# Ice-O-Matic Ice Machines: Install, Clean and Maintain > How to install, start up, clean and maintain Ice-O-Matic CIM, ICE, GEM and MFI ice machines, using the figures in the maker's own manuals. How-to by Norpex. Published 2026-10-15, updated 2026-10-15. Canonical: https://norpex.ca/guides/ice-o-matic-ice-machines-guide ![Modular cube ice machine](https://norpex.ca/m/c8/50/c850785a2e6d94a6d28935db1ff0afeace1bb6e8c5e8be58c73b70443a06cad8.jpg) Pictured: [Ice-O-Matic – Cube Ice Machine – 316 lb – CIM0436AGA](https://norpex.ca/product/ice-o-matic-cube-ice-machine-316-lb-cim0436aga) This guide covers choosing, installing, operating, cleaning and maintaining Ice-O-Matic ice machines, using the temperatures, clearances, intervals and procedures stated in Ice-O-Matic's installation and service manuals. ## Key takeaways - Ice-O-Matic's manuals set de-scaling at a minimum of twice per year and sanitizing after each de-scaling, with nickel-safe chemicals only. - Standard exhaust air-cooled CIM machines need 6 inches of clearance at the rear, left, top and right. - Installation, electrical and plumbing connections must be done by a qualified, licensed installer to local code. - The Elevation Series Food Zone allows easy wipe-downs between service calls and its parts are dishwasher safe. - Repairs belong with the manufacturer's authorized service network, not with in-house staff. ## The Ice-O-Matic lines at Norpex Norpex lists Ice-O-Matic equipment across several lines. The Elevation Series CIM cubers are modular cube machines in 22, 30 and 48 inch cabinet widths, making half, full or grande cubes in air, water and remote cooled versions. Our list includes the CIM0320HA, a 22 inch air cooled half cube machine rated at 316 pounds, and the CIM0530HA, a 30 inch air cooled half cube machine rated at 561 pounds. The ICE series cubers run from ICE0250 through ICE2100 and include the ICEU150, ICEU220 and ICEU300 undercounter models, per the ICE Series manual. For other ice forms, the GEM machines make pearl ice and the MFI machines make flake ice, as the GEM, HEM and MFI installation manual's nomenclature states. Storage comes from the B series bins, from the B40 at 344 pounds up to the B1600-60 at 1,660 pounds, and the CD series dispensers include the CD40022 at 120 pounds and the CD40030 and CD40130 at 180 pounds, all listed at 115/60/1. ## Choosing the right machine Ice-O-Matic's Cool School: Intro To Machine Selection is the maker's own session on choosing the best machine for your application, led by instructor Art Wilson. Cool School was created by the ice experts at Ice-O-Matic to share knowledge of all things ice, from operations to customer service. The model number carries most of the detail. The CIM 60Hz installation manual explains that the capacity digits give nominal production in pounds per 24 hours times 100, rated at 70°F air and 50°F water; the width digit gives 22, 30 or 48 inches; H, F and G mark half, full and grande cubes; A, W and R mark air, water and remote cooling; and the final two digits give the refrigerant, 90 for R-290 and 49 for R449A. The CIM service manual sizes the cubes at 3/8 x 7/8 x 7/8 inches for half, 7/8 x 7/8 x 7/8 for full and 1 1/4 x 1 1/8 x 7/8 for grande. ## Installation requirements Installation, electrical and plumbing connections must be made by a qualified, licensed installer to local code. The CIM 60Hz installation manual rates the machines for ambient air of 50 to 100°F, supply water of 40 to 100°F, supply pressure of 20 to 145 psi and a maximum altitude of 14,000 feet, with remote condensers rated for -20 to 120°F. The ICE Series manual gives 20 to 60 psi water pressure and requires a regulator above 60 psi, and the GEM, HEM and MFI manual allows 20 to 80 psi. These machines are for indoor commercial use; the service manual states Ice-O-Matic icemakers are not approved for outdoor installation. CIM clearance options from the installation manual are: standard exhaust, 6 inches at rear, left, top and right; top exhaust bias, 6 inches rear and left, 3 inches top, 6 inches right; and side exhaust bias, 6 inches rear, left and top with 0 inches right. Systems with more than 150 grams of A3 refrigerant need 3 feet at rear, left and right and 19 inches on top. The ICE manual requires 6 inches at rear, top and sides for modular air cooled machines and 2 inches at the rear for self-contained units; the GEM, HEM and MFI manual asks 6 inches at rear, top and sides. - Water: potable supply only, through a filtration