People typically associate food with restaurants more than anything else. But that doesn’t mean management should ignore the impact of that first glass of water customers receive when they arrive at their tables. And what glass of water would be complete without fresh, frosty ice cubes?
But you can’t have a steady stream of ice without a well-functioning ice maker. Following these helpful tips to maintain your commercial ice maker will help ensure your customers’ water stays cold.
Follow Proper Shut-Down Procedures
There’s no denying that ice makers take up a fair share of electricity. And you may feel tempted to shut the machine down when it isn’t in use. There’s nothing wrong with this unless you turn it off incorrectly. This can lead to bacteria accumulation in the machine.
Fortunately, it’s relatively simple to avoid this. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to turn off ice-making machinery. Before walking away from the machine, make sure you drain any excess water and wipe away residual moisture.
Clean It Regularly
In addition to wiping down ice makers after turning them off, your business should deep clean the ice maker two to four times a year to avoid ice contamination. Most owner’s manuals will follow a similar process for cleaning. Here are some steps to take.
- Completely empty the machine of ice.
- Remove internal components from the machine and clean them with a combination of cleaning solution and lukewarm water.
- Push the wash button on the machine.
- Add the ice machine cleaning fluid.
- Clean the machine’s exterior and food zone surfaces.
- Rinse the machine.
Examine the Filters
Ice machines have multiple filters. There’s an air filter that helps prevent debris and dirt from entering the system. Without it, particles would stick to the condenser and prevent it from cooling properly. There’s also a water filter that keeps the ice free of contaminations.
Replace filters once every six months. However, if you notice that the ice maker is experiencing cooling issues, you should check the air filter sooner. When in doubt, just clean the filters when you deep clean the machine.
Perform Routine Inspections
When it comes to helping to maintain your commercial ice maker, the best offense is also the best defense. That means you should remain vigilant for potential problems that can stop ice production in its tracks. Keep an eye out for these issues:
- Clogged inlet valves
- Dirty or backed-up filters
- An incorrectly-set thermostat
- Shut-off water lines
- Out-of-position control arms
When in doubt, it never hurts to bring in a professional. Here at Jay-Hill Repair, our commercial ice machine repair experts have the know-how to diagnose and correct problems in your ice maker. They’ll make sure your customers’ drinks are perfectly satisfying.
