Opal Ice Maker - Cleaning and Descaling (Dispenser Model)

To keep your nugget ice tasting fresh and your ice maker performing properly, descaling and sanitizing are highly recommended. Our recommendations for the frequency of cleaning are listed below. If using tap water, the cleaning schedule may need to be adjusted based on the hardness of your water. Harder water may require more frequent descaling or switching to using distilled water.

Cleaning and Descaling Frequency

• Sanitizing should be performed prior to the first use and then once per week.
• Descaling should be performed every 2-3 weeks, depending on the hardness of water used (see chart and map below) and your frequency of making ice.

Water Hardness Grains per Gallon (gpg)	Recommended Descaling Frequency
0-4	Every 2-4 Months
4-7	Every 1-2 Months
7-10	Every 3-4 Weeks
>10	Every 2-3 Weeks

Cleaning instructions vary depending on which model you own. If your Opal ice maker does not have a dispenser, please refer to the instructions for the model you have:

• Opal Ice Maker - Cleaning Your Opal (Models with a Round Button on the Front)
• Opal Ice Maker - Cleaning Your Opal (Models with no Round Button on the Front)

Cleaning the Exterior:

1. Unplug the ice maker.
2. Use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water to gently clean the exterior surfaces.
3. Dry with a soft cloth.
4. Plug the ice maker back in.

Cleaning the Drip Tray:

1. Remove the tray from the Opal.
2. Use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water. Do not use solvents or chemicals.
3. Dry with a soft cloth.

To prevent mineral deposits, the drip tray should be wiped dry after each use. Water left in the drip tray can cause a build-up of mineral deposits.

System Descaling / Sanitizing:

1. Dispense your Opal of any existing ice before starting the cleaning process, and then unplug your Opal.
2. Remove the water filter (if present) and replace it with the reservoir's screened intake cap. If a filter is not present, first remove the screen intake filter and rinse it with water to clean out any debris that may have accumulated over time during the ice-making process.
3. Drain the Opal (refer to steps 9-11 below).
4. If descaling, fill the water reservoir with white vinegar or the Opal Cleaning Kit solution, up to the Max Fill line. In order to sanitize, create a solution by filling the water to the Max Fill line and then adding one teaspoon of household bleach. Do not use soap to clean the water reservoir.
5. Pour the water and bleach solution into the water reservoir up to the fill line shown in the Owner's Manual.
6. Plug in the Opal and hold the 'Clean' button for 3 seconds. This starts the cleaning process.
7. Water will start circulating. The 'Cleaning' indicator will light up on the left-hand side of the Opal to let you know it is now in the cleaning process. After 3 minutes, the water will stop, the "Cleaning" indicator light will turn off, and the line above 'Clean' will begin to pulse. If the dispenser is not interacted with for 5 minutes, pulsing stops and the dispenser exits the cleaning mode and enters an Idle state.
8. If descaling, run the clean cycle up to 3 times and then let the ice maker sit for 18 hours and soak before draining. If sanitizing, once the 'Cleaning' indicator turns off, promptly drain the Opal.
9. Unhook the top of the drain hoses at the back of the unit. Press the red rectangular button on the end of the hose and pull down to release the hoses from the hooks.
10. The reservoir drains by gravity. Lay the hoses down to drain the water into a sink or bucket that is below the level of the ice maker.
11. Once the water stops flowing, re-insert the drain plugs.
12. To rinse, add fresh water to the reservoir and press the 'Clean' button to initiate a second cleaning cycle. Drain the ice maker completely.
13. Repeat step 12 two more times, adding fresh water to the reservoir each time (you may continue to repeat the rinse cycle as many times as you like).
14. Put the drain hoses back in place behind the Opal.
15. When complete, fill the ice maker with fresh water and press the "Power" button to start making ice.

To exit the cleaning cycle at any time, press and hold the 'Clean' button for 3 seconds.

Cleaning the Opal Side Tank:

1. Hand wash only. DO NOT wash the Side Tank in the dishwasher.
   • Rinse and hand wash the Side Tank with warm water and a mild dish soap.
2. Remove the Opal Side Tank's cap and wash the cap and rubber valve with water and a mild dish soap.
3. The Side Tank base can be washed by disconnecting the hose and adding a small amount of soapy water to it.
4. Scrub as needed and rinse thoroughly. Rinse the cap, rubber valve, tank and the base well to remove any residual soap.

Removing Mineral Deposits in the Opal Side Tank:

1. Mix two quarts of water with two quarts of white vinegar or use the Opal Cleaning Kit.
2. Clean any visible mineral buildup or deposits with this solution.
3. If deposits are present in the tank, fill the tank with this solution and let it soak.
4. Drain and rinse the tank thoroughly after cleaning.
   • Stubborn deposits may require more than one treatment.

Check out the Cleaning and Descaling video below: