Preventive Maintenance (PM) is the key to maximum running efficiency, less downtime, and longer life out of an ice machine. The primary items for an ice machine PM check are as follows: Clean and sanitize the water system. Clean air filters on air-cooled models. Check external filter system and change cartridges as needed. Check inlet water valve screens. Conduct bearing and auger inspection on extruded ice makers. Conduct a visual inspection of components, controls, and wiring for oil spots, loose wires, loose fasteners, corrosion, etc. Clean the bin interior and unit exterior. Clean and Sanitize As ice forms on an ice machine evaporator plate, a separation occurs. Minerals separate from the water and form scale which sticks to the surfaces of the water system components. This scale will be more visible when the surfaces are dry. The color of the scale will vary due to the type of minerals in the local water supply. As an example, lime […]

Pumps Versus Compressors Some people say that compressors are simply pumps that pump gas. This may be true to some extent, but significant differences exist between them. First, let’s explore the similarities. They both have positive displacement and dynamic designs capable of satisfying a broad range of flow and head requirements. Reciprocating pumps and compressors are both used for low-flow, high-head applications; centrifugal pumps and compressors are used for high flow, low-head applications and screw pumps and compressors are used for mid-flow, mid-head applications. As with pumps, multistaging can be used with any of these compressor designs whenever higher heads are required.  Both pumps and compressors use seals, bearings, lubrications systems and some type of driver. This is where the similarities end. The T-Word (Thermodynamics) The key difference between pumps and compressors is related to the thermodynamic nature of g […]

If you are in a business that relies on ice, you no doubt need an ice machine to make ice for you. However, the type of ice machine that is right for your business will vary greatly depending on what exactly you’re serving. There are several different types of ice machines and each produces a different kind of ice. If you are serving iced drinks, mixed drinks, or bagging ice to be sold or dispensed, then you will probably need a cubed ice machine. This type of machine is perfect for bars, bagging facilities, and many restaurants. Ice-o-Matic, Manitowoc, and Hoshizaki, and Scotsman all make variations of these machines. All of these produce the rhomboid ice cubes found in most bars and restaurants, with the exception of Hoshizaki’s cube, which is round. These type of ice machines offer a higher water to ice ratio, allowing for a slower melt, decreasing production. Another good choice for those in the bar or restaurant industr […]

According to a publication of the ‘Improving Cold Storage Equipment in Europe’ (ICE-E) project deliverables, the use of ammonia in cold stores and food processing industry applications is growing in Europe, however, the use of R404A is still quite common. In North America on the other hand, the use of ammonia is predominant, at least in large cold stores. The two refrigerants can be considered almost equivalent in terms of relationship saturation temperature/pressure, volumetric cooling capacity, thermodynamic efficiency of the reference ideal cycle. With this in mind, the “Refrigerants” information document of the ICE-E Info Pack, looks at other criteria like refrigerant cost, leakage detection, environmental compatibility or refrigerant compatibility with materials to analyze the main advantages and disadvantages of R404A and R717. Advantages of ammonia over R404A The advantages of ammonia, when compared to R404A, are cost, heat trans […]

When deciding which ice machine will be best for your needs, it is important to consider the application of the ice produced and determine the amount of ice needed. It is important to consider your ice demand during both high and low seasons, ensuring that you are never with a surplus of unusable ice or without ice in a peak season. The table below gives a good representation of ice usage estimates based on the industry your ice machine is needed for. Type of Operation Usage Food Service Restaurant 1.5 lbs. Per Person Bar/Cocktail 3.5 lbs. Per Seat Salad Bar 40 lbs. Per Cubic Foot Fast Food 5 oz. Per 7 – 10 oz. Drink 8 oz. Per 12 – 16 oz. Drink 12 oz. Per 18 – 24 oz. Drink Lodging Guest Ice 5 lbs. Per Room Restaurant 1.5 lbs. Per Seat Cocktail 3 lbs. Per Seat Catering 1 lb. Per Person Convenience Store/ Supermarket Self-Serve Beverage 6 oz. Per 12 oz. Drink 10 oz. Per 20 oz. Drink 16 oz. Per 32 oz. Drink Bagged Ice Pounds Per Bag X Bags […]

There was a time when a chilled drink and refrigerated food storage were the domain of cold climates and winter days. Since Boston businessman Frederick Tudor decided in 1806 to sell blocks of ice pulled from the surfaces of New England ponds, large parts of the world have come to rely on ice as a year-round staple and dining requirement. Over the couple centuries and some years since then, we’ve moved from fickle, hard-to-store, and sometimes dirty natural ice to cubes, flakes, and nuggets produced by ice machines. Though the process is a little less organic now, at its heart it’s no less simple than combining cold and water. Still, some steps in making ice are still a mystery even to those who have been dealing with a commercial ice maker for years. So, let’s look at the machinery and inside the process. The Refrigeration System in a Commercial Ice Machine The heart of every commercial ice machine is a refrigeration system similar to […]

  REFRIGERATION     The preservation of winter ice, principally for cooling drinks in summer, was practiced from antiquity when ice was stored in insulated caves. Ice cooling was so popular in America that, within a decade of the Revolution, the United States led the world in both the production and consumption of ice. As the use of ice was extended to the preservation of fish, meat, and dairy products, ice production became a major industry in the northern states, and ice was shipped not only to the southern states but to the West Indies and South America. By 1880 the demand in New York City exceeded the capacity of 160 large commercial icehouses on the Hudson River. This industry reached its peak in 1886 when 25 million pounds were “harvested” by cutting lake and river ice with   Horse-drawn saws. The advent of mechanical refrigeration in the nineteenth century began a slow decline in the ice trade. The natural ice industr […]

Very few end users fully understand the importance of properly cleaning and sanitizing their ice machines, storage bins, and dispensers. Many don’t even view ice as a food commodity. Yet the quality and safety of every beverage they serve as well as the longevity and power consumption of their equipment depend on the proper maintenance of this equipment. Adding to the problem is that some contractors and technicians may not realize the importance of how to properly perform this task and how to help customers maintain the quality of ice that is being consumed. Many rushes through ice machine cleaning and sanitizing using untrained, entry-level personnel to minimize the cost to their customers. In reality, they are doing their customers a disservice by not being effective at eliminating bacterial growth and scale deposits. Here are some tips that can help your company do a thorough job when cleaning this equipment and help ensure your cus […]

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1. General inspection of the compressor. Check compressor shell, piping connections and mounting. To start, check the compressor for discoloration on the head and by the discharge line. This can indicate that the compressor is experiencing excessively high discharge temperatures. If you see blistered paint or a brownish tinge, make note of it. Observe the mounting grommets and make sure they are not split or missing chunks. Ensure the fastening bolts are all present and not loose. On tandem compressor arrangements, make sure the assembly is mounted as per the manufacturer’s requirements or excessive vibration can occur. Look for oil around the piping connections and below the compressor which can indicate a leak. 2. Electrical connections. Check the electrical connectors to ensure that they are tight with no free play. Loose connectors can cause poor voltage resulting in overheating of the connectors and motor. Look for discoloration of […]