HOSHIZAKI Ice Machine deep Cleaning
Here’s how our team cleans an ice machine safely and thoroughly. Always follow the manufacturer’s manual and use food-safe cleaners that are approved for ice machines.
Safety first
– Unplug/disconnect power.
– Turn off the water supply.
– Let hot surfaces cool.
– Wear gloves and eye protection.
1) Prep & empty the machine
– Empty the bin and discard any remaining ice.
– Wipe down exterior surfaces.
– Remove front/top panels to expose the evaporator and water system.
2) Fully disassemble (per manufacturer instructions)
We remove the parts that are designed to come out for cleaning, such as:
– water curtain / distribution tray
– float valve components
– ice thickness probe
– pump/water reservoir parts
– bin baffle (if removable)
3) Descale
– Mix ice-machine descaler according to the label.
– Soak removable parts in a descaling solution.
– Brush gently with a soft brush.
– Rinse well with clean water.
4) Sanitize
– Use a food-grade sanitizer approved for ice machines.
– Apply to all food-contact surfaces, water system parts, and the bin interior.
– Allow proper contact time, then drain/flush as directed.
5) Clean coils & condenser area
– Vacuum/blow out dust.
– Brush fins gently; do not bend them.
6) Reassemble, flush, and test
– Reinstall all parts.
– Restore water and power.
– Run a full cycle.
– Discard the first batch of ice and confirm ice taste/clarity.
Need Your Ice Machine Professionally Cleaned?
PowerOn provides professional ice-machine cleaning, descaling, sanitizing, maintenance, and repair throughout Montgomery, The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, and Greater Houston.
Call (346) 379-3809 Schedule Online
Having another issue? Learn more about our professional ice machine repair services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you deep clean a Hoshizaki ice machine?
We disconnect power and water, empty the bin, and remove the panels. Then we disassemble the removable parts, descale and sanitize them, clean the condenser area, reassemble the machine, and run a full test cycle.
What parts are removed during a professional ice machine cleaning?
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, we remove parts designed to come out for cleaning, such as the water curtain or distribution tray, float valve components, ice thickness probe, pump and reservoir parts, and the bin baffle if it’s removable.
What is the difference between descaling and sanitizing an ice machine?
Descaling removes mineral scale from the water system parts using an ice machine descaler. Sanitizing uses a food-grade sanitizer approved for ice machines to treat all food-contact surfaces, water system parts, and the bin interior.
Why should I throw away the first batch of ice after cleaning?
Discarding the first batch flushes out any remaining cleaning solution and lets you confirm that the ice tastes and looks right before you use it.
Do you clean the condenser during an ice machine cleaning?
Yes. We vacuum or blow out dust from the condenser area and brush the fins gently without bending them, which helps the machine run efficiently.