Getting ice maker ready for storage

sbw1

sbw1

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2006
8,185
West Michigan
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One of the issues to be concerned with for those of us with ice makers is how to prevent mold from developing in the tray during fall layup. You can't just turn off the machine, defrost it and shut the door or bad things happen. Since our boat will be going into storage sometime within the next three weeks I'm starting to shut systems down. We store inside a heated building with no worries about things freezing. We do need things clean and dry however. So....today I turned the ice maker off, dumped the ice into the lake and propped the door open to let things warm up inside. Tomorrow I will dry things out with a clean towel and wash the ice bin. The issue I have to deal with is removing the residual water in the tray that makes the cubes. My solution is to take a piece of absorbent paper towel and twist one end of into a narrow section that can fit between the fins in the tray. The rest of the towel hangs down into the ice bin. As the towel absorbs water, it acts as a syphon and drains all the remaining water into the bin. 24-48 hours later the tray is dry. Leave the door open while this is happening. I also prop the door open just enough to allow some air into the freezer during storage. A crushed TP cardboard tube taped into place with blue painter tape provides the wedge. I then tape the door closed against the wedge with painter tape. The system does not smell in the spring, and the initial cubes show no signs of mold from the tray. Sanitizing the potable water system in the spring gets rid of any bugs that might be in the tray.

I'm wondering if others have a better way of winterizing an ice maker. I suppose those who add anti freeze to the potable water system just allow the antifreeze to go through the ice maker and the alcohol prevents the mold. For those who do not winterize this is an easy preventive step.
 
Nice write up! My ice maker is currently toast. Freezer system fried. Still thinking if it's worth it to get it repaired.
 
I suppose you're right about the standing water in the cube trays but here's another perspective from a long time fan of the ULine ice maker.... Mine is simply used for the freezer/storage bin and not actually making ice. I much prefer the clear cocktail ice available in 5lbs bags so I simply buy a bag every couple weeks and dump it in the bin. I personally hate the large half moon cubes that come out of those things..... And yes, I always leave the doors of the ice makers/fridge/freezers opened during layup to prevent mold/mildew.
 
sbw-
Your procedure sounds like a good one, but I think your first step is incorrect. Instead of throwing the last of the ice overboard, you should have used it up mixed with your favorite adult beverages! Sounds like a perfect excuse for a season ending party!!
 
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This is what I do, I disconnect the water supply from the ice maker, let it run till no more ice is made, shut power off, defrost, wipe it down and leave the door open.

I store my boat out side and never had any issue with mold.

Dave
 
Dont have an icemaker on this boat, but did on my previous one. With a bucket-o-pink connected to the fresh water pump, I would pull the cover off the icemaker mechanism and turn the nut on the spinning assembly. This would jump start the system to make ice. I would do this several times, allowing each cycle to finish it's movement. By the 3rd or 4th time, bright pink would spill out. Done. Took about 5 minutes to do.
 
You are in heated storage, like lots of us in Michigan. I have an old Raritan ice maker, and I do the same as you. Just get all the water out of the tray and dry it out. I also prop open the door for circulation. I do wipe down the inside with a mold control spray product, and it works GREAT. I used to get a bit of mold on the inside of the door and gasket during the season. Not anymore. Fantastic stuff.
 
Concrobium Mold Control. I do not wipe it in the ice bucket portion or in the freezing tray. I just dry the freezing tray out and keep the door open.

Main ingredients are Trisodium Phosphate and Sodium Carbonate.

Stuff works well.
 
We use a bleach + water solution at the end and beginning of each season and DEFINATELY leave the door open. Also, I strongly recommend an inline water filter to anyone using a ice maker. The difference is amazing. Super easy to install and trust me the ice tastes much better.

https://www.amazon.com/Culligan-IC-...d=1475253041&sr=1-4&keywords=ice+maker+filter
have
Aside, I have fixed and taken apart both the ULINE and the Whynter(edgestar) brand of icemakers. Very similar design and components but the ULINE marine units do use more aluminum in the frame, have a better fan motor, have cleaner copper welds and perhaps a better brand of compressor motor. Not sure they are worth 3x times the cost however.
 
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