GE Opal Ice Maker Cleaning
GE Opal ice maker cleaning is probably not at the top of your list of to-dos, but we’ll tell you exactly why it should be. Not cleaning your ice machine can cause hard water deposits to build up on critical parts, leading to costly repairs and even machine failure. They can also encourage mold and bacteria growth that can affect the taste of your ice and any drink you make with it. Ew. Fortunately, the opal ice maker won’t let you forget when it’s time for its routine cleaning with a flashy yellow display ring that lights up every time it’s due for a wash.
In this guide, we’ll teach you how to safely clean your GE Opal ice maker for great-tasting ice every time.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Soft sponge or cloth
- Bleach/white vinegar
- Measuring cups
- Rubber gloves
- Safety goggles
- Stainless steel cleaner
- Bucket or sink
Cleaning Solution Ratios
- Mix 1 teaspoon of bleach into 5 cups of water (for cleaning)
- 18 ounces of vinegar (for descaling)
Before you Begin
For the easiest, breeziest of GE Opal ice maker cleaning experiences, it’s a good idea to complete the following steps next to the sink, as you’ll need to drain the machine several times. You can also accomplish this with an empty bucket if a sink isn’t nearby or available to use.
Cleaning an Opal Ice Maker w/ Bleach
Have your cleaning solution ready before starting these steps. That’s one teaspoon of bleach (about one capful) mixed into five cups of water (or about the amount it takes to fill the water reservoir).
When using bleach, always wear rubber gloves and safety goggles in a well-ventilated area. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the machine until you’re confident that all cleaning products have been completely removed. Never mix bleach with other household cleaners.
Cleaning frequency: once a week (tap water) or once a month (distilled water)
- Step 1. Turn off and unplug the machine – Let your ice maker defrost for about an hour. If you bought an aftermarket filter, remove it now and reinstall the reservoir screen. If you don’t complete this step, your machine will not be able to complete its cleaning cycle.
- Step 2. Drain the machine of water – To do this, you’ll have to unplug both drain hoses located on the back of the ice maker. Pull left to unhook and then lay the now-detached hoses below the level of the machine. Once all water has drained, reconnect the hoses.
- Step 3. Pour cleaning solution into the water reservoir – Pour one teaspoon of bleach mixed with five cups of water to the upper fill line.
- Step 4. Plug the ice maker back in and enable “clean” mode – Depending on your ice maker’s model, you’ll either have to press the “clean” button for a total of three seconds or slide the rear switch to the “clean” position. The cleaning indicator light will turn on for about three minutes or until it completes its cleaning cycle.
- Step 5. Sanitize the Opal, drip tray and ice bin – During the clean cycle, wipe down the interior of the Opal with a soft sponge or cloth.
- Note: Do not use chemicals to clean the drip tray and bin. Instead, use a fresh cloth and soapy water to wash. Rinse with fresh water and then dry with a clean towel. You shouldn’t let them air dry because this could leave hard water deposits.
- Step 6. Drain the ice maker again – Once the cleaning indicator light has turned off, you’re free to drain the water in the same process as before, taking care to reconnect the hoses once finished.
- Step 7. Rinse the Opal – Pour 5 cups of fresh water (no bleach) into the reservoir to the upper fill line. Once again, press the “clean” button for 3 seconds to start the rinse cycle. Repeat the rinse cycle at least 3 times.
- Note: It won’t do to keep rinsing your machine with water contaminated with bleach, so be sure to drain and reattach the hoses each time.
- Step 8. Make new ice – After thoroughly rinsing your machine, you can fill the reservoir with fresh water to the upper fill line. Press the “power” button to start making new ice!
Cleaning an Opal Ice Maker w/ Vinegar (Descaling)
You should leave yourself plenty of time if you’re planning on cleaning your Opal ice machine with vinegar because it needs to soak for at least eighteen hours. By the way, if you’re wondering what descaling means, it’s just the process of removing hard water deposits from your machine.
Cleaning frequency: once every 6 months (tap water)
- Step 1. Add vinegar – Pour white vinegar (about 18 ounces) into the water reservoir to the upper fill line.
- Step 2. Start the cleaning cycle – Press the “clean” button for a total of 3 seconds to start the cleaning cycle. Repeat this process 3 times.
- Step 3. Insert a vinegar-soaked towel into the ice chute – The ice chute is located directly above the water reservoir. Leave the vinegar-soaked towel in for at least eighteen hours.
- Note: We recommend using a sponge instead of a cloth because it is easier to get it to stay.
