Your local water treatment plant does a decent job, but it can only clean water so much. Knowing how to change the water filter on a GE refrigerator means you’re taking that last step to get truly clean, great-tasting water.
Tap water often carries pollutants like lead and chlorine that treatment plants don’t fully catch. Your fridge filter picks up where they leave off.
Changing the water filter on a GE refrigerator is simple and takes about 10 minutes. Replace the filter every six months or after 310 gallons of water. Always run 1 to 1.5 gallons through the new filter to remove air and carbon particles from the system.
Refrigerators use an activated carbon filtration system to clean water, and there are plenty of filter types to choose from.
These fridge filters actually outperform the pitcher filters most people use at home. If you’re curious about the difference, check out how well refrigerator water filters work.
Bottom line: keeping your GE fridge filter fresh is one of the simplest things you can do for better water quality.
About General Electric (GE) Refrigerators
GE has been a household name for over 25 years, and for good reason. They’ve consistently pushed appliance innovation forward with everything from water dispensers and coffee-making refrigerators to smart ovens.
How Do Refrigerator Filters Work?
Inside every refrigerator water filter is activated carbon, compressed into a solid block rather than the loose granular form you’ll find in sand filters.
Many fridge filters also include supplementary media alongside the carbon. These are called multimedia filters, and they’re pretty effective at tackling a wide range of contaminants.
The cleaning happens two ways. Physically, the filter blocks anything larger than a water molecule, like dirt, sand, and sediment. Chemically, the charged carbon uses adsorption to pull pollutants away from the water by breaking their molecular bonds.
Here’s the catch: carbon can only absorb so much before it’s full. Once that happens, water passes straight through without getting cleaned. You can learn more about the dangers of not changing your refrigerator water filter.
That’s why regular replacement is so important. Plan on swapping your filter every 3-6 months to keep things running properly.
Why Do You Need to Change Your Refrigerator Water Filter?
The water coming out of your fridge has traveled through miles of piping to get there, picking up all sorts of unwanted stuff along the way. Bugs, dirt, you name it.
That’s why filtering matters. A good filter removes substances like benzene, chlorine, lead, mercury, and pesticides that have no business being in your drinking water.
Watch for these telltale signs that your filter needs replacing:
- Visible floaters in your water (a dead giveaway)
- Water that tastes or smells off
- Your ice maker acting up
- Noticeably slower water flow from the dispenser
Features of the GE Refrigerator Water Filter
GE is one of the biggest names in refrigerators, and their water filters are purpose-built to purify both drinking water and ice cubes. Every GE filter is designed to work across their full refrigerator lineup.
The GE Smartwater Filter Removes Many Contaminants
Your water actually tastes better because the filter keeps beneficial minerals intact. Essential stuff like fluoride stays in the water even after pollutants are removed. Curious about that? Learn more about whether filtered water has fluoride.
Meanwhile, the filter knocks out the nasty stuff: lead, mercury, heavy metals, parasites, and even traces of pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
The GE Smartwater Filter Is NSF Certified
The NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) is an independent organization that rigorously tests products against public health and safety standards. When a filter carries this certification, you know it’s been thoroughly vetted for safe, effective water filtration.
The GE Smartwater Filter Has a Long Lifespan
You’ll get about six months or 310 gallons out of each filter. If you notice the water flow dropping off before then, that’s your cue to change it early.
Which Is the Best GE Smartwater Filter?
GE makes some of the best smart water filters you can buy. You can grab a genuine replacement directly from GE or find them at a good price online.
Here are the main options in their lineup:
GE SmartWater RPWFE Replacement Water Filter - This filter is for refrigerators that have large, round, and white-colored twist-and-lock filters. It eliminates almost all contaminants present in the water.
It has a lengthy lifespan of 300 gallons or six months and is economical as well. The installation is easy too.
GE MSWF SmartWater Refrigerator Water Filter - This model will keep the refrigerator-dispensed drinking water crystal clear. This NSF certified water filter removes all the sediments and pollutants.
It has a long lifespan and is cost-effective as well.
GE MWF SmartWater Replacement Filter Cartridge - The MWF water filter is another excellent offering from General Electric. It combines effective and full filtering that removes all contaminants.
It’s both cost-effective and long-lasting.
When it’s time for a new filter, the dispenser indicator turns red. You might also notice reduced water flow. Touch screen models display a filter status message, which makes things even easier. If your fridge doesn’t have indicators, just set a reminder for every six months.
Before you swap anything, check which water filter cartridge type your model uses. And don’t worry about shutting off the water supply because it’s not necessary for most GE models.
