How Often Should You Clean Your Portable Ice Maker?
Cleaning your portable ice maker is an important maintenance practice. With regular cleaning, you’ll ensure the machine is working properly. But how often should this be?
You should clean your portable ice maker after every two months. However, if you use your ice maker frequently to produce large batches of ice, monthly might be better. The frequency of cleaning is dependent on the type of machine and frequency of use.
There are signs to look out for that indicate that your machine is due for cleaning. They include;
- A change in the taste of the ice
- Visible dirt on the machine
- Strange smell in the machine and or ice
- A change in the shape or appearance of the ice produced
- For, clear ice producing machine, cloudy ice.
Another factor that affects how often you should clean the machine is the place of use. When using the machine outdoors, it’s prone to weather elements such as dust and dirt.
You may also get interference from birds, and other small animals especially when camping. Always check to confirm there’s no interference with the machine.
Remember, ice is like food and contamination can be dangerous for your health.
Aim to not only clean the ice maker but also sanitize after cleaning. The cleaning process eliminates dirt, impurities, mineral and limescale deposits.
Sanitizing removes any pathogens such as mold and bacteria that may be present in the machine.
How to Clean my Portable Ice maker
Cleaning your portable ice maker is straightforward. There are two main ways you can clean the machine and they are dependent on whether the appliance is self-cleaning or not.
You’ll need water, a cleaning product or vinegar, and a cloth to wipe down the exterior of the machine.
The idea is to run the water and cleaner solution through the ice maker by making ice. This ensures any dirt or organisms are destroyed in all sections.
You’ll then rinse out the machine and let it dry. A detailed description is given when discussing the common dishwasher questions, kindly check it out.
Can I Run Vinegar Through My Ice Maker?
Although there are specially formulated ice maker cleaners, there are other cleaning alternatives.
Yes, you can run vinegar through some of the ice maker machine models. Make a solution of water and vinegar to add to the machine water reservoir.
Vinegar contains acetic acid that cleans and disinfects. Grease, grime, and dirt dissolve in the presence of vinegar.
The best type to use is white vinegar as it doesn’t have a coloring agent that might interfere with parts of the ice maker.
Most noteworthy, you may encounter an unpleasant smell from using white vinegar. However, the smell doesn’t last, thus manageable.
Take Note!!!
Since vinegar is acidic, it may corrode metal and rubber parts of your ice maker machine. It’s important to know the different sections of your appliance to establish if they can be damaged.
Read through your user manual. Check to see if it is safe to use substances such as vinegar to clean. Are there sections made using rubber and metal that can corrode?
These are some of the things to look out for before buying an ice maker machine. When opting to use vinegar, buy one with the lowest percentage of acetic acid.
Always use diluted vinegar. Keep the ratio of water to vinegar at 10:1 when running vinegar through the ice maker.
Can I Use Peroxide to Clean Ice Maker?
Yes, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean your ice maker machine.
Hydrogen peroxide effectively cleans, disinfects, and removes odor. The clear liquid also eliminates mold, yeast, spores, fungi, mildew, and bacteria.
When using peroxide for cleaning, mix it with water only. Combining the reactive liquid with other solutions can create unsafe gases.
Read: Is A Portable Ice Maker Worth It?
How Do You Keep a Portable Ice Maker from Molding?
Mold is a fungus that thrives in wet, damp, and humid environments.
When present in an ice maker or any surface, mold tends to cause staining, unpleasant odor, and structural degradation over time.
You keep a portable ice maker from molding by regularly cleaning and removing materials that enhance its presence.
Steps to Keep Mold out of A Portable Ice Maker
- Clean the ice maker regularly (interior and exterior).
- Use clean water in the reservoir to make ice.
- Scoop ice from the machine using a scoop as opposed to your hand.
- Avoid leaving ice on the ice basket for long before use.
- Dry the ice maker machine before storage.
- Avoid running the ice maker when you’re not using it.
You can use a store-bought cleaning agent, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda to make a solution that removes mold from your appliance.
Determine the best option depending on the extent of the invasion.
Read: What To Look for When Buying a Portable Ice Maker
Conclusion
Regular cleaning of your ice maker enhances durability while preserving your health.
You should thoroughly clean your ice maker machine after every two months. Do this practice monthly for frequent use.
Cleaning this appliance is straightforward. Many videos online are demonstrating how to clean depending on the brand or specific appliance.
It is safe to use vinegar in an ice maker to clean. However, ensure that the Machine doesn’t have sections that corrode with exposure to acetic acid.
Let us know how often you clean your ice maker machine. What do you use? Has it worked for you?
