Are you wondering how to clean an ice maker machine? Do you have an ice maker at your home and you don’t know how to clean it? You’re in the right place.
In this ultimate guide we’ll show how to clean an ice maker step by step from A to Z, please follow the instructions and steps below
make sure that you read and follow this ultimate guide to how to clean an ice maker machine.
What are the tools and items you will need to clean an ice maker?
1) gloves, glasses to protect yourself.
2) Calgon IMS to icemaker sanitizer
3) safe clean icemaker cleaner
4) basic hand tools
5) clean bucket capable of holding over a gallon of water
6) clean lint-free wipe down towels
before starting the icemaker cleaning and descaling procedure:
Ensure that the icemaker evaporator is completely free of ice and at room temperature.
An evaporator full of ice will prevent the descaling solution from removing the scale as intended by this process.
the bin signal switch on the dispenser electrical box can be used to turn off the icemaker providing time for the
evaporator to thaw while allowing the nursing staff to still dispense the stored ice in the dispenser.
How to clean an ice maker?
Step1.
Remove the ice machine panels required to gain access to the electrical boxes and the float reservoir assembly.
Step2.
Remove the front panel
- If your ice maker has screws on the front panel unscrew those screws using a screwdriver to remove the front panel.
- If your ice maker has no screws you can only pop out the front panel and remove it.
Step3.
- turn off the ice dispenser power switch located on the dispenser electrical box.
- turn off the compressor switch located on the icemaker electrical box.
this shuts the refrigeration system off but allows the gear motor to turn the auger for the agitation of the cleaning and descaling solution.
Step4.
Remove the splash panel by removing the four Phillips head screws securing the panel to the dispenser.
Step5.
close the water inlet supply valve on the left.
the water shut-off valve on the right turns off the water supply to the water to spend solenoids of the splash panel while allowing the ice maker to run the water shut-off valve on the left turns off the water supply to both the solenoids and the float reservoir valve on the ice maker.
Step6.
- disconnect the water line from the water solenoids valve.
- Mounted the panel and set the panel on the counter to the left of the dispenser.
Step7.
Flip the drain pan protector panel down to its horizontal position.
Step8.
Remove the cover from the float reservoir.
Step9.
Release the evaporator drain tube clamp.
Step10.
remove the drain tube from the retainer on the float reservoir support bracket.
Step11.
Remove the plug from the end of the drain tube and empty all of the water from the evaporator and the float reservoir.
Step12.
Insert the plug back into the drain tube and secure the line back into the float bracket retainer.
Step13.
Disconnect the ice transport tube from the ice compression nozzle by loosening the automotive-type hose clamp and pulling the tube off of the nozzle.
Step14.
The icemaker module can be pulled out from the front of the dispenser to improve service access if this is the first time the icemaker module is being pulled out of the dispenser
- loosen and remove the securing screw and spacer from the ice maker base it is used only for securing the ice maker during shipping and can be discarded.
Step15.
Remove the ice compression nozzle from the evaporator outlet by loosening the clamp.
Step16.
Removing the Philips head screw.
Step16.
Sliding the nozzle off of the evaporator outlet.
Step17.
Mix one seven-ounce packet of followed safe clean ice machine cleaner descaler with one gallon of hot 120-degree water.
Step18.
slowly add the cleaning and descaling solution to the float reservoir filling both the reservoir and the evaporator until the solution is almost overflowing the reservoir.
Step19.
verified that the solution is not trapped in the reservoir if only a small amount of solution was needed to fill the reservoir
- lightly tap on the side of the reservoir to break the air pocket that can form at the outlet at the bottom of the reservoir.
- releasing the solution and allowing it to flow into the evaporator.
Step20.
Turn the power switch back on leaving the compressor switch in the off position only the auger motor will run.
Step21.
Allow the motor to run for 15 minutes the auger will stir and agitate the cleaning and descaling solution in the evaporator.
during that time submerge the ice compression nozzle and drain tube in a container of the ice maker cleaning and descaling solution for 15 minutes as well.
do not use any abrasive materials to remove scale from the inside of the ice compression nozzle.
while the cleaning and descaling solution is working other maintenance procedures can be performed.
How to clean dispenser in the ice maker machine?
the dispensers feature a removable cleanable air filter it is located in the left air intake grille.
Step1.
Remove the securing screw at the top of the grille.
Step2.
