Match the box to the pipe feeding it. For PEX crimp, the Sioux Chief OxBox 696-G1010XF adds built-in water hammer arresters, while the Eastman 60233 is a simpler pre-assembled box; for copper, the Water-Tite 87967 has a 1/2-inch sweat valve. All three give the fridge its own quarter-turn shutoff in the wall.
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This guide covers recessed boxes for new or open-wall installs.
Ice maker outlet boxes compared
| Box | Inlet | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Chief OxBox 696-G1010XF | 1/2-in. PEX crimp (F1807) | You want built-in water hammer arresters and a box that mounts on or between studs |
| Eastman 60233 | 1/2-in. PEX | A simple pre-assembled PEX box with a quarter-turn valve |
| Water-Tite 87967 | 1/2-in. sweat (copper) | The supply is copper and you will solder the valve in |
Every box here has a quarter-turn shutoff with a 1/4-inch compression outlet for the refrigerator line. The box recesses into the wall so the fridge can push back flush and the valve stays reachable behind it.
Why use a recessed box instead of a saddle valve
A saddle valve clamps onto a pipe and pierces it. They are cheap, but the small rubber seal and pierced pipe are a common leak point, and many inspectors do not allow them. Our saddle valve guide covers why.
A recessed outlet box gives the refrigerator its own real shutoff on a proper branch line, inside a box that catches drips and keeps the valve off the floor. It is the standard choice in new construction and remodels where the wall is open.
If the wall is closed and you only need a line run, our ice maker water line kits guide covers tee stop valves and supply lines.
Sioux Chief OxBox 696-G1010XF: with hammer arresters
Choose the Sioux Chief 696-G1010XF if the house has banging pipes or you want the best-protected valve. Sioux Chief’s 696 series spec sheet (cdn.siouxchief.com) decodes 696-G1010XF as an outlet box with frame, a valve with arrester, and an F1807 PEX connection.
The sheet lists a plated quarter-turn valve with a 1/4-inch compression outlet and tamper-resistant test caps, mounting on-stud or between studs with supply from the top or bottom, an 18-inch galvanized bracket, and an arrester that meets ASSE 1010. It rates the valve and arrester to 200°F and 150 psi.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer from a third-party seller showed stock with model and part 696-G1010XF.
Skip it for PEX-A expansion or copper; Sioux Chief makes other connection codes in the same series.
Check Sioux Chief OxBox 696-G1010XF on Amazon →
Eastman 60233: pre-assembled PEX box
Choose the Eastman 60233 for a straightforward PEX install. Retail listings elsewhere describe this model as a crimp (F1807) box, so confirm the connection on the package before buying rings. The listing describes a pre-assembled box with a brass quarter-turn ball valve, a support bracket and a faceplate cover, a rough opening of 5-3/4 × 4-7/8 × 3-1/2 inches, and a 1/2-inch PEX by 1/4-inch OD compression connection.
It has no water hammer arrester. If you hear banging when the fridge valve snaps shut, add an arrester or choose the OxBox above.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com showed stock with model 60233.
Check Eastman 60233 PEX ice maker box on Amazon →
Water-Tite 87967: 1/2-inch sweat for copper
Choose the Water-Tite 87967 when the supply is copper. The listing, sold by the maker IPS Corporation, describes a one-piece box-and-flange design that needs no extra framing, a pre-installed lead-free brass quarter-turn valve with a 1/2-inch sweat connection, and a snap-on faceplate that fits up to 3/4-inch drywall.
Solder the valve connection before the box is fixed where possible, and keep heat away from the plastic box.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by IPS Corp showed stock with model and part 87967.
Check Water-Tite 87967 ice maker outlet box on Amazon →
Reading Sioux Chief connection codes
The OxBox comes in several inlet types, and the last letters of the part number tell you which. Sioux Chief’s spec sheet (cdn.siouxchief.com) lists C for male CPVC, M for MIP or female sweat, P for male sweat, press or push, V for F3347 PEX, W for F1960 PEX (expansion) and X for F1807 PEX (crimp).
The middle code shows whether arresters are included: G1000 has none and G1010 has them. The final letter sets the pack: F is the standard pack with outlet box, frame, bracket and debris cover; R is a rough-in pack without the frame.
So a copper job with arresters would use a G1010 box with the matching sweat code, and a PEX-A expansion job would use the W code. Check the code against your pipe before ordering.
Do you need a water hammer arrester?
A refrigerator’s inlet valve closes quickly, and on some systems that causes a bang in the pipes. An arrester at the outlet box absorbs that shock. The Sioux Chief spec sheet lists its arrester as meeting ASSE 1010, the standard for water hammer arresters.
If the house already bangs when the dishwasher or washer shuts off, choose a box with an arrester. If the plumbing is quiet and the run is short, a box without one is often fine, and you can add an arrester later.
Our water hammer arrestor guide covers standalone arresters for other fixtures.
Where to put the box
Mount the box behind where the refrigerator will stand, at the height the refrigerator maker’s installation guide recommends and where the line will reach without kinking. Keep it clear of the fridge’s electrical outlet.
Fix the box to a stud or the supplied bracket so it cannot rock when the valve is turned. Set the box face so it ends up flush with the finished drywall.
Feed it from a cold-water branch. Leave the test caps on and pressure-test the rough-in before closing the wall.
Plan for the finished wall. The Water-Tite listing says its snap-on faceplate fits drywall up to 3/4 inch thick, and the Eastman listing gives an 8-1/4 × 7-5/16-inch faceplate that covers the rough opening. Cut the drywall opening to the box, not the faceplate, so the plate has wall to sit on. If tile or a thick panel will go over the drywall, check that the box face can still sit flush before you fasten it.
Connecting the refrigerator
Run a braided stainless or approved line from the 1/4-inch compression outlet to the fridge. Leave a loop so the refrigerator can be pulled out for cleaning without straining the connection.
Open the valve slowly and check for drips at the compression nut. Then run a few gallons through the fridge dispenser to clear air and any debris before using the ice.
Our ice maker line guide covers the line itself.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ice maker outlet box?
A recessed wall box with a quarter-turn shutoff and a 1/4-inch compression outlet that feeds a refrigerator’s ice maker and water dispenser.
Do I need a water hammer arrester in an ice maker box?
It helps if pipes bang when the fridge valve closes. The Sioux Chief 696-G1010XF includes arresters; simpler boxes like the Eastman 60233 do not.
Can I use a saddle valve instead?
Saddle valves are a common leak point and many inspectors do not allow them. A recessed box or a tee stop valve is the better choice.
Which ice maker box do I need for copper pipe?
A box with a sweat connection, such as the Water-Tite 87967 with its 1/2-inch sweat valve.
How high should an ice maker box be?
Place it where the refrigerator maker recommends and where the line reaches without kinking, flush with the finished wall.
How we chose
This document-based guide makes no hands-on testing claim. We read Sioux Chief’s 696 series spec sheet and the listing details for the Eastman and Water-Tite boxes. On October 15, 2026, all three linked standard new offers showed stock and matched their model numbers. Read our selection method and about Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- Sioux Chief 696 series OxBox spec sheet (cdn.siouxchief.com): part-number decode, valve and arrester specs, mounting, ratings.