A portable ice maker machine allows you to enjoy an endless supply of high-quality ice cubes free from impurities and air bubbles ice cubes at home. If you have guests coming over, ice blocks or cube for beverages should be missing from your worry list. However, for the ice machine to perform optimally and make quality and tasty ice cubes, it requires regular maintenance and a deep clean at least once a month. Cleaning countertop ice maker ensures you have hygienic, safe-to-consume, flavorful, and clear ice cubes.
In this article, you will learn how to clean a countertop ice maker step-by-step. Keep on reading!
Cleaning Preparations and Things You Need
Before you start cleaning, you must know how to clean a tabletop ice maker. Cleaning portable ice maker is straightforward, but it is time-consuming. Also, remember to check the manufacturer’s guide for cleaning. Different manufacturers have different cleaning recommendations.
Here are the things you need for the cleaning task:
Cleaning Products
● Warm water
● White vinegar
● Baking soda
● Dish soap
● A lemon
Cleaning Tools
● A soft cloth or small towels
● A medium spoon
● A cotton swabs
● A toothbrush or Q tips
● A Spray bottle
● A pipe cleaner.
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean a Countertop Ice Maker
Step 1-Turn Off the Portable Ice Maker Machine
The first step when cleaning countertop ice maker appliance is to unplug it from the power source. This is an important safety precaution step to ensure the ice machine does not run while you are cleaning.
Wait 10 to 20 minutes to allow the frost build-up to fall off. Ensure all the frost has fallen off before you begin cleaning.
Step 2- Drain the Reservoir
Remove the loose ice and drain the machine’s water reservoir. Some ice maker appliances have a drain cap, making it easy to empty. Let the appliance sit for about 5 minutes to ensure all the water drains.
Step 3-Prepare the Cleaning Solution
You can use commercial cleaning products to clean the machine. However, it is recommended to use a homemade cleaning solution since it has less harmful chemicals.
You will need warm water, baking soda, and white vinegar if you prefer a homemade solution. Also, you can use a mixture of vinegar or lemon juice to wash it.
Prepare a ratio of vinegar and water in a 1:10 ratio. The solution is excellent for disinfecting, descaling, and cleaning countertop ice maker machines. Another pro tip is to use clean filtered water rather than tap water. Tap water causes limescale build-up.
However, some ice makers have a specially-made solution for removing the lime scale and sanitizing the machine.
Step 4-Remove and Clean the Removable Parts of the Countertop Ice Maker
Another step on how to clean a table top ice maker is to clean all the removable components in the ice machine that comes into contact with the ice regularly. Wash all the detachable parts such as storage bin, or the storage basket in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Allow the interior features to air dry completely. Also, before you wash the components in a dishwasher, ensure they are dishwasher-safe.
Step 5- Clean the Reservoir
Add part of the cleaning solution to the water reservoir. Do not fill the reservoir to the water lines to avoid spillage, flooding, and leaking. Plug back the machine and run a cycle. It allows penetration and deep cleaning throughout the interior parts of the machine.
Repeat the cleaning cycles 2 to 3 times to ensure the cleaning solution reaches every internal part of the ice maker machine. Throw away any ice block that comes out because it is infused with cleaning solutions. Drain the cleaning solution, turn off the machine, and continue cleaning.
Step 6- Clean the Interior Parts
Another way of how to clean a portable ice maker successfully is to complete running the cycles. Then, start the following process.
1. Wipe the interior parts of the machine.
2. Use a soft towel infused with the cleaning solution or warm soapy water with two tablespoons of baking soda to wipe the inside of the ice machine. You can use a toothbrush to scrub away dirt on the water lines, the tight and hard-to-reach parts of the machine.
3. Be gentle to avoid damaging the delicate parts of the ice machine.
To rinse the machine:
1. Please give it a clean water spritz to rinse.
2. Use a clean cloth rinsed in clean water and wipe the machine’s interior again.
3. Use a clean, dry towel or cloth to dry the machine’s interior.
Step 7-Replace the Filters
Most countertop ice makers and freezers come with replaceable filters. During the cleaning session, remove the old filter and replace it with a new one.
Step 8- Run Another Cleaning Cycle
Plug back the machine and turn it on. Run the cleaning cycle 2 to 3 times with boiled distilled water or boiled tap water to remove the chemicals left behind by the cleaning solutions.
If you used vinegar, this step is essential. It helps remove the smell and the taste of vinegar from your portable ice maker to ensure the ice cubes do not taste or smell of vinegar.
Discard the batch of ice produced after the cleaning cycles. You can run a series of cycles until all the chemicals and white vinegar are removed. Once you run the last cycles, use a dry towel or cloth to dry the ice maker.