- Step 4. Rinse and repeat – To do this, you’ll have to unplug both drain hoses located on the back of the machine. Pull left to unhook and then lay the now-detached hoses below the level of the ice maker. Once all vinegar has drained, reconnect the hoses. Refill with water and start the cleaning cycle. Rinse and repeat at least 3 times.
- Note: For more information on how to rinse your ice maker, please see steps 4-7 from cleaning your Opal ice machine with bleach.
- Step 5. Make new ice – After thoroughly rinsing your machine, you can fill the reservoir with fresh water to the upper fill line. Press the “power” button to start making new ice!
Sensor Cleaning
You should clean the sensors every time you descale your Opal ice maker, which is about once every 6 months if you’re using tap water (not distilled) in your machine.
The sensors are located directly above the water reservoir on either side of the ice chute within the opening. Take a white vinegar-soaked cotton swab and gently rub both sensors until clean.
Exterior Cleaning
If you’re wondering what to do if the outside of your GE ice maker is plastered in greasy fingerprints or suspicious smears, here’s what you can do to remedy the situation without damaging the machine.
Cleaning frequency: As needed.
- Step 1. Unplug the machine – Anytime you’re exposing the ice maker to water outside its intended areas, unplug the ice maker. This is to protect both you and your machine from an electrical short.
- Note: Never submerge your ice machine in any amount of water.
- Step 2. Gently wipe down the exterior – With soapy water, use a soft cloth or sponge to gently wipe down the surface until you’re happy with the result.
- Note: Never use soap to clean the water reservoir. Stick to bleach and vinegar only.
- Step 3. Dry with a fresh cloth – With a dry cloth, towel dry the exterior until soap residue is removed.
Stainless Steel Surfaces
For cleaning the exterior stainless steel surfaces, you can use just about any commercially available stainless steel cleaner. Just make sure that the surface, cleaner and soft cloth or sponge are free of grit before polishing in the direction of the grain. Scrubbing against the grain will scratch the metal.
Note: Do not use appliance wax, polish, solvents, or chemicals on the stainless steel surfaces, as this could cause the metal to rust.
Side Tank Cleaning
If your Opal ice maker unit has a side tank, you need to clean it at least once a week along with your ice machine unit.
Note: Never place the side tank or any other Opal ice maker part in the dishwasher.
- Step 1. Unplug the machine – Always unplug the machine before hand washing the equipment.
- Step 2. Remove and drain the side tank – Pop the side tank free of its base, unscrew the cap and let it drain into a bucket or sink.
- Step 3. Remove and wash the side tank’s cap and valve – The side tank’s cap and valve are located on the bottom of the tank once it’s been removed from the base. Use hot water and mild dish soap to thoroughly clean the cap and valve.
- Step 4. Wash the side tank’s base – Add a bit of soapy water, scrub and rinse. The water should drain out the port in the back.
- Step 5. Reattach the side tank to the main unit – Now squeaky clean, reattach the valve, cap, tank and drain hoses so that it’s all set and ready to go for next time.
How to Remove Mineral Deposits from Side Tank
If you’re using tap water, you’ll eventually have to remove hard water deposits from your side tank.
- Step 1. Mix your cleaning solution – First, you’ll need to mix two quarts of water with two quarts of white vinegar.
- Step 2. Scrub the exterior with a soft cloth – Use this solution to scrub off any visible hard water spots on the outside of the tank.
- Step 3. Clean the interior of the tank – If the mineral buildup is on the inside, simply fill the tank with the white vinegar-water solution and let it soak. Afterward, thoroughly rinse the side tank with fresh water several times before reattaching it to the main unit.
- Step 4. Repeat as needed – You can repeat this process until all hard water deposits are no longer visible.
How Often Do You Have To Clean an Opal Ice Maker?
How often you clean your ice maker will depend on whether you’re using distilled or regular water. If you’re using tap water, you should clean your ice maker at least once a week and schedule a descaling once every six months. Using distilled water? You can enjoy a more relaxed cleaning pace of just once per month.
Note: You should also always clean your ice maker before using it for the first time and whenever it goes long periods between use.
Tap Water
More frequent cleanings are required because tap water contains minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, lime, etc. that build up over time and can affect your machine’s ability to make ice. Weekly cleaning is necessary to ensure hard water isn’t deposited on the float switch or evaporator plate that would stop the ice in its tracks.
Distilled Water
Distilled water, on the other hand, has been purified of the minerals that cause hard water deposits by a heavily involved process requiring the collection of water vapor from boiled water. Therefore, hard water deposits will likely not affect your machine and won’t require additional cleaning.