Ice Machine Descaling & Sanitation Protocol
Commercial ice machines are the most frequently neglected piece of equipment in a kitchen. This guide covers why rigorous descaling and sanitation is legally and mechanically required.
The Menace of Scale
Hard water scale builds up on the evaporator plates. When this happens, ice sticks to the plates instead of dropping during the harvest cycle. The machine will continually run its freeze cycle, eventually creating a solid block of ice that crushes the internal evaporator fins, destroying the machine.
HP Mechanical Protocol
Our preventative maintenance includes fully dismantling the water trough and distribution tubes, running commercial-grade nickel-safe descaler through the pump, and sanitizing the bin to prevent pink slime (Serratia marcescens) growth, ensuring full health code compliance and uninterrupted ice production.
Need Professional Assistance?
If you are experiencing issues related to this protocol, our factory-trained technicians can help.
View our Commercial Refrigeration Repair capabilitiesHP Mechanical Engineering Team
This technical protocol was authored and verified by our senior commercial HVAC and refrigeration specialists. With over 20 years of field experience across the Pacific Northwest, our protocols are designed to maximize system uptime and prevent catastrophic facility failures.