Whether it’s a countertop ice maker at your home or a commercial ice machine at your restaurant, regular cleaning is a must.
If left unattended, it can lead to a host of problems, including the growth of contaminants, as well as mineral buildup.
These issues will not only affect the quality of your ice but can also pose potential health risks.
That’s why it’s so important to clean the ice machine regularly – ideally, once every six months. That will not only maintain your machine’s performance but will also extend its lifespan.
Benefits of Cleaning Your Ice Maker
Cleaning the ice maker regularly helps ensure the health and safety of those who consume the ice.
For one thing, it helps prevent the accumulation of grime residue inside the machine, which can contaminate the ice and pose serious health risks.
Performance and Efficiency
Over time, mineral and limescale residue can build up inside the machine, affecting its functionality and reducing the quality of ice produced.
This is where ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner comes in.
It’s specially formulated to clean the internal components, prevent premature wear, and eliminate the build-up of mineral and limescale deposits that can otherwise hinder the machine’s efficiency.
Why You Should Use ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner
ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner features a concentrated formula – one that’s capable of eliminating mineral and limescale residues from the internal areas.
Safe Lab-Tested Ingredients
Our cleaning solution is formulated with safe, lab-tested ingredients, including citric acid.
The ingredients have undergone extensive laboratory testing to ensure consumer safety, making it a safe option you can rest easy using.
Compatibility with Various Ice Makers
Another major benefit is ACTIVE’s compatibility with various ice machines.
Whether you have a residential or commercial standalone ice machine, ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner is your go-to solution.
For example, you can use it to clean countertop ice machines, portable ice machines, built-in ice machines, and commercial ice machines.
How to Clean Your Ice Maker with ACTIVE
Preparing the Ice Machine
The first thing that you want to do is prepare your ice maker. This involves emptying the machine, removing any remaining water or ice, and adding the cleaning solution.
Running Cleaning Cycles
Once your ice machine is prepared, it’s time to run a few cleaning cycles with ACTIVE.
Running these cycles is crucial when it comes to eliminating mineral and limescale residue from the internal components of your machine.
For the best results, run at least two cleaning cycles with ACTIVE.
Each cleaning cycle will range between 20-45 minutes, depending on the size and model of your ice machine.
Wiping Down Interior Areas
After running the clean cycle, wipe down the interior surfaces of your ice maker.
This includes the tin-plated evaporators, the chilled water canister, and all surfaces of the ice machine like the ice bin and dispenser.
To properly clean these areas, follow these steps:
- Dampen a soft microfiber cloth with a warm water solution
- Wipe down the interior, making sure to remove any residual cleaning solution
Remember, it’s always safer to power off the machine before wiping down the interior.
Maintaining Your Ice Machine Between Cleanings
Regular maintenance will not only ensure optimal performance but will also extend the lifespan of your machine.
From changing the water filter to inspecting the interior for mineral buildup, there are several steps you can take to keep your ice machine in top shape.
Changing the Water Filter
Changing the filter regularly will ensure that you have clean, fresh water for ice production. Not only will it enhance the taste of the ice but it will also remove any impurities.
Generally speaking, it’s best to change the water filter in your ice maker once every six months, or as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Inspecting for Mineral Buildup
Minerals such as calcium and magnesium present in water can accumulate over time, causing scale deposits on different parts of your ice machine.
By inspecting your machine regularly, you’ll be able to eliminate this buildup, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of your machine.
Scheduling Regular Cleaning
Regular cleanings with ACTIVE will not only ensure the production of fresh and clean-tasting ice but will also maintain sanitary conditions by eliminating harmful contaminants and scale build-up.
The frequency of cleaning can depend on various factors such as usage, water hardness, and environmental conditions.
As a general rule, however, it’s best to clean the ice maker with ACTIVE once every two months.
Troubleshooting Common Ice Machine Issues
Certain issues may arise despite regular maintenance. These can range from low ice production and unpleasant-tasting ice to leaking water.
Whether it’s changing the filter, cleaning the machine with ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner, or simply adjusting the temperature settings, there are several ways to troubleshoot these common issues.
Low Ice Production
One common problem with ice makers is low ice production.
For example, it can be caused by dirty components. A clogged water filter can also contribute to the problem.
If the filter is clogged, it can impede water flow, resulting in a notable decrease in ice production.
