How to Clean an Igloo Ice Maker: Step-by-Step Guide

If you have an Igloo ice maker, then you know that it’s important to keep it clean. A dirty ice maker can lead to decreased performance and even a breakdown. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of cleaning your Igloo ice maker.

When you have an ice machine, you can have ice anytime you want it. However, after you’ve acquired the equipment, you must properly maintain it, and to acquire tasteless ice cubes, you must clean your ice machine regularly. It necessitates cleaning both the outer and inner elements regularly.

To assist you, we’ve created a cleaning guide. We’ll also go through the reasons why it’s vital to clean it.

Igloo Ice Maker

The Igloo Icemaker is a compact Automatic Ice Cube Maker that makes bullet-shaped ice in three sizes. Igloo Icemaker has a 3-quart water tank and produces ice cubes slowly; it can generate ice cubes in 6 to 20 minutes and consumes little electricity. 

You can now manufacture your own fast and simply with the Igloo Countertop Ice Maker, which is so flexible that you can use it at home, in the workplace, or anywhere.

What You’ll Need to Clean Your Ice Maker

To effectively clean your machine, you will need several items. These are some examples:

Suitable ice machine cleaner (You should avoid vinegar and acidic things)

• A gentle cloth
• Warm water
• Bucket
• Sponge with no abrasives

How to Clean an Igloo Ice Maker

It highly demands that you clean your ice maker properly before using it. Clean the ice maker regularly. 

1. Make sure the power is switched off and the plug is out from the outlet before cleaning. Pull straight on the plug while plugging or disconnecting the unit from the outlet. Pulling on the power cable is never a good idea. 

2. Remove the ice storage basket from the refrigerator. 

3. Drain the remainder of the water from the device. Remove the rubber stopper from the spout after removing the cap. The rubber plug must be placed first into the tap and then capped when putting it back together. The icemaker will leak if this is not correctly fixed.

4. Wipe with a soft cloth or sponge with a little detergent diluted in warm water. Cleaning should never include the use of solvents, detergents, or abrasives. 

5. Wipe the insides of the refrigerator, including the ice storage basket, water reservoir, water box, ice pusher, and evaporator rods. 

6. Clean the outside of the icemaker with a mild detergent solution, warm water, and a soft cloth regularly. 

7. Using a soft towel, dry the inside and exterior.

8. Once the device has been clean, fill the water reservoir with clean water until it reaches the level line, then follow the operating instructions. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait 10 hours for the compressor coolant to settle if you tilt or position the icemaker on its side. 

9. You should change the water in the water storage tank every 24 hours to guarantee the cleanliness of the ice cubes. 

10. Unscrew the drain cap, then remove the rubber stopper behind the unit to thoroughly empty the remaining water in the water reservoir when the machine is not in use or will not be active for an extended length of time. (Follow the steps below.)

1) Remove Every Part of the Ice Machine

The first step is to remove all of the pieces from the machine, which isn’t much; the only item you can deduct is your ice basket, and there’s a small cover at the bottom that prevents chunks from getting into the pump. This item isn’t simple to disassemble, making cleaning a little more challenging, but we worked out a way around it.

Unplug it, remove those two components, empty it, and then do a brief inspection of it.

2) Examine your Machine

The assessment will include a thorough examination of the interior, and if you have an inspection mirror or a dentistry mirror, you may wish to use it to peer around the rear side of the coils, where the Ice Cubes form.

It would help if you also peeked behind that small dish to observe what was going on. I never took photographs of me climbing in there with the mirror because everything was OK behind us, but you can see the black stuff in the small scoop tray that collects and dumps the ice. Also, observable is the black crap underneath the little filter basket and the black crap on the hinges for the ice dumper. I’m not sure what went wrong in that tube, but we’ll take care of that as well.

There’s nothing complicated about it once you understand what you’re doing and you’ve taken a serious look at everything.

3) Purchase Cleaning Materials

A pair of clean cotton rags, vinegar, some 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, and a spare brand-new toothbrush that was melted with a lighter to make a 90-degree angle on it were the cleaning items we picked.

I would have grabbed a second toothbrush and bent it the other way if I had to clean around the back of the basket. We were able to get away with only using one brush since the rear of our little basket was so clean that I didn’t see the need to scrub it. This item has to have had some dirt in it at some time.

