Don’t use improper chemicals. Overly harsh cleaners such as CLR or cleaners that are not properly diluted can eat the plating off of an evaporator and damage other parts of the machine. Cleaning or sanitizing your machine with improper chemicals will void your warranty in most cases. Do have your ice machine professionally cleaned as needed with regular water filter changes. Most manufacturers recommend a professional cleaning twice per year with some manufacturers recommending monthly cleanings for certain models. Don’t try to remove ice from a frozen-up freeze plate with any sharp metal object like a screwdriver, ice pick, or knife. If your machine is frozen up – Do shut off the machine and let it thaw naturally or help it along with some warm water. Freeze ups are abnormal and indicate a problem with your machine. Call a service company to come out and diagnose the issue. Don’t restrict airflow to the machine or put it in a confined or unventilated space such as a closet if you have an air cooled machine. Don’t allow an air cooled machine to operate in a room that is regularly over 90 degrees in the summer. It puts a heavy strain on … Continue reading Ice Machine Do’s and Don’ts