Everyone knows that too many commercial ice machines have significant deferred maintenance and cleaning problems.
The ice quality is routinely poor, and the hygiene of the served ice is worse. Mold, bioslime, fungus, and solids from airborne contaminants create a mess on the wet surface of the ice machine. If it sounds terrible, it is. From decades of personal experience, technicians can recount the condition of onsite ice machines being too often terrible-disgusting. Not only is the quality of the ice compromised, but the ice machine’s performance is often well below par due to these deferred maintenance issues.
This ice machine dysfunction can be traced back to a lack of proper maintenance and cleaning. An ice machine is a complicated piece of machinery with many moving parts. If it is not adequately cared for, it will quickly break down and produce subpar ice. Having these skills is why it is essential to have a certified ice machine technician on staff.
Professional Ice Machine Technician
A certified ice machine technician has the knowledge and experience to maintain and clean an ice machine properly. They can troubleshoot any problems that may arise. Having a certified technician on staff is the best way to ensure that your ice machine is always running at peak performance.
Unfortunately, HVAC technicians frequently find themselves assigned to repair ice machines. The technologies shared between HVAC and ice machine technicians are almost zero. Commercial refrigeration technicians should have experience with refrigeration systems that operate in similar temperature ranges as the ice machine. The first chore to be omitted among some of these technicians is the cleaning and sanitizing. One favorite complaint from ice machine operators is the technician handling ice with dirty hands and no gloves. This omission is hopefully because they don’t know better.
eTech Commercial Ice Machine Training
eTech Academy has been training ice machine technicians to a point where they can sit for factory service school training on the most common brand of ice machines that your company encounters. Factory service schools provide specific training programs on their equipment. The advanced factory schools assume that the student has had training and experience and is proficient with electrical and refrigeration troubleshooting. Although the ice machine is somewhat different from an HVAC system, the factory fills in the advanced details of their equipment with the prerequisites met. Of note is that the technology behind different brands varies considerably, and more than one factory service school could be required to fill your knowledge gaps.
HVAC and commercial refrigeration technicians that have completed an eTech Academy online training session with some business smarts have discovered that if they advertise and concentrate on ice machine preventative maintenance, the on-demand service calls will increase.
There are a few different ways to become a certified ice machine technician.
- One manner is to attend a vocational school or community college that offers a training program. These programs typically last between six and twelve months, and they cover all the basics of ice machine repair.
- Online training programs, such as eTech Academy, can be completed in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional schools. eTech Academy is a training provider that offers an online Professional Ice Machine Certificate program that can be completed in as little as eight weeks. The course covers essential topics, including ice machine operation, maintenance, and repair.
But wait, there’s more!
Water Treatment and Filtration for Ice Machines
One of the most critical but often forgotten aspects of ice machine maintenance is water filtration and treatment. Most people do not realize that the water used to make ice is actually quite dirty. It can contain all sorts of impurities, including bacteria, minerals, and chemicals. The chemicals include the sanitizers introduced by the water supplier. If this water is not properly filtered and treated, it can quickly break down the ice machine and cause problems. Consumers don’t like the taste of sanitizer in their drinks or expensive cocktails!
Remember that the only ingredient in ice is pure water. Water filtration and treatment are essential to keeping your ice machine in good working order and providing tasteful ice to the consumer. The first step is to install a high-quality water filter. This will remove many of the impurities from the water before it even enters the ice machine.
Water filtration and treatment are essential but often overlooked parts of ice machine maintenance. Do not neglect this important task! If you follow these simple steps, you can ensure that your ice machine always produces clean, safe ice.
In addition to using a filter, you might also need to treat the water with a chemical or UV sanitizer. Treatment systems kill any bacteria that may be present in the water. There are many different sanitizers on the market, so be sure to choose one specifically designed for ice machines. Modern ice machines have these systems available as options when manufactured; however, they need to be adequately and CORRECTLY maintained.
Built-In Machine Sanitizing
Ice machines heads and storage bins can now be fitted with UV sanitizers to kill bacteria in the ice. This technology is a significant development, as it means that the ice produced by the machine is not only clean but also safe to consume. These areas are often dark and wet, and contamination readily accumulates in these environments.
Once you have completed your training, you will need to take an exam to receive your Professional Ice Machine Technician certificate. The exam measures your ice machine installation, repair, and maintenance knowledge. Further, you are tested on water filtration and treatment so that you can command a conversation with your knowledge. Once you have passed the exam, you are a Certificated Ice Machine Technician.
There are many benefits to becoming a Certificated ice machine technician.
- First and foremost, as a Certificated Ice Machine Technician, you can provide better service to your customers by having the knowledge and experience to maintain and clean their ice machines properly.
- You can command higher wages by being able to troubleshoot and correctly maintain and service ice machines.
- And lastly, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are providing a valuable service to your community and customer.
So if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career, consider becoming a certified ice machine technician. You can become an expert in this field and build a successful business and career with the proper training and tools. For any of the reasons above, it is a decision that you won’t regret!
