How to Use Manitowoc Ice Machine Cleaner & Sanitizer

Most commercial ice makers follow a general overall process for maintaining them. This article will walk you through a detailed, Step-By-Step explanation of ensuring that you clean your dirty ice machine

If you own a Manitowoc Ice Machine, this guide will take you through how easy it is to clean and maintain your machine.

Steps To Clean your Manitowoc Ice Machine:

Step 1: Empty the Ice bin & Remove Components to be cleaned

Step 2: Activate the "CLEAN" button on the NEO touchpad.

Step 3: Add the appropriate amount of Manitowoc cleaner

Step 4: Wait for 22 minutes until the clean cycle is complete and turn it off.

Step 5: Remove Components In The Food Zone.

Step 6: Use Cleaner Solution for Interior & Exterior Components. The general ratio is 1 gallon of water to 16 ounces of cleaner

Step 7: Use Sanitizer Solution for Interior & Exterior Ice machine Surfaces Components

Step 8: Clean Condenser and its Filter

Step 9: Sanitize Water System by repeating Steps 2 & 3 but use Manitowoc Sanitizer

Walk-through Guide: Video

Need the visuals? This video will take you through a step-by-step process to aid your cleaning activities.

Detailed Guide to Cleaning Manitowoc Ice Machine:

Manitowoc Manufacturers require specific or approved cleaning solutions and sanitizing solutions to be used in their ice machine. Check out this cleaning guide for safety data sheets and more detailed instructions.

Step 1: Empty The Ice Bin From The Evaporator

Make sure that ice bins are empty before beginning the cleaning process.

• Scoop the ice out of the bin and make sure that you have another receptacle or bin of some sort to put the ice in.
• You may leave the ice in if it's preventive cleaning since Manitowoc Cleaning Solution is food grade. Remove all ice if you are doing maintenance cleaning.

Step 2: Activate The Automatic Cleaning Cycle

• Push the “clean" button on the touchpad. : Once you've pressed this button, water will be flowing through the water dump valve, and down the drain. 

• Once the light is on, you know you're in the cleaning cycle. It'll take a moment for the water trough refills.
• Once full and the water begins to cascade down the evaporator, add the appropriate amount of Manitowoc cleaner.
• Be sure to refer to the use and care guide for the appropriate amount of Manitowoc cleaner.
• And make sure you always wear gloves when handling cleaner and sanitizer.

Step 3: Add Manitowoc Ice Maker Cleaner Solution

Ice machine cleaner is used to remove lime growth scale and mineral deposits from ice machine components.

• Add your ice maker cleaner solution.
• The ratio is 1 gallon water to 16 ounces of cleaner
• The cleaning cycle takes about 20-45 minutes per your manual instructions.

Step 4: Make Sure that Clean Cycle Complete

• Wait until the clean cycles are complete:
• Wait for 22 minutes until the clean cycle is complete and turn it off.

Steps 5 & 6: Clean & Sanitize Interior and Exterior

Once the active clean cycle is completed, which will take about 22 minutes, you'll need to remove some of the components from the flood zone. 

Ice Machine Sanitizer is used to remove the buildup of mold, algae, and slime growth and to disinfect. Recommended frequency for sanitizer is a minimum of once every six months. In areas with a high concentration of airborne yeast (such as bakeries) more frequent sanitizing will be required.

• Before taking apart the ice machine, make sure to turn off the power supply.
• remove the water distribution tube
• remove the damper, trough, and floats
• Only use a soft-bristle nylon brush, scrubber, or cloth when doing this.

You cannot mix the cleaner and sanitizer solutions.

Cleaning Components and Interior:

Step 1: Dilute Cleaning Solution

Using Manitowoc Cleaning Solution, follow these steps to clean the interior and food components:

• To dilute, mix the cleaning solution with lukewarm water in a wash bin.
• The ratio is 1 gallon of water to 16 ounces of cleaner.

