If you are unsure how to remove smells from an ice maker, the following information will prove very useful. The last thing you want is any stench to come from your ice maker or, worse, your ice cubes. It puts you off using it, as it makes you feel that your ice cube maker is unclean or unhealthy.
Removing these odours is easy. It will leave you with fresh smelling ice cubes, and who wouldn’t prefer that over anything else?
Looking after your fridge freezer should be something you do regularly anyway. So, dealing with your portable ice maker or the one in your fridge freezer is just another thing to add to the list. With that idea in mind, let’s get started.
Removing Smells From an Ice Maker: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Unplug and Empty the Ice Cube Bin
First things first: unplug the refrigerator and empty the ice bucket. You do not want anything left in the ice bin when you clean it.
Also, you do not want your refrigerator to continue making ice during the cleaning process.
Now, because you are switching your appliance off, you may worry about food items in your refrigerator. Don’t fret as this won’t take you long, so as long as your home is not exceptionally hot, then all the food in your refrigerator is fine.
Step 2: Remove the Hardware
If you can remove different parts of the ice cube maker, then now is the time to take it out of your fridge freezer. This includes ice cube trays and anything else connected to the ice maker. Also, remove the drip tray and put everything into your sink.
Step 3: Giving the Items a Good Scrub
With the components in the sink, you can give them all a good wash. If the hardware is made from plastic, do not put it in the dishwasher. Instead, you need to always handwash it.
The best approach is to use a cloth and some warm soapy water. This should be enough, but if you want to make sure you remove that bad smell, then use a baking soda solution instead.
With this solution, you want to mix baking soda with warm water. Ensure you wash every part and then rinse the baking soda solution off each piece.
Step 4: Air Dry the Parts
After you have checked that the baking soda has removed the smell, you need to allow the parts to air dry. Ensure that every component is fully dry before putting everything back in the freezer.
And that is how to remove lingering smells from an ice maker. With this step-by-step guide, you can scrub the ice maker clean, ensuring fresh-smelling ice cubes each time you need a cold beverage.
Things to Remember When Cleaning an Ice Maker
Removing smells from ice makers may seem tedious, but it’s actually not difficult. Below are things to consider when cleaning ice makers.
Dealing With Ice
Parts of ice cubes can stick to the maker, and any unused ice can also be left behind. The easiest way to remove stuck-on ice is to use warm water and a cloth. To dislodge the ice, simply wipe it with the cloth soaked in warm water.
Do not use sharp objects to break up stuck ice. You run the very real risk of damaging your ice maker. Instead, be patient as the ice will surely come off.
Cleaning the Exterior of the Ice Maker
When cleaning an ice maker, it’s also essential to clean the outer case. Keep the exterior clean with a mixture made up of one part water to one part vinegar. Wipe it over the outside surface of the box to remove stains and smells.
Include any hard to reach places of your ice cube maker too. You can use a pipe cleaner or small toothbrush to clean the parts you can’t reach with a washcloth.
Cleaning the Water Filter
Finally, your ice maker will have a water filter, and this is one area that can absorb all sorts of smells, so you need to keep it clean. This becomes even more important if you live in an area with hard water.
Your filter will absorb the minerals, resulting in the icebox developing a smell. It may also change the taste of your ice.
The best way to keep the filter of your portable ice maker clean and fresh is to change it every six months. It’s a simple task, and you won’t even have to leave your fridge unplugged for too long. The difference in taste will be huge, so make a point of doing this.s
Why Does Your Fridge Freezer Make Foul-Smelling Ice Cubes?
How do ice cubes start to smell in the first place?
It has something to do with how your appliance moves the cold air between the freezer and the fridge sections. It circulates the air to keep both fridge and freezer at the right temperature, but this air takes smells along with it.
Any odour in the fridge – be it from old food, fresh food, garlic, or herbs – will find its way into the ice maker. For example, if you have peeled or crushed garlic in your fridge, you can expect the ice to smell and taste like garlic.
Now, you can’t just eliminate strong-smelling food items from your fridge altogether. To solve this issue, however, regular cleaning and maintenance are necessary. There are even some tricks that will help absorb odours from food, like placing a bar of activated charcoal inside your fridge. That way, you can continue enjoying the food in your fridge and no longer worry about smelly ice cubes.
Keeping Your Ice Maker Clean and Well-Maintained
Now that you know the best ways to remove nasty odours from an ice maker, you can finally say goodbye to nasty smelling ice cubes. But remember, portable ice makers and ice collection bins are easy to clean, but you have to be very thorough throughout the whole process.
Please tell us about your experience in the comments section below if you found this guide helpful. For more kitchen tips and tricks, visit our blog regularly.
Additional Resources
- How Does an Ice Maker Work?
- How to Repair an Ice Maker
- How to Use a Cool Box
- How Long Does a Cool Box Stay Cold
Tom is a former chef turned full-time food blogger. He has always been passionate about food, and loves nothing more than experimenting in the kitchen and sharing his recipes with others. Tom’s blog is one of the most popular food blogs on the internet, and he has won numerous awards for his cooking. When he’s not blogging or cooking, Tom enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.