Electronic units that come in constant contact with water can quickly develop slime and scale, which can be harmful to our health. It will be disconcerting for you to find molds and scales in your beverage alongside ice cubes.
Also, in the freezing cycle, residue in the ice maker can break the system down, and as a result, ice production will be interrupted.
What this means is that you have to pay closer attention to your portable ice maker, ensure proper maintenance and understand how to clean it to serve you effectively.
Like every other electrical appliance, ice makers require a unique method of maintenance. Thankfully, it takes a few simple steps to achieve this. This article will provide you with a detailed explanation of how to maintain your ice maker.
Cleaning A Portable Ice Maker
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get your ice maker squeaky clean:
1. Organize Cleaning Supplies
To clean out your ice maker, you must first organize some materials that you will require for the process. Some of them are:
– Warm water
– Soft cloth
– Spoon
– Dishwashing liquid
– Toothbrush or Q-tip
– Vinegar or baking soda
2. Disconnect Ice Maker from Electricity
Safety should be a priority when cleaning your ice maker. So you want to make sure to turn off the appliance before you begin cleaning.
It is imperative to ensure that electricity and water do not come in contact during your cleaning process. After unplugging the system, drain any remnant fluid from your ice maker reservoir before cleaning.
3. Detach Interior Parts
In case you recently used your ice maker, and there are still bits of ice around it, melt the ice with warm water and dislodge them carefully using a spoon. It is easier to get your ice maker cleaned out when you empty the unit of filter, scoops, ice tray, which you will clean individually too.
4. Clean The Detached Parts
In your sink, pour in some warm water and dishwashing liquid, then use a rag to wipe down the removable parts thoroughly. Ensure to scrub it properly to remove scale buildup and spots. For intense cleaning, you can add a tiny portion of vinegar or baking soda to the cleaning agent. If your ice maker comes with a filter, use a toothbrush or a Q-tip to remove stubborn stains.
5. Clean The Interior
Use a soft cloth again dipped in dishwashing liquid solution or a toothbrush to scrub the ice maker’s interior. Scrub thoroughly to remove scaly deposits and residue. If you have not sanitized your ice maker in a long time, use some diluted bleach to clean out the interior.
After cleaning the interior properly, recheck the system to be sure you’ve removed all the dirt and buildup. Check the ice bucket and the icemaker’s inside to be sure you don’t have any unclean pieces.
While cleaning the ice maker, keep away the ice pick and other sharp objects to avoid causing damage to the dispenser.
6. Test-run Your Ice Maker
Replace all the removable parts of your ice maker and fix them in their proper places.
Next, plug in your unit and confirm whether your ice maker is fit for use.
To be sure that all parts are working effectively, run a batch of ice using what is left of the cleaning solution.
Wait till the water reservoir is drained, and when the ice is packed, remove the ice and discard it later.
You can run another batch with clean water because no one wants weird tasting ice to ruin a refreshing drink.
Following this step will ensure that you don’t have any bleach or cleaning solution left in your appliance. The ice cubes from these trials, however, should not be consumed. After cleaning, the ice maker, dry the interior and exterior with a clean cloth.
How Often Should You Clean Your Ice Maker
It would be best if you cleaned your ice maker every three or four months for effectiveness. You should ensure to clean the ice maker thoroughly first with dishwashing liquid and other safe cleaning agents, after which a sanitizing procedure should follow to disinfect your ice maker and get rid of the slime.
Products To Avoid Using
While cleaning your ice maker, avoid using chemicals for the ning process. It is best to choose cleaning agents that are safe for your appliance. Considering that chemicals are harmful to your health and your ice maker, it is advisable to stick to regular dishwashing liquid, baking soda, and vinegar.
Bottom Line
Ice makers are great and practical for home and bar use. However, they have to be constantly cleaned to make them safe for consumer’s health and to improve the lifespan of the machine.
Failing to clean out your ice maker will not only pose a threat to your family and customer’s health, but it will also ruin the taste of your drink and damage the effectiveness of your ice maker.
Following the step-by-step guide given in this article, your ice maker will become as good as new, with all the buildup, slime, and scales effectively eliminated. Visit the Lifestyle Reviews homepage for more expert advice & information.
