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How to Clean Your Ice Machine

Every ice machine will benefit from being cleaned regularly. There are basic steps to the cleaning process, but each manufacturer and model will vary in the specifics. Here is a basic breakdown of how to clean an ice machine that should apply to recently manufactured ice makers.

Make sure that you read your ice machine owner's manual for specific warnings about cleaning procedures and cleaning products.

Be certain that you know if your ice machine evaporator plate has nickel or not. Using the wrong kind of cleaner can permanently damage your evaporator by stripping the nickel. If your machine contains nickel, be sure you use a nickel safe ice machine cleaning solution. Many modern ice machine models do not use nickel in the evaporator, so stronger ice machine cleaners are safe to use.

1. First, turn the ice machine OFF. You don't want the maker producing any ice just yet.
2. If you have a water filter in place (and you should! - click here) either built into the unit or an inline system on the water supply, replace the filter or cartridge.
3. Clean your air filter or replace the filter insert (if you have an air-cooled machine).
4. Empty any built-in storage bin of any ice.
5. Drain water from pump reservoir if your machine has one.
6. Drain water from inlet water reservoir.
7. Wipe up any water that has not drained from the bin.
8. Add a safe ice machine cleaner solution to the pump reservoir or inlet water reservoir (or where the water supply enters the machine before it circulates through to the evaporator).
9. Make sure that the cleaning valve (if your machine has one) to the evaporator is open.
10. Turn the control switch to WASH or CLEAN, depending upon your manufacturer.
11. Run cleaning phase for 15 minutes.
12. Turn machine OFF once again.
13. Close the cleaning valve (if it has one).
14. Drain or PURGE the cleaner from the pump until all liquid is flushed from the system.
15. Inspect components for any remaining mineral scale.
16. Repeat cleaning with additional cleaner if necessary.
17. After you are satisfied all mineral scale has been removed, and you have drained/purged the cleaner for the final time, add clean water to the pump or inlet reservoir.
18. Turn control switch to WASH or CLEAN to circulate clean water to rinse all cleaner residue.
19. Turn OFF machine again and drain pump or reservoir again.
20. Repeat the rinse procedure.
21. Turn switch to ON or ICE to make a full cycle or batch of ice.
22. Dispose of all ice from this first batch in case cleaning solution residue was still in the components.

Each manufacturer will have a cleaning procedure detailed in their manual. You may not need every one of the steps above. Remember that you will want to clean your ice machine at least every 6 months or sooner depending upon the environment and location of your machine.

Some manufacturers have built anti-microbial substances into the interior walls of their bins and interior surfaces of ice machines. Anti-microbial compounds, such as the silver-based AgION used by Ice-O-Matic and Scotsman, reduce growth of bacteria, microorganisms, algae, mold and slime.