The Basic Facts of Troubleshooting the Commercial Ice machine
This article is about the commercial ice machine and not the ice maker found in the domestic refrigerator.
The Commercial Ice Machine is built in many varieties according to the type of ice to be produced. Although the refrigeration and electrical systems are similar, the evaporator and condenser vary significantly in design to accommodate many factors of ice that include shape, density, and clarity. Maintenance requirements vary widely and of course selecting the right commercial ice machine requires product training.
Commercial Ice Varieties and Types
Ice is produced in varieties that include flake, nugget, pearl, quarter cube, half cube, full cubes, blocks, balls, dry ice, and more. Each of these varieties needs a unique machine design to facilitate production. Shown below are (from left top) nuggets, tube ice popular for bagged ice and flaked ice at the right.
Condenser Type, locations and applications
Condenser designs include air-cooled, remote, and water-cooled. The motors used in the air-cooled machine range from simple PSC types to extensive variable speed systems. Pictured below at from left the remote condenser, water cooled condenser and the unitary ice machine (note the small compressor at the right)
Maintenance of the Ice Machine
Maintenance of the commercial ice machine requires maintenance practices not related to the ‘repair’ of the systems. Remember that ice is food, and the machines that make ice should be maintained similarly to other food service equipment. Issues such as cleaning and sanitizing top the list of common failures of the equipment. Sanitizing is an integral part of the commercial ice machine maintenance plan. Besides hygiene, the moldy and algae laden condition found in poorly maintained machinery directly and adversely affects the production capability, sometimes to the point of ‘failure.’ Besides mechanical, poorly maintained machinery affects the quality of the ice product and, more severe, increases the chance of making consumers sick.
Water Filtration
Water filtration is a unique requirement of the commercial ice machine. Machines without high-quality water filtration and as-required water treatment suffer from substantial service life decreases. When have technicians and maintenance personnel been (ever) trained on water filtration and treatment? The answer is usually never, but it is clear that these tasks are a substantial part of their responsibility when considering the ice machine. From experience, lacking water filtration and machine maintenance contribute to shortened service life and grossly unsanitary ice servings.
A Ground Based (no ladders) Career
Careers that directly pertain to the ice industry are unique and somewhat hard to fill due to the short supply of qualified technicians and maintenance personnel. Positions such as service technician, maintenance technician, installation service, water testing and treatment, ice distribution, and health inspection abound focused on the specific skills required for ice machine service. We focus on ice machines here, but similar vacancies exist for other types of machinery such as ice cream, slushy (brand names excluded here), margarita frozen beverage, and much more specialized equipment. For those that don’t like routinely working on roofs and in attics, then these careers provide for a more ‘grounded’ workday.
Retraining from HVAC jobs into the ice machine industry is common, with training on the commercial ice machine first. Habits learned in the HVAC business need to be forgotten, and new procedures learned (wash your hands!)
Bad Installation Errors
Health and safety issues are covered in the installation section and deserve more coverage here. Poor Health and Safety compliance begin with the original installation of the equipment. Machinery that is difficult to access for routine activities won’t likely be routinely cleaned and inspected. It makes sense that everyone involved in the space design and installation specifics needs to be aware of the maintenance and service requirements. E.g., a water shut-off valve located out of reach directly behind a 1000# ice machine won’t be used; because it can’t be accessed for use. Technicians are prone to neglect issues such as leaking water inlet valves to a water-cooled condenser or fill valve in these instances, leaving potential defects that could eventually damage the property and furnishings. Congruent with non-compliant service work are the issues of wasted water and the operational expenses therein.
Commercial Ice Machine Training and the Professional Ice Machine Technician
The commercial ice machine and industry fundamentals are essential to understand before jumping into electrical, refrigeration, and factory service schools. The best analogy that we can think of is getting your driving permit and believing that you can drive an aircraft carrier the next day. The US Navy has proved time again that it is possible, but it is essential to obtain an advanced working knowledge of each step to get there. The fundamental course is an excellent place to begin your journey of food service equipment mastery.
