my ice tastes weird, kinda plastic-y or like the water i'm using. how do i fix the taste?

Diagnosis

The "plastic" taste in your Northair HZB-18F is typically caused by one of two things: residual manufacturing chemicals (off-gassing) from the interior plastic molding and silicone tubing, or the absorption of minerals and chlorine from your local tap water. Because this model uses a small, recirculating water reservoir, any impurities in the water are concentrated as the water freezes and thaws, intensifying the taste of chlorine or sulfur. If the unit is new, the taste is likely "new machine syndrome," where the food-grade plastics haven't been fully primed. If the unit is older, the taste is usually due to a biofilm buildup—a thin layer of bacteria and mineral scale—that forms on the evaporator pins and inside the reservoir. You can confirm this by checking for a slimy residue on the walls of the water tank or seeing white, chalky deposits (calcium) on the ice-making spikes.

How to Fix It

To eliminate the taste and sanitize the internal system, follow this deep-cleaning protocol:

1. Empty all existing ice and drain the water reservoir completely. Wipe the interior with a clean, damp microfiber cloth to remove any loose debris.
2. Prepare a descaling solution using a ratio of 1 part distilled white vinegar to 3 parts warm water. Fill the reservoir to the "MAX" line with this mixture.
3. Turn the machine on and allow it to run through two full freeze-and-drop cycles. This ensures the vinegar solution circulates through the internal pump and coats the evaporator pins where the ice actually forms.
4. Once the two cycles are complete, discard the "vinegar ice" and drain the reservoir.
5. Fill the reservoir with a mixture of warm water and a few drops of mild, unscented dish soap. Run one more cycle to remove any remaining vinegar scent.
6. Perform a final rinse by filling the unit with filtered water and running two more cycles. Discard this ice before using the machine for consumption.
7. Moving forward, only use filtered water (via a Brita or ZeroWater pitcher) or bottled water. The HZB-18F does not have a built-in filtration system, so it relies entirely on the quality of the water you pour in.

If That Didn't Work

• Switch to Distilled Water: If you have "hard water" (high mineral content), filtered water may not be enough. Use distilled water for three consecutive days. If the taste disappears, your tap water contains high levels of sulfur or chlorine that the machine's plastic components are absorbing.
• Deep-Clean the Sensor and Drain: Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to gently clean the water level sensors and the drain plug area. Gunk trapped around the drain can rot and leach a foul taste back into the fresh water.
• Check for External Contamination: Ensure the unit is not sitting next to a strong-smelling cleaning agent or in a humid area with mold. The HZB-18F has open vents that can pull ambient odors into the ice chamber.
• Perform a Citric Acid Flush: If vinegar isn't strong enough to remove the mineral scale, use a commercial citric acid descaler. Mix 2 tablespoons of citric acid powder into 1 liter of warm water, run two cycles, and rinse thoroughly.

Heads Up

• Weekly Maintenance: Run a vinegar rinse once every two weeks to prevent the buildup of calcium carbonate, which causes the ice to taste "metallic."
• Avoid Scented Soaps: Never use heavily scented dish soaps or bleach inside the reservoir, as the porous plastic can absorb these smells, making your ice taste like perfume or chemicals.
• Air Dry: If you aren't using the machine for more than 48 hours, drain the water and leave the lid open. Stagnant water in the reservoir is the primary cause of "musty" tasting ice.
• Filter Your Water: Using unfiltered tap water will significantly shorten the lifespan of the pump and cause frequent "Add Water" errors due to scale buildup on the sensors.