How to Clean a Maxx Ice Machine
Keeping your Maxx Ice machine will ensure that it will work properly and keep running smoothly. It is important to be cleaning the exterior, interior, distribution tube and ice making system. By maintaining these you will prevent any build-up from disrupting your machine. Below you will find step-by-step cleaning instructions for different sections of your ice machine.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Warm water & mild detergent
- Hot water
- Household bleach OR chlorine
- Soft sponges
- Soft cleaning towels
- Cleaning brush
- Nickel-safe ice maker cleaner solution
External Cleaning
Keeping a clean exterior of your machine is just as important as the inside. It is recommended to clean the stainless steel exterior once a week. Chlorine or chlorine gas can discolor stainless steel when exposed, so make sure to thoroughly rinse your unit if it has been exposed.
- Step 1. Spray exterior with solution - Using a soft sponge, clean the exterior surfaces with a solution of mild detergent and warm water. The solution should be about 1 oz of dishwashing liquid mixed with 2 gallons of warm water.
- NOTE: Do not use solvent-based or abrasive cleaners.
- Step 2. Rinse the exterior - Rinse the exterior with clean water, making sure not to leave any cleaning solution behind.
- Step 3. Wipe with a clean towel - Finish the cleaning by wiping down the exterior with a clean, dry towel to prevent water spotting.
- NOTE: Do not use any abrasive tools to clean the steel surface.
Ice Making System Cleaning
Cleaning the ice making system will prevent mineral scale from building up. How hard your water is will determine how often there is build-up in your machine, so it is important to be checking the ice making system often.
- Step 1. Remove any panels - If your model has any front panels, remove these before starting the process. This will make it easier to access the machine going forward.
- Step 2. Remove all ice cubes - Make sure that all ice is off the evaporator. If ice is being made, either initiate harvest or wait for a cycle completion. Remove all the ice from the storage bin.
- Step 3. Add cleaning solution - While keeping the ice maker connected to the water supply, pour 8 oz. of nickel-safe ice maker cleaner solution into the water tank.
- Step 4. Turning on the clean mode - Press the ON/OFF button and then press the CLEAN button to start the automatic cleaning mode. Once finished the screen will display the word OFF
- NOTE: This cycle will continue for 30 minutes. If you need to stop the cycle before it is finished, press the ON/OFF button or power switch.
- Step 5. Drain the dirty water - Completely drain all of the dirty water, making sure none is left over.
- Step 6. Repeat step 4 - To thoroughly rinse the ice making system, repeat step 4 three times.
- NOTE: Do not add any cleaning solution for the rinse cycles.
- Step 7. Sanitize the interior bin - Using a solution of 1 oz. of household bleach mixed with 2 gallons of hot water, wipe down the water tank and inside the ice storage bin with a clean cloth. For hard to reach corners, apply the solution with a spray bottle.
- Step 8. Discard the first batch - Once clean and back to the ice making cycle, be sure to discard the first batch of ice.
Internal Cleaning
Cleaning the interior ice storage bin should happen frequently. It needs to be cleaned before the first use and after any long period of time without use. The best time to sanitize the bin is after the ice making system has been cleaned and the storage bin is empty.
- Step 1. Disconnect the unit - Unplug and disconnect the unit from any power source. Shut off the water line as well. This is an important safety step, so make sure to ensure power is off before starting.
- Step 2. Empty the bins - Remove any leftover ice and allow any melted ice water to drain as well. If your model has removable ice bins take those out as well so the interior is empty.
- Step 3. Wipe down the interior - Open the door and using a clean cloth, wipe down the interior with a solution of 1 oz of household bleach (or chlorine) and 2 gallons of hot water. For hard to reach corners, use a spray bottle filled with the solution.
- NOTE: Don’t use solvent-based cleaning agents or abrasives on the interior.
- Step 4. Rinse the interior - Thoroughly rinse the interior with clean water. Allow the rinse water to drain.
- Step 5. Reconnect the unit - Once you are finished with the cleaning process, reconnect your unit to the power supply and water supply.
Water Distribution Tube
The following steps are for if the water distribution tubes are badly blocked and cannot be cleaned by dredging the holes. You can tell that the tubes need to be cleaned if ice cubes are incompletely formed or the ice output is low.
- Step 1. Turn off the water and power - Turn off the water supply and make sure that the power supply has been disconnected too. Only proceed with the cleaning when it has been properly disconnected from any power.
- Step 2. Disconnect and remove the tube - Disconnect the water hose from the distribution tube. Gently remove the distribution tube from the system.
- Step 3. Clean the tube - Using a brush, clean the tube with a warm water and mild detergent solution. After thoroughly cleaning, make sure to rinse the tube with clean water.
- Step 4. Replace the tube - Replace the distribution tube back into its original spot, making sure it is firmly in place. Make sure to reattach it to the water hose.
- Step 5. Turn on water and power - Reconnect the system to both the water supply and the power supply.