Despite its obvious importance to any business, their owners usually disregard ice machines. The cleanliness of your ice maker should be at the top of your list of routine maintenance considerations.
If you properly maintain the ice machine at your business, you will reduce the likelihood of a mechanical breakdown, code issues, improper ice, and dissatisfied customers.
Some Insights into the Operation of a Commercial Ice Machine and the Need for Regular Maintenance.
One of the most common concerns that arise with commercial ice machines is the development of bacteria.
Biofilm slime is the most prevalent and dangerous enemy of commercial ice processors. When eradicating this sludge from your apparatus, more than standard cleaning measures will be required.
It can only be eliminated by applying certain chemicals, thorough cleaning, and good sanitation.
Despite how meticulously commercial ice machines are maintained, bacteria and other impurities will always find their way inside.
There is another disadvantage associated with commercial ice makers.
Collecting calcium and limescale over time can accelerate the deterioration of the ice maker’s components if nothing is done to avoid it. Thus, both the flavour and appearance of the ice are altered.
The quality of the ice will determine the quality of the drinks. Customers who are dissatisfied with their experience are less likely to return and more likely to post negative reviews online.
It is essential to prevent the ice machine from malfunctioning, as this could result in revenue loss.
Maintaining your ice maker in good condition and ensuring that the ice it produces always has a pleasant flavour and appearance can be achieved by performing routine cleaning and sanitation.
It is illegal to provide people with ice stored in a commercial ice maker contaminated with mould.
This practice is both unclean and unlawful. Contrary to popular belief, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies ice as food, subject to the same safety and sanitary requirements as other edible items.
So, it would help if you didn’t overlook your ice maker. The contamination of a commercial ice machine with mould, bacteria, and slime may result in disease and legal issues for the firm that owns the ice machine.
Even if you don’t believe it’s feasible, mould is likely developing inside your ice machine. Even if the ice appears straightforward, it is only guaranteed to be partially sterile. Instead of relying on appearances, inspect the ice and establish a maintenance plan to ensure everything is noticed.
Instructions for the Appropriate Hygienic Upkeep of Commercial Ice Makers
There are a variety of accessible commercial ice makers. Thus, you must verify the information in the owner’s manual or the vendor’s recommendations.
Despite this, the essential measures in sanitizing an ice machine are dependable.
Required Equipment:
- Bristle and nylon-based combination brushes
- The cleaning supplies include a sponge, scale remover, hot water, and a vacuum.
- Your priority should be removing the lime and calcium deposits that have accumulated.
- After removing the slime, a sanitiser should be applied to eliminate and disinfect it.
- Every six months, you should repeat these steps to guarantee that your industrial ice machine performs optimally.
And instead, here is what you should be doing:
Empty the ice machine and clean it well.
Eliminate any remaining traces of ice from the device.
Find a ” clean ” button and then click that button to start the water flow.
Add the necessary quantity of disinfectant to the container. The purchaser’s manual has a reference to this specific number.
In around 20 minutes, the cycle should conclude (duration may vary by brand). Delete every component located within. Before attempting this job, review the operator’s manual to ensure the device will be used securely.
Prepare preparations for a cleaning process. The recommended cleanser-to-water ratio is one gallon of water to sixteen ounces of cleanser. It is now time to clean the previously removed components.
Use the nylon cleaning brush and towel to wipe down all kitchen surfaces. Do a thorough cleaning in every location.
Cleanse
The ice maker at your business should then be sterilized as the next step in maintaining its optimal condition.
It is, without a doubt, the most critical phase in the cleaning process, as it helps to reduce the quantity of potentially harmful germs that may still be present in your ice machine after the cleaning method has been completed.
Make sure an antiseptic solution is available. The typical recipe calls for three litres of hot water and two ounces of disinfectant. But, if you want to be specific, you may always consult the instructions.
Use one-half of the solution to disinfect the previously removed components and the other half to clean the remaining surfaces, including the interior of the ice machine, the ice bin, and other locations.
Reassemble the parts that were previously disassembled. After twenty minutes, restart the machine by hitting “clean” again.
Ensure that the water in the troughs is replenished thoroughly. In this situation, consult the user manual to determine the amount of sanitiser to add, then initiate the disinfection cycle.
When another twenty minutes have gone, remain in place and continue to monitor everything, as well as the harvesting and freezing procedures.
It is essential to remember that the first two attempts to create ice are futile and should be abandoned. Finally, visually inspect the exterior, condenser, and filter for grime.
After sanitizing and cleaning the interior of the ice maker at your business, remove any residue by wiping the exterior with a damp cloth.
The environment surrounding the machine is susceptible to contamination from various contaminants, such as dirt, grime, food, and grease.
To prevent any dirt or dust from entering the ice maker, keeping the exterior and the area immediately surrounding it clean is essential.
When such an event occurs, bacterial growth rates may accelerate. Next, switch off the electricity to the ice maker and inspect the condenser coil for any accumulation.
The next step is to clean the condenser coil by running air through it while vacuuming it. This guarantees that the filter remains clean and that the industrial ice maker continues to operate without interruption.
Additional Maintenance Advice for Your Commercial Ice Machine
The following tips will help clean and disinfect a commercial ice machine thoroughly. When running a commercial ice machine, it is vital to always adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
To avoid potential dangers, disinfectants, bleach, and other cleaning products should never be mixed.
When working with any chemical, wearing protective equipment such as goggles and gloves is imperative.
You can ensure that your company’s ice and ice machine only uses the purest water by monitoring the water’s quality and conducting consistent tests.
By avoiding the service position of the control switch, you may preserve the condition of your water pump.
If you keep up with its routine cleaning and sanitation, the ice machine will continuously operate at peak efficiency, and it may even help you reduce your monthly utility expenses.
Tips for Those Who Detest Cleaning Their Commercial Ice Maker
If you are uncomfortable repairing the ice maker, you should get assistance.
You are lucky that you can rely on the experts at ALKCOOL Refrigeration.
If your industrial ice machine is malfunctioning or not up to code, our trained technicians can fix, update, or replace it immediately.
At ALKCOOL Refrigeration, we have qualified personnel available to guarantee the success of any project.
Austin, Texas’s business and restaurant industry can rely on our organization for assistance with anything from ice machine repair to appliance installation.
We recognize the importance of your ice machine to the smooth operation of your business.
The ice quality produced by your machine affects the customer’s experience and the likelihood that they will return.
We promise to be punctual and thorough throughout our job to repair your machinery.
