Ice Machine Repair
The eTech ice machine program and courses offer the most innovative and practical approaches to learning how to repair, recommend and install commercial ice machines. In-depth discussions of the types of ice, the machines that make them, and the practical uses of each ice type begin the discussion. Later on, the mechanical and electrical controls in everyday use within the large percentage of ice machines, both large and small, are covered.
Ice machines are not created equal to another. There are flake, nugget, half cube, full cube, and a dozen others found daily in the average ice machine repair technician’s route. Besides repairing the ice machine, technician needs to recommend the right kind of machine when the ice machine is economically obsolete. In short, if the ice machine is no longer worth repairing, then the technician should recommend the best solution for the customer or facility.
Ice Machine Installations
Create installations that won’t inhibit future service and maintenance. Installations without service access are the beginning of the end for the ice machine because maintenance is likely to be skipped when maintenance access is difficult. Human nature dictates whether we like it or not; if something routine is challenging, we tend to skip it altogether.
A sound installation is reasonably simple to make, but a great installation requires knowledge, foresight, and the ability to carry out the job with precision.
Recommend the Right Ice Product for the Job
Apply the ice product correctly to the intended meal and beverage service to produce higher quality products. The application of electrical and refrigeration controls is standardized mainly throughout the industry. Learn the applications of these controls as they apply to different types and brands of ice machines. Without a basic understanding of controls and components, factory service literature leaves you in the dark.
Keep It Clean
Ice machines make food intended for consumption. As they say, Ice-Is-Food! The problem is that the industry does not routinely train the technicians who perform installation, service, and scheduled maintenance of hygienic practices. As you read, these hygienic methods are perhaps the most critical aspects of professional food service maintenance. Lack of specific technical knowledge in these areas leads to gaps in maintenance, which leads to health code violations and sanctions that could result in business closure. Embrace a culture of hygienic service and maintenance practices. Learn to identify when unhygienic habits are used in the workplace.
Unscheduled and Bad Health inspections are a disaster for food service operators. In the digital broadcasting climate of today’s newsfeeds, it is a simple thing for the customers to find out that their favorite restaurant was just inspected, and the inspector found (example) cockroaches and mold in the ice machine.
Troubleshooting Ice Machines
Ice machine troubleshooting, an involved process. Troubleshooting commercial machines is unique, especially to current refrigeration or HVAC technicians. The ice machine is robotic, with certain aspects much more critical than anything in the refrigeration or HVAC worlds.
Services Managers are often challenged to a duel when they need to send technicians out on an ice machine service or maintenance call. HVAC systems are on/off with a short sequence of operation. Ice machines need to be observed over a 20-50 minute sequence of operation to ensure the equipment operates as expected. Technicians and their managers lament that the long sequence of operations is similar to watching grass grow. More, personal hygiene and effective hygienic practices are skills in which technicians have never been trained. The troubleshooting and hygienic chapters focus on these requirements and shorten long-service call labor hours.
Make a Career of It
Lastly, a discussion is undertaken of the specific job and business ownership choices available in the ice and beverage industries. From maintenance technician to service technician, facility engineer, and health inspector, unique opportunities abound in the industry.
Buy The Book or Use the Included Digital Copy
‘Commercial Ice Machines only…’ is designed to explain the commercial ice machine basics and create successful interactions with the ice equipment, operators, and owners. Electrical and Refrigeration is explained in detail as it applies to various ice machine circuits. The digital copy is included with the Professional Ice Machine Technician Course
