How to clean your ice machine
Undercounter ice machines need regular cleaning to keep the ice clean and the machine running well. Two kinds of buildup happen inside them. Minerals in the water leave hard scale on the parts that make the ice. That slows ice production and makes the machine work harder. And most undercounter clear-ice machines have an insulated bin that isn’t refrigerated, so the ice slowly melts while the machine makes more. That constant moisture lets slime and mold grow in the water pan, the bin and the drain.
You can handle the routine cleaning yourself with the cleaner your manufacturer approves. If you’d rather have it done for you, or the buildup is somewhere you can’t reach, our ice machine cleaning service takes care of the whole job.
How often should you clean an ice machine?
Start with the schedule in your owner’s manual, because it varies by brand:
- KitchenAid undercounter ice makers have a cleaning light that turns from green to yellow to red. KitchenAid says to clean when it turns red or about every 9 months, and as often as every 6 months if you have hard water.
- Scotsman suggests descaling and sanitizing about every 6 months, and sanitizing more often if slime keeps coming back. Scotsman also warns that overusing acid cleaner can shorten the life of the evaporator, the part that freezes the ice.
For most homes we recommend a full cleaning every 6 months, and every 3 months if the machine gets heavy use or you have hard water. Between cleanings, take a look inside the bin. If you see slime, dark spots or white scale, if the ice is cloudy or tastes off, or if the machine is making less ice than usual, clean it sooner.
Before you start
- Find your model number. It’s usually on a tag inside the door or on the back of the machine. Here’s how to find your model number.
- Get the manual for that model. Search for “(your model number) manual” or check the manufacturer’s owner support site. Cleaning steps, cleaner amounts and button names change from model to model. Follow your manual over any general guide, including this one.
- Use only the cleaner and sanitizer your manual approves. Many ice machines have nickel-plated parts that the wrong chemical can damage. Don’t swap in vinegar or a generic descaler unless your manual allows it.
- Never mix ice machine cleaner with bleach or another sanitizer. Most ice machine cleaners are acids, and acid mixed with bleach can give off toxic gas. Rinse well between steps, and follow the safety directions on the bottle.
Cleaning steps differ by machine
Example instructions for selected undercounter models. Confirm the cleaner, quantity, cycle and sanitizer in your own model’s manual before you start.
| Machine | Clean cycle | Cleaner | Sanitizing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selected KitchenAid undercounter models | Built-in Clean button, about 70 minutes | One 16 oz bottle of approved ice machine cleaner (KitchenAid recommends affresh®) | Wash removable parts, then use the diluted household bleach mix in the manual |
| Selected Scotsman undercounter models | As shown on the cleaning label inside the machine or in the manual | Scotsman Clear 1 scale remover | Nu-Calgon IMS sanitizer. Scotsman says not to use bleach |
| Ice maker inside a refrigerator | No clean cycle | None | Empty and wash the ice bin; replace the water filter on the schedule in your manual |
The first two rows show why your manual matters. One manufacturer sanitizes with diluted bleach; the other says bleach damages its machines.
What a typical clean cycle looks like
On a machine with a built-in clean cycle, such as a KitchenAid undercounter ice maker, the job usually goes like this. Your manual has the exact steps for your model.
- Turn the ice maker off, wait a few minutes for the last ice to drop, and empty the bin.
- Drain the water pan, then put its drain cap back on tightly. A loose cap lets the water run out, and you’ll get thin ice or no ice.
- Add the cleaner and water in the amounts your manual lists.
- Start the clean cycle and let it finish. The machine cleans and rinses itself. On KitchenAid models this takes about 70 minutes.
- Check the water pan for leftover cleaner. If some is still there, or the scale was heavy, run the cycle again.
- Turn ice production back on and throw away the first batch of ice.
Washing and sanitizing the bin
While the machine is off, wash the bin, the door gasket, the ice scoop and any other parts your manual says can come out. Use warm water and mild dish soap. Rinse, sanitize with the product your manual names, and rinse again. Don’t put the plastic parts in the dishwasher: KitchenAid warns they can’t handle temperatures above 145°F.
Cleaning the condenser
Most undercounter ice machines are air-cooled. A condenser behind the front grille releases the heat the machine pulls out of the water. When the condenser is coated in dust and lint, the machine makes less ice and runs hotter, and parts can fail early. Unplug the machine first. Then vacuum the condenser fins with a soft brush attachment. If a panel has to be unscrewed to reach it and you aren’t comfortable doing that, leave it for your technician.
Leave these jobs to a technician
Some manuals go on to describe taking the inside of the machine apart: removing the cutter grid, unplugging the ice-level sensor and its wiring, and pulling out the water pan. Most of the hidden slime and scale is in there. It’s also where it’s easy to break a clip, pinch a wire or put a part back wrong. Call a technician if:
- the slime or scale comes back soon after cleaning, or you can’t reach it
- the machine still makes little or no ice after a clean cycle
- you see a leak or an error light, or the cleaning light won’t reset
- the machine isn’t cooling the way it should, which can point to a refrigeration problem
Ice machine cleaning and repair in Edmond and Oklahoma City
Near Appliance Repair cleans and repairs ice machines in Edmond, Oklahoma City and nearby communities, including Scotsman, Hoshizaki, U-Line and KitchenAid models. Our technicians are factory-trained, and all of our sealed-system technicians hold EPA 608 Universal certification.
You get a written estimate before any work begins. Service call fee waived with completed repair. Repairs come with 1 year on labor and 1 year on qualified installed parts.
Call (405) 534-4788. We’re open 7 days a week, 9 AM to 6 PM. Have your model number handy when you call.