How to Drain a Manitowoc Ice Machine the Simple Way

Manitowoc is well-known for innovating and manufacturing some of the most pioneering ice machines on the market. When you invest in a system by Manitowoc, you can feel confident that it’s likely to remain efficient and reliable for years, maybe even decades with proper maintenance. However, if you want to make sure the risk of mishaps and technical issues remains minimal, you might want to learn how to drain a Manitowoc ice machine.

Fortunately, draining an ice machine is relatively straightforward. However, it’s just one of many upkeep tasks you need to keep on top of, which could be challenging when running a busy business. If you need help with maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, we’re only a phone call away.

At Pacific Ice Services, we’ve been Hawaii’s go-to ice specialists since 1973. We’re essentially a household name with Oahu’s restaurants, hotels, and all other businesses that depend on ice and commercial ice machines to keep things running smoothly. No matter what your needs are, you can count on us to deliver. Below, we explain how to drain a Manitowoc ice machine, but don’t hesitate to contact us if you need a more detailed explanation or in-person assistance.

How to Drain a Manitowoc Ice Machine: 10 Steps

Every Manitowoc machine works slightly differently. However, these steps generally apply:

1. Get Ready to Drain

First, ensure you’re working safely by wearing gloves and glasses. Power off the ice machine, unplug it, or turn off the breaker to avoid any electrical mishaps.

2. Shut Off the Water

Turn off the water supply valve feeding into the machine. This step stops any more water from entering while you’re draining.

3. Remove the Front Panel

Locate and remove the front panel of the ice machine with a screwdriver. This will give you access to the internal components.

4. Open the Drain Valve

Find the water dump valve inside the machine and open it. You might need to turn a manual lever or activate the machine's cleaning mode using the "Clean" button.

5. Let It Drain

Allow the machine to drain completely, keeping an eye on the drain hose or pipe to make sure water is flowing properly.

6. Clean the Inside

Remove and clean the water reservoir or sump with a mild detergent. Check for any buildup on the evaporator plate and other parts and clean them if needed.

7. Reassemble Everything

Close the dump valve if you opened it manually and reattach the front panel securely with screws.

8. Restore Water and Power

Turn the water supply back on and reconnect the power. Your machine is almost ready to go!

9. Run a Cleaning Cycle

For good measure, run a cleaning cycle by pressing the "Clean" button. This will help flush out any leftover debris.

10. Test the Machine

Finally, turn the ice machine back on and run a test cycle to make sure it’s working perfectly and ready to make fresh ice!

How to Drain a Manitowoc Ice Machine the Easiest Way

As we probably don’t need to tell you, small mistakes can make minor problems much worse. So, if you’d rather not mess about with your ice machine’s components, you might want to give our experts a call. At Pacific Ice Services, we’ve been Hawaii’s leading ice specialists for over five decades. Contact us today to learn more about our extensive range of services.