Hoshizaki Model DCM-270BAH

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When was the last time the machine was cleaned?  That noise might be because limescale has formed on the ice-making parts.

 

Although Hoshizaki calls that model a “cubelet” machine, it appears to actually be a nugget machine.

 

A nugget machine has a cylinder-shaped evaporator and with a motor-driven auger turning inside of it.  As water freezes to the inner walls of the evaporator, the screw-shaped auger slowly turns inside of the evaporator, which constantly scrapes that thin layer of ice away from the evaporator walls to ultimately form nuggets.

 

The machined tolerances between the auger and the evaporator are very close.

 

Over the long haul and by virtue of poor water quality, limescale will build up on those closely machined parts, thereby “bridging the gap” – so to speak, between the auger and the evaporator.  The limescale acts like particles off of sandpaper and will score the evaporator’s inner wall.  That’s not good and can be a very expensive repair.

 

The only way to remove the scale before damage occurs is through regular cleaning.  Limescale is removed by using an acid.  Hoshizaki markets their own solution of that which is called “Scale Away.” It’s specifically made for use in that machine.

 

The cleaning instructions are in their instruction manual received with the machine.  Here’s a copy:

 

http://www.hoshizaki.com/docs/manuals/DCM-270BAH%28-OS%29_inst.pdf

 

After descaling the machine, you will need to sanitize it.

 

Hoshizaki recommends that the machine be descaled and sanitized at least once every six months.