Hoshizaki recommends cleaning and sanitizing of your ice maker at least once per year. Cleaning may be necessary more frequently due to local water conditions. External water treatment may be necessary.
A primary problem is scale. In some areas of the country, you may find lime or calcium build-up, which appears as a white or yellow, hard crust. When wet, it may be transparent. In other parts of the country, iron in the water causes a red, rust-colored stain. You can also find gelatinous slime - pink, green, black or brown. This is from air-borne bacteria and can be found around the ice drop zone. This type of scale does not enter the evaporator section because there is no airflow from outside into the sealed compartment. All are bad for your ice machine.
Scale accumulation insulates the evaporator, which limits heat transfer. This causes longer freeze cycles and poor harvest. The ice melts away or the cubes stick and refreeze, ending in a freeze-up. An acid-based cleaner which is recommended for ice machine applications is needed to remove this scale.
Lime-A-Way or Hoshizaki ice machine cleaner will work well in this application. The proper dilution ratio is found on the rear of the front panel. Other brands recommended for ice machines will also work, as the stainless steel evaporator is durable. You may also use nickel-safe cleaners, but they contain a weaker acidic solution and make take longer to clean, or a lower water dilution. DO NOT USE AMMONIA TYPE CLEANERS. In addition, you may also find an evaporator brush helpful. It is a hard, nylon bristle brush that fits down the evaporator channels.
Ice machines should also be sanitized. A dilution of a 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite solution (chlorine bleach) with water is needed. The ratio of sanitizer to water is 1.5 fl.oz. sanitizer to 3 gal. of water.)
You will also need a neutral cleaner and a clean, soft cloth to complete the maintenance on your machine.
Cleaning instructions are inside the front panel of every unit and in the customer instruction manual. Be sure to follow the dilution instructions and use warm water to mix the cleaning solution. Make sure that all components, fasteners, and thumbscrews are securely in place after any maintenance or cleaning. Wear liquid-proof gloves for safety to handle the cleaning and sanitizing solutions. This will prevent skin irritation.
TO CLEAN:
1. Remove all ice from the bin and the evaporator. To remove from the evaporator, turn off the power supply and turn it back on after 3 minutes. The defrost cycle starts, which removes the cubes from the evaporator.
2. Turn off the power supply.
3. Remove the front panel and base cover, then remove insulation panel by lifting up the panel slightly and pulling it toward you.
4. Drain the water sump tank.
FOR SMALL KM MODELS - A drain or suction hose that you can pull off allows water to drain into the bin. In some models, the overflow pipe can be removed to allow the sump to drain. Turn the pipe counter-clockwise to remove.
FOR STACKABLE KM MODELS - A plug in the middle of the ice drop zone, toward the front of the unit, can be removed to empty the sump.
FOR KML MODELS - Empty the sump with the automatic drain switch, which uses the water pump to drain the sump. There is also a drain plug included so the reservoir can be drained.
5. Clean the evaporator. (See the inside front panel or the owner's manual for more detail regarding individual steps for each machine.)
With the correct dilution of cleaner to warm water in a bucket, pour the solution inside the sump and move the toggle switch to the WASH position.
FOR KM UNITS - An additional cleaning valve should be moved to the open or clean position to allow the solution to move between the evaporator plates and over the ice-making side of the plate. This valve should be left open for 5 minutes at the start of the cleaning cycle and should be closed so the unit can make ice. The compressor will not work unless the valve is completely closed.
FOR KML UNITS - There is no manually-operated cleaning valve. A solenoid valve that automatically energizes when the second toggle switch is moved to the wash cycle serves this purpose. There are two toggle switches: one is marked (SERVICE, OFF AND ICE) and the other is marked (DRAIN, CIRCULATE, AND WASH). The first switch, when in SERVICE position, disengages the compressor and engages the second switch. With this switch, you may drain the unit or circulate cleaning solution.
The solution should be circulated until the ice maker is clean. Depending on previous maintenance and water quality, this may take a substantial about of time. To help clean in cases of poor maintenance or bad water, move the spray tubes out about 1/2" to allow the solution to run down the fins of the evaporator. You may also use an evaporator cleaning brush.
6. Empty the sump.
7. Remove the check valve, spray tube, and float switch with the rubber connector. Take these components apart and let them soak in ice machine cleaner to break down the build-up. Also, take the water valve apart and clear the diaphragm of scale and make sure the diaphragm's weep hole is clear. Thoroughly rinse these components and re-install.
8. Follow directions on your machine to rinse the ice machine. This should be done a total of four times to rinse thoroughly.
TO CLEAN THE BIN;
1. Mix a solution of de-scaler and water following the manufacturer's recommendation (usually 5-6 ounces per gallon). Follow Hoshizaki's recommendations on the front panel or the instruction manual. Use a spray bottle to apply to the inside of bin.
2. Remove the baffle from the interior of the bin by removing its thumbscrews.
3. Using either a clean cloth or nylon brush, scrub the interior of the bin and the baffle. Soak the scoop until deposits are removed.
