A company is only as good as the reliability of their equipment.
And for establishments that rely on offering cold drinks, one often overlooked
machine is the ice maker.
If you’ve been in business for any length of time, then you know
that ice machines are often unreliable. Especially in the hottest times of
year.
Just like any equipment, ice machines need regular maintenance and
have separate parts that can break. Have you ever noticed that the number of
air conditioner repair companies you see out on the road is almost overwhelming
during a heat wave? That’s because of the strain the heat takes on air
conditioning units. They have to run all the time to keep your home cool when
the temperature soars.
The same is true for ice machines. During high times in your
service season, ice machines can be strained to keep up with ice production.
They are constantly running to produce ice and running to keep the ice below
freezing. And unfortunately, they give out just when you need them most.
That’s also why it’s vital to keep a reliable ice delivery company
on hand in case of emergencies. Relationships with your support teams matter
when you suddenly realize the ice you rely on has suddenly depleted.
What to look for
Do you know what to look for when your ice machine is in trouble?
And more importantly, do you know what to do to check for a simple fix and when
it’s time to shut it down and call for help?
Here are a few tips.
Signs your machine is in trouble are
- It doesn’t produce ice
- The temperature is above
freezing
- Machine is leaking
- Ice tastes bad or is wrong color
Where’s the ice?
Often the first sign your ice machine is in trouble is the day it
refuses to produce ice. Obviously this spells trouble for your home or
business, especially when you have glasses to fill for the day.
Most likely, the failure of an ice machine is due to a mechanical
malfunction. But before you pick up the phone, make sure the ice maker was not
accidentally switched off. Next, check the water line running to the ice maker.
Look for kinks or breaks.
If all the above fails, it’s time to check for a repair company,
one with good references.
Temperature Rising
If your thermostat is reading above 10 degrees Fahrenheit, ice is
going to melt. And that means you won’t have anything but a soppy refrigerator.
So what do you do?
First, check to make sure your machine is not in a de-frost cycle.
If that isn’t the case, give the repairman a call and be sure to have a back-up
source for ice that day.
Leaky Freezer
When your freezer leaks, check a few things before assuming it’s
broken.
First, make sure the freezer is sitting level on the ground. Next,
check the water supply tube for problems. Look specifically for cracks in the
hose, a pinch in the feed, and a proper connection.
After checking these things off, it appears you will be replacing
a part.
Bad Ice
Do you regularly look at and taste your ice? If not, you should.
Ice with a foul taste or off color is either a problem with the
water you are using or with the cleanliness of the ice bin. It would make sense
that the quality of your water will equal the quality of your ice. Input always
equals output.
Freezers need to be cleaned regularly, preferably on a regular cleaning
schedule. Freezers can grow layers of mold and mildew. Hair and other
debris can also collect inside. (Not something you want to think about.)
Keep on running
As they say… even when the ice machine breaks, the show must go
on. Well, maybe that’s not the exact saying but it definitely applies to the
food and entertainment industries.
So in closing, let me ask you a question. After reading through
possible scenarios: If your ice machine breaks, who would you call? It’s a
question you will eventually have to answer. It’s better to know now than at
say, 6pm on a Friday night. During Happy Hour. On a holiday weekend.
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