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There are many places we clean regularly in our kitchen, from the crisper drawer in the refrigerator to the splatters in the microwave. But one neglected area that often never gets cleaned properly is the ice cream maker.
It’s important to keep your ice cream maker sanitary, as ice can pick up dirt and bacteria from dirty surfaces and pass it on to your drinks.
To get started, you’ll need some sort of cleaning product to make it shine. “Most machine manufacturers recommend a specific brand of cleaner that’s compatible with their products, so this may be the best way to ensure a good clean,” says Sofia Norton, RD. “But using vinegar is also an effective and eco-friendly way to clean your machine,” she says. So don’t feel like you need to buy special products, you probably already have a bottle of vinegar in your pantry. “The acidity of vinegar destroys mineral deposits, mold, and bacteria that can build up in your machine and change the taste of the ice cream and make it unsanitary,” says Norton.
When it comes to how often you should clean your ice maker, manufacturers recommend cleaning your machine once or twice a year, depending on how often you use it and whether you have hard water. “Frequent use means more dirt will build up inside your machine, while hard water will lead to mineral deposits that can damage components,” Norton says.
Three Ways to Clean an Ice Maker
Cleaning Solution and Wash Cycle
for Ice Makers “Most ice makers use the same cleaning process, but be sure to read your machine’s manual for cleaning tips,” Norton says. Either way, here are some basic steps to follow:
1. Turn the machine off, remove all ice from the dispenser, and allow any remaining ice to melt.
2. When you’re done, turn the machine back on and find the “Clean” or “Wash” button on your machine.
3. Wait for the screen to tell you to add your cleaning solution.
4. Add the recommended amount of cleaning solution.
5. After the cleaning cycle is complete, unplug the machine.
6. Remove the components from the ice maker so you can clean them. Read the machine manual to see which parts are removable.
7. Mix an ice maker cleaner or dish soap solution with water.
8. Using a cloth or sponge, clean each component and the inside of your ice maker.
9. When you’re done, rinse with clean water to remove chemicals and dry with a clean cloth.
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