If you enjoy throwing parties in your backyard, then you understand how indispensable outdoor kitchen ice makers are. You won’t have to sneak out mid-party and run to the convenience store to keep your drinks cold—your ice maker has your back!
This outdoor appliance will give you an endless supply of ice. And while that sounds good, it could ruin the taste of your drinks if it’s dirty (well, secretly dirty).
So, just like any of your outdoor kitchen appliances, your rice maker needs a thorough cleaning every once in a while.
It’s important that you clean and maintains your outdoor kitchen ice maker. The unit can collect bacteria and contaminants from filthy surfaces, transferring those to your juices and cocktails. If you have one built into your outdoor kitchen fridge, wash the ice trays and the drawer.
You may start simply by washing each part with mild dish soap and water solution and wiping the machine clean with a cloth. Others prefer to clean their appliances using homemade solutions. Certain ice machines may even have an integrated self-cleaning function.
Whatever approach you use to clean your outdoor kitchen ice maker, make sure to still follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the process for cleaning your outdoor kitchen ice maker. It’s going to be so easy and requires no special tool.
Why Clean Your Outdoor Kitchen Ice Maker?
Ice falls under the food items category as per the FDA. Any parts of your ice maker that touch water can result in mineral deposits and scale buildup.
Bacteria and mold can also accumulate in the internal parts of your machine, contaminating your ice. These buildups may pose health hazards and can affect your machine’s performance and shorten its lifespan.
When Should You Clean It?
As a general rule, give your ice maker a thorough cleaning and sanitation every 6 months. Remove any mineral deposits, scale, and other buildups. Then use a disinfectant to sanitize.
But how will you know if there are any issues between these regular cleanings? If you observe your ice cubes, you may be able to tell. Here are a few telltale signs your unit may need a good cleaning:
• Low-quality, bad-smelling ice
• Ices are smaller and melt fast
• Cloudy and softer ice than usual
• Visible traces of dirt, mold, and other debris
• Ice maker doesn’t produce ice/harvests slowly
• Ice machine won’t enter harvest mode
If you’ve already cleaned your machine and these problems still persist, then maybe it’s time you seek professional help for repair.
How To Clean an Outdoor Kitchen Ice Maker
A clean ice machine not only looks nice but also makes high-quality ice. Here’s a step-by-step guide to keeping your unit clean and performing at its best.
Note: The maintenance needs for ice makers will be different per manufacturer, however, most of them follow a similar basic process.
- Turn off and unplug the ice maker. This reduces the possibility of electric shock or injury. Then remove the ice basket and other removable parts.
- Drain. If your ice maker has a water reservoir, find the drain plug. Then, drain any water into a container.
- Wipe down the interior. Use a soft rug or cloth. You can wash the internal walls and tight spots like the ice slot. Use lemon juice, nickel-free ice machine cleanser, or other cleaning chemical indicated by the manufacturer.
- Clean all the removable parts.
- Wipe down the exterior.
- Reassemble the unit.
For Ice Makers With Wash Cycle
Not all ice machines are the same. Some may require a special cleaning technique. This may involve using the self-cleaning cycle in certain models. Here’s how to clean an outdoor kitchen ice maker with a clean cycle.
1. Remove any ice from the ice maker’s storage bin. You may have to turn off the machine, remove the ice and allow the rest to melt out.
2. Press the button called “clean” or “wash.” First, the ice will melt down the drain. On units with this feature, there should be a display that tells you when it’s time to add the cleaner.
3. Add a cleaning solution. Always follow the manufacturer’s guide on the amount of cleaner required.
Keep it running for a complete cleaning cycle. Once that’s done, turn off your machine.
4. Clean all the removable parts. Using a diluted mix of your cleaning solution with warm water, clean the removable parts of your machine. Again, for an adequate solution volume, consult your machine’s instructions. You may have to add more cleaners based on the severity of the buildup.
5. Rinse and completely dry them with a clean cloth. If your machine has a stainless steel surface, you can use stainless steel polish on your fridge cabinets to prevent rust.
More Cleaning and Maintaining Tips
If you’re not as familiar with cleaning these types of appliances as you are with crafting drinks, you might feel at a loss on how to do it properly. You can follow our tips:
Use the Right Cleaning Products.
Often overlooked, but it’s important that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. And that includes using the right cleaning solution. Some ice machine manufacturers recommend particular or certified cleaning solutions. Using the wrong cleanser may do more harm than good.
Also, do not mix the cleaner and sanitizer solutions to be safe. This may cause a potentially harmful chemical reaction.
Use Protective Tools.
Speaking of safety, wearing rubber gloves and protective glasses will also protect you from chemical reactions.
Observe Water Quality.
A clean water supply delivers premium ice. Double-check your outdoor pipes, water lines, and drain valves. You might have to replace them soon.
Know Your Ice Maker.
Does your ice maker have more parts? Nugget ice and flake ice machines will often have more movable parts that necessitate more care.
Change the Filter.
A clean water filtration system is important. This helps remove impurities and chemicals like chlorine, which can alter the taste and smell of your ice. Make sure to replace the water filter when necessary. You can check your machine’s manual for this.
Descale.
It’s almost inevitable that your outdoor kitchen ice maker will accumulate calcium deposits, which are also referred to as scale. These buildups can form quickly, damaging your machine’s internal parts and shortening its life span.
One of the best ways to descale is to invest in a reverse osmosis or RO system. Certain ice maker brands will also have their own proprietary descaling treatments within their machines. You can use those as well.
Mitigate Any Clogs.
If you have a refrigerator with an ice maker, you may have noticed some cloggings occur. Such a problem is common in most fridges with built-in ice makers. The ice particles and frozen ice melt can jam the dispenser chute over time.
The remedy is simple on the latest refrigerator models with indoor ice makers. You can simply remove the ice bin and any trapped ice and clean the bottom of the bin and the chute with a warm, damp cloth.
However, with older fridges that have ice makers in the freezer chamber, you’ll need to check the ice chute for any ice clogs. You may want to empty the ice bin once a week to avoid any jams.
Give It Room To Breathe.
It’s important to provide adequate ventilation if you’re planning to install your outdoor kitchen ice maker in a more confined placement like below the counter or between two counters. A good airflow from all sides of the machine allows them to perform properly.
Many under-counter units will have vents on their front-facing sides. Standalone ones require adequate airflow. But this shouldn’t be a problem for outdoor kitchen ice machines since they will be in the open space, anyway. They are designed for outdoor use.
FAQ
Do I have to use a cleaner specific to ice makers?
Without a specialized cleaner for your ice machine on hand, you can use vinegar, which is safe and easy.
Just pour a mixture of 1 part distilled white vinegar to 10 parts water into the ice machine’s water reservoir. Allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, start your ice machine and make at least two batches of ice that you will discard to remove any residual chemicals.
Final Words
Cleaning and maintaining your outdoor kitchen ice maker is the best way to keep it running smoothly and performing at its peak. It’s also important when it’s time to winterize your outdoor ice maker.
Again, make sure to follow your ice maker manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and only use the right cleansers. For a more serious cleaning job, feel free to seek professional help.
