Skip to Navigation Skip to Content

Resource Center

Tips, tricks and essentials for restaurant and foodservice equipment in one place.

Grindmaster Frozen Drink Machine Cleaning

Guide
  • #Beverage Equipment
  • #Grindmaster
  • #Preventative Maintenance & Cleaning
Share
Picture - Grindmaster Frozen Drink Machine Cleaning

From theaters and carnivals to bars and cafes, frozen drinks are always a popular choice when the temperature rises. Grindmaster has a lineup of freezers that can whip up a wide selection of tasty concoctions in no time. In order to keep your unit running at full strength, daily maintenance is a must. The following cleaning instructions for Grindmaster frozen drink machines tackle all the steps for proper draining, washing and sanitizing.

The procedures below apply to popular models, including 3311 and 3312 units.

Daily Draining & Rinsing

If there is still product in the machine, drain and rinse it following the instructions below. If it's already empty proceed to the "Daily Cleaning Procedure."

  • Step 1. Switch the machine to "CLEAN" – Turn the switch on the front panel to "CLEAN."
  • Step 2. Open the front dispensing valve – Open the front dispensing valve to drain product. Close the dispensing valve and turn the machine to "OFF." On models with a remote fill control and proportioning pump, turn the water valve on the pump to "OFF." Turn the switch on the remote fill control to "OFF."
  • Step 3. Add water – Remove the carburetor tube and pour water into the storage hopper. Use about 2.5 gallons of cool water to rinse the machine. Make sure the water fills the freezing cylinder.
  • Step 4. Switch the machine back to "CLEAN" – Turn the switch on the front panel to "CLEAN." Let it operate in this mode for five minutes.
  • Step 5. Drain the water from the machine – After five minutes, open the dispensing valve to drain the water. Turn the machine to "OFF."

Daily Cleaning Procedure

  • Step 1. Disassemble assemblies – Follow the owner's manual to remove and disassemble components on the dispensing valve assembly, dasher valve assembly and stationary half of the shaft seal assembly.
  • Step 2. Remove carb tube – Remove the carb tube from the bottom of the hopper. Make sure to take off the O-rings.
  • Step 3. Remove the drip tray – Take off the drip tray and empty product from it.
  • Step 4. Clean all components in a sink – Mix 1 gallon of hot water with a mild dishwashing detergent. Wash the all the removed parts thoroughly, including the freezing cylinder and mix storage hopper.
  • Step 5. Brush the valve body and plunger bore – Use a medium brush to thoroughly clean the bottom of the valve body and interior of the plunger bore. The solution of water and dishwashing detergent will help remove remaining lubricant.
  • Step 6. Clean the exterior – With a soft, cloth towel, clean the exterior of the machine. Never use abrasive cloths, pads and cleaners when cleaning. These can damage and scratch the machine's surfaces.
  • Step 7. Reassemble and install the components – Follow the owner's manual to reassemble and install all components and assemblies you removed from the machine. Wait to install the carb tube and carburetor assembly, following the instructions in the "Daily Sanitizing Procedure" below.

Daily Sanitizing Procedure

  • Step 1. Reassemble the carburetor – Reassemble the two O-rings on the bottom of the carb tube, and place the carburetor assembly in the bottom of the hopper.
  • Step 2. Install the O-rings on the valve plunger and lay plunger assembly – When you install the O-rings, make sure to lay both the valve plunger and lay plunger assembly a clean sheet of paper towel.
  • Step 3. Prepare sanitizing solution – Prepare the solution by mixing about 2.5 ounces of warm water with 1 ounce of OEM Kay-5 Sanitizer.
  • Step 4. Sanitize the dispensing valve bore – Using a medium brush dipped in solution, sanitize the interior bore of the machine's dispensing valve.
  • Step 5. Lubricate the valve plunger assembly – Add a small amount of lubricant to a clean piece of paper towel. Use another clean piece of paper towel to pick up the small end of the assembly. Apply a thin layer of lubricant from the other piece of paper towel.
  • Step 6. Install the valve plunger spring – Slide the valve plunger spring over the small end of the valve plunger. Use a clean piece of paper towel to pick up the valve plunger at the outlet end. Insert the plunger and spring into the valve body. Install the stainless steel handle by pushing up on the valve plunger.
  • Step 7. Insert the retaining pin on the dispensing valve handle – Hold the dispensing valve handle down slightly, aligning the hole in the handle with the valve block. Then, insert the retaining pin into the hole.
  • Step 8. Add sanitizing solution to the mix storage hopper – Pour the solution into the mix storage hopper. Let the solution fill the freezing cylinder, and use a large brush to sanitize all the hopper's surfaces.
  • Step 9. Run the machine on "CLEAN" – Turn the switch on the front panel to "CLEAN." Let it operate in this mode for five minutes.
  • Step 10. Drain the sanitizing solution from the machine – After five minutes, open the dispensing valve to drain the solution. When the solution is removed, turn the machine to "OFF."
  • Step 11. Lubricate the carburetor – Add a small amount of lubricant to a clean piece of paper towel. Use another clean piece of paper towel to pick up the large end of the carburetor from the bottom of the hopper (don't touch with bare hand). Apply a layer of lubricant from the other piece of paper towel on the O-rings at the bottom of the carburetor assembly. Place the lubricated assembly on a clean piece of paper towel when done.
  • Step 12. Add fresh product into the hopper – Follow the manufacturer's instructions for preparing mix. Open the dispensing valve and pour about 10 ounces of product into the hopper. Monitor the product flowing out of the machine to see if remaining sanitizer is chased out. Once the mix has purged the remaining sanitizer, stop dispensing.
  • Step 13. Install the carburetor assembly – Use a clean piece of paper towel to hold the assembly as you insert it into the inlet hole in the hopper.
  • Step 14. Add remaining fresh product to the hopper – Fill the rest of the beverage mix into the hopper and cover the hopper with its lid.
  • Step 15. Turn the machine to "ON" – Turn the switch on the front panel to "ON," and let the machine reach proper consistency.

For additional removal and cleaning procedures, check out our selection of Grindmaster frozen beverage machine manuals.

Please contact a local authorized service agent who can help with this specific unit and all your commercial kitchen equipment needs.

Share