Steps to Replace the MWF Water Filter
Locate the Filter
Look into the upper right corner of the refrigerator.
Place a Towel Underneath
Removing the old filter makes some water drip, so place a towel to catch it.
Turn the Filter to the Left
Turn the filter counterclockwise until it releases from the holder.
Remove the Old Filter
Once the filter is released, take the screen out.
Prepare the New Filter
Fill it with tap water before inserting.
Position the Filter
Insert the filter into the holder with the arrow facing out.
Turn the Filter to the Right
Turn it clockwise until it's tight. Don't overtighten.
Run Water Through
Run roughly one to one and a half gallons through the filter to remove any air in the system.
Catch the Initial Water
A little water may spurt through the dispenser at the start. Use a large pitcher to collect the water.
Wait for Normal Color
It's normal to see water discoloration initially, but it will get back to normal after some time.
Steps to Replace and Install the RPWFE Water Filter
- Locate the filter in the upper right corner (some fridges have the filter inside the left door) 2.
Place a towel underneath the filter to capture any dripping water 3. Move the old filter to the right until it stops, indicating it’s ready to be removed 4.
Pull the filter out without twisting the cartridge 5. Place the top of the new filter in the holder with the word “front” facing upwards 6.
Gently push the filter in until it locks into the holder 7. Swing the filter to the left back into the cartridge.
If it doesn’t swing, check alignment 8. Run roughly one to one and a half gallons through to remove any air 9.
A little water may spurt through the dispenser at the start.
Use a large pitcher 10. It’s normal to see water discoloration initially, but it will return to normal
Steps to Replace and Install the MSWF/GSWF Water Filter
- Locate the filter in the upper right corner of the refrigerator 2.
Place a towel underneath the filter to collect any dripping water 3. Turn the filter counterclockwise until the holder releases it, and remove the filter cover for a better grip 4.
After the filter is released, pull out and remove the water filter.
If difficult, dispense one glass of water first 5. Place the new filter into the holder with the word “front” facing upwards 6.
Turn the filter clockwise until it tightens.
Don’t overtighten 7. Fit the filter cover back on top of the new filter 8.
Run roughly one to one and a half gallons through to remove any air 9. A little water may spurt through the dispenser at the start.
Use a large pitcher 10. It’s normal to see water discoloration initially, but it will return to normal
Advantages of a Water Filtering System
Depending on your local tap water quality, a refrigerator filter can make a dramatic difference in taste and smell. Honestly, that’s the number one reason most people go with an in-fridge water dispenser.
All those pollutants, dirt, and chemicals that sneak into your tap water get filtered out, leaving you with water that actually tastes the way it should.
Carbon Filtering Is Advanced and Effective
The carbon filtering in your fridge combines principles from both osmosis and distillation, which cleanses water to a remarkably pure state.
What’s nice is that this process keeps the healthy minerals in your water while still removing contaminants. It’s also noticeably faster than using osmosis or distillation on their own.
Ease of Use
Getting purified water couldn’t be simpler with a fridge dispenser. And as you’ve seen above, swapping in a new filter takes about 10 minutes with zero special skills.
Cost and Energy Efficiency
Beyond clean water, a fridge dispenser helps cut down on plastic bottle waste. That’s good for both your wallet and the planet.
Drinking filtered water also lowers your exposure to contaminants linked to health problems. Over time, these systems genuinely pay for themselves in both cost savings and energy efficiency.
Disadvantages of a Water Filtering System
Installation and plumbing for a fridge dispenser can cost a bit more upfront than simpler filtering systems. But over time, the savings from reduced energy use and fewer plastic bottles more than make up for it.
Fluoride Removal
Here’s something many people don’t realize: if your filter removes all chemicals, it’ll take fluoride out too. That’s an issue because many cities add fluoride specifically to protect teeth.
Losing fluoride might mean more trips to the dentist down the road. If fluoride removal is actually your goal, take a look at refrigerator water filters that remove fluoride.
Prolonged Carbon Exposure
When you leave a filter in too long, the water sits against saturated carbon for too long. That actually changes the taste and smell, which is the opposite of what you want. You can learn how to clean a carbon water filter to extend its life a bit.
But the moment you notice any taste or smell changes, swap the filter immediately.
Beware of Substandard Water Filters
Carbon filters work because the material lets water pass through while trapping pollutants. But cheap, low-quality filters are a different story.
They miss more impurities, and the manufacturing process itself can actually introduce contaminants into the filter. Not great.
