How to Clean and Descale Your Scotsman Ice Machine with Clear 1

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If your Scotsman ice machine is making cloudy cubes, running slow, or just not producing like it used to, the culprit is almost always the same thing: scale. Minerals in your water build up on the machine's internals over time, and left alone they choke performance and shorten the life of the unit. The fix is a regular descaling with Scotsman Clear 1 scale remover. Here's how to do it right.

Scotsman Clear 1 Scale Remover part 19-0664-01

First: which Clear 1 do you need?

Scotsman Clear 1 comes in two forms, and picking the right one is simple:

👉 19-0664-01 — pre-mixed, ready to use. No measuring, no dilution. Pour and go. The easiest option for most home and light-commercial users.
👉 19-0653-01 — 16 oz liquid concentrate. You dilute it with water per the label. More cleanings per bottle, so it's the economical pick if you descale often.

Both are the genuine Scotsman formula designed to dissolve lime scale safely inside your ice machine — which matters, because this is the equipment that makes the ice you put in your drink.

How often should you descale?

Scotsman recommends cleaning and descaling your ice machine about every six months. If you're on hard water, run the machine heavily, or have pets in the space, lean toward more often. A machine that's descaled on schedule makes clearer, better-tasting ice and simply lasts longer.

Signs it's time

Cloudy, soft, or oddly shaped ice
Slower ice production or smaller batches
Visible white, chalky scale buildup on components
Ice that tastes off
It's been six months (or you can't remember the last time)

Before you start: the safety rules that matter

Descaling is straightforward, but a few rules are non-negotiable:

Wear nitrile gloves, and work in a ventilated space.
Never mix scale remover and sanitizer together. They are two separate steps done one after the other — combining them can create hazardous fumes.
If you're using the 19-0653-01 concentrate, dilute it exactly per the label.
Discard any ice made during the cleaning process — don't use it.
The exact buttons and clean-cycle steps vary by Scotsman model, so keep your unit's manual handy and follow its specific instructions.

How to descale your Scotsman ice machine (general process)

Your model's manual has the exact sequence, but nearly every Scotsman descaling follows these steps:

Turn the machine off and remove all the ice from the bin so nothing you'll throw away later is mixed in with good ice.
Enter the clean/wash cycle (many models have a dedicated clean button or switch — check your manual).
Add the Clear 1 scale remover — pre-mixed 19-0664-01 straight, or diluted 19-0653-01 — into the reservoir or water trough as directed.
Let the solution circulate through the water system for the full time your manual specifies so it can dissolve the scale.
Flush and rinse thoroughly with fresh water, running rinse cycles until all cleaner is cleared out.
Sanitize as a separate step (with a Scotsman sanitizer or a diluted bleach solution per your manual) — again, never at the same time as the scale remover.
Run a full ice cycle and throw away that first batch. After that, you're back to clean, clear ice.

Scotsman 19-0653-01 Clear1 liquid scale remover concentrate

Descaling vs. sanitizing: they're not the same

This trips a lot of people up. Descaling (with Clear 1) removes mineral scale. Sanitizing kills slime, mold, and bacteria. A complete clean does both — scale remover first, rinse, then sanitizer — but they are always separate steps, never mixed together.

Pro tips

👉 Buy the pre-mixed 19-0664-01 if you value convenience; buy the 19-0653-01 concentrate if you descale often and want more cleanings per dollar.
Keep a spare bottle on hand so a six-month reminder never turns into a nine-month delay.
Stick with the genuine Scotsman formula — it's designed for these machines and the ice they make.

Frequently asked questions

What is Scotsman Clear 1?

Clear 1 is Scotsman's genuine scale remover (descaler) for their ice machines. It dissolves the lime and mineral scale that builds up inside the machine over time. It comes pre-mixed (19-0664-01) or as a concentrate (19-0653-01).

What's the difference between 19-0664-01 and 19-0653-01?

The 19-0664-01 is pre-mixed and ready to pour. The 19-0653-01 is a concentrate you dilute with water per the label — it yields more cleanings per bottle. Both are the same genuine Scotsman formula.

How often should I descale my Scotsman ice machine?

About every six months, and more often if you have hard water or heavy usage.

Can I use vinegar instead of Clear 1?

It's not recommended. Clear 1 is formulated for the scale and materials inside Scotsman machines and is what Scotsman specifies. Household substitutes can be inconsistent and may not be safe for all components.