Alright, let's talk about cleaning the Hoshizaki ice machine. It's one of those jobs you know you gotta do, but sometimes it slips down the list. Mine was starting to look a bit... well, let's just say it was time. The ice wasn't looking as crisp, you know? Felt like it needed a good clearing out.

Getting Started

First thing's first, I shut the whole thing down. Went to the breaker box and flipped the switch for the machine. Better safe than sorry. Then I pulled off the front cover. Always gotta be gentle with those clips, don't want to snap anything. Grabbed my cleaning stuff:

• A bucket
• Some clean cloths
• The proper Hoshizaki cleaner – gotta use the nickel-safe stuff, right?
• And the sanitizer for later.

Had everything lined up, ready to go.

Taking it Apart and Scrubbing

Okay, panel off, time to get inside. I carefully took out the water curtain – that plastic sheet thing. Then the distribution tube where the water sprays out. That tube definitely had some buildup, a bit scaly. Took those parts over to the big sink.

Got the cleaner solution mixed up according to the bottle. Sprayed down the parts I removed, let them soak a bit. Used a soft brush, nothing too abrasive, and gave them a good scrub. Rinsed them off real well. Then I tackled the inside of the machine itself. Sprayed the cleaner solution inside, paying attention to the evaporator plate and the sides where water runs. Wiped everything down carefully. Some spots were a bit stubborn, needed a second pass with the cleaner and a bit more scrubbing.

Rinsing is key here. You really gotta flush all that cleaner out. Sprayed clean water inside multiple times, wiped it down again. Don't want any chemical taste in the ice later.

Sanitizing Step

Once I was happy everything was rinsed clean, it was time for the sanitizer. Mixed that up, again following the instructions exactly. Sprayed the sanitizer all over the inside surfaces – the evaporator, the water trough, the whole area. Let it sit for the recommended time, usually about 10 minutes or so. This part feels important, making sure any little microscopic critters are dealt with.

After the sanitizer had time to work, I rinsed everything thoroughly one more time with fresh water. Wiped it down again with a clean cloth.

Putting it Back Together

Now, just had to reverse the process. Carefully put the water distribution tube back in place, making sure it snapped in securely. Slid the water curtain back where it belonged. Double-checked everything looked right inside. Then popped the front cover back on, making sure all the clips engaged.

Walked back to the breaker box, took a breath, and flipped the power back on. The machine started its usual noises, filling up with water. Waited for it to go through a full freeze cycle.

The Result

Watched the first batch of ice drop into the bin. Looked much better – clear and clean. Felt good knowing it was done properly. The whole process took maybe an hour, maybe a bit more with all the rinsing. It’s just necessary maintenance. Plan to do it again in about six months or so, maybe sooner if it looks like it needs it. Just gotta keep an eye on it.