Freezer burn on ice-cubes

Sounds like the thermostat inside the ice maker that allows the heater to come on during harvest cycle is bad. You will need to replace the ice maker.
Ice Maker Kit For Maytag Refrigerator Model Number MFI2568AES

Maybe the freezer defrost drain is blocked. Sometimes the water freezes in the drain and the next time the defrost cycle occurs the water can't drain correctly. Is there any water inside the refrigerated section of the unit? Also there may be a catch pan under the fridge that is misaligned or out of place or the drain line isn't positioned to place the defrost water into the pan. Most modern refrigerators are frost free and defrost the freezer on a regular timed cycle. This is why your ice cubes shrink and stick together and why you get freezer burn on the food left in them for extended time.

It sometimes is just a matter of taste. The silicone ice cube molds are more flexible and often take up less freezer space but some people don't enjoy the struggle of getting them out of the molds.

Read this article that reviews ice cube trays and gives an opionion on the best ones. For me - I still love the old fashioned plastic trays that don't flop around when you are trying to put them in the freezer;

http://gizmodo.com/5913538/the-best-ice-cube-tray-of-all-time

Have you tried adding a bit of water to the ice mold? Is their an ice cube stuck in the ice mold? If you have an ice cube stuck in there just heat the im with a hair dryer till the cube clears and fingers go around. Listen to see if you hear water going into the mold.

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There are usually 2 small solenoid valves that are used to control water. Both are generally installed at the rear close to the bottom of the fridge. One of the solenoids controls the water flow for drinks and the other is to control water flow to the ice maker. You can determine which is which by tracing the water supply tubes from the freezer compartment to the solenoid or by process of elimination. The latter method requires that you feel for movement (clicking) or heat on the water dispenser solenoid while someone starts to fill a glass with water from the fridge.

Before going any further, make sure that the ice cube detection arm in the freezer is not up. Gently push the arm down if it is. When ice cubes are ready, the ice maker turns on a small heater to break the bond of the ice cubes to the cube mold. The arm is lifted up and out of the way. Then the mechanical fingers wipe or push on the cubes to dislodge them from the ice cube mold and they fall into the container. The arm is then lowered again and rests on top of the ice collected in the container. The position of the arm when resting on the ice cubes determines whether or not any more ice cubes are made.

If the arm is hanging down, then ice cube production should be on. The problem may be either a faulty solenoid valve (mentioned above), switch in the ice maker assembly - the detection arm in particular or wiring between.

It sounds like the ice maker is stuck in the harvest ( dump ) mode , in the area of mold heater activation . This area , heats up the ice mold to unfreeze the cubes , and keeps rotating to dump the cubes . This heater , gets hot enough to actually burn you if you touch the mold .
I would remove the 2 screws holding the ice maker , unplug from the ice maker receptical , and replace the ice maker .

The ice maker mold is deteriorating. Replace the ice maker.

It is normal for the middle strip to be hot. Did you check the temp setting in the fridge section?
Also - you might check for blockage in the bottom. Excessive dirt/dog hair can block the air flow.
Good luck

well for mold problems i recommend cleaning out all compartments with water/bleach solution also a little bathroom cleaner will kill the mildew. i don't think it seeped to the insulation because the plastic liner in fridges are quite little thick. turn it on for some days and put one of those arm and hammer baking soda for fridges that will kill any residual odor. i consider it safe but its your call if you feel comfortable using it.