A commercial-grade ice maker is a useful tool at any house for get-togethers, parties, or other social events or business during the summer months where the drinks are cool and the ice must flow. However, without proper maintenance these machines can break down, leaving you without ice when you need it most. If you have an ice maker which isn’t making ice, here are some tips to get it back up and churning out refreshment for you and your guests.
Bail Wire
- The bail wire above the ice try should be put as low as it can go. This is essential in cleaning your ice maker.
Evaluate the Water Supply Line
- Can you see an arm swing into motion? Do you hear a buzzing sound for around ten seconds? If so, the water valve is expecting water that is not getting there. Check the water supply; maybe the supply line has a kink in it or is flat out broken.
Check for Line Blockages
- Examine the water line that goes into the back of the freezer for a blockage. Look at the water shut-off valve, turn it off, remove the copper line from the back of the fridge, turn on the valve and see if water pours out.
Frozen Fill Tube
- Did something make the ice back up around the mechanism? If so, the fill tube might have frozen. A sign of this are smaller ice cubes than normal.
Examine the Tap Valve
- The tap valve is a tiny mechanism that connects the ice machine’s water supply tube to the water pipe. A broken tap valve may cause a problem where the ice machine’s supply tube meets the water pipe. If you need to, replace the inlet and tap valve. Use the type of tap valves that requires drilling a quarter-inch hole.
Check the Solenoid
- A water line attaches to a solenoid behind a refrigerator before traveling to the ice machine. A solenoid may be defective or powerless. Unplug the fridge, and then try disposing of the sediment screen inside of the solenoid, flushing it with water, and inspecting seals or diaphragms to ensure their effectiveness.
How to Clean an Ice Machine
If you think your ice machine is just dirty instead of broken, here is how to clean it:
- Clear the machine of all ice.
- Clean the water system (Instructions for this can usually be found in your systems instruction manual).
- Examine air filters.
- Inspect the water filtration system and observe if the water pressure drops.
- Look at the machine’s components, such as cube sizing controls, water sensors, thermistors, evaporators, and water hoses.
- Sanitize the machine, storage bin, and dispenser after cleaning.
If all of this sounds exhausting and you need an ice maker ASAP, pick up a replacement from the professionals at Clean Beer, of Milford, MA and contact us about our other professional services and products.