Article contributed by John Mahlmeister, COO, Easy Ice
Can you confidently guarantee that your customers will have all the ice they want this summer?
If you want to answer yes, consider how ready your ice equipment is for hot weather. Heat, both in the air and water, can slow or limit ice machine production and even lead to breakdowns. The last thing you need on a sweltering July day is a broken ice machine and a bunch of irritated customers with lukewarm drinks. Here’s what to check out when preparing your ice equipment for this year’s hottest months.
Was Your Ice Machine Properly Installed?
Optimizing your ice machine’s summer performance starts with correct installation. A big downside of having a refrigeration or HVAC company install your ice machine or doing it yourself is the higher probability of placing the ice machine in a bad spot. Ice machine experts always take the DEWS (Drain, Electrical, Water, and Space) into account when performing an installation. The space you put an ice machine in will determine how much, if at all, summer temperatures affect the unit. Place an ice machine in the wrong spot, and it will produce less ice or even break down come summertime.
When choosing the Space for your ice machine, it’s important to think about temperature control and air quality. Ice machines should not be installed outdoors, indoors where there isn’t air conditioning, in hot kitchens, or next to heat-producing appliances like ovens, furnaces, and water heaters. Your goal is to keep your ice equipment as cool as possible. Installing it in an area of your business that consistently runs warm is asking for trouble.
If you need an ice machine at your warehouse, bakery, pizzeria, or brewery, no matter where you install it, the air quality will negatively impact the machine due to higher levels of grease, yeast, dirt, and grime. These contaminants can accumulate inside the ice machine and trap heat, leading to the same problems you would see if the ice machine’s environment was too warm. If you haven’t already had your ice machine professionally cleaned this year, do it before summer begins, and consider scheduling more than two maintenance visits annually.
If you think your ice machine should be re-installed in a different location, now is the time to call your local ice machine service company and schedule the move! Don’t wait until it’s over 100 degrees outside.
Is the Air Cool Enough?
Most businesses that use a commercial ice machine have an air-cooled model. Air-cooled ice machines use the air in their environment to cool the refrigerant enough to make ice. The hotter the air around the ice machine, the harder it must work. Manufacturers instruct users to keep the ambient temperature in your ice machine’s location no warmer than 70°F to ensure maximum ice production.
To keep the air around your ice equipment cool enough, you should:
- Keep the thermostat in the ice machine’s room set to 70°F or below, especially during business hours.
- Make sure the ice machine’s room has proper ventilation, especially in the machine’s immediate vicinity.
- Do not allow clutter to accumulate on or around the ice machine, as it will trap the hot air the ice machine expels. Always keep a foot of clear space on all sides of the unit.
Is the Water Cool Enough?
Ice machine manufacturers strongly recommend keeping your water supply at around 50°F for maximum and efficient ice production. Ice machines can tolerate water as warm as 90°F but perform best at 50°F and should not cycle water hotter than 90°F. The warmer the water entering your ice machine, the longer it takes to freeze and the less ice the machine makes.
Summer weather can sometimes affect your business’s water supply for the worse. If your water lines are underground, the summer heat shouldn’t be an issue. If your water lines are above ground, there’s a higher chance the water temperature will rise to ice machine-threatening levels. Easy Ice technicians have found water as hot as 140°F at above-ground water lines! If your water lines are above ground, consider having your plumber insulate them to keep the water cooler. It might also be possible to move the above-ground water lines to a position with less sun exposure.
Are You Handling the Ice Bin Properly?
You may not know it, but ice bins are unrefrigerated! All the more reason to make sure your ice machine is installed in a sufficiently air-conditioned room with enough clear space around it. Ice in a full bin should stay frozen long enough for you to use it, but if hot air enters the bin throughout the day, some of the ice may begin to melt before you reach it.
- Always close the bin door immediately after scooping out the ice you need.
- If you have an ice dispenser, which does not require a bin, make sure the air and water temperatures are at recommended levels, or the ice stored inside will melt and cause a leak.
Take the Right Steps Now
Your walk-in refrigerator, dishwasher, and ovens may not need preparation for summer—but your ice machine does. After you finish taking care of what you can do yourself, call an ice machine service provider you trust and make an appointment for maintenance and inspection. You’ll be glad you did when you reach the end of the summer without having ever run out of ice.
John Mahlmeister is the chief operating officer and co-founder of Easy Ice. Co-headquartered in Phoenix, AZ and Marquette, MI, Easy Ice is the national leader in the full-service ice machine subscription industry with warehouse and distribution facilities in Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Orlando, and Denver. Since its founding in 2009, Easy Ice has rapidly grown the number of ice machines under management to over 30,000 units across 47 states. The Easy Ice commercial ice machine subscription programs include installation, cleaning, preventive maintenance, repairs, and backup ice. For more information, please visit EasyIce.com. Find them on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
