Regularly cleaning commercial ice machines is a necessary part of ensuring their continued and safe operation. Each ice machine manufacturer has a listed procedure for properly cleaning their various models. These procedures should be followed closely, and none of the steps should be skipped.
One step that is sometimes skipped is the removal of all the ice from the storage bin. It is easy for a technician to want to skip this part, but it is not safe or wise. Removing the ice from the bin prevents the chemical cleaner and the slime removed from the machine from dropping down and coming into contact with the ice. It also allows a technician to clean and sanitize the bin.