Scotsman Prodigy Cleaning Procedure

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Scotsman Prodigy Cleaning Procedure with Video

One of the most important services and upkeep of an ice machine is keeping it clean. Cleaning involves removing scale buildup and or removing slime. Either type of debris can clog hoses and spray bars slowing, even stopping, water flow. Scale can collect on important sensors causing decreased production as well as equipment failure. The most common service call is “my machine is not making ice.” Even more common, failures are due to scale or slime related issues. Below is a video on the Scotsman Prodigy cleaning procedure. This short video may prove useful if you are attempting to clean your ice machine and need a visual. It will give you a nice, clear idea of the procedures. When cleaning the sensors be sure that they are free of mineral deposits and or debris, to the best of your ability. Also note, when working with cleaning solutions be sure to protect your hands and eyes with proper safety wear. Lastly, be sure to read the safety labels on the bottles. Click on the play button to start the video.

The video may have covered this, however, you will need to be sure you take apart as many of the water components as possible and clean/rinse them thoroughly after you circulated your cleaning solution. The cleaning solutions are meant to only break debris up and make it easier to clean off. One common area that is overlooked, is cleaning the underside of the ice machine. This is accessible inside the ice storage bin.

Also, if you are circulating a cleaning solution, you will need to protect the ice, if any, in the ice storage bin below. You can do this by covering the ice thoroughly with a brand new can liner. Be sure to make middle bottom of the bag concave to catch any splashed debris or cleaner during the cleaning. The best solution is to empty out the ice storage bin and clean the inside after completing the ice machine portion. Once completed be sure to circulate an ice machine sanitizer. Also don’t forget to sanitize the ice storage bin.

Scotsman Prodigy Cleaning Instructions

Two Commonly Overlooked Areas:

An overlooked area in the ice storage bin area is the ice baffle. The baffle keeps the ice from falling out of the bin door. You should remove it and clean it thoroughly as well as the under carriage of the ice machine.

The air filter should be taken out and cleaned. Using a flash light inspect the condensing coil. This will be located behind the fan blades inside the mechanical compartment. If you find the coil to be dirty it will need to be cleaned. I recommend calling a service tech to provide this service as it may require removing the fan motors to perform this task. If the coils are to washed out, the motors will need to protected, or care taken, as to not soak them with water. If this is being done inside a business, prepare for a watery mess. Use a wet vacuum during the rinsing process to help with the excess water.

Ice Machine Maintenance Schedule

How often should I clean my ice machine? This question comes up fairly frequent. The answer is at least twice per year. This is recommended by most manufacturers. However, the answer should be based on the ice machines environment and the quality of the water supply. If the ice machine is in a bar or bakery, you may need to clean the ice machine every two-three months. The baking materials and yeast will get inside the ice machine and will cause slim to grow quickly. If the ice machine is being used with a well-water supply, it may require cleaning every two months in order to remove the heavy mineral deposits. Units that are in restaurants with constant use, we recommend every three months.

Scotsman Ice Machine Water Filters

There are a vast variety of water filters on the market. Most filter out debris, tastes, and odors. Quality water filters for ice machines will have a scale inhibitor which is released into the water feeding the ice machine. The inhibitor reduces the clumping, or collection, of minerals within the ice machine, making it easier for the ice machine to get rid of a bunch of it during the purge cycle. However, this is not a guarantee to keep you unit scale free, it simply helps reduce the mineral deposits. Over time you will still have mineral build ups and therefore, you will still need to clean your ice machine routinely, but using these filters are definitely an added benefit. Lastly, not all filters are created equal. Some filter more finely, which can be determined by the micron size. The smaller the number, the smaller the particulates it will catch. Also, be sure you understand the purpose of the filter. For example, you may not want the scale inhibitor feature if you are only filtering drinking water.