If you are like most people, you enjoy a cold drink on a hot day. And if you own a Sub-Zero refrigerator or undercounter ice maker, you have the luxury of enjoying clean, fresh ice cubes any time you want them. But what do you do when your Sub-Zero ice maker isn’t working right? Let’s take a look at how to clean a Sub-Zero ice maker.
How To Clean a Sub-Zero Ice Maker for Optimal Ice Production
The good news is that it’s usually easy to clean a Sub-Zero ice maker and get it back up and running again. In this article, we will describe how to clean a Sub-Zero undercounter ice maker and how to clean a Sub-Zero refrigerator ice maker. For more tips, visit our Sub-Zero Care Guides.
Why Sub-Zero Ice Maker Cleaning is Important
A clean ice maker is a happy ice maker. Just like any other appliance in your home, your Sub-Zero ice maker needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to function properly. Over time, calcium and minerals can build up on the ice maker’s parts, causing it to work less efficiently. Signs that your Sub-Zero ice maker needs cleaning are the ice maker not making enough ice, the ice quality and production is deteriorating, the ice may have a strange smell or taste, or in extreme cases, the ice maker does not make ice.
How Often to Clean a Sub-Zero Ice Maker
Most experts recommend that you clean your Sub-Zero ice maker every six months, and this will help keep it clean and prevent any problems from arising requiring Sub-Zero ice maker troubleshooting. Of course, if you use your ice maker more frequently, or if your home has hard water, you may need to clean it more often.
How to Clean a Sub-Zero Undercounter Ice Maker
The Sub-Zero UC-15I undercounter ice maker is one of the most popular models. Even though this model has a cleaning cycle feature, for Sub-Zero UC-15I cleaning, specific steps should be followed. Sub-Zero recommends using the Sub-Zero Ice Maker Cleaner for optimal cleaning and maintenance.
To Clean the Undercounter Ice Maker:
- Press the button marked “Clean”
- It will take approximately two minutes for the ice maker to remove any remaining ice from the evaporator.
- Remove all ice from the ice maker bin.
- In a small cup, measure 4 ounces of undiluted Sub-Zero Ice Maker Cleaner
- Once the clean light begins to flash, pour the ice maker cleaner directly into the spray area
- The ice maker will start its cleaning process. This can take up to 30 minutes.
- When the cleaning process is complete, the clean light will stop blinking and turn off.
Sanitizing a Sub Zero Ice Maker
After you clean a Sub-Zero ice maker, sanitizing immediately is highly recommended. Sub-Zero recommends using their Sub-Zero Ice Maker Sanitizer to ensure the removal of germs and bacteria from the unit.
To Sanitize the Undercounter Ice Maker:
- Press the “Clean” button again.
- Measure 1 tablespoon of undiluted Sub-Zero Ice Maker Sanitizer.
- Once the clean light flashes, pour the ice maker sanitizer directly into the spray area.
- The ice maker will begin its sanitizing process, consisting of a ten-minute sanitization, followed by eight rinse cycles. This can take up to 30 minutes.
- Use this time to sanitize the ice bin. Create a dilution in a spray bottle of 1 tsp of sanitizer with 24 ounces of warm water. Thoroughly spray the bin and allow the solution to sit for ten minutes. Using a soft cloth and warm water, wipe the bin’s interior and remove any debris or buildup.
- When the sanitizing process is complete, the clean light will stop blinking and turn off.
How to Clean a Sub-Zero Refrigerator Ice Maker
To clean a Sub-Zero ice maker refrigerator is simple and straightforward. The internal ice maker unit does not require regular cleaning and should only be opened for maintenance or repair by a professional.
Remove visible mineral or calcium buildup from the ice chute using a soft cloth dipped in a 1:1 vinegar and water solution. Upon inspection, if mold, mildew, or other debris are present, please contact a Factory Authorized Sub-Zero Repair professional.
If, after you clean a Sub-Zero ice maker, it continues to have any problems, contact Blue Sky Appliance Service for Factory-Authorized Sub-Zero repair. Our team of highly trained and certified technicians is ready to help.
