Opal ice maker keeps going into cleaning mode

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Cleaning the exterior

To clean the exterior of the ice maker, use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water to gently clean the exterior surfaces.

Dry with a soft cloth. The exterior stainless steel surfaces can be cleaned with commercially available stainless steel cleaner. Use only a liquid cleaner free of grit and rub in the direction of the brush lines with a damp, soft sponge.

Do not use appliance wax, polish, solvents, or chemicals on the stainless steel. Do not use soap to clean the reservoir. Use a soft cloth moistened with water.

Using the Opal Cleaning Kit

Opal Cleaning Kit is the recommended way to clean your Opal, because you are doing the cleaning and descaling process at once, without the need to use bleach and vinegar. The kit includes 2 bottles of Opal Cleaning Solution, a cleaning cloth, a sponge, and four cotton swabs. We recommend using rubber gloves as well.

Step 1: Unplug the appliance.

Step 2: Remove the ice bin and water filter (if there is one) and replace it with the reservoir's screened intake cap.

Step 3: Drain the ice maker. Unplug the hoses on the back of the unit and lay them down to drain into a sink or bucket that is below the level of the ice maker. Remove the plugs and allow the water to completely drain. Once the water stops flowing, reconnect the hoses.

Step 4: Fill the tank with water to the upper fill line. Add one bottle of cleaning solution and stir it gently into the water.

Step 5: Plug the unit in and hold the ‘Clean’ button for 3 seconds to initiate the cleaning process.

Step 6: Water will start circulating and the ‘Cleaning’ indicator will light up on the left-hand side of the unit to confirm that the cleaning process has started. While the cleaning cycle is running, dip the cleaning cloth into the solution and use it to clean the inside of the Opal, the drip tray, and the ice bin. Use cotton swabs for hard-to-reach areas.

Step 7: After three minutes the water will stop circulating and the ‘Cleaning’ indicator light will turn off. When the clean cycle is complete, soak the sponge in the solution and place it flat on the ice chute. This will help dissolve any mineral build-up.

Step 8: Put the ice bin back in and wait for 18 hours.

Step 9: After 18 hours, take the bin and the sponge out, and wipe the inside of the ice maker and the chute clean with a wet cloth.

Step 10: Run a total of three rinse cycles (Steps 3-8) using fresh water every time.

Your Opal Ice Maker is now perfectly clean and ready to make delicious nugget ice. All the steps described above you can see in this video:

Opal 2.0 cleaning and sanitizing with bleach

Here is a list of steps to clean the inside of your Opal Ice Maker with a bleach solution:

Step 1: Unplug the appliance.

Step 2: Remove the ice bin. Remove the water filter (if there is one) and replace it with the reservoir's screened intake cap.

Step 3: Drain the ice maker. Unhook the top of the drain hoses at the back of the unit and lay them down to drain into a sink or bucket that is below the level of the ice maker. Remove the plugs and allow the water to completely drain. Once the water stops flowing, re-insert the drain plugs.

Step 4: Create a solution of five cups of water and one teaspoon of household bleach.

Step 5: Pour the solution into the water reservoir, up to the fill line shown.

Step 6: Plug the Opal in and hold the ‘Clean’ button for 3 seconds to initiate the cleaning process.

Step 7: Water will begin circulating and the ‘Cleaning’ indicator will light up on the left-hand side of the unit to confirm the unit is now in the cleaning process. After three minutes the water will stop and the ‘Cleaning’ indicator light will turn off.

Step 8: Drain the Opal again, just like in Step 3.

Step 9: Add five cups of fresh water to the water reservoir, and press the ‘Clean’ button to initiate a second cleaning cycle to rinse the machine. To exit the cleaning cycle at any time, press and hold the ‘Clean’ button for 3 seconds.

Step 10: Repeat the draining and the rinsing (Steps 8 and 9) adding fresh water to the reservoir each time. You can repeat the rinse cycle as many times as you feel necessary.

When complete fill the unit with fresh water and press the ‘Power’ button to start making ice.

The process described here is applicable if there are no mineral deposits in your machine. In case there are mineral deposits, you should do the descaling procedure first.

Cleaning the side tank

Step 1: Remove and drain the side tank. If there is residual water in the side tank base unit, flip the side tank's base to drain.

Step 2: Hand wash the Opal side tank with mild dish soap and warm water. Never use a dishwasher to wash any of the Opal Ice Maker's parts.

Step 3: Remove and wash the side tank's cap and valve with warm, soapy water.

Step 4: Disconnect the drain tubes from the Opal and side tank near a sink or bucket to drain water from either unit. The base can be washed by disconnecting the hose and adding a small amount of soapy water to it.

Step 5: Make sure to rinse all components thoroughly before replacing the side tank and re-connecting the drain tubes.

Descaling with vinegar

If you are using only distilled water in your Opal Ice Maker, you will most likely not need to remove mineral deposits. However, most people use potable (ready to drink) water, so descaling the ice maker might be needed. Here is how to descale the appliance, step-by-step:

Step 1: Fill the reservoir with the mixture of water and pure white vinegar (1 part vinegar, 10 parts water) to the max fill line and run up to three cleaning cycles.

Step 2: Leave the vinegar/water mix in the unit for 18 hours and set a vinegar-soaked towel on the ice chute overnight to further dissolve any mineral build-up.

Step 3: Clean the sensors with vinegar and wipe them clean with water. After draining the ice maker, run three rinse cycles using fresh water for each rinse.

You may need to repeat this process for stubborn mineral deposits.

Opal Ice Maker Cleaning FAQ

Should you clean a brand new Opal Ice Maker?

Yes, you should clean your brand new Opal Ice Maker before using it for the first time. The cleaning process will remove any manufacturing residue from the unit and prepare it for use.

How to get rid of black mold on an ice maker?

Use a solution of vinegar and water (one cup of vinegar per gallon of water) to clean the ice maker. You can also use a bleach solution (5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water). Be sure to rinse the ice maker thoroughly after using either solution.

Can I use CLR or other similar products to clean my Opal Ice Maker?

No. CLR and similar products are not recommended for use on the Opal Ice Maker. These products can damage the ice maker's components.

How often to clean the Opal Ice Maker?

The Opal Ice Maker should be cleaned every three to six months, or more often if needed. If you have hard water, you may need to clean the machine more often.

Can I put my Opal Ice Maker in the dishwasher?

No. The Opal Ice Maker's parts are not dishwasher safe and should never be washed in a dishwasher. Doing so could damage the ice maker.

How often to clean the water filter?

It's always recommended that you replace the filter with a new one once you take it off, but you can clean your filter a few times before it eventually needs replacement. Cleaning is easy, just rinse them with water.

How often to change the filter on Opal Ice Maker?

The Opal Nugget Ice Maker does not come with a water filter, but there is one available as an accessory. In order to have fresh-tasting ice every time, you should look to replace the water filter accessory every three months.

When to drain the Opal Ice Maker?

We recommend draining your Opal when:

• You put it away or anytime it’s being relocated
• You turn it off for more than a few days
• You are not using much ice. Continuous recirculation of meltwater may affect the taste.

How often to clean the sensors?

The sensors should be cleaned whenever you descale the Opal. You can clean them with vinegar and wipe them clean with water.

What is the difference between cleaning and descaling?

Cleaning is the process of removing dirt, grime, or other foreign substances from the surface of an object. Descaling, on the other hand, is the removal of hard water deposits such as calcium and lime from metal surfaces. In terms of the Opal Ice Maker, cleaning refers to the process of removing any build-up on the surface of the machine, while descaling is the removal of mineral deposits that have accumulated inside the ice maker.

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