Nickel-Safe Ice Machine Cleaner is a specially formulated
citric/phosphoric food-grade product for removing scale deposits from
ice makers having nickel-plated or tin-plated evaporators. It is
acceptable for use in machines made by Manitowoc and other manufacturers
using nickel. In fact, it was the industry’s first nickel-safe product,
introduced in collaboration with Manitowoc. Usage rate should be in
accordance with the manufacturers instructions or 16 fluid ounces with
three gallons of system water.
The number one category of problems troubling an ice machine are
water-related, and the most frequently is lime scale. As the water is
frozen into ice during an ice maker’s cycle, the naturally occurring
dissolved minerals in the water . . . some of which can combine to form
lime scale . . . remain behind in the unfrozen recirculating ice water
simply because water tries to freeze in its pure state. As the cycle
continues and more water is made into ice, the minerals over concentrate
and eventually precipitate as a lime scale deposit.
As the scale begins to form, it creates a physical obstruction that
results in: plugged distribution holes, restricted water flow and
eventually the ice maker will hang-up or jam. Ice harvest is reduced and
eventually the machine will shut down, requiring service.
This sequence of events can affect both cubers and flakers. Some
believe that flakers are free of scale problems since all of the water
is made into ice. Not true. Flakers can scale-up as well, jamming the
auger and eventually resulting in a broken belt or drive mechanism.
Once the machine is scaled up, it must be cleaned, requiring the use
of an acid so that the scale can be dissolved. Obviously, the acid must
be effective in order to dissolve the scale but it must also be food
grade and equipment-safe.
MSDS Available Upon Request