An ice machine is one of the most useful assets you can get for your business. It plays a significant role in improving day-to-day convenience and comfort. However, like any other machine, ice machines are also prone to operational issues and problems. This can be very frustrating, especially if it becomes an obstacle in your daily business operations.
You don’t want your staff or customers to have a hard time because your ice maker suddenly decided to act up. As it is easy to become reliant on the machine for quality ice cubes, you will find it very challenging to go on without a fully operational ice maker.
The best way to combat this issue is to understand and learn about the common ice machine problems. This way, you will know what is causing the issues and also learn whether you can solve them on your own or need the help of ice machine experts like the ones at LA Ice Machine. Furthermore, you will also be able to prevent most of the problems if you know what’s causing them.
This blog will highlight some common ice machine problems you might encounter. Keep reading to learn more.
1. The Ice Machine is Not Making Enough Ice
One of the most common and concerning issues you might encounter is when your ice machine is not making sufficient ice. In that case, your investment might seem like a waste. However, there might be some underlying reasons for this. Here’s what might be affecting your ice machine’s performance.
Clogged Water Filter
The water filter in your ice machine works hard to filter and eliminate contaminants. However, it can become clogged over time, sending less water to the ice maker to make ice. If your ice maker does not have enough water, it will not produce enough ice. Thus, it is vital to check the water filter and replace it every six months.
Faulty Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve opens and closes to get the ice maker the water it needs to produce ice. If the valve has a pressure of less than 20 psi (pound-force per square inch), the ice maker won’t get the water it needs to make ice. Therefore, it is vital to check the water pressure, and if there is no issue with that, you might have a faulty valve that you’ll need to replace.
2. Ice Maker is Not Dispensing Ice
If your bin is full, and the ice maker is not dispensing ice, it can be highly frustrating. This can be due to two reasons:
Ice Clumps
If you don’t use the ice maker very often, huge clumps of ice can form inside the ice maker and in the chute. Hearing a loud grinding noise every time you try to dispense ice is a clear indication of this. While small chunks can be broken using your hands, you will need to defrost the ice bin if the clumps are larger.
Frozen Auger Motor
The auger motor breaks up the clumps that form inside the ice bin. However, if the motor is frozen, it won’t be able to break up the clumps, resulting in your ice maker not dispensing ice. It’s best to consult a professional in this case.
3. Odd Ice Taste
People use ice machines to get the highest quality clear ice. However, if the ice cubes taste odd, it’s a sign that there is something wrong with your ice machine. This is even more concerning if you regularly clean your ice machine. A common cause for this includes:
Old Water Filter
An expired water filter is likely the culprit behind the odd-tasting ice in your ice maker. As mentioned above, the filter traps and prevents contaminants from entering the ice maker. If it is worn out, it won’t work properly, causing your ice to taste funny. Thus, you should regularly clean the filter and look for signs to replace it.
4. A Leaking Ice Maker
A leaking ice maker can create a huge mess, contaminating ice cubes and forming clumps. Some common causes for this are:
Unleveled Ice Maker
If the ice maker is not leveled, the melting ice might not be able to reach the drain. As a result, you might see a puddle of water near your ice maker. Thus, it is best to check if the machine is properly leveled to prevent this issue.
Misaligned Cup and Fill Valve
The fill cup in your ice maker is filled through a water spigot situated near the ice tray. If both are misaligned, the water might leak instead of going to the cup. Thus, you should check if the valve and cup are aligned properly to prevent this issue.
Get High-Quality Commercial Ice Machines in Los Angeles
Now that you know some problems you might encounter while using commercial ice machines, it is time to consult the professionals and get one for your business.
You can rent a commercial ice machine from LA Ice Machine. They are a leading ice machine rental solutions provider with years of service to their credit. They have hundreds of satisfied customers and have worked with several businesses, including schools, hospitals, offices, restaurants, and hotels.
They offer a water filter, biannual preventive maintenance, and ice dispenser rental as part of their subscription plan. So don’t wait and rent ice machines online with zero downtime. Their affordable ice rental plans start as low as $134.99* per month.
Get in touch with LA Ice Machine to get started or learn more about their ice machine rental services.
About the Author
The author of this blog is an expert commercial ice machine specialist with over a decade of industry experience. They have been associated with LA Ice Machine for several years. They have worked with several types of ice machines and are well-versed in all the compliance standards.
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