A commercial ice maker is one of the most important appliances in a commercial kitchen. These machines are designed to produce instant ice to serve customers with chilled beverages. Commercial ice makers require water to produce ice and, in most cases, are used throughout busy business days. Although they are relatively simple machines to work with, they can sometimes run into problems that can be frustrating and for some, you need help from a commercial ice maker repair expert. If your commercial ice maker has simply stopped producing ice out of nowhere, here are some tips that will help you fix the problem.

Fixing An Ice Machine That Is Not Producing Ice

Check The Water Supply

First things first, you will need to make sure that the water supply to the ice maker is normal. Some business owners are quick to point fingers as soon as a problem comes up. Not every problem is directly related to the ice maker itself, and you should begin the troubleshooting process by checking on the basics.

If the water supply to the ice maker is experiencing problems, the machine won’t be able to produce ice. Fortunately, checking or inspecting the water supply is simple and easy, as all you need to do is look for blockages, leakages, or damage.

It might be that the main water connection has algae or something stuck inside that is preventing the free flow of water. With time, mineral deposits also form, which can make the supply difficult to reach its destination. At the same time, you should also know that ice makers require a certain psi to produce ice.

If the water pressure is low, ice production is not going to be possible. Check for possible reasons, such as the water pump, for any malfunctions. If everything seems fine, you may want to contact the relevant authorities. It might be that they are performing maintenance and have temporarily closed the water supply.

Inspect Water Filter

Every commercial ice maker comes with a water filter or filters to trap contaminants and produce good-quality ice. With time, the filter becomes choked and might need cleaning or replacement. Neglecting a choked water filter will lead to ice cubes that carry an unusual odor and may also result in digestion issues.

To check the water filter, you will need to consult the user manual and access the ice maker. Keep in mind that if the filters are too dirty, it might affect the water supply as well. If your commercial ice maker is old, you might want to consider replacing the water filter.

Make sure to opt for the exact replacement. Water filters may look the same, but vary in terms of features and quality. Do not be tempted to save money, as you may end up affecting the quality and losing your customers.

Examine The Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve is an essential part of the commercial ice maker. It is a part of the ice machine that controls the water inflow to the commercial ice maker. If the inlet valve is faulty, the unit will not be able to receive any water, and the production will suffer.

To determine if the water inlet valve is malfunctioning, you will need to use a multimeter. If the values are low, it means the valve is not opening and blocking the flow of water. If the valve seems to be the problem, you should simply replace it instead of trying to repair it. If replacing a new valve does not fix the issue, you will need to consult an expert.

Test Ice Level Control Board

The ice level control board like the brain of the ice machine, because it signals the unit when to produce more ice. If the control board happens to malfunction, it will impede the ice production process as well. Although the control board is located deep inside the unit to protect it from external factors, power surges and other reasons could cause issues.

Instead of accessing and inspecting the control board yourself, which could be a risky situation, you should entrust an expert to handle the issue. Control board issues need to be addressed immediately, as they can shut down the entire machine without any signs or symptoms in some cases. So, get in touch with a commercial appliances repair Fairfax Station technician.

Review Settings And Controls

Sometimes, the issue is not mechanical but related to settings and controls. It might be that someone accidentally changed the settings without realizing that the machine would stop producing ice. If you don’t find any unusual signs, you should try resetting the ice machine.

It could be a software bug or something similar that is confusing or halting the machine. But if you come across an error code, it means something is wrong. You will need to read the user manual and try to find out what the code says. This will help you understand what is causing the error instead finding the cause manually by inspecting the entire ice machine.

Ensure Proper Temperature

Commercial ice makers need a proper temperature to produce ice. In most cases, these machines require a room temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold to ensure a smooth operation. This is why commercial ice makers are not recommended by experts to be installed or placed near heat sources.

An ice maker installed in a room with fluctuating temperatures is going to have a difficult time producing ice. If the room is too hot, the compressor and other components will bear more stress and consume more power to produce ice.

But if the temperature is too cold, it can cause the production to stop. Modern commercial ice makers come with advanced sensors and thermostats that are able to manage temperature both effectively and efficiently. Plus, these units consume relatively less power as well.

So, make sure you place the ice maker where the air ventilation and temperature do not fluctuate much.

Ensure Maintenance

You might think commercial ice makers do not require maintenance since all they do is produce ice. The fact of the matter is that ice makers can easily become troublesome due to limescale deposits, dirt, and dust accumulation. As easy and simple as these machines are to operate, they can easily run into problems if maintenance is ignored.

But, even then, if the commercial ice maker is old, you cannot do much but consider replacing it. Commercial ice makers do not run for more than a decade, even if maintained properly. The components inside eventually turn weaker and will break down more frequently.

That said, make sure to schedule professional maintenance depending on the usage frequency and opt for a new unit if the existing one is old and requires expensive repairs and replacements.

Conclusion

It is normal for commercial ice makers to run into problems, especially when they are being used on a daily basis. But what is more important is that you are familiar with the possibilities and how to tackle them. The above-mentioned tips will help you get the ice maker running back to normal in no time, but if the problem persists, call in an ice dispenser repair Clifton professional. Plus, prevent such issues from taking place by performing regular maintenance.