How to Clean a Frigidaire Nugget Ice Maker

Frigidaire's countertop nugget ice makers, including the EFIC235, EFIC237, and similar EFIC-series units, are some of the most common chewable-ice machines on the market — and also some of the simplest. Unlike app-connected machines like the GE Profile Opal, Frigidaire nugget ice makers have no companion app and no remote diagnostics. Everything happens on the unit itself, using a physical button and, on some models, a manual process rather than a fully automated one. That makes cleaning a Frigidaire a bit more hands-on, but it's still a straightforward job once you know where the controls and drain are.

Frigidaire's clean button and drain plug

Many Frigidaire nugget ice makers have a dedicated Clean button on the control panel, usually marked with a droplet or "Clean" icon. On models that have it, pressing and holding the button for a few seconds (check your manual for the exact hold time, since it varies by model) starts a cleaning cycle that circulates whatever solution is in the reservoir through the system.

Not every Frigidaire nugget unit has this automated cycle, though. Some of the simpler EFIC models skip a dedicated clean mode entirely. On those, you clean manually: add descaling solution to the reservoir and run it through a normal make-ice cycle instead of a separate cleaning program. Check your specific model's manual to confirm which category yours falls into before you start — it changes how you run the middle steps below.

Every Frigidaire nugget ice maker has a removable bottom drain plug, typically on the underside or lower back of the unit. This plug is how you empty standing water and used cleaning solution without tipping the whole machine over the sink. Locate it before your first clean so you're not searching for it with a reservoir full of solution.

Step-by-step: cleaning a Frigidaire nugget ice maker

1. Unplug the machine and empty the ice bin. Remove any remaining ice and discard it.
2. Open the bottom drain plug to empty the reservoir. Let any standing water drain fully before you add anything new.
3. Replace the drain plug and mix your descaling solution. Use a cleaner made for ice machines rather than a generic descaler — Frigidaire's plastics and internal components are sensitive to harsh chemicals.

Nugget Ice Machine Cleaner & Descaler

$13.99

4. Run the Clean cycle, or circulate manually. If your Frigidaire has the Clean button, plug the unit back in and press and hold it to start the cycle. If your model doesn't have one, plug it in and run a regular make-ice cycle instead, which pulls the solution through the auger and lines the same way a dedicated cycle would.
5. Drain the solution through the bottom plug. Once the cycle finishes, unplug the unit again, open the drain plug, and let the descaling solution fully empty out.
6. Run 2 to 3 fresh-water rinse cycles. Refill the reservoir with clean water each time and run it through the same cycle you used above, draining through the bottom plug between rounds. Discard all ice made during rinsing.
7. Wipe down and air-dry. Wipe the reservoir, lid, and bin with a clean cloth, then leave the lid open so everything dries completely before you plug the machine back in.

For more on the chemistry behind descaling and why it matters, see our full descaling guide.

Descaling hard-water buildup

Frigidaire nugget ice makers are prone to visible scale around the reservoir waterline and auger housing, especially in hard-water areas. If you're on hard or well water, plan to descale roughly every 1 to 2 weeks rather than stretching it out — scale builds up faster than most owners expect, and it's the most common reason a Frigidaire nugget machine slows down or starts making smaller, softer nuggets than usual. Switching to filtered or distilled water for the reservoir is the single easiest way to stretch time between descales.