Why Commercial Ice Machines Break Down

One piece of restaurant equipment that often breaks down more often than others is the commercial ice machine. While it's not used to make food, it is a crucial part of the restaurant business and one that often gets overlooked. When it comes to your commercial ice machine, a little attention can go a long way. Keep reading to learn about some of the common reasons commercial ice machines break down from your Missouri restaurant equipment repair specialists.

Cleaning Your Ice Machine 


Regular cleaning of your commercial ice machine is an essential part of preventative maintenance of your restaurant equipment. Not only does it support sanitation, but it also preserves the quality of your ice, increases machine performance and helps extend the life of your ice machine. Failing to regularly clean your commercial ice machine is one of the main causes of malfunction. If scale accumulates on a sensor or blocks a pump, your machine will not operate properly. If the condenser coil is clogged or becomes dirty, it can't properly remove the heat. When minerals deposit on the evaporator, the ice will not produce properly. This makes the ice machine run longer, decreases ice production and can cause other issues like a machine malfunction. By regularly cleaning all the components of  your ice machine, you can better prevent a break down from occurring.

Changing the Water Filter 


The water filter is what provides pure water to the machine to create the ice. Water filters remove minerals and other substances from the water. These substances, or contaminants, can affect both the taste and appearance of the ice produced. In addition, clean water will help your ice machine system run more efficiently. Mineral build up can clog the water lines, decreasing water flow and lowering production. Low water flow can even cause the evaporator to freeze up, completely halting production. Be sure to change your water filter at least every 6 months.

Regulating the Temperature 


Proper temperatures of both the air and the water associated with ice machines can affect production and cause a breakdown. High air temperatures cause ice machines to take longer to produce ice. At around 95 degrees, the ice machine will stop producing ice. In order to prevent this, it's important that your ice machine be setup in a cool place with great ventilation and air flow. The water temperature also affects ice production. Water over 90 degrees will take too long to freeze, which will trip the freeze cycle timer. In the event this happens, the ice machine will shut down to protect itself from further damage.

Caring for your commercial ice machine and cleaning it on a regular basis is the best way to prevent a total break down of your equipment. In fact, cleaning and routine maintenance is the best way to prevent a break down of all your restaurant equipment. When professional restaurant equipment maintenance in Missouri is needed, be sure to give us a call at 573-544-0456. Fast Fix LLC is your premier restaurant equipment service company in Western Illinois and Missouri.

Fast Fix LLC. Restaurant Equipment Service & Repair - 

One Call Does It All! 


Fast Fix LLC. Restaurant Services
3362 State Road JJ
Kingdom City, MO 65262

Columbia: 573-544-0456
St. Louis: 636-327-8349

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The History of Deep Fried Foods

The History of the Oven

Cleaning & Maintaining Your Salamander Broiler