An ice machine is an essential piece of equipment for any business that serves cold drinks and wants them to stay that way. And, let's be honest, an ice cold drink on a hot day is especially welcome on the Sunshine Coast.
Nobody wants to spend half their time filling ice cube trays with water and carefully carrying them to a freezer. Having a machine to give you ice on demand is really the only sensible way to handle the demands of a busy bar or cafe.
As useful as ice machines can be, they're complex pieces of machinery, so they don't always work as well as they're supposed to. Unfortunately, you won't always know there's a problem until your machine stops working completely.
That's one of the reasons you should have a professional inspect and maintain your ice machine regularly. In between your scheduled maintenance, look out for any of these signs a breakdown could be imminent.
Changes in the size of your ice can be hard to notice, so it pays to be on the ball. Although you don’t need to measure the cubes, spending a moment looking closely at the ice cubes once a week or so should help you see when a difference occurs.
If the cubes are too small, the water supply or the filtering system may need repairs. This issue will only get worse over time, so don't ignore it. You could quickly find yourself with a nonworking ice machine.
On the flip side, unusually large ice cubes are also a sign your machine might be on the verge of failure.
Just like with unusually small cubes, those that are larger than normal could be warning you about a water supply issue. On top of suggesting a growing problem within the machine, ice that's coming out too big can actually cause further issues like blockages.
When you're not seeing as much ice in each batch as you're used to, this sign could suggest all manner of problems. Some of them are simple, while others are less so. But one thing is certain: the problem is likely to get worse.
Take note of whether the drop in production was sudden or whether it's been steadily decreasing, which will help diagnose the exact problem. You should also check the area for any signs of a leak, as less water getting to the machine can account for less ice.
When your ice machine is working normally, consider timing how long it takes to produce a batch of ice. That way, if you suspect the production has slowed down, you have a way to find out for sure.
If you haven't done this and you have a strong feeling it's not working as fast as it used to, trust your instincts. In some cases, slow performance and reduced output are down to the temperature in the room your ice machine lives in. If this temperature is too high, the machine may struggle to perform properly.
You may have noticed a rise in temperature in your ice machine room, in which case this is almost certainly what's behind the problem. Have a professional inspect your air conditioning, as well as the ice machine itself.
When ice has more of a wet surface than usual, it freezes at a slightly higher temperature. This wetness might just be down to seasonal changes in weather, but your air conditioning should be adjusted to counteract this.
If you've eliminated other causes, you could have an issue with the machine's thermostat.
If you see any of these problems — or others not listed here — in your ice machine, don't wait for it to break down. Contact Cool Air Conditioning Pty Ltd to get it checked out as soon as possible.