The WF3CB is one of the more straightforward Frigidaire filter codes to identify once you know what to look for. But buyers running into it for the first time often end up confused by the upgrade path to the ULTRAWF, the cross-compatibility with Electrolux and Kenmore models, and whether the filter is still available given that some suppliers have listed it as discontinued. This post covers what the WF3CB is, how it differs from the ULTRAWF, how to confirm the right fit before ordering, and what to do if the upgrade path is relevant to the specific refrigerator.
Why the WF3CB Creates Confusion at Replacement Time
The WF3CB sits in a product generation that is old enough to cause availability questions but not old enough to have been fully replaced across all refrigerator models still in daily use. A refrigerator from 2010 to 2015 using the PureSource 3 system is still a working appliance for many households. The confusion comes from three directions.
First, some suppliers list the WF3CB as discontinued and immediately redirect buyers to the ULTRAWF as an upgrade. The ULTRAWF is a longer filter with a different housing format, and it does not fit all WF3CB housings. Second, the WF3CB looks similar to the ULTRAWF in product photos but the two are different lengths. The WF3CB measures 9 inches. The ULTRAWF is longer. Third, the same filter fits Frigidaire, Electrolux, and select Kenmore refrigerators, which means buyers searching by brand name alone can land on the wrong listing.
Where to Find Your Filter Part Number Before Ordering
Confirming the correct filter code takes less than a minute and avoids the most common ordering mistake in this category. Here is where to look:
Step 1. Open the refrigerator and locate the filter housing. On Frigidaire PureSource 3 models, the filter housing is located at the back right corner at the top of the fresh food compartment.
Step 2. Check the label on the current filter. The part number, WF3CB, ULTRAWF, or another code, is printed directly on the filter body.
Step 3. If the label has worn off, check the refrigerator model number on the sticker inside the door frame. That model number can be used to cross-reference the correct filter code.
Step 4. Note the filter length. The WF3CB is 9 inches long. If the current filter is noticeably longer, the refrigerator likely uses the ULTRAWF rather than the WF3CB.
What Is the Frigidaire WF3CB Filter
The WF3CB is the PureSource 3 replacement water filter for Frigidaire, Electrolux, and select Kenmore refrigerators using the slide-out filter housing located at the back right corner at the top of the fresh food compartment. It uses activated carbon block filtration with a 0.5 micron rating and is NSF 42 and 53 certified to reduce chlorine taste and odor, lead, cysts, turbidity, and other contaminants. It is rated for 200 gallons or six months, whichever comes first.
The installation is a push-in, push-to-release design. Push on the face of the old filter to eject it, pull it straight down, insert the new filter and push upward until it clicks into place.
It replaces part numbers 242069601, 242069603, 242086201, 242294501, P242069601, and WF3CB12 among others.
What Is the Frigidaire ULTRAWF Filter
The ULTRAWF is the PureSource Ultra replacement water filter for a newer generation of Frigidaire refrigerators. It uses the same general housing position at the top right of the fresh food compartment but is longer than the WF3CB and uses a different housing format. The ULTRAWF carries NSF 42 and 53 certifications and is rated for 200 gallons or six months.
Some Frigidaire refrigerators originally designed for the WF3CB can accept the ULTRAWF as an upgrade if the housing accommodates the longer filter. This upgrade compatibility is model-specific and should be confirmed with the refrigerator model number before ordering.
What Is the Frigidaire EPTWFU01 Filter
The EPTWFU01 is the PureSource Ultra II filter for Frigidaire French door and side-by-side models produced after 2015. It uses a push-and-twist installation in the upper right corner rather than the push-in slide-out design of the WF3CB. It carries NSF 42, 53, and 401 certifications, covering a broader contaminant list than the WF3CB.
The EPTWFU01 and WF3CB are not interchangeable. They use entirely different installation systems and housing formats.
Is the WF3CB the Same as the ULTRAWF
No. The WF3CB and ULTRAWF are separate filters designed for different Frigidaire PureSource system generations. The WF3CB is 9 inches long and fits the PureSource 3 housing. The ULTRAWF is longer and fits the PureSource Ultra housing. They use similar installation positions but different housing formats.
