Commercial Ice Machine Cleaning and Sanitizing
On the manufacturer schedule the food code requires
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Ice machine cleaning is not optional housekeeping. In California, ice is food (HSC 113781), and ice makers must be cleaned at the frequency the manufacturer specifies, or often enough to prevent soil and mold from building up (HSC 114117). Cool Aid cleans, descales and sanitizes commercial ice machines for restaurants, bars, hotels and stores across the Bay Area. This page is part of our commercial ice machine repair section.
How often, by manufacturer
| Manufacturer | What the maker says |
|---|---|
| Manitowoc | Descale and sanitize every six months, more often if water quality demands it; clean the condenser at least every six months (manual) |
| Scotsman | Clean and sanitize the water system at least twice a year; sanitize the bin as often as local health codes require and every time the machine is cleaned; change filter cartridges at six months (manual) |
| Hoshizaki (KM models) | Clean and sanitize at least once a year (cleaning sheet); check your model's manual, as intervals vary by model |
These are minimums. Hard water, a dusty or greasy room, or heavy use means cleaning more often.
What a professional cleaning includes
- Shut down, empty the bin and remove the ice.
- Run the manufacturer's descaling cycle with a cleaner approved for that machine.
- Remove and hand-clean the parts the manufacturer allows: water trough, distribution tubes, curtains or splash shields.
- Sanitize the water system and the bin, and rinse as the procedure requires.
- Clean the condenser, check the filter and drain, and inspect for wear or leaks.
- Restart, confirm harvest and ice quality, and record the date for your inspection file.
Scotsman recommends a refrigeration technician for condenser cleaning (Scotsman). Doing the condenser at the same visit keeps production up: Manitowoc notes a dirty condenser reduces ice production and shortens component life (Manitowoc).
For health inspections
Inspectors look at the inside of the bin, the ice chute or deflector, and anything growing where ice touches. Keep a dated record of each cleaning and the manufacturer's recommended interval. Our health inspection refrigeration checklist covers the rest of your refrigeration.
Water filters
Filtration reduces scale and taste problems between cleanings. See ice machine water filters.
Cleaning plans
We put ice machines on a schedule with the rest of your refrigeration, so each machine gets cleaned on its manufacturer's interval. See refrigeration maintenance plans, or ice machines by industry for what restaurants, hotels, bars and stores each need.
Schedule ice machine cleaning →
Frequently asked questions
Does California law say how often to clean an ice machine?
It points to the manufacturer. The California Retail Food Code requires ice makers to be cleaned at the frequency the manufacturer specifies, or, without a specification, often enough to prevent soil or mold from building up.
Can my staff clean the ice machine?
Staff can do the routine cleaning the owner's manual describes, using the approved cleaner. Condenser cleaning, deeper cleaning and inspection of components are better done by a technician.
Does cleaning fix low ice production?
Often, if scale or a dirty condenser is the cause. If production stays low after cleaning, something else has failed.
More commercial refrigeration
Commercial ice machine repair
- Commercial ice machine repair overview
- Ice machine not making ice
- Leaking and ice quality problems
- Ice machine water filters
- Ice machine installation and replacement
- Manitowoc ice machine repair
- Hoshizaki ice machine repair
- Scotsman ice machine repair
- Ice machines by industry
By industry
- Restaurant refrigeration
- Hotel refrigeration
- Liquor store refrigeration
- Convenience store refrigeration
By equipment
- Walk-in freezer repair
- Walk-in freezer installation
- Beer cave installation and repair
- Reach-in cooler and freezer repair
- Glass door merchandiser repair
- Prep table refrigerator repair
- Walk-in cooler repair
- Walk-in cooler installation
- Ice machine repair
- Condensing unit replacement
- Refrigeration maintenance
- Emergency refrigeration repair
Or start from commercial refrigeration by industry, or the Commercial Refrigeration Help Center if something is failing right now.
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