Commercial Ice Machines: Common Issues, Troubleshooting Guide and Essential Tips

A commercial ice machine is one of the most indispensable appliances to have if you run restaurants, hotels, or bars. These ice maker machines are definitely what you require if you need to keep your beverages cooI throughout and preserve your food safely.
Imagine it’s a busy day at your restaurant or bar, you have lots of fresh food to store. Additionally, people are ordering cocktails, mocktails, or chilled beverages and your ice machine breaks down. Such a situation is undoubtedly going to have a massive impact on your customer service. Therefore, to ensure that you never run into such a situation and your ice machine is functioning smoothly, it’s imperative to regularly maintain and troubleshoot issues so that there are no hindrances in your work.

Having said that, like all appliances or machines, an ice maker is at some point going to have issues or break down. Hence, in this article, we will take you through some common problems that you might come across and provide you with some troubleshooting and essential tips to help you get your ice machine up and running.

 

Table of Contents

• Understanding an Ice Machine
• Components of an Ice Machine
• How is Ice Made in an Ice Maker Machine?
• Types of Ice
• Types of Ice Machines
• Common Issues Found in Ice Machines
• Troubleshooting Common Ice Machine Issues
• When to Call a Professional to Fix Issues
• Benefits of Professional Maintenance
• Importance of Properly Maintaining Ice Machines
• Key Tips for Operating a Commercial Ice Machine

 

Understanding an Ice Machine

Before we take you through some common issues and troubleshooting, let’s first give you a basic understanding of what are the components of an ice machine, how an ice machine or ice maker works and what are the types available. 

 

Components of an Ice Machine

To understand how an ice machine operates, you should also be aware of some of the main components of an ice marker. 

 

• Evaporator:

You have an evaporator or an evaporating plate in the ice machine. This is the part that is involved in cooling and freezing water.

 

• Compressor:

The compressor is basically there for circulating the refrigerant all throughout, thereby, facilitating in the cooling procedure.

 

• Condenser:

Then you have the condenser that is very much needed to keep the temperature low. This is the part that basically helps all the heat from the refrigerant to be released.

 

• Water Inlet Valve:

The purpose of a water inlet valve is basically to control the flow of water that is coming into the ice machine.  

 

• Water Outlet Valve:

The purpose of a water outlet valve is to direct all the excess water into the drain to prevent overflowing.

 

• Thermostat:

A thermostat is basically to control and monitor temperature of the ice machine.

 

• Ice Bin:

The ice bin is where all the ice is stored once it has been made.

 

How is Ice Made in an Ice Maker Machine?

Here’s a brief of how ice is made in an ice machine.
The water flows into the ice machine with the help of the water inlet valve. This water flows over the evaporator or the evaporating plate which then freezes and gradually turns the water into ice. Once the ice is completely frozen and reaches the required thickness, then the ice is released into the ice bin. All the excess water is drained from the water outlet valve. This process repeats and that’s how there’s a sufficient amount of ice in the ice machines that’s then used for various purposes at restaurants, bars, and hotels. 

 

Types of Ice

Before we get into the details of the different types of ice machines available, here’s briefing you on a few ice shapes that ice machines produce. 

 

Cube Ice:

The most common shape is cube ice which is widely used in restaurants, bars, and hotels. These ice have a very clear appearance, are quite solid, and do not melt that easily, hence, these ice shapes are just what you need if you need to keep the drinks chill longer and at the same time ensure they do not get diluted fast.

Flake Ice:

Unlike cube ice which is solid and hard, flake ice is basically very thin and soft. This ice shape is most commonly used for keeping food such as fish and meat cool and fresh. Besides, they do tend to melt quite faster.

Nugget Ice:

Nugget ice also called pellet or sonic ice, is of a soft and chewable texture that is used a lot in restaurants, convenience stores, and even medical facilities. Nugget ice melts slowly and this ice keeps drinks cool longer and at the same time it absorbs all that flavor of the drinks.

Gourmet Ice:

If you are looking for ice that looks sophisticated, then the gourmet ice is what you need. Popularly used in high-end restaurants, bars, and hotels, gourmet ice is clear and solid and melts slowly. These ice are used for premium drinks so that they look and feel presentable and classy.

Bullet Ice: 

Bullet ice is again commonly used in restaurants and bars for cocktails and mocktails. These ice are basically cylinder-shaped with a hollow center and melt slowly.

Crescent Ice:

Used in commercial settings, crescent ice is half-moon shaped. This ice melts quite slowly and also keeps drinks cool for longer.

 

Types of Ice Machines

There are numerous ice machine options available to choose from. Each with its unique features and settings. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

 

 

Modular Ice Machines

Modular ice machines are basically heavy-duty large machines that can produce around 1000 lbs of ice on a daily basis. So, if you need a constant supply of ice in your restaurant, hotel, or bar, you will need a modular ice machine as they are ideal for large-scale production. However, one thing about a modular ice machine is that it doesn’t have a storage compartment for all your produced ice, hence, you will need to get a separate ice bin.

