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Water Filter for the KitchenAid KBFN502ESS02 (EDR3RXD1)
✓ 100% compatible — no bypass plug needed
🔧 5-min push-in swap
🇺🇸 Ships from Indiana
Every cartridge that fits this model — pulled live from the catalogue:
✓
KBFN502ESS02 specifics — where the filter actually lives
On the KBFN502ESS02, the cartridge in the upper zone of the fresh-food compartment in most bottom-freezer layouts, a deliberate placement that keeps the swap away from the door seals and drawer rails. The seat is a twist-in design — release is counterclockwise, seating is clockwise, and the stops are firm enough that you cannot overshoot.
The recurring owner notes: a first removal that fights a set o-ring, and a status light that needs a manual hold-to-reset before it acknowledges the new cartridge. Decode the plate and the parts question answers itself: KBF on this badge family usually means bottom-freezer stock, which is why fit charts list cartridges by chassis code first. A -02 style suffix means running production revisions; filter fit stayed constant across the whole run.
KBF vs KFI — what the prefix tells you
Prefix families here: KBF against KFI. KBF machines are bottom-freezer; KFI machines are French-door. Both draw from the same cartridge line, which is why fit charts list them together. Official data records the KBFN502ESS02 across 2014 to 2018; cartridge revisions generally track that span.
Swap it in 5 minutes
- Twist the old cartridge a quarter turn counterclockwise and pull it straight down — keep a towel in reach for the dribble.
- Fill the new cartridge with cold tap water so the chamber is not fighting an air pocket.
- Offer the new cartridge to the bay, push up, and twist a quarter turn clockwise until the stop catches.
- Run two gallons through the dispenser to flush carbon fines, then hold the filter-reset control until the status light clears.
What this filter takes out of your water
| What it targets | Standard that covers it |
|---|---|
| Chlorine taste & odor | NSF/ANSI 42 — aesthetic effects |
| Particulates, Class I | NSF/ANSI 42 — fine sediment |
| Lead | NSF/ANSI 53 — health effects |
| Cysts (cryptosporidium, giardia) | NSF/ANSI 53 — microbial |
| PFOA & PFOS | NSF/ANSI 53 (P473) — varies by cartridge |
Coverage above lists what the standard addresses, not a performance claim for any specific cartridge — removal claims vary by certificate, so check the NSF listing for the exact part number you are buying.
KBFN502ESS02 filter questions
How to reset the water filter indicator: KitchenAid KBFN502ESS02?
The reset is a press-and-hold on the filter control with the cartridge in place; check the KBFN502ESS02 owner’s manual for where that control sits on your panel.
Can I run the KitchenAid KBFN502ESS02 with no cartridge installed?
No — run it empty if you like; the EDR3RXD1 bay needs no bypass plug, it simply passes water through untreated.
Are off-brand filters safe for a KitchenAid refrigerator?
Certified aftermarket cartridges are built to the same NSF test standards as the OEM part, and federal warranty law (Magnuson-Moss) protects your coverage when you use them.
Why is the OEM EDR3RXD1 cartridge so much more expensive?
Part of the OEM price is the badge and the distribution chain. Certified alternatives meet the same test standards at a lower unit price, especially in multi-packs.
How often should I replace the filter in my KBFN502ESS02?
Every six months or at the rated gallon capacity, whichever comes first — the EDR3RXD1 class cartridges all share that service interval.
Do I need to turn off the water supply to change it?
No — the bay is designed for a live swap. Expect a small dribble, keep a towel in reach, and flush a couple of gallons through the new cartridge before the first glass.
Every filter that fits your fridge
| Cartridge | OEM EDR3RXD1 | RECOMMENDEDEDR3RXD1 Replacement Water Filter · 1-Pack – ClearFit | EDR3RXD1 Replacement Water Filter · 3-Pack – ClearFit | EDR3RXD1 Replacement Water Filter · 6-Pack – ClearFit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | OEM list | $17.99 | $44.97 | $80.94 |
| Verified fit | ✓ the bay cartridge | View & buy → | View & buy → | View & buy → |
This filter expires six months from today
Your HVAC filter is probably on a different cycle. Track them all in one place.
months until this filter should be replaced (200-gal rated life)
Free tool · tracks fridge + HVAC + whole-house · auto-refill optional
More models using this filter
Related guides
POPULAR GUIDE
How to change a Whirlpool refrigerator water filter
Every Filter 1–6 bay location — including the door-mounted bays on WRX models, with door-open angles and cap-release quirks. — read the guide →
POPULAR GUIDE
How to reset your Whirlpool filter light
Filter 1–6 indicator maps showing which key actually clears the light on your panel. — read the guide →
WATER PROBLEM GUIDE
Does your fridge filter remove fluoride?
What EDR1RXD1-class carbon blocks actually take out — and the systems that do remove fluoride. — read the guide →