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Periodic cleaning and proper maintenance of your ice maker will ensure efficiency, top performance, and long life. The maintenance intervals listed are based on normal conditions. You may want to shorten the intervals if you have pets, or there are other special considerations.
Important Information Before You Get Started:
- The ice maker must be thoroughly cleaned if it has been left unused for a long time. Follow carefully any instructions provided for cleaning or use of sanitizing solution. Do not leave any solution inside the ice maker after cleaning.
- Before proceeding, make sure the the unit is disconnected from its power source and that water supply hose has been turned off.
- DO NOT use solvent based cleaning agents or abrasives on the interior as these products may transmit taste to the ice cubed, or damage or discolor the interior.
- DO NOT touch the condenser fins. They are sharp and can be damaged easily.
- Never keep anything in the ice storage bin that is not ice: objects like wine or beer bottles are not only unsanitary, but the labels may slip off and plug up the drain.
- REFER to the user manual that was included with your unit. User manuals can be found online here.
What needs to be kept clean:
1. The exterior
2. The interior
3. The condenser
4. Water distribution tube
5. The ice-making system
Exterior Cleaning:
The door and cabinet may be cleaned with a mild detergent and warm water solution such as 1 oz of dishwashing liquid mixed with 2 gallons of warm water. Do not use solvent based or abrasive cleaners. Use a soft sponge and rinse with clean water. Wipe with a soft clean towel to prevent water spotting. If the door panel is stainless finish, it can discolor when exposed to chlorine gas and moisture. Clean stainless finish with a cloth dampened with a mild detergent and warm water solution. Never use an abrasive cleaning agent.
Interior Cleaning:
The ice storage bin should be sanitized occasionally. Clean the water trough before the ice maker is used for the first time and reused after stopping for an extended period of time. It is usually convenient to sanitize the trough after the ice making system has been cleaned and the ice storage bin is empty.
1. Disconnect power to the unit.
2. Open the door and take out the removable storage bin (IB450SS/SSP only). With a clean cloth, wipe down the interior of the unit with a sanitizing solution made of 1 ounce of household bleach and 2 gallons of hot water (95º to 115ºF).
3. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
4. Put the cleaned and empty ice storage bin back inside the unit (IB450SS/SSP only).
5. Reconnect power to the unit.
The ice scoop should be washed regularly. Wash it just like any other utensil.
Condenser Cleaning:
A dirty or clogged condenser prevents proper airflow, reduces ice making capacity, and causes higher than recommended operating temperatures that may lead to component failure. Have the condenser cleaned at least once every six months.
1. Unplug the ice maker or disconnect power.
2. Remove the 2 screws at the bottom of the front cover and gently pull it off.
3. Locate the condenser filter. This can be lifted out and cleaned with a brush or flowing water.
4. Remove dirt and lint condenser fins and the unit compartment with a brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL TO NOT DAMAGE FINS.
5. Put back the filter and reassemble the front cover.
6. Plug in the icemaker or reconnect power.
Water Distribution Tube cleaning:
When you find that the ice cubes are incompletely formed or the output of ice cubes is low, the water distribution tube may be blocked. Set the ICE/OFF/WASH switch to OFF, rotate the water distribution tube, and locate the holes in the distribution tube. Using a toothpick or similar tool, dredge the holes, then rotate the water distribution tube back to its original position. If the tube is badly blocked, clean it as follows:
1. Shut off the water supply.
2. Disconnect the water hose from the distribution tube.
3. Lift the right side, then remove the distribution tube.
4. With a brush, clean the tube with a dilute solution of warm water and a mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid. After removing the dirt and lint from the surface, rinse the tube with clean water.
5. Replace the distribution tube.
6. Reconnect the water supply
Ice-making system Cleaning IB450SS/SSP:
Minerals that are removed from water during the freezing cycle will eventually form a hard scaly deposit in the water system. Cleaning the system regularly helps remove the mineral scale buildup. How often you need to clean the system depends upon how hard your water is or how effective your filtration may be. With hard water of 15 to 20 grains/gal. (4 to 5 grains/liter), you may need to clean the system as often as every 6 months.
1. Make sure that all the ice is off of the evaporator. If ice is being made, wait for cycle completion, then turn the machine “OFF” at the ICE/OFF/WASH selector switch.
2. Remove all ice from the storage bin.
3. Keep the ice maker connected to the water supply, Pour 200g. of Nickel-Safe Ice Maker Cleaner Solution into the water trough. After about 5 minutes, initiate the wash cycle at the ICE/OFF/WASH selector switch by the switch in the “WASH” position. The machine will run the Automatic Clean Mode.
4. Allow 30 minutes for proper cleaning. After cleaning, turn the machine “OFF” at the ICE/OFF/WASH selector switch, Drain off the waste water to some container by drain pipe in the left of the water trough.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 (without Ice Maker Cleaning Solution) to rinse the ice making system 3 times.
Note: The use of the Ice Maker Cleaner Solution in the water bin during the rinse is not needed.
6. Prepare a sanitizing solution made of 1 ounce of household bleach and 2 gallons of hot water (95º to 115º F). Wipe the entire bin inside and out, covering every wall surface.
7. Fill a spray bottle with the sanitizing solution and spray all corners and edges making sure to cover all surfaces with the solution.
8. Allow the solution to be in contact for at least 3 minutes, then dry.
9. Repeat step 5 to rinse the ice making system one more time.
10. Place the ICE/OFF/WASH selector switch to the “ICE” position. The machine will return to the regular ice making mode. Discard the first batch of ice.
Ice-making system Cleaning IB650SS:
Minerals that are removed from water during the freezing cycle will eventually form a hard scaly deposit in the water system. Cleaning the system regularly helps remove the mineral scale buildup. How often you need to clean the system depends upon how hard your water is or how effective your filtration may be. With hard water of 15 to 20 grains/gal. (4 to 5 grains/liter), you may need to clean the system as often as every 6 months.
1. Make sure that all the ice is off of the evaporator. If ice is being made, wait for cycle completion, then turn the machine OFF at the power switch.
2. Keep the ice maker connected to water supply. Remove all ice from the storage bin.
3. Remove the 2 screws in the front cover and push forward to remove the front cover. Locate the control box. Turn on power to the ice maker.
4. Pour 200g. of Nickel-Safe Ice Maker Cleaner Solution into the water trough. After about 5 minutes, press the “CLEAN” button on the control panel. The machine will run the Automatic Clean Mode.
5. Allow 30 minutes for proper cleaning. After cleaning, turn the machine “OFF” at the power switch, Drain off the waste water to some container by drain pipe in the left of the water trough.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 (without Ice Maker Cleaning Solution) to rinse the ice making system 3 times.
Note: The use of the Ice Maker Cleaner Solution in the water bin during the rinse is not needed.
7. Prepare a sanitizing solution made of 1 ounce of household bleach and 2 gallons of hot water (95º to 115º F). Wipe the entire bin inside and out, covering every wall surface.
8. Fill a spray bottle with the sanitizing solution and spray all corners and edges making sure to cover all surfaces with the solution.
9. Allow the solution to be in contact for at least 3 minutes, then dry.
10. Repeat step 6 to rinse the ice making system one more time. Reassemble the front cover.
11. Turn the power switch to the “ON” position. The machine will return to the regular ice making mode. Discard the first batch of ice.
Remember, periodic cleaning and proper maintenance of your ice maker will ensure efficiency, top performance, and long life. The maintenance intervals listed are in this article or in the user manual for your specific model is based on normal conditions. You may want to shorten the intervals if you have pets, or there are other special considerations.