how do i actually clean this thing? the manual just says 'clean regularly' but i see mold in the corners.

Diagnosis

The mold you are seeing, likely a combination of black mold and the pink-hued Serratia marcescens, occurs because the Aglucky HZB-12B has several "dead zones" where water stagnates. Specifically, the corners of the removable water reservoir and the area where the water pump intake meets the base of the unit are prone to biofilm buildup. Because this machine uses a small internal pump to move water over the evaporator pins, any organic particles or mineral deposits create a sticky surface for spores to cling to. Confirmation of this issue is usually evident by a slimy texture on the plastic walls of the tank or a faint "musty" smell in the ice cubes. If you see pink streaks in the corners, it is a bacterial colony feeding on the fatty acids in the water; if it is black, it is fungal growth. This is exacerbated if the machine is left sitting with water in the tank for more than 48 hours without operation, as the lack of circulation allows the biofilm to harden into the plastic seams.

How to Fix It

To fully sanitize the HZB-12B, you must perform a deep mechanical scrub followed by a chemical flush. Do not use bleach, as it can degrade the internal silicone seals and leave a chemical taste in the ice.

1. Tank Deep Clean: Remove the water reservoir. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water to create a thick, gritty paste. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, scrub every corner and seam of the tank, focusing specifically on the bottom edges where the plastic molds meet. Rinse with warm water and dry completely.
2. Internal Descaling: Mix a solution of 1 part distilled white vinegar and 3 parts warm water. Fill the reservoir to the "MAX" line with this mixture.
3. The Cycle Run: Plug in the unit and press the "ON/OFF" button. Allow the machine to complete two full ice-making cycles. The vinegar will break down the calcium carbonate scale that protects mold colonies on the evaporator pins.
4. The Purge: Discard all vinegar-infused ice. Fill the tank with fresh, filtered water and run three consecutive cycles. Discard all ice from these cycles to ensure no acetic acid residue remains.
5. Exterior Venting: Use a vacuum or a can of compressed air to clear the dust from the side vents. If the vents are clogged, the compressor runs hotter, increasing the internal temperature and encouraging mold growth inside the chassis.

If That Didn't Work

• Citric Acid Shock: If vinegar isn't removing the stains, use food-grade citric acid powder. Mix 2 tablespoons of citric acid into 1 liter of warm water. This is significantly more aggressive than vinegar for breaking down mineral-bonded biofilm. Run this through two full cycles and flush three times with fresh water.
• Hydrogen Peroxide Spot Treatment: For stubborn black mold in the tank corners that won't budge, use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution on a cotton swab. Apply directly to the mold, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush and rinse thoroughly.
• Pump Intake Cleaning: Use a thin pipe cleaner or a flexible bottle brush to gently reach into the water intake hole at the bottom of the unit (where the tank sits). Often, a "plug" of slime forms here, preventing the cleaning solution from circulating effectively.
• Replacement Reservoir: If the plastic has become pitted or "etched" and the mold keeps returning to the same spots, the plastic surface is compromised. At this point, the only permanent fix is to replace the water tank assembly to remove the porous areas where spores hide.

Heads Up

• Filter Your Water: Always use filtered water rather than tap. Tap water contains minerals and chlorine that can either promote scale buildup or degrade the internal gaskets over time.
• The 48-Hour Rule: Never leave water sitting in the HZB-12B for more than two days. If you aren't making ice, empty the tank and leave the lid open to air dry.
• Avoid Abrasives: Never use steel wool or scouring pads on the internal evaporator pins (the metal spikes). Scratching the coating will cause the pins to rust, which will contaminate your ice and potentially break the machine.
• Weekly Rinse: Perform a "quick rinse" every Sunday. Empty the tank, wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth, and refill with fresh water to prevent the biofilm from hardening.