You might not realize it, but the ice machine is the backbone of many restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores. Your business likely could not maintain its day-to-day operations without the ice machine working around the clock. It’s crucial for distributing, preparing and storing the items on your menu or sold in your store. Because of this, it is critical that the ice machine is always reliably functioning. A broken ice machine could even force you to shut down your business for the day while you wait for ice machine repair in Eugene, OR. Proper maintenance is key to keeping it operating for years to come.
Follow these five simple steps to keep your ice machine working great:
- Clean and sanitize bi-annually: All commercial ice machines need to be emptied and cleaned at least twice a year. Additional cleanings should also be performed during high usage periods. A nickel-safe scale remover can be used to clean the machine prior to sanitizing. Not sure how to go about cleaning your specific make or model of commercial ice machine? Consult the owner’s manual or a repair specialist for more specific instructions tailored to your individual unit.
- Clean and replace the air filters: Most ice machines have an air filter that will also need to be cleaned and replaced regularly. Over time, the filter will become clogged with dirt and debris that will cause the ice machine’s efficiency to drop, as it is unable to take in the needed amount of air to cool. These pollutants could also contaminate the ice. Repair specialists recommend replacing reusable filters approximately every six months to prevent clogging.
- Replace the water filters: Water filters remove any impurities from the water so the ice created by the machine can taste pure and clean. A dirty water filter can cause the ice to have a metallic or other unfavorable taste. It also works to filter out any sediment and unwanted minerals that could lead to clogs and deposits in the machine. The water filter needs to be replaced every six month to ensure it is operating its best throughout the year.
- Watch out for corrosion and leaks: This step is relatively simple, but incredibly important. Look inside the machine for any noticeable corrosion on the electrical connections and for leaks near the water lines. If you spot anything amiss, contact a professional to arrange for ice machine repair in Eugene, OR as soon as possible.
- Schedule regular service: Quality maintenance by a trained and experienced professional is the key to keeping a commercial ice machine functioning reliably for years to come. Most ice machine manufacturers recommend having your machine serviced annually by a specialist. During this service, they will be able to tune up your equipment and take the necessary steps to fix any issues before they turn into major problems. You’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your machine is safe from any unexpected breakdowns.
Contact American Refrigeration Inc. today to schedule a tune-up or make an appointment for ice machine repair in Eugene, OR.
If it’s your first time purchasing a commercial ice machine, or you haven’t bought one in a long time, you might find it useful to learn some helpful tips about how to determine the right product for your needs.
Then, if you find that you require ice machine repair in Eugene, OR, contact the skilled team at American Refrigeration Inc. We’ll provide you with the best possible service at a competitive rate.
Before you worry about potential repairs, though, here are some factors to consider during your decision-making process:
- Ice output and production rate: This is the most important factor to consider when purchasing a commercial ice machine. You don’t want to end up with a piece of equipment that doesn’t produce enough ice to meet the demands of your business, so think through how much ice you need before you make a purchase.
- Available space: How much space will you have for your new ice machine to function to its fullest capacity? Take measurements as part of your decision-making process, and be sure to allow for additional space on the top, bottom and sides of the machine. If you don’t have a lot of space or want a more versatile option, consider an upright model, which will require less room and may offer more flexible placement locations.
- Electricity requirements: A commercial ice machine with a small output will likely require only the capacity for a 110V or 115V hookup, plus a water line. On the other hand, if you know that you will need a commercial ice machine with a higher output, you’ll likely require a 220V hookup and may have other specific electrical needs. Know what your electricity requirements are before hand so that you don’t find yourself scrambling to make electrical changes to your facility after ordering your equipment.
- Type of ice produced: Do you have a preference for the type of ice that your new ice machine will produce for your customers? Ice can come in cubes, partial cubes, crushed flakes or a variety of other consistencies. While cube ice and nugget ice are the types you likely want if beverages are your primary reason for needing to produce ice, you’ll want to think about the style of ice that makes the most sense for your business if you’ll be using ice in multiple ways.
- Filtered water preference: Some commercial ice machines come equipped with water filters. If you live in an area with hard water, it may be a logical decision to purchase an ice machine with a water filter, as without a water filter, impurities that can enter the ice machine or form inside may result in a shorter product life for your new purchase.
Now that you’re up to speed on what kind of questions to ask yourself when purchasing a commercial ice machine, it’s helpful to know where to turn for ice machine repair in Eugene, OR if your equipment malfunctions. The technicians at American Refrigeration Inc. offer high-quality commercial equipment repair and bring a wealth of knowledge to help keep your new purchase running as smoothly as possible. For any questions or for repair needs, contact us today.
If you run a business in Eugene, OR that has commercial refrigeration and ice machines, you are most likely at some point going to have to have your equipment repaired. Having an understanding of how your ice machine works and the most common problems experienced with those types of machines will help you to know when you need to enlist the services of a repair specialist. Ultimately, the work of a professional will save you time and money, as they’ll get the job done correctly the first time and keep your equipment running great long into the future.
With all this in mind, here is a list of the most common forms of ice machine repair in Eugene, OR that you might have to make at some point:
- Poor water flow: If you aren’t getting enough water coming into your filter, this means your ice production will more than likely be affected as well. If this is the case, professionals can figure out why the water flow has slowed down and work to improve it. In some situations, however, bad water flow could merely be a symptom of other larger problems within your system, in which case additional repairs could be necessary.
- Leaks: If you have a leak in your ice machine’s inlet water valve, the ice cubes forming in the system will become larger than usual. While this might not seem like a problem initially, it could eventually become a larger issue as these ice cubes get bigger and bigger and eventually get stuck in the production line. This will stall the entire machine. If you notice this problem happening, unplug the icemaker until a professional has looked at it.