We filter our tap water very thoroughly and only use bottled water in the ice machine, so I’m not sure how this happened, but either some dirty water got in there, or someone scooped ice out with their hands. I was pretty consistent about using the scoop in there, but whatever it was, the water inside became contaminated, and this is what happened when it was left unplugged and heated for a long time.

4) Now do the Cleaning

We used the bent toothbrush to scrub whatever we could on the machine’s interior, then used the remote sprayer hose from the kitchen sink to spray inside and rinse things out.

How to Sanitize Your Ice Maker

After cleaning your ice maker, you may wish to sanitize it. It ensures that the ice you obtain is clean and crystal transparent. To accomplish things right, follow these steps:

1. Combine Ice Maker Sanitizer and Water

You should use a sanitizing solution and lukewarm water. You should specify the number of keys you’ll need in your manual. A basic rule of thumb is two ounces of sanitizer for every three gallons of water.

2. Sanitize the Components

Put roughly half of the cleaning solution you’ve made in a separate bucket. Include all of the pieces you removed from the inside. Allow them to soak for the prescribed amount of time.

Alternatively, you can generously spray the solution over all surfaces of each removed part. After you’ve finished sanitizing them, don’t rinse them.

3. Clean the Surfaces

Clean the surfaces of your ice machine, dispenser, and bin with the remainder of the sanitizing solution. Use it on the base, sidewalls, plastic components of the evaporator, and the dispenser or bin.

4 Substitute the Components

Replace all of the pieces that you removed using the owner’s handbook. If you don’t take your time and do it correctly, the ice maker won’t function.

5. Be Patient

You should wait around 20 minutes. It guarantees that the sanitizer is effective in disinfecting everything.

6. Reconnect 

Reconnect your machine’s power plug and turn it on. Then, on your unit, hit the “wash” or “clean” button.

7. Add the Chemicals at the Appropriate Time

It would be best if you waited for the trough to fill with water. The display will show that you should add the chemicals. Then, add the appropriate amount of sanitizer to the drain.

8. Configure the Sanitizing Cycle

All you have to do is start the sanitization procedure on the machine. Set your ice maker to create ice once it’s finished. This process might take up to 20 minutes.

9. Run Two Cycles and Keep Track of the Timing

When the sanitization procedure is over, run two cycles, tossing away the ice as it falls. You can utilize the ice after the second cycle.

You should also keep track of the harvesting and freezing cycle timings. They should be comparable to or better than previously.

Benefits of Having an Ice Maker

There are some things that you require in life. Other things, on the other hand, you know would have little influence if you possessed them. Then there are some things you didn’t even realize you needed until you had them!

You may classify most things in life into one of these groups.

So, where do you think an at-home ice machine might fit best? No, we’re not talking about your freezer’s excellent automated ice maker. Instead, we’re talking about a self-contained, mass-producing ice machine.

Whatever way you replied, you should know that an at-home ice maker is one of those items that you didn’t realize you needed until you had one.

Simple to Use

This ice maker is placed in your kitchen in the same manner that a refrigerator, dishwasher, or range would be – only smaller – and it is constantly there, taking care of your ice requirements.

The most incredible thing is how simple it is to use. You do not need to take any additional procedures to utilize this ice machine. It will work its magic and provide you with an endless supply of ice anytime you require it. You won’t have to make any extra effort!

The Ultimate in Convenience

We live in a society that values immediate satisfaction. We want something immediately when we want it. You’re standing in your kitchen, drink in hand, and you like ice now. You don’t want to have to wait for another load of ice from your freezer’s automatic ice maker. You don’t want to wait for the ice cube tray’s water to freeze. And you certainly don’t want to get in the vehicle and go to the nearest convenience shop to get a bag of ice, do you?

You’ll never have to sip a warm beverage – or wait for ice – again if you have an at-home ice maker. Having ice instead becomes a convenience. Ice is something that is constantly there in your house – something you can count on.

Cleanliness and hygienic conditions

The automated ice makers that come with your refrigerator and freezer combo often include an open bin where you may keep your ice. It does, after all, provide you with easy access to the ice.

You don’t have to be concerned about what accumulates around your ice or what you may discover frozen within it. Instead, you have an ice container that is safe and secure, as well as an ice scoop to obtain some when you need it. Remember, you’ll only use this ice maker when you need ice. As a result, you will find it to be a far more hygienic alternative.

Be welcoming – and provide an ice-cold beverage.

