Why Neglecting Your Ice Maker Can Be Harmful
Why Cleaning Your Ice Machine Is Important
It's just an ice maker, right? What is it that could be so harmful about water running through it? Well, that depends. Is your ice maker hooked up to a purified source of water or a filter? If the answer is yes, great! You might have to do this half as often, but you still need to do it.
If not, think about your coffee maker or teapot. Have you ever noticed the white film that builds up around the edges of it? Or the slightly mineral-y taste that you get after a while? What about the way it beeps at you and says, "Please clean"? All of these are because of scale build-up. Your ice maker won't just build up mineral deposits, though; it can also build up slime or mold.
So, your ice maker, just like all of your other appliances, needs to be cleaned regularly. To keep it functioning properly and also to keep you and your family healthy. Your ice maker should be cleaned and sanitized at least once every six months if not every other month. It's a simple enough process to do on your own, but if you don't stick to it regularly, it can lead to many different issues.
If You Notice Any Of The Following, It's Time To Clean Your Ice Machine.
- Ice maker is slow to harvest, or it's not releasing the ice.
- Ice maker doesn't switch into harvest mode
-The ice is soft or cloudy
- The ice is incomplete
- Ice maker is producing very little ice
Tools And Materials Needed For Cleaning Your Ice Machine
You only need four things to start cleaning your ice machine at home.
Dish soap
Distilled white vinegar
A fresh toothbrush
Water
A bowl
Step-By-Step Instructions For Cleaning Your Ice Machine
Now for the reason you actually came, how to clean your ice maker.
-Start by prepping your ice maker. Unplug the unit and take it either to your sink or outside so that you can drain the water from it. On most models, there is a latch that you can either flip or remove to start the draining process.
- Clean your ice basket and the scoop with warm soap and water, then rinse thoroughly and set aside to dry. If these have become molded or crusted with scale, you'll want to soak them with the vinegar in a large pan for at least 15 minutes before attempting to clean them. After the scale has been removed, then wash them with warm water and soap as normal.
- Mix equal parts water and vinegar and scrub the inside of the ice maker. Using a sponge or a rag, scrub away at the material, making sure to rinse your sponge often. Do your best to hit every surface in the ice maker that you can get to, or else the grime will continue to build.
- For any areas that are hard to reach or stubborn, grab your toothbrush and a small dish of undiluted vinegar.
- Do a final cleaning by mixing a new batch of the water to vinegar solution and pouring that into your ice maker. Let it turn that into ice, then dump it after.
-Rinse the ice maker with clean water several times to remove any of the vinegar, and then feel free to continue making ice as normal.
Tips For Maintaining Your Ice Machine Between Cleanings
Like we said at the beginning, if you don't maintain a regular schedule of cleanings for your ice machine, you're going to run into problems. Fortunately, many of them are preventable with a little TLC. To keep your ice maker running smoothly, do the following:
Keep it clean
Change the filter as needed.
Don't forget to descale it
Deal with clogs when you notice them.
Make sure that the machine has room to breathe on all sides.
The Benefits Of Regularly Cleaning Your Ice Machine
So, to reiterate, cleaning your ice machine regularly is important. It ensures that your ice is sanitary, which means no mold or slime. It means you get lots of ice for your drinks and or to munch on. It aids in keeping your family healthy, and it extends the life of your ice maker.
With all of that in mind, let us know what your favorite type of ice is over on our Facebook page. Do you prefer cubes, spheres, or pellets? What about chips or shaved?
Disclaimer: The number of ice makers on the market would require an entire website on their own. Because of that, this is a general guide, not a specific one. Read this to get the general idea and your product manual for the specifics of your model of ice maker.
If you don't have the time to do regular maintenance, you can always give us a call. Appliance Rescue Service not only does repairs, but we also offer maintenance services for ice makers and all other major appliances, so you have time for what matters. You can call us at ((214) 599-0055) or go to our contact page to set up an appointment.