Cleaning Ice Machine

What is this task?

Cleaning ice machine once a month

Why does this task matter?

Ice can contain mold specks without regular cleaning

Reduced beverage quality

Unsanitary

When does this happen?

Before event day

Post-Event

Who is responsible?

Bar Team

Bar Manager

What do you need to do the task?

Cleaning solution

Ice machine sanitizer

1 gallon container

Towels

Scrub brush

Step-By-Step

1. 1-3 days before cleaning, unplug ice machine and open door to melt existing ice

2. If needed, scoop out any remaining ice from ice storage area, and dump in kitchen sinks

3. Open top section of ice machine by removing phillips head screw in bottom right

4. Remove "curtain" by gently, but forcefully, pulling its mounting points apart and sliding the curtain mounting pins toward you

5. Once curtain is removed, spray cleaning solution on all exposed faces and using a scrub brush remove any visual dirt/grime

6. Clean curtain with cleaning solution and scrub any calcium build up or grime off. Curtain CANNOT go through dishwasher, it will warp

7. Remove water tray below the ice formation plate by squeezing the mounts inward and pulling tray towards you

8. Clean water tray with cleaning solution and scrub brush, run through dishwasher if needed

9. Using a cleaning solution, spray the inside of the ice machine storage area and scrub away any residue.

10. Ensure the top section is scrubbed as well.

11. Dump warm water to rinse the storage area, use a clean, sanitized towel to wipe up any bits that may be left behind.

12. Reinstall water tray and curtain

13. Plug ice machine back in

14. Following the directions on the inside door of the ice machine and the directions on the sanitizer, run a cleaning cycle by pressing the clean ice machine button above the screen

15. Close up the doors

What does “done right” look like?

Process takes roughly 2 hours due to the cycling times of the cleaner and sanitizers

Ice machine will refill in less than 24 hours

Common problems or mistakes?

Make sure ALL surfaces get ample cleaning. Mold can form in many hard to reach places.

Regular preventative maintenance of the ice machine cuts down on difficulty of cleaning next time

Related tasks?

n/a

Anything else someone should know about this task?

Do not run curtain through dishwasher, it will warp and affect functionality of ice machine

Use ice machine sanitizer