Remove the grille from the dispenser.
after removing the filter from the grille it can be rinsed clean with cool water and set aside to dry.
the brush attachment is very effective in removing the dust and lint from the air-cooled condensers this procedure should be done as often as required to keep the unit running at peak performance.
Step3.
Remove the scale from the evaporator drain pan and drain lines.
the pan is made out of flexible plastic that can be flexed to break the scale-free.
do not use abrasive materials to remove residual scale instead wearing rubber gloves wipe out the pan with a cloth dipped in the safe clean solution.
Step4.
After the 15 minutes have elapsed turn the power switch off.
Step5.
Using the evaporator drain line drain the solution from the reservoir and evaporator.
Step6.
in some instances of heavy scale accumulation a single application of icemaker cleaning and descaling solution may not be sufficient to completely:
- remove all of the mineral build-ups from the evaporator.
if heavy scale accumulation is suspected:
- refill the evaporator with fresh cleaning and descaling solution and repeat the application a second time all
- of the scale must be removed.
Note: removing only part of the buildup can lead to unnecessarily high loads on the drive system and inconsistent icemaker operation.
Step7.
when complete replace the plug in the drain tube and replace the drain tube in the retainer
- refill the reservoir and the evaporator with fresh 120 degree water until almost overflowing.
Step8.
Turn the power switch back on to run the auger motor for one minute to agitate the rinsing water.
Step9.
Turn the power switch off and drain the evaporator.
Step10.
Repeat this rinsing procedure two more times.
Step11.
Rinse the ice compression nozzle and drain tube thoroughly with fresh water.
at this point, the ice maker has been cleaned and descaled.
How to sanitize an ice maker machine
to provide high-quality sanitary ice it must also be sanitized.
sanitizing removes undesirable and potentially harmful microbial growth from the icemaker water system.
Step1.
Temporarily connect the ice transport tube directly to the evaporator outlet port.
do not reinstall the ice compression nozzle at this time.
Step2.
Mix a solution of 1 point 6 ounces of new Calgon IMS 2 sanitizer to 1 gallon of hot 120-degree water.
Step3.
Submerge the ice compression nozzle and drain tube in a cup of sanitizing solution.
Step4.
Slowly add the sanitizing solution to the float reservoir filling both the reservoir and evaporator until the solution is almost overflowing the reservoir.
Step5.
Verify that the solution is not trapped in the reservoir.
Step6.
Turn the power switch back on leaving the compressor switch in the off position.
Step7.
Allow the auger motor to run stirring and agitating the solution in the evaporator for 10 minutes.
Step8.
at the end of the ten minutes turn the compressor switch back on.
Step9.
as the icemaker begins to make ice:
- maintain the liquid level in the float reservoir by manually adding the solution to the float reservoir needed.
the ice will move through the ice transport tube to the ice storage bin sanitizing the ice transport tube in the process while it recommends that the ice storage bin be cleaned and sanitized immediately following the sanitizing of the ice maker.
if the ice storage bin will not be cleaned and sanitized immediately following this procedure:
1. disconnect the ice transport tube from the ice storage bin.
2. divert the ice maid from the sanitizer solution to another container to be discarded.
his ice should only be allowed to enter the ice storage hopper if the hopper will be cleaned and sanitized when sanitizing the ice maker is complete.
Step10.
Continue to make ice from the sanitizing solution for 20 minutes.
Step11.
Turn the power switch to the off position.
Step12.
Reconnect the ice transport tube to the hopper if it was previously disconnected.
Step13.
Disconnect the ice transport tube from the evaporator discharge outlet port.
Step14.
Rinse the ice compression nozzle and drain tube with fresh water and reconnect to the outlet port of the evaporator.
Step15.
it is very important to use only supplied clamps and screws to attach the ice compression nozzle to the evaporator discharge port screws that are too long will inhibit the flow of ice and cause the ice banker to shut down.
Step16.
Align the holes in the clamp nozzle and outlet port and insert and tighten the Philips head screw.
Step17.
Tighten the clamp firmly with a nut driver.
Step18.
Reconnect the ice transport tube to the ice compression nozzle outlet and secure it with the hose clamp.
Step19.
Drain the sanitizing solution from the reservoir and the evaporator.
Step20.
Insert the drain plug and replace the drain tube in the retainer.
Step21.
Refill the reservoir and evaporator with fresh water until almost overflowing with 120-degree rinsing water.
Step22.
Turn the power switch back on to run the auger motor for one minute to agitate the rinsing water.
Step23.
