Commercial ice machines are important, especially for businesses in the food and hospitality industry. When this machine malfunctions, you would surely encounter trouble with your operations and might have difficulty satisfying customers.
7 Questions to Ask Before Replacing a Commercial Ice Machine
You have the option to bring your ice machine for repairs, or you can purchase a new one. Here are some questions you can ask to help you decide whether it is time to buy a new one.
Have You Cleaned Your Commercial Ice Machine Recently?
The first question you have to ask is whether you have cleaned your ice machine lately. The reason for asking this is to determine the state of your ice machine. You may just be imagining that the machine is malfunctioning when it is actually in good condition and only needs some cleaning. If a thorough cleaning is needed, you can easily do that yourself or ask for help from professional cleaning services.
How Hot Is Your Commercial Kitchen?
It is important to take note of the temperature of your commercial kitchen. In some cases, the ice machine’s ice production may be affected by the heat in the kitchen. Usually, the production will decrease by half when the kitchen reaches an average temperature of 85 degrees. In fact, the machine may shut down or not produce any ice when it is too hot. If this happens, ask for a cooling system for your commercial kitchen.
Does Your Ice Machine Have Breathing Room?
Your commercial ice machine needs to have breathing space. In most cases, the area should be at least four inches between the wall and the ice machine. If you do not give that space, it becomes harder for the heat to escape from the machine, which will cause the ice machine to work harder, thus lowering its efficiency.
Is Your Ice Machine Condenser Clean?
Cleaning your ice machine’s condenser is important. The condenser is where the heat goes out, so there must be no dirt on it. If there is dirt on the condenser, check if you can clean it. If you cannot, bring the machine in for repairs.
Is Your Ice Machine Getting the Right Amount of Power?
If there is a problem with the power source of your machine, it will show in the ice production. Machines that consume a lot of power usually produce smoother, shinier, and tasty ice cubes. However, if it is not producing enough ice, you may have to ask an electrician to check the voltage.
Is Your Ice Machine Compressor Working Overtime?
If your ice machine is producing ice at a high rate, there is a possibility that the compressor is working overtime. At this point, you would need to check if there are any problems with your machine. Possible problems include a dirty condenser and a clogged evaporator.
Does Your Ice Machine Make a Grinding or Clicking Sound?
Clicking or grinding sounds from your ice machine may signify that something is wrong with it. It may be a sign of freezing up. Has the ice cube size been affected? It is normal for the ice cubes to look bigger than average, but if they are unusually large, there may be a problem with the commercial ice machine.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered when checking your ice machine. However, it is essential to remember that there are times when you will have to purchase a new one. You don’t have to wait for the commercial ice machine to malfunction to the point where no one can repair it.
For commercial ice machine repair and other types of commercial refrigeration repair services, check out R&R Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Whether you have dry ice makers, chillers, or industrial ice makers, we can help you from installation to replacements to emergency repairs. Call us today for more information.