The Importance of Ice Machine Maintenance

A high-quality commercial ice maker is a huge investment. Once you have purchased one, you’ll want to do everything possible to keep it running properly. The three ways that you can extend your ice machine’s lifespan and make sure it remains functional and safe are proper installation, preventive maintenance, and timely professional repairs. Preventive maintenance is proactive, routine cleaning, inspections, lubrication, and replacement of parts. Here is a closer look at the importance of ice machine maintenance in Keller, TX.

Why Commercial Ice Machine Maintenance Matters?

Your commercial ice maker is responsible for providing ice for beverages, food prep, and food safety. Keeping it functioning safely and properly will maintain compliance with health regulations, food safety standards, OSHA regulations, and your reputation. The biggest reasons it’s crucial to keep up with preventive appliance maintenance are:

• Preventing the growth of mold, bacteria, mildew, and other contaminants that could affect public health
• Protect employees and customers from contaminated ice
• Maintain compliance with health codes and OSHA regulations
• Avoid expensive repairs or premature machine failure
• Increase the lifespan of your equipment
• Reduce energy consumption
• Reduce labor and repair costs
• Ensure peak performance and efficiency
• Maintain consistent ice quality
• Avoid failed inspections
• Prevent unexpected breakdowns or costly emergency repairs

How an Ice Maker Works?

Ice makers are complex appliances, but no matter their size or model, they function in basically the same way. Understanding how they function can help you diagnose a problem with your machine or determine which components need maintenance:

• A water inlet valve opens and allows water to flow from the supply line into the ice maker’s mold or tray.
• The water flow is carefully timed, and the water shuts off automatically.
• The machine’s refrigerant freezes the ice.
• A heating element, combined with an ejector arm, dislodges the ice from the tray or mold into the machine’s storage bin.
• This process repeats until the machine’s sensor signals to the shut-off arm that the bin is full.
• The ice maker stops production until the bin is emptied, at which point the process starts over again.

What You Should Do if Your Ice Maker Stops Working

If your commercial ice machine stops working, you may be able to troubleshoot to figure out the problem without calling an appliance repair company or refrigeration company. Here are some ice machine maintenance procedures you can follow:

• Verify that the machine is properly plugged into an outlet that works.
• Confirm that neither the power cord nor outlet show signs of damage, fire, sparks, or burn marks.
• Check the circuit breaker to see if a circuit is tripped.
• If it is flipped, flip it back and check your machine to see if it has started up again.
• If it isn’t flipped, flip it off and leave it for about five minutes, then flip it back again and see if your ice machine starts back up.
• Locate the water supply valve and make sure it is fully open.
• Inspect the water line for signs of freezing, cracks or breaks, kinks, blockages, or leaks.
• Replace the water filter.
• Make sure the machine is set to the proper temperature that is within the recommended range.
• Confirm that nothing is blocking the vents.
• Make sure the condenser coils are clean and free of dust and debris.
• Look for signs of leaks, frozen pipes, or hoses.
• Dust and clean the condenser coils and any easily accessible internal components.

If none of these steps works, call an appliance repair technician. They can perform an inspection, test each component, and determine why your machine isn’t working.

Risks of Neglecting Ice Machine Maintenance and Cleaning

You should clean and sanitize commercial ice makers every three months; however, if your machine is in a high-risk environment, you should clean it every one or two weeks. Some examples of high-risk environments are healthcare facilities, nursing homes, yeast-prone environments like bakeries and food processing facilities, outdoor locations like gas stations and motels, and environments subject to extreme weather and temperature. Some of the biggest risks of neglecting ice machine maintenance are:

• Contamination by pathogens
• Mold and algae growth
• Foodborne illness breakouts
• Decreased efficiency
• Lack of ice production
• Decline in ice appearance, taste, and quality
• Breakdowns and malfunctions
• Shorter lifespan
• Costly repairs, replacement, or downtime
• Health code violations
• Damage to your facility’s reputation
• Legal and financial liabilities

Your Commercial Ice Machine Maintenance Checklist

You should complete certain ice machine maintenance tasks every week, month, and seasonally. If you notice problems with your machine, inspect it and perform any necessary maintenance. Some of the most important tasks to put on your commercial ice machine maintenance checklist are:

• Inspect the ice for color, quality, and taste.
• Check the unit and all components for signs of mold, algae, dirt, grime, rust, corrosion, and odors.
• Remove all ice from the bin and carefully clean and sanitize it.
• Wipe down the exterior.
• Look for signs of damage, corrosion, or other issues with exterior parts, including plugs and hoses.
• Check the filters for clogs, dirt, and discoloration.
• Fully empty and deep clean the unit each month.
• Remove all components, check their condition, and clean and replace them.
• Clean and descale the unit according to manufacturer instructions.
• Sanitize all parts with a food-safe sanitizer.
• Test the machine and all settings and components, including the thermometer.
• Every few months, inspect electrical components, clean condenser coils, and check electrical components.
• Only hire professionals for ice maker repair.

Call Ace’s Appliance Repair to Troubleshoot Ice Maker Problems

If you see any signs of a problem with your commercial ice maker, Ace’s Appliance Repair can help. Our skilled, knowledgeable technicians will thoroughly inspect and test your machine to diagnose the underlying problem. We will then give you a detailed report of our findings, an estimate for repair, and recommendations for maintenance or replacement parts. We also offer commercial preventive maintenance plans for all your commercial appliances. Call us now or reach out to us online to make an appointment for ice machine maintenance services or ice maker or appliance repair in Keller, TX.