Case study · Commercial kitchen

Ice Machine Deep Cleaning – Gramercy, Manhattan

A restaurant's ice machine had gone too long without a proper cleaning. Mold, slime and heavy mineral scale had built up on the parts that touch the water and the ice. We took the machine apart, cleaned every component, and documented the job with photos.

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LocationRestaurant, Gramercy, Manhattan
EquipmentCommercial ice machine with storage bin
Condition foundMold, slime and heavy scale
ServiceFull disassembly and deep cleaning
BeforeAfter Ice machine water trough before and after cleaning: heavy brown scale and residue on the left, clean white trough on the right
Water trough as found (left) and after cleaning (right).

What we found

  • Black mold around the pump and drain area under the evaporator section.
  • Brown mineral scale streaking the underside of the evaporator section.
  • Heavy scale and residue across the water trough.
  • Slime and scale staining on the ice storage bin liner.

What we did

  • Removed the water trough and other parts that could come out for cleaning.
  • Cleaned the evaporator section, pump area and drain until the mold and residue were gone.
  • Cleaned the ice storage bin liner.
  • Reassembled the machine, checked operation, and returned it to service.

As found

Underside of an ice machine evaporator section with black mold around the pump and drain
Black mold around the pump and drain area under the evaporator.
Underside of an ice machine evaporator section with black mold and brown scale streaks above the ice bin
Mold and brown scale streaks on the underside of the evaporator section.
Interior of an ice storage bin with slime and scale stains on the blue liner
Slime and scale stains on the ice bin liner.

After cleaning

Underside of the ice machine evaporator section after cleaning: white surfaces and pump housing free of mold
Under the evaporator after cleaning: mold and residue gone.
Commercial ice machine over a storage bin in a restaurant kitchen, back in service with clean ice
Back in service: reassembled, bin clean, ice running.
Clean blue ice storage bin after cleaning, with no slime or scale
Ice bin after cleaning.

Our recommendation: put ice machines on a cleaning schedule

Ice is food. Mold, slime and scale inside the machine end up in the ice, and scale also cuts production and shortens equipment life. Most manufacturers call for cleaning at least twice a year, and busy kitchens with hard water often need it more often.

We can set up a recurring cleaning for every ice machine in your building, with a written photo report after each visit so you have a record for your files and for inspections.

Request an ice machine cleaning

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