed and installed during construction. If you use it an “old work” (i.e. renovation or upgrade) project you may have to modify old plumbing and/or run new plumbing; cut into existing walls, and/or rework existing electrical circuits. All these things are at the intermediate or advanced DIY level and may require permits and inspections. For my old work installation, I had to: • Cut into existing sheetrock next to a stud • Tie a new PEX run into existing polybutylene tubing in the crawlspace using a SharkBite adapter. • Run the new PEX line through the crawlspace to the entrance point in the wall • Drill through the floor into the wall cavity • Run the PEX up through the wall cavity to the outlet • Attach the outlet to the PEX • Pressure test the outlet to PEX connection • Push the PEX back through the floor to align the outlet box with the cutout in the drywall • Cut two of the mounting tabs off the box to fit it into the hole • Screw the two remaining mounting tabs into the stud in the wall. • Finish the PEX installation in the crawlspace Due to several factors in different steps in the process this project took a total of 8 hours of work over a 4-day period. OPERATION: Once installed there is no operation of the box, it is just an access and control for water to the ice maker. The ¼ turn ball valve is definitely nice, and the outlet box located in the wall vice through a small hole in the floor is also convenient. SUMMARY: Although it was a big job it was worth the effort. PROS: Nice quality, ¼ turn valve is convenient, looks good, CONS: not designed as an old work item.

This water connection box from SharkBite is designed to connect a refrigerator’s ice maker/water dispenser to the house’s 1/2 inch water supply line. This water outlet box is best installed in new construction or a major remodel where the dry wall has been removed from the studs. It would be more difficult to install this in an existing finished wall. If SharkBite had designed the faceplate cover differently, they could have designed it so you could have screwed it directly over the drywall. The way it is, if you were to install it over the drywall, the faceplate would not sit flush with the wall. The box does not cover the full width of a 16 inch stud wall, but you only need to make the mounting connections on either the right of left side of the box to one of the studs. There is no need to box it in with wood framing. This Ice Maker Outlet Box is normally hidden behind a refrigerator and gets very little use. The 1/4 turn brass twist ball valve opens and closed the water supply quickly and easily without worries of any drips. This Ice Maker Outlet Box does not have a water-hammer-arrestor to prevent pipe rattle and noises, but The Home Depot does offer the same SharkBite box that does include an integrated water-hammer-arrestor. A water-hammer-arrestor is important if you are connecting to copper water pipe plumbing. If you are using PEX tube or pipe it is not normally needed. The valve utilizes the SharkBite Push-To-Connect installation fitting that works on any combination of Copper, CPVC, or PEX Pipe, with no glue, no primers, no flame, no soldering, no crimping, and no mess. You simply push the pipe or tubing firmly all the way into the fitting, and you can rest assured that you will have a safe, secure, leak free connection. And the pipe can even be removed if you need to configure things differently. This simple SharkBite Push-To-Connect installation connection means that just about any do it yourselfer can make safe, secure, water line plumbing connections without having to know how to solder, or hire a plumber. Always use a cutter designed for cutting PEX tubing to ensure a straight, burr free end, to avoid damaging the fittings, and to ensure proper seating. Never use a hacksaw to cut PEX pipe or tubing.

This ICE MAKER OUTLET BOX is easy to install. You just prepare your hole with supports on the two sides to screw the box onto. The SHARKBITE 1/2 INCH CONNECTION connects easily to pex water line. I had to use a secondary adapter to connect the 1/2 inch pex to the 1/4 inch water line that feeds my fridge. The face easily mounts to the box after installed into the wall. The valve turns easily to turn it on or off. Works great.

High quality ice maker outlet box. The fit and finish is very nice and it looks great for a very clean install. The brass push to connect sharkbite fitting is extremely easy to use and has not leaked at all! Installation was a lot easier than other plumbing connection methods and is kind of fool proof. The valve seems very solid and the connection to the fridge line worked great.

SharkBite 1/2 inch push-to-connect Brass Ice maker outlet box worked out well for my use. My old ice maker connection valve was leaking and I needed a replacement. I’m starting to like these push-to-connect valves and fittings. They’re a great easy replacement in plumbing. No glue, no soldering or crimping. Once the old fitting is cut and the pipe is deburred push this fitting on as far as one inch. The valve is also easy to use. It has a ball valve. I’m happy with my order.

we just moved our old refrigerator to the garage and wanted to hook up the ice maker for extra ice in the summer. so instead of having a copper line from the exterior faucet to the refrigerator we decided to do it up proper with a ice maker outlet box so we can shut off the water and to have a flexible hose from the refrigerator to the valve. the sharkbite connector made hook up easy to the PEX water line and we like that the valve handle is marked "off" and "on" to prevent any confusion. even though it is in the garage the ice maker box gives the water line hook up a clean look and with no leaks!

The Ice Maker Outlet Box from SharkBite with push to connect fitting makes ice maker water lines simple to install. Just nail or screw the box to the stud, install your plumbing with the simple push to connect fitting at the base (I prefer PEX), install your wall, then insert the finish ring and you will have a first class installation. The valve is a simple 1/4 turn ball valve and the outlet is 1/4" compression that will mate up with any modern refrigerator. This kit is easy to use and looks great when completed.

This simple little box is a great item to ease installation of your chilled water and ice cube maker in you refrigerator, or your mini frig in your garage. This Sharkbite 1/2 inch push-to-connect brass ice maker outlet box is easy to install to either your PEX or your copper cold water in line. It can be installed in either new construction or as a remodel unit. Recommended.