Turn the power switch off and drain the evaporator, repeat this rinsing procedure two more times.
Step24.
Reclamp the drain tube pinch clamp.
Step25.
Replace the drain tube plug and re-secure the drain tube in the float bracket retainer.
Step26.
Replace the reservoir cover and open the water supply valve.
Step27.
Ensure that the end of the drain tube is well above the water level in the reservoir to prevent accidental water leaks.
Step28.
Turn the power and compressor switches back on and make ice for at least 15 minutes to flush any remaining sanitizing solution from the system.
Note: ice makers installed separately from the dispenser in remote locations with long transport tubes may take longer to flush out the sanitizer.
the ice maker is now finished it is time to turn our attention to the dispenser.
How to clean and sanitize the ice storage hopper on the ice maker?
Step1.
Remove and discard all ice from the ice storage hopper.
do not reuse any of this ice or put any of this ice back into the hopper after the procedure is complete.
Step2.
Refill the hopper with only fresh ice.
Step3.
once the bin is empty turn the power switch off.
Note: always disconnect power before cleaning.
Step4.
Remove the cover from the ice storage hopper.
Step5.
working inside the storage area loosen and remove the knurled screw and remove the ice dispenser.
Step6.
Remove the ice and water dispensed from the dispenser.
Step7.
on older style dispensers with chute covers and clear dispenser chutes.
- remove the chute covers and remove and disassemble the ice and water dispenser shute.
older units can be filled retrofitted with the newer single-piece Aegean impregnated dispenser shoots.
Aegean: is a naturally-occurring antimicrobial material that inhibits microbial growth on treated components such as the dispensed shoots.
Step8.
thoroughly wipe all surfaces with a cloth soaked in the cleaning and descaling solution made with safe clean.
Step9.
Simply spraying the solution onto the surfaces is not as effective.
do not use solvents abrasive cleaners metal scrapers or sharp objects.
Step10.
The surfaces to be cleaned are the underside of the hopper lid the rotating agitator the baffle the top and bottom of the dispense wheel the inside of the storage hopper including the ice dispenser and the dispense chute assemblies.
thoroughness is key to a successful cleaning any residue left behind could lead to recontamination of the unit.
Step11.
Rinse all surfaces thoroughly taking care not to allow water to run through the center hole at the bottom of the hopper.
Step12.
Wipe down all of the surfaces again with a damp cloth wrung out in the sanitizing solution made with the new Calgon IMS 2 sanitizer.
Step13.
Reassemble and reinstall all parts without rinsing.
Step14.
the final treatment sanitizes the surface and keeps them sanitary and contaminant-free during reassembly.
Step15.
Turn the ice maker back on and check for proper operation.
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clean the drain pan and grill using the cleaning solution rinse thoroughly.
slowly pour one gallon of hot water into the drain pan to prevent algae growth in the drain lines.
the float reservoir is located on the right side of the dispenser.
1. remove the dispenser lid.
2. pull out on the bottom of the top cover and lift off of the dispenser to disengage.
How to access the water shut-off valve?
- remove the Phillips head screws securing the splash panel to the dispenser and remove the splash panel.
How to remove the top cover on older ice makers model dispensers?
- loosen the two Phillips head screws at the top of the splash panel
- and lift off the front cover
How to remove the splash panel?
- remove the four Phillips head screws.
- pull the bottom of the panel out.
- Disengage the panel from the support at the top.
when replacing the panel be sure that the top panel is engaged behind the support bracket to ensure that any water dripping runs down the front of the panel.
the lid of the ice storage hopper is secured to the hopper by three knurled screws removing the lid opens a safety switch cutting power to the dispensed motor.
How to remove the ice dispenser?
the baffle above the dispensed opening must be removed from the ice storage hopper.
- remove the center thumb screw and locking plate.
- loosen and remove the two wing nuts and backing plate.
- remove the threaded rod and rotating agitator.
- remove the baffle and ice dispenser clean and sanitize all components as described earlier on the dispenser.
When complete reinstall the dispense wheel.
- insert the stainless steel baffle and secure with the bracket and wing nuts.
- install the retaining bracket with the knurled screw to prevent the wing nuts from loosening.
- install the rotating agitator and secure with the knurled screw.
be sure to re-secure the lid with the three neural screws dispensers.
dispensers and ice makers require cleaning descaling and sanitizing at least every six months and more often if local water or environmental conditions dictate failure to clean the ice maker and dispenser can result in unsatisfactory performance and potential equipment damage.