- Buildup of minerals or ice: A buildup of ice or minerals on the evaporator plate or various other parts inside your ice machine can cause malfunctions to occur. Therefore, you should simply have your ice machine regularly cleaned and serviced to keep this buildup to a minimum and ensure your machine is constantly functioning as efficiently as possible.
- Higher water temperature: If you have water coming into your ice machine that’s 90 degrees or more, it’s going to take significantly longer to freeze, which will stall your ice production. This likely isn’t due to an issue with your ice machine—it’s more likely to be caused by other appliances you have in the area, such as dishwashers, that are putting hot water into the cold water line. Therefore, you might consider asking your repair professional to check out some of the other appliances you have as well.
- High room temperature: Unlike the other items on this list, this definitely does not have anything to do with the ice machine itself, but is still a problem often uncovered by repair professionals working on an ice machine. If the temperature in your room is extremely warm, the ice machine is going to try to work too hard and ultimately will not be able to produce ice. This is especially problematic in areas without air conditioning during hot summer days.
For more information about ice machine repair in Eugene, OR, contact us today at American Refrigeration Inc.
Many commercial businesses, like restaurants, pubs and cafeterias, depend on ice to provide their patrons with safe and enjoyable service. Without ice, there would be no way to keep customers’ drinks cold on a hot summer day or to preserve food that needs to be kept cold for health purposes. If something is wrong with your business’ ice machine, it’s better to spot it early than to wait and be out of business for a few days. The following are several warning signs that you need ice machine repair in Eugene, OR:
- It’s become noisy: If you own a large ice machine, it’s going to produce some noise and at times be fairly loud. However, if the sound becomes different or unusual, you may want to call a technician to evaluate your machine. When operating sounds become abnormal, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong. It’s better to fix issues quickly. The longer you ignore it, the worse it can become.
- It doesn’t make ice: This is a pretty clear sign something is wrong. This may mean the machine needs cleaning, repairing of certain parts or that you may need to get an entirely new machine. Oftentimes this is caused by loose or frayed wires, so no ice can be an indicator of an electrical problem. Check the circuit breaker. If you can’t fix it that way, play it safe and call a professional.
- It leaks: This is probably the most common problem when it comes to commercial ice machines. Look out for puddles of water around the ice machine or big chunks of ice being produced. A leak can be caused by a broken water line in the unit or a component that is leaking internally. Whether it’s a big or small leak, it’s a problem. Call a professional to take a look before someone slips and falls on those big puddles of water.
- It takes a while to make ice: If the ice isn’t being produced as fast as it used to, that’s a red flag. A slower production rate is usually caused by one of two things, either warm water or low water flow. When the water is too warm, the machine won’t produce enough ice, at least not as quickly as you would like. A low water flow also means the production rate will slow down. It may be a simple fix, like unplugging a clog in the water filter, but it’s always in your company’s best interest to have a professional come check it out.
- The ice tastes odd: This should never be a problem, especially if you’re serving ice to your customers. If the ice tastes strange, it’s probably because there’s a dirt or mold issue, or something even worse within the ice machine. It’s vital that you contact a technician if your ice starts to taste abnormal. Don’t risk the safety of your customers.
Your ice machine should always be inspected at least once or twice a year. Outside of those checks, if any of these signs start to occur, look for ice machine repair in Eugene, OR. You can contact American Refrigeration Inc. for all of your ice machine needs.
The ice machine is the most essential and yet most dangerous piece of equipment in your restaurant. When things go wrong in your establishment, you need to act on ice machine repair in Eugene, OR before you make your patrons sick or expose employees to harmful elements. You may also avoid requiring most repairs in the first place by adopting these precautionary practices.
Sanitation is key
Most ice machine issues arise from sanitation shortcomings. Food safety laws and manufacturer recommendations indicate you need to perform a full cleaning and sanitation process at least two to four times per year. If you use your ice machine frequently and employees access it constantly, you may need to clean it at least every two months, or even once a month to be safe.
Use an antimicrobial cleaner and remove any scaling. Check for lint and grease in the condensers, as that can transfer to the ice as well. If your ice machine is near the cooking line, consider moving it, as that exposes it to additional contaminants.
Mold and mildew in the seals or even the box is more difficult to remove. In these cases, it is better to call in a professional, as it may be necessary to replace your ice machine.
Once there is contamination, the ice machine will preserve the bacteria and the inside moisture causes them to reproduce. Even if you only suspect contamination, it is prudent to sanitize immediately. While this is not convenient, it nearly eliminates the risk of a health disaster in your restaurant.
Treat ice like any other food
Using the same food handling procedures with ice as with any other edible will reduce the chance of contamination. Make ice scoops available and instruct employees to use them instead of reaching in and grabbing ice. Store scoops outside the bin so the handle is not touching the ice. Keep it on a tray made of fiberglass, impervious plastic or stainless steel so it does not attract additional germs.
Keeping the ice machine doors closed except for when removing ice will not just keep your utility bills under control. It will also keep dirt and contaminants out. Check for any signs of contamination with your ice machine, just as you would with refrigerators and freezers. Catching issues early means you can deal with them before they become problems. Finding mold in the door seals early, for example, means you actually have a chance of permanently removing it than if you let it fester for six months.
Use water filters
Filtered water produces better tasting ice as well as safer ice. Using filters will not remove all microbes, but it can reduce scaling and increases ice production, which will also mean less money spent on repairs. Ice will also have no odor, which will keep customers on your good side.
Filters are normally replaced every six months. If there is blockage or sediment, they will need to be replaced more frequently.
Despite careful attention to maintenance, you may still require ice machine repair in Eugene, OR. When that need arises, call American Refrigeration Inc. for cleaning, advanced maintenance and repair of your restaurant equipment.
