How and Why to Clean an Ice Machine

How Does a Freestanding Ice Machine Work?

To understand why ice machine cleaning is important, you’ll need to know how the ice machine works.

There are three operating systems in the ice machine:

• Refrigeration System
• Water System
• Electrical System

Refrigeration System

The refrigeration system in an ice machine is very similar to the system used in a freezer.

1. The compressor compresses refrigerant gas, raising the refrigerant gas pressure and temperature.
2. The hot gas refrigerant, under high pressure, is forced through the condenser, where it changes into a liquid.
3. The liquid refrigerant flows through the drier and capillary tube. The capillary tube lowers the pressure of the refrigerant.
4. Under low pressure, the liquid refrigerant flows through the evaporator plate. The refrigerant absorbs heat as it evaporates back into gas form. The refrigerant freezes the water flowing over the evaporator to form an ice slab.
5. As a low pressure gas, the refrigerant flows back through the suction line of the evaporator plate to the compressor and the refrigeration cycle repeats.

The refrigerant in an ice machine has three unique and important additions: the condenser accumulator tube, accumulator and hot gas valve.

Condenser Accumulator Tube and Accumulator

During the refrigeration cycle described above, some of the hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas enters the condenser accumulating tube instead of the condenser. The hot refrigerant gas in the condenser accumulating tube condenses into a warm refrigerant liquid and remains in that tube while the refrigerant that passes through the condenser moves through the evaporator plate and freezer the water.

During the later stages of the freeze mode, as the ice slab forms on the evaporator plate, some of the refrigerant passing through the evaporator plate will not evaporate into a gas, but will remain a liquid. This liquid refrigerant will settle in the accumulator, while the refrigerant vapor is sucked off through the suction tube at the top of the accumulator and returns to the compressor. This accumulated liquid refrigerant will eventually be directed to the evaporator along with the warm liquid refrigerant from the condenser accumulator tube to quickly warm the evaporator plate during the Harvest mode.

Hot Gas Valve

During ice harvest, the hot gas valve opens to allow hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas to bypass the condenser and flow through the condenser accumulator tube. The hot refrigerant gas pushes warm refrigerant liquid through the accumulator. The warm refrigerant from the condenser accumulator tube mixes with the warm refrigerant in the accumulator and moves through the evaporator to melt the bottom layer of the ice slab on the evaporator plate. The ice slab slides off the evaporator plate onto the cutting grid. The heated wires of the cutting grid slice the ice slab into cubes that fall into the ice storage bin.

This illustration shows a drawing of the refrigeration system components and the flow of refrigerant through that system:

Water System

The water system provides:

• Fresh water for ice production.
• Water recirculation as ice is produced.
• Water removal after ice is produced.

Here’s how the water system works:

1. The water system opens a water inlet fill valve to fill the reservoir pan.
2. The water recirculation pump sends water from the reservoir pan to the water distributor above the evaporator plate.
3. The water distributor drops a sheet of evenly flowing water over the evaporator plate that freezes into a slab of ice.
4. Not all of the water that flows across the evaporator plate freezes so the water that doesn’t freeze drops through water return tube into the reservoir pan.
5. The recirculation pump keeps circulating the water across the evaporator plate until the ice slab on the evaporator plate reaches the right thickness for harvest.
6. During harvest, the recirculation pump stops and the refrigeration system warms the evaporator plate so the ice slab slips down onto the cutting grid as described in the section above.
7. The drain pump empties the reservoir pan during ice harvest.
8. After the ice is harvested, the water system opens the inlet fill valve to fill the reservoir pan with fresh water and the freeze cycle begins again.

Electrical System

The electrical system includes the electronic control board, sensors and wiring. It supplies electrical current to water and refrigeration system components and controls the freezing and harvest cycles.

Why do I Need to Clean my Ice Machine?

Just like your trusty refrigerator, your ice machine needs regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it smoothly churning out ice cubes and also to ensure that the ice it produces is clean, clear, and safe to consume. A good cleaning also prevents unsavory problems like mold, mildew and funky smells.

Over time, mineral deposits and debris accumulate on the evaporator plate, obstructing the ice-making process and reducing efficiency.

Regular cleaning ensures the machine continues to produce ice at its maximum capacity.

Additionally, regular cleaning helps prevent bacterial and mold growth. The moist environment inside the ice machine can be a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms. Cleaning the machine and removing any buildup minimizes the risk of contamination, ensuring the ice remains safe for consumption.

Proper cleaning also improves the taste and quality of the ice. Over time, impurities can affect the flavor, making it less enjoyable. Regular cleaning removes any residue or contaminants that may impact the taste, ensuring pure, refreshing ice.

Maintaining cleanliness extends the lifespan of your ice machine. Regular maintenance and cleaning prevents the accumulation of mineral deposits and debris that can cause damage. By keeping the machine clean, you avoid costly repairs or premature replacement.

Finally, regular cleaning reduces the risk of breakdowns and repairs. Without regular maintenance, the machine can become clogged or develop mechanical issues, leading to decreased ice production or complete breakdown. Following a regular cleaning schedule minimizes these risks and ensures smooth operation.

