ICE-O-Matic GEM-MFI Series Cleaning/Sanitizing Procedures

Note: There are two parts to cleaning an ice machine: descaling and sanitizing.

Descaling should take place at least twice a year, but no more than once a month.

Mineral deposits on the evaporator and other surfaces are dissolved by descaling. Scale, calcium, limescale, and other mineral accumulation are all removed. Ice-O-Matic requires a “nickel-safe” cleanser, such as Viper Nickel Safe Ice Machine Cleaner  or a similar product, diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions.

After each descaling, sanitizing should be done once a month at the most.

Sanitizing the machine disinfects it and removes microbial development such as mold and slime. Ice-O-Matic requires a “nickel-safe” sanitizer, such as Viper Nickel Safe Ice Machine Cleaner or comparable, diluted as directed by the manufacturer.

Please refer to www.iceomatic.com for approved chemical formulations and proper pH balance.

WARNING: Do not combine cleaner (descaler) and sanitiser.

When using a descaler or sanitizer, wearing eye protection is recommended.

When using a descaler or sanitizer, use rubber gloves to protect your hands.

When doing the following cleaning steps, keep in mind that the power will be turned on.

1. To avoid ice contamination in storage, remove all ice from storage means.

2. Loosen the two front panel screws with a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the ice machine's front panel. To remove the panel, lift it up.

3. To start a harvest cycle, press and hold the POWER button for 3 seconds (the blue light will begin to blink for Manual Harvest mode). This verifies that there is no ice on the plate and that the sump is empty.

4. When the ice machine's harvest cycle is complete, the POWER light will become solid red (OFF mode).

5. Remove the upper evaporator cover while keeping the lower curtain in place.

6. To begin the operation, quickly press the CLEAN button. During the cleaning cycle, the ice machine will display a solid red and flashing yellow light.
   
   
7. With the pump turned on and the purge valve active, the machine will verify that the sump is empty.
   
   
8. The machine will begin to fill the sump when it is mostly empty (about 30 seconds to a minute).
   
   
9. When the water level in the tank reaches the right level, the pump turns on. Calculate the correct amount of descaler based on the machine size and sump volume using the chart below. Pour the descaler into the sump with care, using the bottom curtain to keep the descaler from splashing. Remove the upper evaporator cover and replace it.

10. The machine will run for 15 minutes in the WASH cycle.
    
    
11. With the water pump turned on, the machine will PURGE and re-fill after the WASH time.

12. After a brief RINSE (less than one minute), the machine will PURGE/FILL/RINSE several times.

13. At the completion of the cleaning cycle, the machine will have a mostly empty sump and a solid red and yellow light.

Cabinet Care

Chemicals for Descaling and Sanitizing

It's critical to utilize solutions that are safe for the ice machine. Never use cleaning or sanitizing solutions containing Nitric Acid, Sulfuric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, Carbolic Acid, Acetic Acid, diluted Acetic Acid, nonfood-grade vinegar (concentration of acetic acid greater than 6% and does not contain enzymes created during processing) or any chlorine-based solution such as bleach, chlorine dioxide, or any type of salts such as potassium chloride (potasium chloride) or any chlorine-based solution such as chlorine dioxide ( To be sure, look at the label or the manufacturer's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). These substances can cause corrosion and flaking on the evaporator's surface as well as other metal components.

Please refer to www.iceomatic.com for approved chemical formulations and proper pH balance.

Cleaning Stainless Steel and Aluminum

If not properly maintained, commercial grades of stainless steel and aluminum are prone to rusting and corrosion. To avoid rust or corrosion, it's critical that you take adequate care of the stainless steel and aluminum surfaces of your ice maker and bin.

Follow the tips below to keep your machine looking brand new:

1. Clean the stainless steel and aluminum thoroughly once a week. To avoid the formation of strong, tenacious stains, clean frequently. If hard water stains are allowed to sit, they can erode the metal's corrosion resistance, causing rust or corrosion. Working with the grain rather than against it, use a nonabrasive cloth or sponge.
2. Do not use abrasive tools to clean the metal surface. To clean the metal, do not use steel wool, abrasive sponge pads, wire brushes, or scrapers.
3. Do not use cleaners that use chlorine or chlorides. Cleaning metal surfaces with chlorine bleach is not a good idea. The metal's protective coating is dissolved by chlorides.
4. Rinse with clean water. If chlorinated cleaners are used, the surface must be completely rinsed with clean water and wiped dry very afterwards.
5. Use the right cleaning agent. The cleaning products indicated for common metal cleaning difficulties are listed in the table below.