system, with 3/8 inch minimum outer diameter tubing on CIM and GEM/MFI machines and 1/4 inch minimum on air cooled ICE models; leave two coils of extra tubing so the machine can be pulled out for service. Our model list shows the IFQ1 filter system on CIM03 machines and IFQ1-XL on CIM05 machines. - Drain: 3/4 inch minimum outer diameter, vented, routed to a floor drain; the ICE manual sets the purge drain at 5/8 inch minimum. Flexible tubing and condensate pumps are not recommended, and cold drains should be insulated. - Electrical: a dedicated circuit, with voltage and breaker size from the serial nameplate. CIM machines have no cord set and are permanently connected, and GFCI receptacles shall not be used; if code requires GFCI protection it must be a breaker at the panel. The 115 volt ICE undercounter models do come with a cord. - Bin: lift with two or more people, set front and sides flush, secure with the two bin straps, and level within 1/8 inch in all directions. ## Start-up and normal operation CIM start-up, per the installation manual: confirm water is on and the drain is routed, turn on power so the indicator light is steady red, then quickly press and release the ON/OFF button; the light turns steady blue and ice production begins. In the freeze cycle the sump fills to the high float, the hot gas valve opens for five seconds while the compressor and fan start, the plate pre-chills, and the pump runs water over it, pausing twenty seconds at the factory set-point to prevent slushing. When the low float closes, the unit harvests: the hot gas, purge and inlet valves open and the harvest assist motor pushes the slab off the plate. If the curtain switch stays open past the preset time, the machine treats the bin as full and stops. Press the ON/OFF button quickly to shut down after the current cycle, hold it three seconds to harvest then stop, or six seconds to stop at once. GEM and MFI start-up, per their manual, begins with an inspection for shipping material, loose screws or wires and free-turning fan blades, then water on and the master switch on, with a fifteen second delay before the gear motor starts on remote models; at shutdown the auger clears the evaporator for one minute. The ICE Series manual has its own start-up procedure for those cubers. ## Cleaning, de-scaling and sanitizing The Elevation Series Food Zone, introduced in Ice-O-Matic Elevation Series Introduction to the Food Zone, is built to keep the machine cleaner longer, allow easy wipe-downs between service calls, and its parts are dishwasher safe. Cleaning still has two parts per the manuals: de-scaling, at a minimum of twice per year and never more than once per month, and sanitizing, after each de-scaling and never more than once per month. Ice-O-Matic requires a nickel-safe cleaner such as Nu-Calgon Nickel-Safe Ice Machine Cleaner, citric acid 5 to 10 percent at dilution, and a nickel-safe sanitizer such as Nu-Calgon IMS-III. Wear gloves, protective clothing and eye protection, do not mix the two solutions, and keep electrical power on to finish the cleaning cycle. Never use solutions containing nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric, carbolic or acetic acid, diluted acetic acid, non-food-grade vinegar, bleach, chlorine dioxide, potassium chloride or sodium chloride; check the label or the safety data sheets. On a CIM, remove all bin ice, hold ON/OFF three seconds to force a harvest, and when the light is steady red quickly press the clean button; with the lights solid red and flashing yellow, pour descaler into the sump once water flows over the plate. The wash runs 15 minutes, then the machine purges, refills and rinses for one minute, twice; when the lights show steady red and steady yellow, press clean to return to OFF and complete the wipe-down steps in the manual. GEM and MFI machines follow their manual: front panel off, machine off at the selector switch, all ice out of the bin, reservoir cover off with the float blocked up, the reservoir and freezer assembly drained through the drain tube, then diluted cleaner added to the reservoir. The videos Ice-O-Matic Elevation Series De-Scaling and Sanitizing and Cleaning and Maintenance of Ice-O-Matic Machines cover the maker's cleaning and maintenance routines. ## Preventive maintenance an operator can do The CIM installation manual lists maintenance to perform every six months: clean the food zone, more often if local water conditions require; check and adjust the ice bridge thickness; clean