Alright, let's talk about keeping the ice machine clean. Mine started putting out ice that looked a bit cloudy, and honestly, maybe tasted a little funky. Didn't want any gunk building up in there, you know? Figured it was time to give it a proper cleaning, not just a wipe-down.

So, I started looking around for what to use. First thought was vinegar, like some folks say online. But I read that can be iffy depending on the machine's parts, didn't want to mess anything up. I needed something made for the job. Went down the rabbit hole online, saw a bunch of different bottles – powders, liquids, stuff saying "nickel safe" which I guess matters for some machines?

Finding Something That Works

I just grabbed a bottle of the common stuff first, the universal cleaner you see everywhere. Seemed straightforward enough. Got home, read the instructions – had to mix it with water, pour it in the reservoir, run the clean cycle on the machine. Did all that.

Then came the rinsing. Oh boy, the rinsing. The instructions said to rinse it like, three or four times. So I drained it, filled it with fresh water, ran it, drained it again. Did this over and over. Seemed like a lot of work. The ice looked a bit better afterwards, yeah, but I wasn't totally blown away. Still felt like there might be a hint of cleaner smell, maybe?

Trying a Different Approach

Wasn't quite satisfied, so I kept looking. Found another type, a liquid cleaner specifically mentioning it was good for my type of machine (a countertop one, nothing fancy). It cost a bit more, but I thought, what the heck, let's try it.

This second one seemed simpler. The instructions were clearer, less confusing. Poured the recommended amount in, added water, hit the clean button. The big difference was the rinsing – it seemed to flush out easier. Ran two rinse cycles with fresh water, and it already seemed totally clear, no weird smell.

And the ice? Big difference. Came out super clear, no odd taste at all. Just clean, fresh ice. Felt much better about using the machine after that.

What I Settled On

So yeah, for me, that second cleaner really did the trick. It just worked better with less fuss, especially the rinsing part. Here’s what I liked:

• Easier process: Simpler instructions, felt quicker.
• Better rinse: Didn't feel like I needed endless rinse cycles.
• Great results: Ice was crystal clear and tasted clean.

Guess it goes to show, sometimes the first thing you try isn't the best fit. You gotta experiment a bit. Now I just make sure to run that cleaner through every few months. Keeps the machine happy and the ice tasting good. Definitely worth doing regularly.