Now these modular ice machines are designed to produce a variety of ice. This includes the most needed full ice cubes and gourmet ice cubes – widely used in cafes and bars. Some other common shapes that these machines can also produce are half-cube ice, flake ice, nugget ice, and crescent ice.

Nugget Ice Machines

If you need ice that is soft and chewable, then the ideal ice machine to get is the nugget ice machine. These ice machines are built of durable and robust materials such as stainless steel and are ideal for commercial and home usage. Moreover, the nugget ice machine can produce around 100 to 1000 lbs every day but this obviously depends on the size of the machine.

This type of ice is quite popular in medical or healthcare facilities, restaurants, and convenience stores. Hence, if you are looking to make small, chewable ice that also doesn’t dilute drinks that easily, then the nugget ice maker machine is the type that you should get.

Countertop Ice Machines

Countertop ice machines are just what you need if you have a small-scale business or if you need ice regularly at home. While these  countertop ice maker machines are not very ideal for large-scale production, you do tend to see at least 300 lbs of ice produced daily. Moreover, these ice makers are quite popular in cafes, bars, and healthcare facilities and do quite the decent job of supplying ice continuously. Besides, these machines do come with an ice bin to store all the ice produced, however, it might not be that large but it does serve the purpose.

The common types of ice shapes that countertop ice machines produce are cube and half-cube ice, nugget ice, gourmet ice, and flake ice.

 

Undercounter Ice Maker Machines

We have undercounter ice maker machines are basically a blend of both the countertop and modular models. These ice makers can produce over 350 lbs of ice every day and come with a large bin to store all of it. These models are quite popularly used in bars and restaurants because undercounter placement makes ice easily accessible.

Cube ice, half cube ice, nugget ice, bullet ice, gourmet ice, crescent ice, and flake ice are some of the shapes undercounter ice makers can produce.

Floor Model Ice Makers with Ice Dispensers

We also have floor model ice makers with dispensers that are larger than other models and used particularly for large-scale businesses. These ice makers come in a medium capacity that could produce around 200-400 lbs of ice, a high capacity that could produce around 400-800 lbs of ice, and a very high capacity that could produce more than 1000 lbs of ice every day. Besides, the added dispenser is what makes these machines quite versatile.

Additionally, floor model ice makers can produce a variety of shapes for various purposes, and that included cube and half cube ice, gourmet ice, flake ice, crescent ice, nugget and chewblet ice, bullet ice, and pearl ice.

Portable Ice Maker Machines

Portable ice maker machines are also quite popular these days and precisely produce bullet ice. These ice maker machines are obviously designed to be much smaller than regular ones and they are quite lightweight.  Portable ice machines are ideal for homes, if you are going on an adventure trip, for any outdoor event, and even your RVs.

Common Issues Found in Ice Machines

Here are some of the most common issues found in ice machines.

Ice Machine Not Producing Ice:

One of the most common and basic issues that you might come across in your ice maker is that the machine has stopped producing ice completely. There are a number of reasons for this to happen. Some of the reasons could be that the water inlet valve is not functioning properly, there could be chances that your machine is not getting the required amount of water, or your filters might have been clogged.

Slow Production of Ice:

Another issue that you might come across is the very slow production of ice. The reasons here could be that the water supply or flow is very low, your condenser could be unclean, or maybe the temperature of the environment is way higher, affecting the cooling and thereby, ice production.

Low Ice Quality:

You might run into issues where the quality of ice being produced in the ice maker is of very low or poor quality. The ice produced is not as clear as it used to be and the taste of the ice is also weird. Now, this could happen due to various factors, either the water quality is not great, the ice machine hasn’t been cleaned, or maybe the settings of the machine aren’t quite right.

Weird Noise Coming from the Ice Maker:

At times you might find that your ice machine is making some weird unusual noises. This is obviously an issue to pay attention to undoubtedly. The reasons for the noise could be that there is some mechanical issue happening, or there could be some part that is loose.

Water Leaking from the Ice Machine:

Another very common issue seen in  ice machines is water leakage. This could be because of some loose connections or components, maybe the drain is blocked, or could be that the ice storage bin is full to the brim.  

Ice Machine Freezing Over:

You might also notice that your ice machine is freezing over. Well, in this case, it’s most often that the thermostat isn’t working properly, the machine’s refrigerant levels are low, or there is no proper ventilation.

Troubleshooting Common Ice Machine Issues

Now that you know what are the common issues of an ice machine, let’s understand how to troubleshoot these problems and have your ice maker up and running again.

Ice Machine Not Producing Ice: If your ice machine is not producing ice, you need to do the following.

