What is an Ice Machine?
An ice machine or ice maker may make ice cubes, crushed ice, flakes, or nuggets. They are especially important in large restaurants and bars.
In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of ice makers and some important things to consider when taking care of your ice machine.
What are the Different types of Ice Makers?
There are three main types of ice machines: countertop, freestanding, and built-in.
To view our full range of ice machines at Caterboss, click HERE.
How Can I take Good Care of My Ice Machine?
There are a few things you can do to prolong the life of your freestanding ice machine and keep it running smoothly.
Space & Clean Surrounding.
First, make sure that the area around your ice machine is always clean and free of debris - and that your machine has a lot of space to breathe. This will help ensure that dirty particles do not get into your ice maker and that air can circulate properly to prevent overheating. Overheating is a serious issue that can cause extensive damage to an ice machine. So in order to avoid high costs in repairs, it is very important that you do what you can to prevent this issue from happening in the first place.
Descale Your Ice Maker Regularly
Minerals such as calcium and magnesium can build up in the water line over time, so it is important to descale your machine on a regular basis - we recommend every 3-6 months. Descaling means removing any build-up of minerals from the water line. This helps prevent corrosion and keeps your ice tasting fresh.
Many of our ice makers come with manufacturers' instructions on how to descale, what products to use, and the frequency of descaling. So be sure to check out the manuals for further instructions.
Clean Inside Your Ice Machine
Many bar and restaurant ice makers undergo heavy use every day. And a big mistake people make is to clean the interior only when they discover an odour or change of taste in the ice. nce a month, we advise that you unplug your ice machine, take out all its contents and wash down with warm soapy water and a cloth. This includes sanitizing the interior of the unit as well as the ice storage bin. We also recommend that you do everything by hand - if there are any small or plastic detachable pieces, do not put them in a dishwasher unless stated by the manufacturer's manual.
Change the Water Filter
A water filter is a great way to ensure that your ice maker has a constant supply of clean water. And you cannot make great ice with dirty water. If you discover any slight changes in the colour or taste of the ice, then we highly recommend that you check the filter - because it may be time for a change.
Different manufacturers have different requirements. But we recommend changing the filter every at least every 6 months on average. This will help remove impurities from the water and keep your ice tasting fresh.
Emergency Shut-Off Checks
Finally, don’t forget to test the emergency shut-off switch on your ice machine. This switch is designed to turn off the machine in the event of a power outage or other emergency. Failure to carry out this check can result in extensive damage to your ice machine, so it is very important that you do not forget this step.
Final Words
Taking care of your ice machine is important to prolong its lifespan and keep it running smoothly. Be sure to have a lot of room space, check for debris, descale regularly, clean according to the manufacturer’s instructions, change the water filter, and test the emergency shut-off switch.
At Caterboss, we have just about any type of ice maker you need - small, medium or large. And they also range from dry ice makers to ice cubes to crushed ice makers. If you are unsure of which type of Ice machine you need for your business we have an expert team on hand to help advise you and get the right fit for your business.
