What’s Cooler Than Being Cool for Superbowl 54?
Nothing can ruin a Super Bowl party faster than lukewarm refreshments. Thirst quenching beverages from suds to sodas pair perfectly with the most highly anticipated football game of the year. Whatever your plans for 2020’s Superbowl LIV, don’t fumble on the fun factor by running out of ice. To ensure maximum ice production (as well as the best tasting ice on the the block!), let your ice maker take a timeout now for a thorough cleaning - days before the San Francisco 49ers & Kansas City Chiefs kickoff.
Having a clean ice maker is important for a number of reasons. First, it will keep your machine producing clear ice. When the cubes become cloudy (unless it is designed this way), you may be dealing with a buildup of debris. Second, your ice should taste like pure ice – nothing else. If you aren’t in the habit of cleaning your ice maker at least twice a year, the ice produced can begin to get a funky mildew taste. And if you have hard water -- which can cause buildup and decrease the functionality of your machine over time -- you should consider cleaning your ice maker even more often. Deposits from hard water can form on the coil, and impact the ice-making process by preventing the coil from freezing the water. Snap!
Before you start any cleaning, unplug your ice maker. This will save energy as you clean and also ensure your safety. The cleaning process won’t take long, but you don’t want the machine trying to make ice while you’re working on it. Once the machine is unplugged, discard any remaining ice. Then, use a washcloth and warm soapy water, or a solution of 50/50 water and distilled white vinegar, to wipe down as much of the interior of the ice maker as you can. Next, use a toothbrush to access any parts you can’t reach with the washcloth. Be sure to check the filter. If the filter becomes clogged, it won’t let as much water through in turn impacting the machine’s performance. An old filter can also affect how ice tastes. Ice maker filters should be changed approximately every six months (just follow your manufacturer’s guidelines). To clean the exterior walls of a stainless ice maker, use a small amount of baby oil on a microfiber rag and polish. If you have a non-stainless steel ice maker, use a cloth rag or paper towels and a water/soap solution to do the same. Once completely clean, place your machine into its drip or drain pan. Plug the ice maker back in, turn it on, and allow it to run a few cycles. Final step: Pat yourself on the back and enjoy your squeaky-clean/energy-efficient (party ready!) ice maker with peace of mind to spare!
Extra Point! As the big game draws ever closer, don’t forget to take into account that many avid football fans get glued to the television and sometimes won't leave the couch at any cost. Consider running extra batches of ice now (plan for one pound of ice per person per hour) and place those batches in coolers near the TV at gametime so your guests don't have to make repeated trips to the ice maker. Go team! Killarney Metals has ice maker drip and drain pans in various sizes and finishes for your ultimate party-ready application. These in-stock and ready to ship ice maker drip and drain pans come complete with the No Leak Guarantee. Check out KillarneyMetals.com or call toll-free (877) 801-7417 8:30AM - 5 PM EST for assistance.
“Now, what cooler than being cool? Ice cold! I can't hear ya! I say what's, what's cooler than being cool? Ice cold!” -Outkast