Ask a Pro: How Do I Properly Maintain an Ice Machine?

Ice machines are used everywhere from residential refrigerators to hotels, restaurants, bars and more. Like any appliance, they need to be carefully maintained to ensure they function properly and produce clean, safe ice. Since the FDA classifies ice as food, professional ice machines need to be cleaned and sanitized at least twice per year.

If you have problems with your ice machine, call a local appliance repair company for ice maker repair in St. Peters, MO. Your ice machine is vital to your company’s operations—don’t risk going without.

How to clean your ice machine’s interior

Here are some tips for cleaning your ice machine:

• Remove the ice: Either turn off the power right after a harvest cycle and remove the ice, or turn off the power and let the ice melt. Drain the water from the machine in the next step.
• Start the wash cycle: Next, press the “clean” or “wash” cycle button on your ice maker. This should drain all the water through the water dump valve. The ice machine will indicate that it’s time to add cleaner.
• Add cleaner: Follow your manufacturer’s instructions to add the right amount of a recommended cleaner. Wait for the cleaning cycle to initiate and complete. This usually takes about 20 minutes. Once this is finished, disconnect the power source.
• Remove and clean internal components: After the power is off, remove the internal components and soak them in a solution of cleaner and water (usually about one gallon for every 16 ounces of cleaner). When in doubt, refer to the instructions on the cleaner packaging. Use half of the solution to clean these components, and reserve the other half for the food zone components. If the solution starts foaming, wait until it’s finished, then scrub with a soft brush to remove slime and scale.
• Clean all food zone surfaces: Take the reserved cleaning solution and a clean brush or cloth. Wipe down everything, including the base, walls, evaporator plastic and the dispenser or bin.
• Rinse everything with clean water: Finally, rinse everything with cool, clean water and allow to dry. Reconnect your machine, and you’re ready to go.

How to clean your ice machine’s exterior

Cleaning the exterior is much easier—all you need to do is use soap and water to clean around the exterior machine, the base and surrounding areas. Do this at least twice per week to avoid grease buildup or other exterior cleanliness issues with your ice machine.

Maintenance and repair

Finally, it’s important to keep up with your maintenance. Once or twice per year, have a local appliance repair company come out to check your machine over for any problems, clean the evaporator coils and make sure everything is in good working order. They’ll be able to spot any problems that may crop up later, and perform preventative repairs.

For reliable and affordable ice maker maintenance and repair in St. Peters, MO, reach out to the team at Crews Appliance Repair today. We look forward to assisting you!

Categorised in: Ice Maker Repair

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