A commercial ice maker is crucial to a business. If it is being used by a business that sells ice cream or a restaurant, the last thing you would want is to stop making ice during peak hours of the day. Because it might take a day to perform commercial ice maker repair. Therefore, to prevent such issues, we have compiled a list of some troubleshooting tips. Let’s discuss!
Check For Enough Room
When it comes to your commercial ice maker not making enough ice, the first thing you need to check is whether it has enough room to breathe. Even though it is a basic requirement when installing a commercial ice maker, but some businesses tend to overlook it.
Commercial ice makers like most kitchen appliances require proper air circulation. If that is not the case, then the machine will struggle to exchange airflow, which might lead to the unit turning out. As the unit turns hot, it will either result in damaging a component or it will shut off completely to help prevent damage.
Therefore, if you notice that your commercial ice maker is not making an appropriate amount of ice, the airflow is the first thing to be checked.
Check The Compressor
The compressor is the most important and expensive component of a commercial ice maker. If it happens to malfunction, not only will you end up losing a lot of customers but also end up paying for an expensive replacement. Therefore, you need to make sure that you keep your eyes and ears out for any unusual noise.
If you hear a squeaking noise from the ice maker, you should contact a professional and get it fixed immediately. Compressors have bearings inside that wear out with time. However, in some cases especially if the unit is old, you might need to replace the compressor.
Cleaning And Maintenance
Cleaning and maintenance go a long way when it comes to making sure that your machine runs flawlessly for years to come. However, unfortunately, most business owners tend to ignore this factor as well. As a result, they end up paying for expensive repairs and replacements down the road.
This means that if your commercial ice maker is not making a sufficient amount of ice or not making anything at all, you need to check if it needs maintenance. It could be that dirt, grime, and dust accumulation has taken place on different components, which is hindering the performance of the overall unit.
Check The Condenser Coils
Part of cleaning and maintaining your commercial ice maker includes checking the condenser coils. Similar to the compressor, the condenser coils play a crucial role in the functioning of a commercial ice maker. If the condenser coils tend to be dirty or oily, warm air will not be effectively filtered out and away from the machine.
The good news is that cleaning the condenser coils is quite easy. You do not need a professional to clean them. Simply grab a clean cloth, a soft scrub brush, and a cleaning agent. Make sure that the machine is switched off and not hot before cleaning.
Check For Cracks Or Damages
If you are using an older icemaker, you will need to check it for damages or cracks. The fact is that older machines tend to be more vulnerable to damages as compared to new ones. This means that you will need to perform regular inspections.
In some cases, the machine will not make any noise. If there is any damaged or cracked component, the machine will simply perform at its lowest. It might be that a crack has caused the refrigerant to leak. Such leaks are almost impossible to identify from the naked eye.
If the case is much more complicated, you will need to consult a specialist who will fix the problem for you. However, only opt for a certified professional who knows his way around commercial ice making machines.
Final Word
That’s it! We have shared common solutions to the issue of commercial ice maker not making ice. While some problems are easy to fix, others will require a commercial kitchen appliance repair Northern VA expert dealing with them. Therefore, be patient and take your time dealing with such expensive equipment.
