7 Tips for Maintaining a Commercial Ice Machine
Most people do not realize what a large industry ice manufacturing is. In the United States alone, ice manufacturing is worth more than $877 million each year!
The right commercial ice machine can provide a lot of value for a business. However, you won’t get the most out of your ice machine if it does not receive proper maintenance.
Many people buy ice machines and figure that they will figure out maintenance later. However, the earlier you start providing regular maintenance, the better things will go.
So what do you need to focus on to maintain your commercial ice machine? Read on to learn all about the most important tips to follow to keep your ice machine in great condition!
1. Give Commercial Ice Machines Frequent Cleanings
Many people think of ice machines as naturally sanitary. However, that is far from the truth. Ice machines need careful cleaning to make sure that they do not become dirty.
Dirty ice machines are not only repulsive, but they can also make people sick.
It is also important to remember to rinse out ice machines carefully after cleaning. Otherwise, they will integrate the cleaning chemicals into some of the new ice that they create.
2. Sanitize Your Commercial Icemaker Machine
Giving your ice machine a good scrub is a good start. However, ice machines also need proper sanitation.
You can find products designed to sanitize ice machines. Or, you can create your own by combining making a solution of 95% water and 5% sodium hypochlorite.
Again, it is essential to rinse out the ice machine after you sanitize it.
3. Check the Filter on Your Ice Machine
Ice machines are similar to air conditioners. They use refrigerants and air to create a cold environment where ice can form. However, that means that they process a lot of air.
To make sure that the contaminants in the surrounding air do not end up in the ice, commercial ice machines use filters. However, over time, these filters become clogged with dust and other contaminants from the air.
This can cause a few problems. First of all, the cooling system in your ice machine will have more trouble reaching low temperatures. It will have to work harder to cool things down.
That extra work will wear out your ice machine faster. That means that changing your filter is an investment in the lifespan of your unit.
In some cases, a clogged air filter can interfere with the functioning of the cooling system so much that it cannot create ice anymore at all. Many people think that their ice machine is broken when all they need to do is put in a new filter so that the cooling system can function again.
That is another way that changing the air filter can save you money.
Your commercial ice machine also has a water filter to keep contaminants out of the ice. If this filter clogs, your ice machine may have trouble accessing the water it needs to create ice.
It is important to keep in mind that your water filter may clog more often if you have hard water in your area.
4. Respond to Clogs and Ice Machines Quickly
Sometimes, ice machines develop clogs in their tubes. When this happens, it is important to clear out these clogs as soon as you can. The longer you let them develop, the more damage they can end up doing.
Many people do not realize that air conditioning systems also create heat even as they create a cold environment inside. If the hot part of your ice machine is too hot, it may melt some of the ice.
This will then lead to a layer of water all along the bottom of your ice machine. If this layer of water develops on the inside of your machine, it can melt and freeze, causing damage to your ice machine mechanisms.
When this happens, it is important to turn the machine off, let the ice inside melt, and make sure to remove all of the water.
5. Don’t Scoop Ice With the Wrong Tool
Sometimes, the problem with an ice machine is the way that people are using it. Your ice machine may be functioning fine, but if people are scooping ice out with their hands, it may start to develop bacteria.
This is another way that people can end up sick when they consume your ice.
Many ice machines come with a special scoop. If yours does, make sure to use the provided scoop to take ice out of the machine. Even then, it may be a good idea to have everyone wear gloves when they scoop the ice out.
6. Give Your Icemakers Regular Inspections
Even the best ice makers need regular inspections in case they start to develop problems. When you identify such problems early on, you minimize the damage they cause.
Sometimes, what starts as one problem can end up as several. When one part of the system starts to malfunction, it can place added stress on the other parts of the ice machine.
7. Consider Hiring the Professionals
Learning ice machine maintenance is sometimes not the most efficient way to keep your ice machine in top condition. You can outsource your maintenance to the professionals who already know how to keep ice machines functioning as well as possible for as long as possible.
In many cases, a maintenance check every year or so can add years to the lifespan of your machine! On top of that, it can make sure that everyone who consumes your ice stays healthy!
Understand How to Maintain Your Commercial Ice Machine
The more you know about how to maintain your commercial ice machine, the more sanitary it will be and the longer it will last. A small investment in regular maintenance will more than pay off in the long run.
To learn more about how to take care of your commercial ice machine or find the best ice machines in the industry, reach out and get in touch with us here!