refrigeration

Why & When to Clean Ice Machines

Nowhere is ice more appreciated in the world than in the U.S. Every bar, restaurant, picnic ground and even the average home uses ice on a daily basis. This is why the sale of ice and ice-making equipment is a huge business. Refrigeration and HVAC companies are some of the most important in the world for supplying the means to create and keep ice for different purposes.

 

If you own a commercial ice machine, it’s important to keep it clean and maintained. The Food and Drug Administration regulates ice machine cleaning for a reason, inspecting the plumbing and the safety and sanitation of the water supply to prevent the contamination.

Failing to clean your ice machine may lead to serious health issues, as it could harbor bacteria and contaminate the ice and water. If an ice machine isn’t cleaned for a long time, biofilm can form. Biofilm protects bacteria and other organisms. Ordinary cleaning won’t remove biofilm; you’ll need expensive, specialized cleaning.

 

When an Ice Machine Needs Cleaned

 

You can easily observe signs that your ice machine needs cleaning. For one thing, the ice will start to smell or taste bad, be partially formed, be smaller than usual or become cloudy. 

 

However, even if you don’t notice anything unusual about the ice, you should still clean your ice machine at least every six months. Follow the manufacturer-provided manual or call a professional provider of refrigeration equipment services to schedule a cleaning.

 

What’s Removed by Cleaning?

 

When you clean an ice machine, you remove lime, scale and mineral deposits. Regularly cleaning your ice machine, especially a commercial one, helps prevent contamination and the proliferation of bacteria and other microorganisms. 

 

Cleaning also entails the exterior of the ice machine. Have it treated with anti-rust to help prolong its life. Remove any dirt and dust on the coil and change the filter. 

 

Get in touch with Cafco Services to learn more. Call us at (513) 242-3400 or use this form to contact us. We also offer HVAC filter products.

The Cafco Team

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