Nickel-Safe Ice Machine Cleaner is a specially formulated
citric/phosphoric product for removing scale deposits from
ice makers having nickel-plated or tin-plated evaporators.
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 5 fluid ounces with one gallon of system water. 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. Once the machine is scaled up, it must be
cleaned, requiring the use of an acid so that the scale can be
dissolved. The acid must be effective in order to dissolve the
scale but it must also be food and equipment-safe.