In cases like that, it’s recommended that you inspect the filter and, if necessary, replace it to facilitate adequate water flow and maximize ice production.
Unpleasant Tasting Ice
Another common issue with ice machines is unpleasant tasting ice. This could be due to mineral buildup in the machine or a dirty filter.
Minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are naturally present in clean water, can also accumulate in the machine, causing the ice to have a metallic or disagreeable taste.
Not only that but a contaminated filter can also affect the taste of ice.
Leaking Water
Leaking water is another issue that you might encounter with your ice machine.
This could indicate a loose connection or a damaged component inside the machine.
In cases like that, you’ll want to conduct a thorough inspection of the water lines.
Make sure there aren’t any loose connections and that everything is properly tightened.
Cleaning Your Ice Maker – FAQs
What is the best product to clean ice machines with?
ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner is the best option when it comes to cleaning ice makers.
Not only will it remove mineral and limescale deposits but it’ll also clean the internal components so that you will get refreshing ice every time.
What can I use instead of an ice machine cleaner?
You can use a 10:1 ratio of water to white vinegar instead of ice machine cleaner.
Keep in mind, however, that it won’t be as effective as a commercial cleaning solution and may leave a vinegar odor and taste in your machine.
How do you descale and sanitize an ice machine?
ACTIVE Ice Machine Maker is highly effective at descaling ice machines.
Alternatively, you can clean the interior with warm soapy water or a baking soda solution, then rinse and dry the surfaces.
What is an ice maker cleaner?
Ice maker cleaners are specially formulated solutions that are designed to remove hard water and mineral buildup from your ice machine.
How often should I clean my ice machine with ACTIVE Ice Machine Cleaner?
We recommend cleaning your ice machine with ACTIVE once every two months. That will help maintain the machine’s performance and ensure clean ice production.
Jamie –
Big difference maker, no more colored ice.
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Marilyn –
Machine stopped making noise after using the tab. Mustve worked!
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Mick –
Avoid this for your tabletop ice machine! After over a year of perfect performance, my ice machine broke down within a week of using this cleaner. The gears stopped working and it caused internal damage. I can’t recommend this product!
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Ryan –
The product claimed to work with home icemakers, but it didn’t work with mine. I followed the measurements and added the liquid, yet my machine indicated I needed more water. After multiple tries, it still didn’t work, while vinegar effectively cleaned it.
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blank stare –
My ice was coming out moldy so I bought these which did the trick. Ice is cleaner for sure.
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Javeth –
The ice machine descaling liquid works great on our hard water countertop ice maker. After using it, the ice cubes became much clearer. The 32-ounce bottle is in a protective casing to prevent spills and has clear measurement markings for convenience. The manufacturer recommends 4 ounces per cleaning, so this bottle will last for 8 cleanings, making it a great value.
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Ivy B –
These work effectively as promised. I ran two extra clean cycles after the initial one with the tablet to ensure thorough cleaning. I also found another use for these tablets: cleaning my glass electric kettle, which accumulates a stubborn film from hot water. By placing a tablet in the kettle with hot tap water and letting it sit for about an hour, I was able to clean the glass effectively. After washing the kettle with dish soap, I ran two boiling cycles to clear any residues and discarded the boiled water. I’m pleased with the results for both uses. However, the $20 price feels steep; a price around $15 or $16 would be more reasonable, so it doesn’t quite deserve 5 stars.
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steven –
Love supporting a family owned business. The tablets work great and arrived fast
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Jace –
Removed orange residue I thought was permanent. Ice is now rcystal clear and tastes perfect!
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Daryl M –
We have a nugget ice machine that gets absolutely hammered during the summer so it builds up residue faster than I expected. Normally I clean it manually with a small brush witch works but takes forever because there are so many little areas inside that are difficult to reach.
I tried one of these tablets mostly because I wanted something easier for maintenance between deeper cleanings. I let it dissolve fully, ran the clean mode and then flushed the machine with clean water a few times afterward.
The reservoir looked significantly better and a lot of the white scale around the water line had disappeared. I also noticed some loose residue in the dirty water when I drained it so it was obviously pulling something out from inside.
I wouldn’t say it completely replaces hand cleaning because there were still a couple spots around the chute that needed wiping, but it reduced the amount of scrubbing quite a bit. For routine cleaning this is much easier than what I was doing before though
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