4. When clean, flush the bin, baffle, scoop and cleaning utensils with fresh water until de-scaler is removed.
TO SANITIZE THE ICE MACHINE:
1. BE SURE THE SANITIZER AND THE CLEANER ARE NOT MIXED. WHEN MIXED, THESE CHEMICALS CREATE GASES WHICH ARE HARMFUL IF INHALED. Run the sanitizer solution through the ice machine in the same way you did the cleaner.
2. Make sure to rinse at least two times.
FOR KML MODELS - Empty the sump with the automatic drain switch, which uses the water pump to drain the sump. There is also a drain plug included so the reservoir can be drained.
5. Clean the evaporator. (See the inside front panel or the owner's manual for more detail regarding individual steps for each machine.)
With the correct dilution of cleaner to warm water in a bucket, pour the solution inside the sump and move the toggle switch to the WASH position.
FOR KM UNITS - An additional cleaning valve should be moved to the open or clean position to allow the solution to move between the evaporator plates and over the ice-making side of the plate. This valve should be left open for 5 minutes at the start of the cleaning cycle and should be closed so the unit can make ice. The compressor will not work unless the valve is completely closed.
FOR KML UNITS - There is no manually-operated cleaning valve. A solenoid valve that automatically energizes when the second toggle switch is moved to the wash cycle serves this purpose. There are two toggle switches: one is marked (SERVICE, OFF AND ICE) and the other is marked (DRAIN, CIRCULATE, AND WASH). The first switch, when in SERVICE position, disengages the compressor and engages the second switch. With this switch, you may drain the unit or circulate cleaning solution.
The solution should be circulated until the ice maker is clean. Depending on previous maintenance and water quality, this may take a substantial about of time. To help clean in cases of poor maintenance or bad water, move the spray tubes out about 1/2" to allow the solution to run down the fins of the evaporator. You may also use an evaporator cleaning brush.
6. Empty the sump.
7. Remove the check valve, spray tube, and float switch with the rubber connector. Take these components apart and let them soak in ice machine cleaner to break down the build-up. Also, take the water valve apart and clear the diaphragm of scale and make sure the diaphragm's weep hole is clear. Thoroughly rinse these components and re-install.
8. Follow directions on your machine to rinse the ice machine. This should be done a total of four times to rinse thoroughly.
TO CLEAN THE BIN;
1. Mix a solution of de-scaler and water following the manufacturer's recommendation (usually 5-6 ounces per gallon). Follow Hoshizaki's recommendations on the front panel or the instruction manual. Use a spray bottle to apply to the inside of bin.
2. Remove the baffle from the interior of the bin by removing its thumbscrews.
3. Using either a clean cloth or nylon brush, scrub the interior of the bin and the baffle. Soak the scoop until deposits are removed.
4. When clean, flush the bin, baffle, scoop and cleaning utensils with fresh water until de-scaler is removed.
TO SANITIZE THE ICE MACHINE:
1. BE SURE THE SANITIZER AND THE CLEANER ARE NOT MIXED. WHEN MIXED, THESE CHEMICALS CREATE GASES WHICH ARE HARMFUL IF INHALED. Run the sanitizer solution through the ice machine in the same way you did the cleaner.
2. Make sure to rinse at least two times.
TO SANITIZE THE BIN:
1. Using the same method as you used to clean the bin, use a sanitizing solution of Sodium Hypochlorite and water (1/2 oz of solution to 1 gal. of water).
2. Use cloth or brush to clean interior, baffle, thumbscrews and scoop.
3. Thoroughly flush the interior of the bin as well as other parts that were sanitized again with more fresh water to remove all traces of sanitizer.
MAINTENANCE:
1. Occasionally, wipe the exterior with a soft, clean cloth to prevent corrosion. Use a damp cloth with a neutral cleaner to clean off oil or dirt build-up.
2. For the storage bin and scoop, wash your hands before removing ice and do so with the plastic scoop. Do not store anything else in the bin. To keep the scoop and the bin liner clean, use a neutral cleaner and rinse thoroughly.
3. If you have an air-cooled machine, check the air filter at least twice a month. When clogged, use warm water and a neutral cleaner to wash the filter.
4. Check the condenser (unless water-cooled) once a year and clean by using a brush or vacuum cleaner. Depending on its location, this might need to be done more frequently. Find out more tips at www.HoshizakiIce.com
1. Using the same method as you used to clean the bin, use a sanitizing solution of Sodium Hypochlorite and water (1/2 oz of solution to 1 gal. of water).
2. Use cloth or brush to clean interior, baffle, thumbscrews and scoop.
3. Thoroughly flush the interior of the bin as well as other parts that were sanitized again with more fresh water to remove all traces of sanitizer.
MAINTENANCE:
1. Occasionally, wipe the exterior with a soft, clean cloth to prevent corrosion. Use a damp cloth with a neutral cleaner to clean off oil or dirt build-up.
2. For the storage bin and scoop, wash your hands before removing ice and do so with the plastic scoop. Do not store anything else in the bin. To keep the scoop and the bin liner clean, use a neutral cleaner and rinse thoroughly.
3. If you have an air-cooled machine, check the air filter at least twice a month. When clogged, use warm water and a neutral cleaner to wash the filter.
4. Check the condenser (unless water-cooled) once a year and clean by using a brush or vacuum cleaner. Depending on its location, this might need to be done more frequently. Find out more tips at www.HoshizakiIce.com
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