Steps to Clean an Ice Machine

When it's time to clean your freestanding ice maker, make sure you have a few essential supplies on hand: a soft cloth, mild detergent, warm water, a food-safe disinfectant, and a cleaning solution for ice machines.

Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions in the owner’s manual for any specific guidelines for your specific ice machine.

1. Remove Ice from the Storage Bin

First, turn off the ice machine. Wait 10 minutes to allow any ice in the cutter grid to drop into the storage bin.

Empty all of the ice from the storage bin.

2. Drain Water from the Reservoir Pan

Position a container under the reservoir drain pan to catch water.

Remove the drain cap from the bottom of the water reservoir pan. Wait for the water to completely drain out into your container.

Once the water has drained, replace the cap, ensuring that it is completely secure.

3. Fill the Reservoir Pan with Cleaning Solution

Pour a 16 ounce bottle of an approved ice maker cleaner into the water reservoir pan. Fill the same bottle twice with water and add it into the reservoir pan to properly dilute the ice maker cleaner to the proper strength.

4. Start the Cleaning Cycle

Press the “Clean” button in the control panel to start the cleaning cycle. The recirculation pump will distribute and circulate the cleaner across the evaporator plate while the refrigerant system slightly heats the evaporator plate with warm refrigerant.

Refer to your ice machine’s owner’s manual cleaning cycle instructions specific to your model.

5. Empty the Water Reservoir Pan

After the cleaning cycle is finishes, position a collection container under the water reservoir pan and remove the drain cap on the bottom of the pan. Drain the cleaning solution into your collection container and discard the solution. Reinstall the drain cap and tighten it securely.

Here’s a video that shows how to use ice maker cleaner to clean your ice machine using the cleaning cycle:

6. Clean the Internal and External Ice Machine Parts

Unplug the ice machine for safety.

Clean the Ice Storage Bin

Wipe down the inside of the ice storage bin using a soft cloth moistened with warm water and mild detergent.

Next, wipe the inside of the ice storage bin using food-safe disinfectant.

Rinse detergent and disinfectant out of the storage bin by wiping the inside down with plain water and dry the inside of the ice storage bin with a towel.

Clean Interior Components

Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down all accessible interior surfaces. Wipe down all removable interior part. Pay special attention to cleaning areas with buildup or residue.

Clean the Exterior of the Ice Machine

Wipe down the exterior of the machine with a soft cloth or sponge and mild detergent to remove any dirt, dust, or fingerprints.

If you have a stainless steel ice maker, polish the stainless steel as shown in this video:

Allow the ice machine to dry completely before reassembling it. Ensuring all components are dry helps prevent mold or bacteria growth.

7. Schedule Annual Professional Ice Machine Maintenance

Scheduling ice machine maintenance and cleaning by a professional repair technician will ensure that your appliance runs smoothly and stays in top shape to produce safe and plentiful ice.

During professional maintenance, the technician will check all aspects of ice maker operation and clean the unit thoroughly. The tech will be able to spot any potential problems and correct them immediately to help prevent unexpected breakdowns during the year.

Having your ice machine professionally maintained and cleaned will also help the appliance last longer.

By following all of these steps, you can keep your freestanding ice maker clean and ready to produce fresh, safe ice all year long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are ice cubes from a freestanding ice machine clear?

Ice from a freestanding ice machine is clear because the ice is produced as a slab on an evaporator plate. As water flows across the cold evaporator plate, a bottom layer of the water freezes while upper layers of water continue to flow. The upper layers of unfrozen water carry off impurities so only layers of pure, fresh water are frozen into a slab on the evaporator plate. After the clear slab of frozen ice reaches the right thickness, it drops onto a cutting grid of heated wires and gets chopped into cubes. Because the water flowing over the evaporator plate constantly remove impurities from the ice, the cubes are completely clear.

How often do I need to clean my ice machine?

Most ice machines have an indicator light that tells you when it’s time to clean the appliance. Conduct the cleaning when the reminder light turns on or when ice production diminishes. You’ll also need to clean the ice maker if ice slabs start getting stuck on the evaporator plate. For most ice machine, you’ll typically wind up needing to clean the unit every 6 to 9 months.

Can you run vinegar through an ice machine to clean it?

Yes. For most ice machines, you can use a 1.5 quart solution of 10 parts water to 1 part vinegar instead of using a store-bought ice machine cleaning solution. Turn off the ice machine and empty the ice bin. Drain the water pan reservoir and add the vinegar and water solution to the reservoir. Run the cleaning cycle. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual for your ice machine if the directions in the manual differs from this cleaning procedure.

How do you run a clean cycle on an ice machine?

Follow the directions in the owner’s manual to run the clean cycle on your ice machine. For most ice machines, you’ll need to turn the ice machine off, empty the ice bin, drain the water reservoir, fill the reservoir with ice machine cleaner and press the “Clean” button on the control panel. After the cleaning cycle ends, drain the cleaning solution from the water reservoir and you can set the control to resume normal ice production.