Cleaning and Descaling
Cleaning your Opal ice maker frequently will keep the nugget ice tasting fresh and the machine looking great. We recommend cleaning your Opal once a week.
Cleaning the Exterior
- Unplug the ice maker.
- Use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water to gently clean the exterior surfaces.
- Dry with a soft cloth.
- Plug the ice maker back in.
Stainless surfaces: The exterior stainless steel surfaces can also be cleaned with a stainless steel cleaner. However, be sure to only use a liquid cleaner free of grit. Clean 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.
Cleaning the Rear Filter (GE Profile™ Opal 2.0 Ultra Models Only)
- Remove the filter attached to the back panel of the unit by pulling it out gently by the filter handle.
- Clean the filter with warm, soapy water. Do not place the filter in the dishwasher.
- Rinse and let the filter dry before putting it back in place. Do not use your Opal the without the filter.
The air filter behind the unit should be checked and cleaned at least every 2 months.
Cleaning the Ice Bin
- Remove the ice bin from the ice maker.
- Clean with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water. Do not use solvents or chemicals.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry with a soft cloth.
Cleaning the Drip Tray
- Remove the tray from the Opal.
- Use a soft cloth dampened with hot (100-120°F) soapy water. Do not use solvents or chemicals.
- 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.
Cleaning/Sanitizing the Water Reservoir
Recommended weekly
The Opal only requires the use of potable (safe to drink) water. Some owners may choose to use only distilled water in their Opal. If using only distilled water, we recommend cleaning monthly.
- Unplug your Opal.
- Remove the water filter (if present) and replace it with the reservoir’s screened intake cap.
- Drain the Opal.
- Create a solution of five cups of hot water (100-120°F) and one teaspoon of household bleach. Do not use soap to clean the water reservoir.
- Pour the water and bleach solution into the water reservoir up to the fill line.
- Plug in the Opal and hold the “Clean” button for 3 seconds. This starts the cleaning process.
- Water will start circulating. The “Cleaning” indicator will light up on the left-hand side of the unit to let you know it is now in the cleaning process.
- After 3 minutes the water will stop and the “Cleaning” indicator light will turn off.
- Unhook the top of the drain hoses at the back of the unit. Pull them to the left to unhook.
- 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.
- Remove the plugs in the end of the hoses and allow the water to completely drain. Be careful not to lose the plugs.
- Once the water stops flowing, re-insert the drain plugs.
- Rinse the water reservoir by adding five cups of fresh water to the reservoir. Press the “Clean” button to initiate a second cleaning cycle.
- Repeat the draining and rinsing instructions at least two more times, adding fresh water to the reservoir each time. If you want to repeat the rinse cycle additional times, you may continue as many times as needed.
- Put the drain hoses back in place behind the unit.
- Fill the unit with fresh water and press the “Power” button to start making ice.
Note: To exit the cleaning cycle at any time, press and hold the ‘Clean’ button for 3 seconds.
Removal of Mineral Deposits (Descaling)
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 |
The Opal only requires the use of potable (safe to drink) water. Some owners may choose to use only distilled water in their Opal. If using only distilled water, you will most likely not need to remove mineral deposits.
Descaling Steps
- Fill the reservoir with hot (100-120°F) white vinegar to the max fill line and run up to three cleaning cycles.
- Leave the vinegar in the unit for 18 hours and set a vinegar-soaked towel on the ice chute overnight to further dissolve any mineral build-up.
- Clean the sensors with vinegar and wipe clean with water. After draining the vinegar, run three rinse cycles, using fresh water for each rinse.