If you own a standalone, undercounter ice machine from brands like U-Line, Marvel, Scotsman, Sub-Zero, True, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, or Hestan, you already know what a luxury it is to have crystal-clear ice on demand. But to keep your ice tasting fresh and your machine running smoothly, regular professional cleaning is a must.
Think of it like changing the oil in your car—you can get by without if for a while, but you’ll be better off in the long run with regular maintenance.
🧼 What’s Involved in a Professional Ice Machine Cleaning?
An undercounter ice machine cleaning is more than just a quick rinse or task like what’s in our article on Spring Cleaning your other appliances. Our technicians follow a step-by-step process designed to descale and sanitize your machine properly, using OEM-approved cleaning products that are safe and effective.
Here’s what a typical cleaning includes:
- Descaling the water system: Mineral buildup from hard water can affect ice quality and slow down production. We remove these deposits thoroughly using manufacturer-approved products.
- Sanitizing internal surfaces: This keeps bacteria and biofilm from building up in hidden corners of the machine. Yuck!
- Cleaning the ice bin and door gaskets: These areas often get overlooked but are important for hygiene and performance.
- Flushing the system: We make sure no residue is left behind, so your next batch of ice is clean and clear.
- Visual inspection: During cleaning, we keep an eye out for signs of wear, cracks, or buildup that may point to bigger problems.
Regular cleaning helps preserve your machine’s performance, improve ice appearance and taste, and extend its useful life. It also ensures you’re getting the most value out of a premium appliance.
⚠️ What Cleaning Doesn’t Fix
While cleaning is a key part of regular maintenance, it’s not a catch-all solution. If you found this article because your ice machine is experiencing an issue – not making ice, slow ice production, misshapen ice, etc, – then you should know this won’t be the fix. An ice machine cleaning won’t unclog water lines, repair faulty pumps or valves, or address electrical or mechanical failures. For those, you can schedule an appointment to have our professional address the specific problem first.
Sometimes, cleaning can reveal hidden issues that were already developing—like worn seals or failing components. While the cause can’t always be pinpointed, it should be considered that the cleaning process involves starting over with an empty bin, which asks the ice machine to work overtime until the bin is full again. De-scaling internal components may also reveal an existing issue because once scale is removed, problems may become more visible. Of course cleaning with an improper procedure or using the wrong cleaning solutions can also cause issues – that’s why it’s helpful to have a trained technician perform the cleaning and provide a full system check while they’re at it.
❄️ Not Your Fridge’s Ice Maker
This article is about standalone or undercounter ice machines, which are completely different from the small ice makers built into your refrigerator freezer. If you’re having trouble with that type of ice maker, check out these posts instead:
📅 Schedule Professional Service Today
If it’s been more than 6 months since your last cleaning—or you’re not sure when your unit was last serviced—it’s time to give us a call. We provide expert ice machine maintenance and repair throughout Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, Blythewood, and Forest Acres.
📅 Schedule Service Online
📞 Or call us today at (803) 525-0895
Let’s keep the ice flowing.