Hoshizaki DCM-270BAH Cleaning

One of the most important preventative maintenance tasks for your Hoshizaki DCM-270BAH ice machine is regular cleanings. This procedure not only helps keep your unit running as it should, but also helps ensure your ice is safe to consume for your customers, guests or residents. Learn how to properly clean and sanitize your Hoshizaki DCM-270BAH ice maker with our handy guide below.   

Cleaning Instructions

Be sure you clean and sanitize your DCM-270BAH unit at least twice annually. If you notice significant buildup, more frequent cleanings may be needed.

Cleaning Preparation

• Step 1—Close the water supply line shut-off valve.
• Step 2—Dispense all of the ice from the ice storage bin.
• Step 3—Turn off the power to the unit, then remove the air filter and louver. Move the control switch to “DRAIN,” then turn the power back on for the unit. Let the water within the system drain completely, then move the control switch to “OFF.” 
  • NOTE A—Turning the control switch to “OFF” is necessary, as it allows the control board to de-energize while changing the setting between “ICE” and “DRAIN.” If this isn’t completed, there will be a delay before the new selection takes effect.
  • NOTE B—A 2-beep alarm will sound every 5 seconds if the control switch is left on “DRAIN” for 10 minutes or more. To clear it, move the control switch out of the “DRAIN” position.
• Step 4—Turn off the ice machine unit, then unplug it. Remove the front panel. If you have a push-button model, disconnect the connector. Then, remove the top panel.
• Step 5—Remove the bin top, then the agitator and drip ring.

Adding the Cleaning Solution

• Step 6—Mix the cleaning solution by diluting 6 fl. oz. (177ml) of Hoshizaki Scale Away with 1 gal. (3.8L) of warm water. Be sure to use the cleaning solution immediately after mixing. Mix more as needed.
• Step 7—Pour the cleaning solution over the extruding head until the evaporator assembly and reservoir are full and the solution begins to overflow into the drain pan. Let the cleaning solution soak for 10 minutes.
  • NOTE—If there’s excessive scaling on the extruding head, fill the evaporator assembly and reservoir, then use a clamp on the reservoir hose that’s located between the reservoir and evaporator assembly. This will block the flow. Then pour more cleaning solution over the extruding head until the evaporator assembly is completely full.
• Step 8—Remove the grille, then remove spout B followed by spout A. If you have an Opti-Serve model, remove spout B for the water dispenser as well.
• Step 9—Using a nylon scrub pad, nylon cleaning brush and the cleaning solution, clean the inside of the ice storage bin, the inside of the bin top, the drip ring, agitator, ice chute, spout A, spout B, grille and the inside of the drain pan. Rinse all components thoroughly. 
  • NOTE—Make sure you don’t get the microswitch wet.
• Step 10—If you placed a clamp on the reservoir hose, remove it before proceeding to the next step.

Cleaning the Ice Machine System

• Step 11—Move the control switch to “ICE” and replace the air filter, louver, drip ring, agitator, bin top and panels.
• Step 12—Plug in the unit, then turn on the power to the unit. Let the unit make ice with the cleaning solution until it stops producing ice.
• Step 13—Turn off the power, then remove the louver and air filter. Move the control switch over to “DRAIN,” then turn the unit back on. Let the water system fully drain.
• Step 14—Turn off the power to the unit, then unplug it again.
• Step 15—Remove the front and top panels and the bin top.
• Step 16—Pour warm water into the ice storage bin to melt any remaining ice. Remove the agitator and drip ring. Thoroughly rinse the inside of the ice storage bin, drip ring and agitator with water.
• Step 17—Pour warm water over the extruding head until the evaporator assembly and reservoir are full and water begins to overflow into the drain pan. Plug in the unit, then turn it on. Let the water system drain completely.
• Step 18—Turn off the unit and unplug it. If you are not sanitizing the ice maker, reinstall the drip ring, grille, spout A and spout B.

