How to Clean & Sanitize a Hoshizaki DCM Ice Dispenser
Knowing how to clean & sanitize a Hoshizaki DCM ice dispenser is essential for maintaining ice quality, food safety compliance and reliable equipment performance in any foodservice operation. Whether you manage a restaurant, food truck, cafeteria, healthcare facility, convenience store or commercial kitchen, regular cleaning and sanitizing helps prevent scale buildup, bacteria and other contaminants that can affect both ice production and dispenser operation. Follow our guide below for cleaning and sanitizing a Hoshizaki DCM ice dispenser to support safe and efficient operation.
How to Clean a Hoshizaki DCM Ice Dispenser
Cleaning a Hoshizaki DCM ice dispenser at least twice a year is recommended. More frequent cleaning depends on your water conditions.
- Step 1. Close supply line valve - Close the ice maker’s water supply line valve.
- Step 2. Remove side panel - Remove the side panel covering the switches.
- Step 3. Drain system - Move the control switch to DRAIN, then wait 5 minutes for the unit to drain.
- Step 4. Turn off control switch - Move the control switch to OFF.
- Step 5. Turn off power supply - Turn the power supply off at the power switch.
- Step 6. Remove panels - Remove the front and top panels. Cut any zip ties connecting the panels to the cables.
- Step 7. Remove parts - Remove the agitator, bin top and drip ring.
- Step 8. Remove spout - Take the spout and remove it from the unit. Some units have multiple spouts to remove.
- Step 9. Add cleaning solution - Pour 9.6 oz. of Hoshizaki Scale Away solution and 1.6 gallons of warm water over the extruding heads. Allow this to soak for 10 minutes.
- Note: Only pour enough of the solution until the evaporator assembly and reservoir are full and overflows into the drain pan.
- Step 10. Scrub bin interior - Using cleaning solution and a cloth, scrub the bin interior.
- Step 11. Soak components - Soak and scrub the removed components with cleaning solution.
- Step 12. Rinse components - Rinse the components with water.
- Step 13. Wipe dispenser area - Wipe down the dispenser area and drip tray with cleaning solution and a cloth.
- Step 14. Rinse dispenser area - Rinse the dispenser area and drip tray.
- Step 15. Reinstall components - Reinstall the components in the reverse order they were removed. A plastic cover needs to be secured over the cables when reinstalling the front panel.
- Step 16. Turn control to ICE - Move the control switch to ICE.
- Step 17. Turn on power supply - Turn the power supply on and let the unit make ice with the cleaning solution until it stops.
- Step 18. Turn off power and dispose - Turn off the power supply and dispose of the ice.
- Step 19. Switch to DRAIN - Move the control switch to DRAIN.
- Step 20. Allow unit to drain - Turn the power supply on and wait for the unit to fully drain.
- Step 21. Turn off power - Turn off the power supply.
- Step 22. Remove components - Remove the top panel, front panel, bin lid, spout, agitator and drip ring.
- Step 23. Add warm water - Pour clean, warm water into the bin. Let the water melt any ice remaining in the bin.
- Step 24. Rinse bin - Rinse the bin with a damp cloth, then rinse the components.
- Step 25. Drain unit - Turn on the power supply and allow the unit to fully drain.
- Step 26. Turn off power - Turn off the power supply.
How to Sanitize a Hoshizaki DCM Ice Dispenser
After cleaning the dispenser, it’s essential to sanitize it as well.
- Step 1. Add sanitizer - Pour a sanitizing solution of 0.82 fl oz. of chlorine bleach and 1.6 gallons of warm water over the extruding head. Allow this to soak for 10 minutes.
- Note: Pour enough of the solution until the evaporator assembly and reservoir are full and overflows into the drain pan.
- Step 2. Clean parts - Wipe down the agitator, drip ring and spout using a cloth dampened with sanitizing solution. Thoroughly rinse each component with a clean cloth after sanitizing.
- Step 3. Reinstall parts - Reinstall the drip ring, agitator, spout, bin top, top panel and front panel. A plastic cover needs to be secured over the cables when reinstalling the front panel.
- Step 4. Flip control to ICE - Flip the control switch to ICE.
- Step 5. Turn on power - Turn the power supply on and let the unit make ice with the sanitizing solution until it stops.
- Step 6. Dispose of ice - Turn off the power and dispose of the ice.
- Step 7. Remove components - Remove the front panel, top panel, bin top, agitator and drip ring. Cut any zip ties connecting the panels to the cables.
- Step 8. Add clean water to bin - Pour clean, warm water to the bin. Let the water melt any ice remaining in the bin.
- Step 9. Drain unit - Move the control switch to DRAIN, then turn the power supply on and let the unit fully drain.
- Step 10. Turn power off - Turn off the power supply.
- Step 11. Repeat as needed - Repeat steps 1-10 as needed.
- Step 12. Reinstall parts - Reinstall the drip ring, agitator, bin top, top panel and front panel. A plastic cover needs to be secured over the cables when reinstalling the front panel.
- Step 13. Open water supply valve - Open the water supply valve.
- Step 14. Run ice function - Flip the control switch to ICE, then turn the power supply on and let the unit run for 30 minutes.
- Step 15. Turn power off - Turn off the power supply.
- Step 16. Remove components - Remove the front panel, top panel, spout, bin top, agitator and drip ring.
- Step 17. Rinse unit - Use a damp cloth to rinse the bin. Rinse all the removed components.
- Step 18. Reinstall parts - Reinstall the drip ring, agitator, spout, bin top, top panel and front panel.
- Step 19. Turn to ICE - Make sure the control switch is set to ICE, then turn on the power supply.
- Step 20. Clean exterior - Clean the exterior of the unit.
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