the condenser and its filter; check for leaks of any kind; check electrical connections; replace the water filter if dirty or restricted; and inspect the evaporator water distribution tube for even water flow. The GEM, HEM and MFI manual lists the same core items for those machines. Bridge thickness is 3/16 inch on CIM03 machines and 1/8 inch on all others, measured across the middle of the slab on the second batch; the service manual words it as 3/16 inch below 400 pounds and 1/8 inch at 400 pounds and above. Adjust the float housing inside the sump, clockwise to decrease and counter-clockwise to increase, one or two clicks at a time. Half-cube batch weights run 2.9 to 3.15 pounds on CIM03, 4.9 to 5.15 on CIM04, 05 and 06, 6.9 to 7.4 on CIM08 and 11, and 13.8 to 14.8 on CIM14 and 20. On GEM dispenser applications, the manual sets agitation at 2 seconds on every 3 hours for Ice-O-Matic and Cornelius dispensers and 4 seconds on every 150 minutes for Lancer, with the restrictor plate adjusted to 1.5 inch open. ## Troubleshooting and service The indicator lights carry most of the operator diagnosis: steady red is off, steady blue is running, flashing blue marks a shutdown or harvest in progress, and flashing yellow marks the cleaning cycle. The CIM service manual maps the control board LEDs and a diagnostic mode for each component, and reports errors such as Error 7 when the high float switch does not close as expected during freeze. Install a water pressure regulator if supply pressure exceeds the limit your manual gives; the ICE manual requires one above 60 psi. Disconnect the electrical supply and shut off the water before working inside the machine. Check the refrigerant from the last two digits of the model number, 90 for R-290 and 49 for R449A; the service manual notes R-290 is propane, highly flammable, has no added odorant and is heavier than air. The manuals require all service work to be performed by authorized service personnel, and the CIM service manual points to the manufacturer's Find a Service Technician page, so route repairs through the manufacturer's authorized service network. Ask Norpex about any model before ordering. ## Videos from the maker - [Ice-O-Matic's Cool School: Intro To Machine Selection](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcBAaqO8EMI) (Ice-O-Matic) - [Ice-O-Matic Elevation Series Introduction to the Food Zone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6jpc5HJktg) (Ice-O-Matic) - [Ice-O-Matic Elevation Series De-Scaling and Sanitizing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzSABeZ3a_w) (Ice-O-Matic) - [Cleaning and Maintenance of Ice-O-Matic Machines](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InTq8eMijEo) (Ice-O-Matic) ## Common questions ### How often should an Ice-O-Matic ice machine be de-scaled and sanitized? The manuals set de-scaling at a minimum of twice per year and no more than once per month, with sanitizing after each de-scaling and no more than once per month. Local water conditions may call for more frequent cleaning. ### What cleaning chemicals does Ice-O-Matic require? A nickel-safe cleaner such as Nu-Calgon Nickel-Safe Ice Machine Cleaner and a nickel-safe sanitizer such as Nu-Calgon IMS-III, each diluted per their instructions. Never use bleach, chlorine dioxide, vinegar or the acids and salts the manuals list. ### How much clearance does an air-cooled CIM machine need? Six inches at the rear, left, top and right under standard exhaust. The top exhaust bias option allows 3 inches on top, and the side exhaust bias option allows 0 inches on the right. ### Can I run an Ice-O-Matic machine on reverse osmosis water? Only with the water verified. The CIM manual says RO water is acidic and asks you to confirm a neutral pH of 7.0, and the GEM, HEM and MFI manual requires conductivity of no less than 35 microSiemens. ### Who should install and repair an Ice-O-Matic machine? A qualified, licensed installer to local code handles installation, electrical and plumbing work. Repairs go through the manufacturer's authorized service network. ## Related guides - [Commercial Ice Machine Buying Guide: Cube Types, Cooling and Sizing](https://norpex.ca/guides/ice-machine-buying-guide) - [How to Clean and Sanitize a Commercial Ice Machine](https://norpex.ca/guides/how-to-clean-a-commercial-ice-machine) ## Shop the catalogue - [Ice Machines](https://norpex.ca/products/ice-machines-ice-and-ice-cream) - [Ice Machine Bins](https://norpex.ca/products/ice-machine-bins)