If you like social events, you understand the value of having good ice. Nothing is more aggravating for an ice maker than having to offer a semi-cold drink to your visitors in an attempt to limit the ice you do have – or leaving your guests to go out and buy ice.

You will never have to worry about this again if you have an ice maker at home. You will always have ice on hand for your guests. Drinks will always be ice cold, and your gadget will be of great use to them.

So go ahead and be hospitable without worrying about your ice!

What Are the Benefits of Cleaning Your Ice Maker?

Is cleaning your ice machine that important? Yes, that is critical and significant! Here are a few reasons why you need a clean machine:

Great Taste: If you don’t clean your ice maker regularly, it will acquire tastes from its minerals. Furthermore, the gadget may develop mildew or mold, causing the ice to taste strange.

Clear Ice: The majority of ice machines intend to produce clear or water-colored ice. Minerals and limescale, on the other hand, can have cloudiness over time.

Better Health: Water is constantly in touch with your ice maker. As a result, it’s prone to mildew and mold if not properly maintained. If you’re allergic to specific microorganisms, don’t use them.

What is the Best Way to Clean my Portable Ice Maker?

When keeping your ice maker in good working order, you should clean the ice maker regularly. The user handbook that came with your ice maker has specific cleaning recommendations for your ice maker model.

To clean your portable ice maker, follow the simple instructions below:

Cleaning Basic Surfaces:

• Remove the ice basket from the freezer.
• Using a diluted cleaning solution, warm water, and a soft cloth, clean the interior. (DO NOT clean your ice maker with combustible fluids or caustic or abrasive solutions.)
• Regularly clean the outside of the ice maker with a mild detergent and warm water.

• Using a soft towel, dry the inside and exterior.

Cleaning on the Inside:

• Remove the ice basket from the freezer.
• Fill the water reservoir with a mild cleaning solution. Use a water-to-white-vinegar-or-lemon-juice ratio of 10:1.
• Make a couple of batches of ice with the ice maker (at least 2). Remove the ice and throw it away.
• It would help if you drained the cleaning solution from the water reservoir.
• Clean and rinse out the water pipe that runs above the evaporator.
• Fill the water reservoir with fresh water until it reaches the water level mark.
• Make a couple of batches of ice with the ice maker. Remove the ice and throw it away.
• Drain all of the water.
• To create ice, fill the water reservoir with new water, or dry the interior and exterior of the machine with a clean, soft cloth before storing it.
• It’s time to clean the ice scoop.

Notes on Using an Ice Maker

Water should be emptied and replaced in the machine at least once a week. Don’t just keep filling it up with water.

Water will eventually become stale and dirty, and dirt will indeed enter your machine.

Keeping things fresh and rinsed out is as simple as giving them a thorough hot water wash.

Never scoop the ice out with your hands; instead, use a scoop and be sure to maintain that equipment clean at all times.

Cleaning the Ice Maker with a Vinegar Solution

• In a mixing dish, combine 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup warm water.
• Add one teaspoon of lemon juice to your cleanser to make it more effective.

How can you clean a Salton ice machine, too? With a soft cloth moistened in warm water and vinegar, clean the interior of the Ice Maker. Rinse well with a wet towel. In warm soapy water, wash the Ice Basket and Ice Scoop.

Remove all of the water from the ice tray using a clean, dry towel. Allow the ice maker to sit for about five minutes after spraying it with the vinegar mixture before washing it with warm water. Pull the rod arm down to restart the ice machine. Remove the first two ice trays.

How do you Clean a Refrigerator’s Ice Maker?

• Turn off the water valve that supplies the ice machine and water dispenser.
• Remove the ice bin and throw it away in the sink.
• With a tiny funnel, pour 3 to 4 cups of white distilled vinegar into the ice maker and dispenser lines and soak for 5 to 10 minutes to break down the lime.

How do I Clean the Condenser on my Ice Maker?

• To clean your ice maker’s condenser, follow these steps:
• Disconnect the ice machine’s head component from the power source (and the remote condensing unit, if applicable).
• Check for dirt between the fins of the condenser with a flashlight.
• To clean the condenser, blow compressed air across it.
• Examine the area for any residual dirt.

Conclusion

We realize how difficult it is to find the time to clean your ice machine. You have a hectic schedule and may forget to clean the equipment. On the other hand, ignoring the indicator light may result in your ice maker not operating correctly or stopping entirely.

We talked about Ice Makers, ice maker benefits, and Igloo ice maker cleaning and sanitization.