Step 2: Use Ice Machine Cleaner Solution to Clean Components

• Use half of the lukewarm water and cleaner mixture to clean all components and parts you've removed. Most solutions will foam when they come into contact with lime, scale, and buildup of minerals
• Take the components, drop them down inside the water, and just let them soak. You can also take the floats and put them in the water. Just don't let the leads get wet.
• Let those sit in the mixture and soak for a little while. As they soak they will begin to foam. That foaming means the cleaners working and it's getting rid of that lime scale and mineral deposit build-up that has found itself on the components.
• When the foaming stops, clean all parts with a soft-bristled nylon brush, sponge, soft cloth, or paper towel.
• Clean the inside of the bin with the same cleaner solution ratio to remove any excess water and loose dirt.
• Let the cleaner remain on surfaces to dissolve scale and deposits and scrub stubborn deposits if necessary
• Rinse with clean, fresh water.

Step 3: Sanitize Components

• Mix 2 ounces of Manitowoc sanitizer to 2-3 gallons of water. You may place this inside a spray bottle for easier use. Make sure to label this! 

  

• Wipe dry and apply a sanitizing solution from the spray bottle. The sanitizer mixture is a no-rinse solution.
• Allow drying before assembling the food components back in and turning on the machine

Step 4: Sanitize The Water System:

• Activate Wash Cycle by pushing the CLEAN button
• Add Manitowoc Sanitizing Solution
• Complete Sanitize cycle after 22 minutes.

Exterior Ice Machine Cleaning:

Steps To Clean Exterior Ice Machine Surfaces:

• Clean exterior surfaces to remove loose soil and dirt.
• Dilute ice cleaner and use it to clean exterior surfaces.
• Use a damp, clean cloth to clean off any dirt or debris that has built up.
• Rinse with clean water
• Wipe dry and then apply the sanitizing solution.
• Let it dry

Don't Forget the food Zone Surfaces!

• To remove the buildup of grease and food products, clean food zone surfaces by using the cleaning solution to clean all food zone surface parts of the ice machine and bins or dispensers.
• Rinse: Make sure to rinse all areas, especially the common food-contact surfaces, thoroughly with clean water.

PRO TIP: Make sure that your water quality is at its optimum because this can affect machine performance by testing your water supply

How to Clean an Ice Machine Condenser and Its Filter

Cleaning the condenser once every six months is important because it helps keep your ice machine working properly. These are the cleaning steps: 

Switch the power off

Unplug the ice machine head section and the remote condensing unit if applicable.

Thoroughly Clean Your filter

There are two ways you can do this:

• To clean the condenser, blow compressed air through it.
• You can also simply wash it with water from the inside out.

Precautions Before Cleaning.

If you're not experienced in cleaning kitchen appliances, it may be difficult for you to effectively clean them.

• Separate the cleaner mixture from the sanitizer mixture for safety reasons. The chemical combinations will not be safe.
• When using cleaning products, wear rubber gloves and protective safety goggles.
• Keep an eye on your establishment's water quality. If your machine needs more frequent maintenance, check its water quality.
• Make sure the control switch is turned off when the water tank is drained for cleaning.
• You need to know your equipment: Nugget machines usually have more moving parts than flake machines and cube ice makers.
• Make sure that the cleaning guide matches the applicable ice makers.

By keeping your ice machine clean and sanitized, you'll be able to keep its efficiency, prevent deposits from ice makers, increase energy bills, and make clean and ready-to-use ice. By keeping your ice machine clean and sanitized, you'll be able to keep its efficiency, prevent increased energy bills, and make clean and ready-to-use ice. If you are encountering problems with your ice machine, the first step is to usually ensure that your ice machine is at its peak. Need a troubleshoot guide? Check this Manitowoc and Hoshizaki Guide. You can also check out this article if you need help when your ice machine is beeping or freezing up.

Getting Manitowoc Ice Maker for Your Business?

Ice Equipment is crucial for operating any kitchen. Here at Culinary Depot, we are eager to help you find the right Ice Maker.

May it be:

• Air-Cooled Ice Machines
• Undercounter Ice Machines
• Water-Cooled Ice Machines
• Combination of Ice and Water Machines
• Remote Condenser Ice Machines

Visit our online store or contact us today for more information.