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I’m just gonna admit to the world – I have never cleaned my automatic ice maker. In fact, it has never crossed my mind. I routinely empty the ‘old’ ice from the storage bin but I have never actually opened the icemaker and washed the working parts. I am sure the manual for my refrigerator instructed me to do this and probably gave me detailed instructions. But like many Americans, the manual is filed in a box in the back of a closet that I haven’t seen in years.
1. Unplug the refrigerator/freezer for you safety. This process will not take a long time. Take off the cover.
2. Remove as much ice as possible especially ice pieces that are stuck. Be careful when using a knife or ice pick, you do not want to break the machine.
3. Use a toothbrush to clean any scale on the molds and use a damp sponge to clean the bucket and cover. A diluted vinegar and water solution work really well.
4. Air dry any parts before replacing them to avoid cracks and plug in the freezer or refrigerator.
So why is it important to clean a machine that uses only water to make ice? Minerals in the water leave deposits on the machinery and can produce scaly deposits which damage nonstick surfaces, hurt production and lead to odors in the ice.
Julie