Some refrigerators originally using the WF3CB can be upgraded to the ULTRAWF depending on the specific model. This is not universal and requires confirming the refrigerator model number before attempting an upgrade.
Compatibility Checklist Before Ordering the WF3CB
Before placing an order, run through this checklist:
- Confirm the current filter label shows WF3CB, 242069601, 242086201, or 242294501
- Confirm the filter housing is at the back right corner at the top of the fresh food compartment
- Confirm the current filter measures approximately 9 inches in length
- Confirm the refrigerator is a Frigidaire, Electrolux, or compatible Kenmore side-by-side model using the PureSource 3 system
- Confirm the installation is a push-in, push-to-release slide-out design, not a twist-in or push-and-twist design
If all five points check out, the WF3CB is the correct replacement. If the current filter is longer than 9 inches, the refrigerator likely uses the ULTRAWF rather than the WF3CB.
Common Mistakes When Buying a Frigidaire WF3CB Replacement
- Ordering the ULTRAWF without confirming compatibility. The ULTRAWF is longer than the WF3CB and does not fit all WF3CB housings. Some models support the upgrade and some do not. Confirm the refrigerator model number before ordering the ULTRAWF as a substitute.
- Confusing the WF3CB with the WF2CB. The WF2CB is an older filter for an earlier Frigidaire generation and is not interchangeable with the WF3CB. Check the part number on the current filter before searching.
- Skipping the flush after installation. Run water through the dispenser for 3 minutes and discard before drinking. Cloudy water or an off taste right after installation is almost always air and carbon particles, not a defective filter.
- Not turning off the ice maker before swapping the filter. Raising the wire signal arm before removing the old filter prevents water from dripping into the compartment during the swap. A minor step worth taking.
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Waiting too long past six months. A saturated carbon block may start releasing previously trapped contaminants. Replacing on schedule is more reliable than waiting for visible signs like slow flow or off taste.
When to Replace or Order a New WF3CB Filter
Replace the WF3CB when any of the following apply:
- Six months have passed since the last replacement
- The filter indicator light on the refrigerator panel has activated
- Water picks up a faint chlorine taste or flat odor
- Dispenser flow has slowed noticeably below the normal 0.5 GPM rate
- Ice is coming out cloudy or with an off smell
- The refrigerator is used by three or more people daily and the last replacement was four months ago
The WF3CB is rated for 200 gallons or six months, whichever comes first. Households with higher daily dispenser use may reach the 200 gallon limit before the six month mark.
Recommended Replacement
The Frigidaire WF3CB PureSource 3 refrigerator water filter is available on the product page at purefridgewater.. Confirm the current filter label shows WF3CB or one of the compatible part numbers listed above before ordering. If the upgrade to ULTRAWF is a consideration, confirm the specific refrigerator model number supports that upgrade before placing an order.
FAQs
Is the WF3CB the same length as the ULTRAWF?
No. The WF3CB measures 9 inches in length. The ULTRAWF is longer. This size difference is one of the quickest ways to visually confirm which filter the refrigerator uses without checking the part number label.
Does the WF3CB fit Electrolux refrigerators?
Yes. The WF3CB fits select Electrolux refrigerators that use the PureSource 3 slide-out filter housing at the back right corner of the fresh food compartment. Electrolux and Frigidaire share parent company ownership and many Electrolux models use the same filter codes. Always confirm the refrigerator model number cross-references correctly before ordering.
Can the WF3CB be upgraded to the ULTRAWF?
In some cases yes. Some Frigidaire refrigerators originally designed for the WF3CB can accept the ULTRAWF if the housing accommodates the longer filter. This upgrade is model-specific. Confirm the refrigerator model number supports the upgrade before ordering the ULTRAWF as a substitute.
Does the WF3CB reduce lead and cysts?
Yes. The WF3CB carries NSF 42 and 53 certifications, independently tested to reduce chlorine taste and odor, lead, cysts including Cryptosporidium and Giardia, turbidity, and select contaminants. Results may vary depending on local water supply conditions.
What happens if the WF3CB is not replaced on schedule?
A saturated WF3CB filter stops reducing contaminants effectively and may start releasing previously trapped particles back into the water. Dispenser flow typically slows as the filter clogs. Replacing on the six month or 200 gallon schedule maintains consistent filtration performance.