Food establishments use ice makers to keep their products cold and fresh. But without regular maintenance, mold and bacteria can contaminate these machines, rendering its ice unusable. To prevent such situations that may risk your clients' health and cost you your business, clean your ice makers weekly following the steps below.

3 Steps to Cleaning Your Commerical Ice Machines

1. Clean the Interior

Before washing the machine, remove the ice from the bin or dispenser. Do this by turning on the power switch and allowing ice to drop from the evaporators and melt.

Next, clean the water system. Press the wash button on your machine to let water flow through the dump valve and down the drain until the trough is filled. The display will inform you when to put the cleaner in. Once the cycle is complete, which usually takes 20 minutes, unplug your machine.

Take the ice maker out and clean other internal parts. Mix 16 ounces of cleaner for every gallon of lukewarm water. Use half of this mixture to brush the air filters and other interior components. Allocate the other half for food-zone surfaces, such as the sidewalls, base, evaporator, condenser, bin, and dispenser. If foam forms, which indicates mineral deposits, scrub the surfaces. Rinse these with clean water.

2. Sanitize the Machine

Check your manual to find out how much sanitizing solution you need to prepare based on your equipment's size. For every ounce of sanitizer, mix 1.5 gallons of lukewarm water. Use half of this solution to sanitize all internal parts. You can either spray a sufficient amount on each component or soak them in the mixture. 

Save the other half of the solution for disinfecting the corners of food-zone surfaces. Allow the sanitizer to sit in these parts for 20 minutes, then open your machine and press the wash button. When the trough is filled, add a sufficient amount of sanitizer and wait for the device to complete the cycle.

3. Clean the Exterior

Gently wipe off any dirt on your ice maker using a clean, wet cloth. To remove greasy residues, soak the fabric in a mild dish soap and water solution and wipe it again on the exterior. Avoid using abrasive tools and cleaners, as these can damage the device's surface and allow bacteria to grow on them. 

When you need dependable and honest technicians to maintain or repair your ice makers, depend on Long's Air Conditioning & Refrigeration in Robertsdale, AL. This licensed and bonded local company has been in the cooling industry since 1978, providing high-quality residential and commercial air conditioning installation and repair as well as commercial refrigeration services throughout Baldwin County. For inquiries, send them a message on their website or call (251) 947-9499.

AL License #: 20003 & 36576