Step 9- Wipe Clean the Exterior of the Portable Ice Maker
Learning how to clean countertop ice maker effectively will ensure it stays fresh all the time. Use warm soapy water and a piece of cloth to clean the ice machine’s external components.
You can use ordinary dish soap or homemade cleaning to clean the exterior components. The last step is rinsing off the surface using a clean cloth with clean water.
Once you are done with the cleaning process of your ice maker, you are ready to start enjoying clean, fresh, crystal clear and perfect ice cubes.
A pro tip on how to clean a table top ice maker is to avoid using citrus or ammonia-based cleaning products on the stainless steel surfaces of your countertop ice maker. Additionally, do not use scouring pads, paper towels, steel wool, or abrasive liquids on the stainless steel surfaces of your portable ice maker.
Cleaning a portable ice maker is easy and will leave your ice machine fresh and sparkling inside and out.
Maintenance Tips for Longevity and Efficiency of Your Ice Maker Machine
Ice cubes are a food commodity that is consumed directly in our beverages. Therefore, you should observe utmost hygiene when preparing, handling, and storing ice cubes.
You should regularly deep clean and sanitize the ice machine and the storage bin. Proper and regular maintenance will keep your machine in good running condition and serve you longer.
Here are simple tips on proper maintenance and how to clean a countertop ice machine to keep it in good working condition for a long time.
● Use Clean Water to Refill the Machine
The type of water that goes into your ice machine greatly determines its longevity. Unpurified water might cause clogging of some parts and cause discoloration of the water lines. The best water to put into your machine is distilled water, double-boiled water, and boiled distilled water. Also, change the water filters regularly or as recommended by the manufacturer.
● Clean the Machine Thoroughly
Clean the machine regularly and thoroughly. Disassemble, soak and wash all the parts well. Remove all the batch of ice and clean the ice basket well.
● Used Approved Cleaning Chemicals
If you want to descale, only use the chemicals recommended by the manufacturer. Use vinegar or lemon juice with baking soda if you wish for safer and homemade cleaning solutions. They are safe and effective for cleaning.
FAQs About How to Clean Portable Ice Maker
1.Why Is It Important to Keep Your Ice Maker Clean?
Regular cleaning and maintenance of the ice machine keeps it functioning optimally for a longtime. In addition, an ice machine is a food processor that must stay clean to ensure the safety of the food products. Therefore, hygiene should be upheld to ensure that ice cubes are safe for human consumption.
2.How often should You clean my countertop ice maker?
The portable ice maker machine is among the most appliance at home. Therefore, it should be cleaned as often as possible. If you use the ice maker too often; deep clean once or twice every month. Clean the interior and exterior parts of the machine, including the storage basket. It will start attracting bacteria and mineral build-up if left for too long without cleaning, thus contaminating the ice.
3. Can I use vinegar to clean my countertop ice maker?
Yes, you can use vinegar to clean the countertop ice maker. Mix ten parts of distilled or boiled water with one or two parts of white vinegar. In addition to the mixture, you can use a mild soap such as dish soap. Also, you can use a mixture of vinegar and lemon juice to clean and kill germs.
4.How Do You Know When It’s Time to Clean Your Ice Maker?
You should know that it’s time for cleaning portable ice maker is due if the ice has an unpleasant smell and taste, if the ice cubes are softer, if the ice is cloudy, if the size of the ice cubes is smaller than usual, or if there is visible mold or mildew on the ice chute, on the storage bin, or on the other parts of the machine.
5.What should I do if my ice maker is not producing ice after cleaning?
If the ice maker fails to produce ice after running a cleaning session, you probably re-installed some of the components incorrectly. Check the user manual on how to clean a portable ice maker, disassemble parts for cleaning, assemble, and troubleshoot if there is a problem. If you cannot fix the issue, you can seek help from a service call or a handyman.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning how to clean countertop ice makers is essential for making clean, hygienic, tasty, and high-quality ice blocks or cubes. Even if you use boiled distilled water on a dirty ice maker, the ice will have impurities and air bubbles, making the ice cloudy and unfit for human consumption.
In addition, regularly cleaning the portable ice maker keeps it in excellent working condition for a long time. Remember to unplug the machine before you start the cleaning process. Remove all detachable components of the machine, such as the ice basket, and wash them separately.
Use a clean cloth, warm water, vinegar, lemon, or baking soda to clean the ice machine’s interior and exterior. Run several cycles to ensure thorough rinsing of the machine. Incorporate the above cleaning practices to keep your countertop ice maker fresh and the ice blocks crystal clear and tasty all the time.
