An ice machine is easy to forget until it stops, or until a health inspector opens it. We repair and maintain commercial ice machines, and most problems we see trace back to the same few things.
Cleaning and sanitizing
Scale from minerals in the water, and slime from bacteria and yeast, build up inside even when the ice looks clear. Most manufacturers call for cleaning and sanitizing at least every six months, and more often in a busy kitchen or with hard water.
Why ice tastes or smells off
- The machine is overdue for cleaning
- The water filter is old
- The bin is storing other things, or the scoop lives in the ice
Common problems
- Slow ice, small or cloudy cubes: often scale, a dirty condenser, or water flow.
- Not making ice: a dirty condenser in a hot kitchen, a water supply issue, or a failed part.
- Leaking: a blocked drain or a cracked line.
Keep it running
- Keep the air around the machine clear, and the condenser clean.
- Change the water filter on schedule.
- Give it a regular cleaning and inspection as part of a maintenance plan.
Repair or replace?
Most problems are worth repairing. An older machine that needs a major refrigeration repair, or keeps failing, may be worth replacing. We'll tell you which. Call us at 805-965-6326.
Related
More tips on commercial.