Ice machine maintenance is important for the health and safety of customers. If an Ice Machine is not cleaned regularly, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, scale, mold, and mildew. Cleaning your commercial ice machine regularly is an important part of maintaining it. This not only helps keep your operation clean, but also preserves the quality of your ice, extends the life of your machine, and improves its performance. Today we are going to take a look at a few important reasons why maintaining a clean Ice Machine is crucial for your establishment.

Water, especially hard water, contains many minerals and microscopic sediment. If left unfiltered, these minerals can slowly build up inside your ice machine. Dirt, rust, limescale, and mold accumulate overtime. If left unchecked, this build-up can lead to unnecessary wear on your ice maker. Even if you use a water filter, at some point your machine will need to be cleaned. By cleaning and maintaining your ice machine every three to six months, this will help to produce ice more efficiently and keep your ice looking and tasting great. It also extends the overall life of the machine.

How you approach the cleaning process also depends on what type of ice machine you are dealing with. Some units may require manual cleaning while others have an automatic system. Always take a look at the owner's manual that comes with your ice maker to ensure that you are following the proper steps needed to clean your machine.

If you start to notice any of the following, it is time to clean your ice machine! 
• Cloudiness in appearance
• Strange taste or odor
• Softer and melts faster
• Smaller in size

Cook’s offers a variety of high-quality manufacturers to choose from when it comes to Ice Making Equipment. Manitowoc Ice, Scotsman and Hoshizaki are great options to take a look at if you’re in the market for a new Ice Machine.