Patent ID: 8484987

Claim:
A method of controlling a refrigeration appliance comprising an insulated compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment, an ice maker for freezing water into ice pieces, and a refrigeration system comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a system evaporator to be supplied with said refrigerant by said compressor to provide a cooling effect to said refrigerated compartment, and an ice maker evaporator to be supplied with refrigerant by said compressor to provide a cooling effect for freezing said water into said ice pieces, said method comprising: sensing accumulation of a suitable amount of frost on said system evaporator to cause operation of a defrost cycle for defrosting said system evaporator; evaluating an ice making status of said ice maker to determine whether an ice making cycle is underway when said suitable amount of frost is sensed; in response to a determination that said ice making cycle is underway, delaying interruption of operation of said compressor during said defrost cycle; and in response to a determination that said ice making cycle is not underway, minimizing an amount of refrigerant supplied to said system evaporator by said compressor and activating a heater for generating heat to at least partially melt said frost accumulated on said system evaporator.