How to Keep Your Ice Maker in Good Condition

You may not need residential plumbing services if you notice that the ice from your ice maker is not tasting as good as it should or the maker is not producing the same quality or quantity as it once did. Before you call your local plumbing contractors, try giving your freezer and ice maker a good cleaning. A lot of people are daunted by the idea of cleaning the ice machine, but it is probably a lot easier than you thought.

What You Will Need

You do not need any special tools or equipment used by residential plumbing services to clean an ice maker. Aside from it being in your freezer, cleaning this device isn't much different from the other appliances that keep your kitchen running. You will need an old toothbrush, a little white vinegar, 2 fiber-free cloths, and some hot soapy dishwater. The entire process shouldn't take more than a few minutes, and you will be able to taste the difference afterward.

Turn Off Power

Depending on the manufacturer and style, the plumbing for your ice maker may have an on/off switch on the front or rear of the device. Other styles can be turned off by raising a metal bar. Refer to your manual if you are unsure of how to power yours down. If you don't have a manual, try searching for your make and model of refrigerator online.

Remove and Clean the Ice Bin

The ice bin is designed for easy removal by either pulling it straight out or lifting and pulling. Take care not to use too much force. Empty the bin and remove any debris or ice stuck inside. Wash it in hot soapy water, rinse it, and dry it thoroughly.

Clean Freezer Components

Using the toothbrush and one of the cloths, clean the ice maker and its components. Gently scrub away any ice or other material on or around the icemaker. This is the perfect time to clean the entire freezer if you remove the contents before beginning the process. You can use soapy water and vinegar on all of the other freezer components but only use vinegar on your ice maker. Dry the ice maker well with the remaining soft cloth to prevent frost from forming before the ice maker can begin producing ice.

Replace Bin and Repower

Put the ice bin back in its place under the ice maker. Turn the device back on. Allow it to make a couple of trays of ice, discard the ice that has been made. Your ice maker is now clean and ready for use.

In some cases, cleaning the ice maker is not a solution to the problem. Once you have ruled out this simple solution, you may need to consult a plumbing contractor to determine what the problem is. Before you call, make a list of problems you may have noticed with your water system, because a series of different problems may be related to a single larger issue.