The real risk? Exposure to micro-organisms like coliform and salmonella, which can cause serious illness. Water that’s been sitting in a low-quality filter will also develop noticeable changes in color, taste, and smell.
Different Types of Water Filtering Systems
Distillation
This process includes heating water and turning it into steam in one chamber and condensing it back into liquid form in another compartment. The heat applied to the water kills all the bacteria, viruses, and other micro-organisms.
The distillation method often takes the form of either solar distillation or multi-stage flash distillation, both of which are relatively large and sophisticated systems. Distilled water can be purchased in bottles, which increases plastic consumption and is also costly in the long run.
Micro-Filtration
In this process, the water moves through a fibrous membrane with microscopic holes. These are most suited for large-scale industrial uses.
They can remove dissolved contaminants in the water.
Reverse Osmosis
The RO method uses a series of different filters to purify the water. The name itself suggests that it reverses the natural process of osmosis, sending water from a highly concentrated solution to a low concentrated one.
The high upfront costs and maintenance costs are a significant drawback for this process.
Ultraviolet Filtration
UV filtration isn’t a very common process. This process uses UV radiation to kill micro-organisms, bacteria, and viruses present in the water.
This process is expensive to install, but the maintenance cost and energy consumption will be low. However, UV filtration doesn’t remove all the contaminants present in the water.
Infrared Filtration
Infrared filtration is a relatively new process. The water gets passed through infrared radiation which kills some of the viruses and bacteria.
IR isn’t a very effective process because it can’t remove all the contaminants. Unlike UV filtration, infrared can soften the water.
Hard water is water that’s high in calcium and magnesium, and it clogs the pipes more often.
Water Ionization
Water ionization purifies water by increasing its pH value. Through electrolysis, water gets separated into acidic and alkaline streams.
The system then treats the alkaline water stream to get pure water out. Ionizing water is a more expensive process compared to other methods.
Choosing the Right Filtration Method
With so many filtration methods out there, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. But no single filter type is universally the best. It really depends on your situation.
Think about your tap water quality and your budget first. If you just want better-tasting water, a simple charcoal filtering system gets the job done without breaking the bank.
For larger-scale needs, a more advanced system like reverse osmosis makes more sense. You might also want to look into how to install a whole house water filter. Whatever your situation, there’s a filter that fits.
The refrigerator water dispensing system is a significant advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness and energy consumption reduction. Dispensers focus on the efficiency of time and energy. The use of plastic bottles gets significantly reduced by using the dispenser, which results in less environmental pollution. Depending on the size of the business, you can cut up to 30-70% of expenses by using dispensers. Switching to dispensers in business places such as offices won't only improve the health and safety of workers, it will also show the willingness to reduce the usage of plastic.
Things to Consider While Installing a Water Dispenser
You’ll need plumbing for a fridge with a water and ice dispenser, so factor that into your budget before you buy.
One trade-off worth knowing: the ice dispenser eats into your freezer space. If you live in a hot climate or host a lot, it’s usually worth it, but make sure you have backup freezer storage elsewhere.
If your tap water quality needs improvement, a fridge with a built-in filter and dispenser is a smart move. A countertop water filter is another solid alternative. Either way, you’ll get better results than relying on plastic bottles.
For homes on well water or lake water, filtration is especially important to keep sediment from building up in the dispenser. These systems are designed for quick, clean glasses of water without the mess of bottles.
Yes, the dispenser adds a small amount to your energy bill. But you’ll open the fridge door less often, which actually saves energy overall. And if you’re paying per gallon for water, a dispenser cuts down on waste too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every six months is the general rule, or after about 310 gallons. That said, if your water starts tasting off or the flow slows down before then, don't wait. Swap it out early.
Nope, you can leave the water supply on for most GE models. The filter housing is designed to stop water flow automatically when you pull the old filter out.
Don't worry, that's totally normal. Those are just loose carbon particles from the new filter. Run about 1 to 1.5 gallons through the dispenser and it'll clear right up.
Final Thoughts
Tap water isn't always as clean as we'd like it to be. Sediments, pesticides, bacteria, and leftover chemicals can all hitch a ride through your pipes. That's exactly why keeping your GE refrigerator filter fresh matters so much.
The good news? It's one of the easiest home maintenance tasks you'll ever tackle. GE fridges use activated carbon to clean water both physically and chemically, and a simple swap every six months (or after 310 gallons) keeps everything running smoothly.
Just check which filter type your model uses (MWF, RPWFE, or MSWF) and follow the steps above. You'll have clean, great-tasting water in about 10 minutes. Plus, you're saving money compared to buying bottled water and cutting down on plastic waste at the same time.