 

• Check to see if the machine has a constant supply of with water or not. If the water supply has been shut off, then you have to ensure that water is being supplied to the machine continuously.
• At times no production of ice could mean that the filters are stopping the supply of water. This could be because the filter has been overused and is dirty, therefore, the water supply is curbed. So, make sure that the filter is cleaned or replaced as needed. 
• Check to see if the water inlet valve is functioning properly or not. If it is not, then consider replacing it so that the water can flow into the machine.

Slow Ice Production: In case of slow production of ice, do the following.

• Check the water lines for any blockages or restrictions that they may be the cause. 
• Make sure to clean the condenser coils because the dirtier the coil, the heat won’t be released as needed, thereby, slowing down ice production. 
• Ensure that there’s enough ventilation because the more space around the machine, the more air circulation is possible, thereby, ensuring faster cooling.

Poor Ice Quality: If the quality of ice being produced is poor or low, do the things mentioned below.

• You will need to check the filters and replace them regularly because if your filter is clean only then will you get clean and clear ice. 
• Clean the  ice machine thoroughly to remove all build-up, dirt, and debris. 
• The machine settings should be readjusted to the required temperature.

Water Leaking from the Ice Machine: If there’s a leakage in the ice machine, you might need to do the following.  

• The first thing that you might want to do is check the drainage system. Sometimes if the drain is blocked, then there are chances of a water leakage. 
• See if all the connections are fastened or tightened. If you find loose connections, then make sure to secure them well. 
• Check to see the storage bin. If the bin is filled to the brim, then sometimes the level sensor may not work properly, leading to an overflow of water.

Ice Machine Making Weird Sounds: If your ice machine is making weird sounds, then check the following.

• Check for any loose components in the machine. There could be some loose connections or loose screws. Make sure to tighten them well. 
• Check for any objects inside the machine that could be causing this. 
• Lubricate all the moving parts for a noise-free and smooth functioning of the machine.

Ice Machine Freezing Over: Freezing over is another common issue seen happening in ice machines. Therefore, the things mentioned below are what you need to do.

• Ice machines shouldn’t be kept very close to the wall. Ensure there is enough space around the machine and adequate ventilation for proper airflow. 
• You can adjust the thermostat. You might want to consider lowering the temperature a bit to avoid any freezing over. 
• Check refrigerant levels. If the levels are low, you would have to get it refilled so that the cooling process isn’t impacted.

When to Call a Professional to Fix Issues

Some basic common issues you definitely can fix by yourself, however, there are certain situations that call for professional intervention. Some of the issues wherein you might need to call an expert include:

• If you notice that your machine is constantly breaking down, then this will be the right time to call for a professional so that they can check the issue thoroughly. 
• If the compressor is not working, then you might need a professional to help here because compressors are critical to handle. A professional will check it thoroughly and then either repair it or even replace it completely. 
• If there is some electrical issue, then the best person to handle is a person qualified to look into it because if you are not trained enough, you might even cause a fire which could be very dangerous.   
• Any problem that is complex requires the attention of a professional.

Benefits of Professional Maintenance

• A professional is specially trained in all sorts of maintenance of the machine, therefore, your  ice machine is in good hands. 
• A professional will be able to correctly diagnose the issue and give you the needed solution. 
• Complex issues can easily be taken care of by professionals because they know what exactly to do. 
• Proper maintenance means your machine will run for a long period of time. 
• You will be at peace because you know an expert is handling the issues.

Importance of Properly Maintaining Ice Machines

• Proper and regular maintenance means that your machine will be running for a long term. 
• There would be fewer breakdowns which means your business won’t be impacted and your customers will be satisfied. 
• You get good, clean, clear, and fresh ice all the time. 
• You get a constant supply of ice whenever needed.

Key Tips for Operating a Commercial Ice Machine

• Always install your ice machine in an area that has proper ventilation because you need proper airflow. 
• Your machine should always be placed on a stable surface. 
• Do not keep other heat-generating machines or appliances near the ice machine. 
• Make sure to do daily, weekly and monthly maintenance so that the ice maker machine functions smoothly. 
• Throw away old ice if need be at the end of the day as it’s always nice to have fresh and clean ice. 
• Regularly check the quality of ice and how much ice is being produced, if you happen to notice the ice is cloudy and there’s a slow production, then it means you need to check some components or parts that might need adjustment, repair, or replacement.

 

In conclusion, an ice machine is an essential appliance for a commercial setting such as a restaurant, hotel, or bar, and even home based if you need one. Therefore, it is critical to choose the right one for your needs and requirements. Also, make sure that you regularly maintain ice makers so that they can serve you long-term. Moreover, take note of all the common issues and troubleshooting that you could handle. However, if the issues are much critical or complex and you are unable to handle them, always call a professional to help you