How often should ice machines
be cleaned?

If you make your own ice, your machine must be properly maintained and sanitary, and your water source must be safe. It is not just common sense ... IT IS THE LAW!

The 2009 Federal Food Code reads (from the Michigan code),

Chapter 1 part 1-201.10 defines Ice as food. This subjects ice to the same handling and cleanliness standards as everything else including manufacturing equipment.

Ice itself falls under 40CFR141 governing drinking water purity.

Ice machine cleaning is governed by Food Law 2009 Chapter 4 part 602.11 section (E) item (4a and b) which states that the machines must be "at a frequency specified by the manufacturer". i.e. Manitowac (which ranges from 2 - 4 times per year) or "at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold", (which realistically should be at LEAST every 6 months).

Ice machine sanitizing is governed by Chapter 4 part 702.11 which states that their surfaces must be sanitized after each cleaning.

Annex 7 Form 2A, section 5 states: Federal law provides under the Criminal Fine Enforcement Act of 1984 for a fine up to $100,000 for a misdemeanor by a corporation or individual not resulting in death and, for misdemeanors resulting in death, a fine of up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations.

Bottom line ... cleaning and sanitizing your ice machine on a regular basis IS REQUIRED BY LAW.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends that users of commercial ice-making machines follow the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning and sanitizing the machines.

All commercial ice-making machines are manufactured with a “boilerplate” statement affixed to the machine stating when and how the ice machine should be cleaned and sanitized.

Many water supplies around the country are rich in minerals, especially lime, and buildup can seriously decrease the speed of your ice production and increase energy consumption.