Sanitizing Instructions—Initial Procedure

• Step 1—Make sure that the power is turned off to the unit and that it’s unplugged from the power source. Ensure that the water supply shut-off valve is also closed.
• Step 2—Mix a sanitizing solution by diluting 1.5 fl. oz. (44ml) of a 5.25% chlorine bleach solution with 3 gal. (11.4L) of warm water. Be sure to use the sanitizing solution immediately after mixing. Mix more as needed.
• Step 3—Pour the sanitizing solution over the extruding head until the evaporator assembly and reservoir are full and the solution begins to overflow into the drain pan. Let the cleaning solution soak for 10 minutes.
• Step 4—Using a nylon scrub pad, nylon cleaning brush and the cleaning solution, clean the inside of the ice storage bin, the inside of the bin top, the drip ring, agitator, ice chute, spout A, spout B, grille and the inside of the drain pan. Rinse all components thoroughly. 
  • NOTE—Make sure you don’t get the microswitch wet.
• Step 5—Move the control switch to “ICE” and replace the air filter, louver, drip ring, agitator, bin top and panels.
• Step 6—Plug in the unit, then turn on the power to the unit. Let the unit make ice with the sanitizing solution until it stops producing ice.
• Step 7—Turn off the power to the unit, then unplug it again.
• Step 8—Remove the front and top panels and the bin top.
• Step 9—Pour warm water into the ice storage bin to melt any remaining ice.
• Step 10—Remove the louver and the air filter, then plug in the unit and move the control switch over to “DRAIN.” Turn the power back on to the unit and let the water system drain completely.
• Step 11—Turn off the unit and unplug it. 

Sanitizing Instructions—Final Procedure

Sanitizing with Solution

• Step 1—Make sure that the power is turned off to the unit and that it’s unplugged from the power source. Ensure that the water supply shut-off valve is also closed.
• Step 2—Mix a sanitizing solution by diluting 1.5 fl. oz. (44ml) of a 5.25% chlorine bleach solution with 3 gal. (11.4L) of warm water. Be sure to use the sanitizing solution immediately after mixing. Mix more as needed.
• Step 3—Remove the agitator and then pour the sanitizing solution over the extruding head until the evaporator assembly and reservoir are full and the solution begins to overflow into the drain pan. Let the cleaning solution soak for 10 minutes.
• Step 4—Move the control switch to “ICE” and reinstall the air filter, louver, drip ring, agitator, bin top and panels.
• Step 5—Plug in the unit, then turn on the power to the unit. Let the unit make ice with the sanitizing solution until it stops producing ice.
• Step 6—Turn off the power to the unit and unplug it again. Then, remove the louver and air filter. Move the control switch over to “DRAIN,” then turn the power back on to the unit and let the water system drain completely.
• Step 7—Turn off the unit and unplug it. 

Rinsing the System

• Step 8—Remove the front and top panels and the bin top.
• Step 9—Pour warm water into the ice storage bin to melt any remaining ice. Remove the agitator, then pour warm water over the extruding head until the evaporator assembly and reservoir are full and water begins to overflow into the drain pan. Plug in the unit, then turn it on. Let the water system drain completely.
• Step 10—Turn off the unit and unplug it again.
• Step 11—Move the control switch again to “ICE” and reinstall the air filter, louver, drip ring, agitator, bin top and panels.
• Step 12—Open the water supply line shut-off valve, then plug in the unit. Turn on the unit and let the automatic ice-making process begin. Let it run for 30 minutes.

Final Sanitizing Steps

• Step 13—After the 30 minutes are up, turn off the power to the unit and unplug it again. Then, remove the louver and air filter. Move the control switch over to “DRAIN,” then turn the power back on to the unit and let the water system drain completely.
• Step 14—Remove all ice from the storage bin.
• Step 15—Turn off the unit and unplug it. 
• Step 16—Remove the front and top panels and the bin top. Then, remove the agitator and drip ring.
• Step 17—With a clean cloth, wipe down the inside of the ice storage bin, the inside of the bin top, the agitator and the drip ring.
• Step 18—Move the control switch again to “ICE” and reinstall the air filter, louver, drip ring, agitator, bin top and panels.
• Step 19—Plug in the unit and turn it on to start the ice-making process.

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Please contact a local authorized service agent who can help with these specific units and all your commercial kitchen equipment needs.