Commercial ice makers are a special type of machine employed by commercial kitchens to help produce quick ice to serve cold drinks to customers. These machines can serve multiple customers at the same time and are prone to running into problems just like other commercial kitchen appliances. One of the most common problems tends to be the commercial ice maker running slow and not producing enough ice. Many reasons can trigger this issue and if you need to get it fixed quickly, call in an ice dispenser repair professional. We will list down the reasons and share some troubleshooting tips to help your commercial ice maker return to normal.

Dirty Filters

If you did not know, your commercial ice maker comes with filters that are specifically designed to improve the quality of the water and ice by trapping bacteria and contaminants. With time, the filters tend to become clogged. As a result, the filters are not able to purify the water anymore and the water passes through the clogged filters with dirt and other harmful factors.

This can create all sorts of problems if you are dealing with customers and offering poor-quality ice. That said, you must regularly inspect and maintain the commercial ice maker, especially before serving the customers some ice. Fortunately, cleaning and maintaining the filters is not that difficult and you should consult a user manual to access it.

If the commercial ice maker happens to be old, you should consider replacing the filters. Commercial ice makers usually come with a single filter but that can vary based on the make, model, and variant. If the filter happens to be cracked or damaged, you will need to replace it.

You should contact the manufacturer or consult an expert in this matter. Make sure you opt for the exact replacement as filters may look the same from the outside. However, there is a difference in the quality and the purifying capability.

Ensure The Ice Machine Is Not Near Heat Sources

Another noteworthy issue with commercial ice makers and their owners is that they tend to place such appliances near other appliances that produce heat. Modern commercial ice makers come with sensors that record the outdoor temperature and adjust their temperature accordingly.

So, if there happens to be a heat source nearby, the commercial ice maker will not be able to produce ice properly as it will be tricked into thinking that the temperature outside is too hot. Moreover, the commercial ice maker will work harder which will put stress on the unit. This will result in high electricity consumption as well.

So, ensure that your commercial ice maker is located where it’s away from heat sources. In some cases, constant exposure can also lead to the components being damaged.

Check The Water Supply

Sometimes, the culprit is not the commercial ice maker itself but the water supply. If your commercial ice maker happens to be slow and nothing seems to be a problem, you will need to check if the water flow is proper. Check the main supply line. It may be turned off unintentionally by a staff member.

If you turn on the valve and the water flow is still insufficient, there might be a problem in the main line. Furthermore, if you observe water pools or puddles near the ice maker, it could mean there is a leakage underground. This problem is not going to be that easy to fix. You will need to consult an expert and hire a team that will get the job done as soon and as effectively as possible.

As it’s an issue with the main line, any appliance that uses water will be affected like your dishwasher. So, if your dishwasher is not working, check the main line before considering commercial dishwasher repair Fairfax.

Other Commercial Ice Maker Issues

While we have discussed the potential reasons along with some troubleshooting tips to fix your slow-running commercial ice maker, it is equally important that we focus on some other issues as well.

Discoloration

It is quite common for commercial ice makers to produce discolored ice. You might observe the ice to be yellow or brown. This happens due to mineral deposits in the machine’s water supply. In simple words, this type of ice is bad and should not be served to the customer as it could contaminate the drinks.

The frustrating part is that sometimes you might not be able to spot the discoloration until a customer complains. If you can spot the discoloration, you will need to check the water and supply. It might be that the water coming from the main supply is dirty and the filters inside the ice maker are not able to trap that much amount of dirt.

You will need to contact the local authorities to fix the issue. If you are informed that the issue will take some time to fix, you should inform the customers about it.

Lack of Maintenance

Commercial ice makers like other kitchen appliances require proper maintenance. Unfortunately, most business owners ignore or neglect this factor as they assume these appliances hardly need any maintenance. The fact of the matter is that any appliance that is used throughout the day, especially for serving customers will require maintenance.

With time, the components inside the commercial ice maker become covered with layers of dirt and dust. These accumulations make it a lot harder for the components to function especially when it comes to dispersing heat. As a result, the components turn hot and might result in a malfunction.

To avoid expensive repairs and replacements, you should make sure to perform regular cleaning and maintenance. Even though your employees should be trained and educated to perform such tasks, you should hire an expert for such matters.

Not only will they thoroughly clean the unit but also identify potential issues and fix them before they turn into something serious.

Water Leakage

An issue that mostly takes place in old commercial ice makers is water leakage. Getting your commercial ice maker maintained by a professional will surely increase its lifespan and help prevent repairs and replacements but sooner or later the ice maker will run into problems such as water leakage due to corrosion and rust.

This is when you should realize that nothing much can be done about it and the ice maker has nearly completed its lifespan. Instead of spending a hefty amount on repairs and replacements, you should save the money and invest in a new commercial ice maker.

How Frequently Should Professional Maintenance Be Performed?

The frequency of professional maintenance depends on a lot of factors including usage frequency. If the ice maker is used throughout the day, you should schedule professional maintenance at least once every month or two. But, if your business is not serving too many customers at the moment, you can either train your employees or perform thorough maintenance yourself.

But, make sure that you keep a record of the maintenance performed so that you do not miss out on any when it is due. Remember, your customers are your top priority and you will have to give what it takes to maintain a positive reputation.

Conclusion

Although the tips mentioned above will help you troubleshoot the issues, but you can avoid them by keeping a close eye and scheduling professional maintenance. And get help from commercial ice maker repair Alexandria services for troubleshooting any ice machine issue.