A Guide to Industrial Ice Cube Makers at Manufacturing Plants and Distribution Warehouses
Chicago manufacturing and distribution facilities need plenty of ice for their workforce. These businesses benefit from a high-volume industrial ice cube maker that keeps up with their team. Ice is great from keeping employees hydrated and refreshed during a long workday or delivery. An Automatic Icemaker subscription provides your business with a high-volume industrial ice maker from the leading brands on the market. We’ve provided this handy guide to industrial ice cube makers.
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What Types of Industrial Ice Cube Makers are There for The Manufacturing Industry?
Chicago manufacturing and distribution facilities need ice for many reasons. Large industrial ice cube makers are great for providing ice throughout the day and for long deliveries. Commerical ice dispenser in your lobby helps keep visitors refreshed. Commercial ice makers come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Below are some of the types of ice makers for your industry:
Modular Ice Machines
Modular ice machines are going to produce the most ice for your business. Large Chicago warehouses and factories benefit the most from these machines because they produce thousands of pounds of ice a cay. We have modular ice machines that produce between 500 – 3000 lbs of ice a day.
Stackable Ice Machines
Stackable ice machines from Hoshizaki are designed to stack multiple ice making machines on top of one another. This increases your ice supply when you don’t have extra room for another ice machine and storage bin. Keep in mind, when you stack machines on top of one another you’ll need a high enough ceiling to accommodate these setups.
Countertop Ice Makers
Looking for an ice machine for your visitors? Countertop ice makers are small ice machines that can fit on top of counters or installed on a specialized stand. Visitors can get their own ice as they wait for meetings. Countertop ice makers range between 500-800 lbs. of ice a day
How Much Ice Do I Need for My Distribution Warehouse or Manufacturing Plant?
Chicago warehouses and distribution plants have large teams that need plenty of ice. A high-volume industrial ice machine is the perfect choice to cover their ice needs. These machines need to withstand the rigors of a busy factory. There are a few factors to consider when sizing an industrial ice maker for your business.
What Type of Ice Machine Condenser Do I Need?
Industrial ice cube makers can produce a lot of heat in a room. Your ice machine condenser is one of the areas that heat is produces. Each machine has a cooling system to help purge that heat from the ice machine, so they don’t overheat. Here are the three types of cooling systems you’ll find in ice makers:
Air Cooled Ice Machines
Air cooled systems are the most common ice machines you’ll see on the market. These units are simple in design and effective. The use a fan to cool internal components and release hot air away from the ice machine. These models need plenty of space for air to move or else heat can reenter the ice machine and lower your overall ice production rate.
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What are the Installation Requirements for Industrial Ice Making Equipment?
Chicago manufacturing and distribution plants are challenging environments to install an industrial ice cube maker. Making sure your ice machine is installed correctly is your first step to maintaining the machine in tough conditions. Here are the things you’ll need to install an industrial ice cube maker:
Space and Temperature
If you’re purchasing an air cooled ice machine, you’ll need to provide at least 70-degree air temperatures throughout the day to keep it efficient. As the heat rises, these machines are forced to work harder – which means less ice overall. Make sure your industrial ice maker is in a temperature-controlled environment with at least a foot of space on all sides of the unit.
Electricity
Large, industrial ice machines require more voltage to run than smaller units. Small ice machines require 15v of electricity to run, while many large ice maker models need 220v. There are also different amperage needs so check your model's requirements. You may need to contact an electrician if your outlet cannot deliver your ice machines electrical needs.
Water
All ice machines need water if they’re going to make ice. You need to provide a water line that delivers the proper flow rate to make a large batch of ice. If your water flow is too low, you’ll see smaller, malformed ice cubes. Depending on the size of the machine, you’ll require between 3-5 gallons a minute. You may need to call a plumber to install a larger water line if your ice machine demands it.
Drainage
There can be a lot of excess water produced during the ice making process. Ice machines need proper drainage setups to get rid of excess water. Most commercial ice machines utilize a floor drain, but there are other setups that can work as well. If you don’t have proper drainage for your ice maker, you will need to call a plumber.
We’ve serviced ice machines across Chicago. No matter the challenge, we know exactly how to keep your ice machine running smoothly. Our pre-installation checklist shows you what you need to provide to install an ice machine in your business. If you have a challenging environment, give us a call and we'll help you find a solution.
What are Some Environmental Factors I Want to Avoid?
There are a few factors that can affect your ice production. These factors can overwork your ice machine, which will eventually lead to expensive repairs if they are left unchecked. Here are the factors you should look out for:
Heat
As the temperature of your ambient air and water increase, your industrial ice cube maker will produce less ice. When hot air or water enters your ice machine, it will overheat the system. This forces the ice machine to work harder to produce ice.
Cold
The cold can also affect your ice machine. If you install your machine in freezing temperatures, water will freeze in distribution tubes. Frozen water lines restrict water flow, which can stop your ice machine from making ice.
Low Ventilation
Air cooled ice machines emit hot air, so they need ventilation so the heat can disperse. Limited ventilation will cause air to re-enter the ice machine and overheat the system. An overly hot machine will produce less ice.
Dust and Dirt
Factories and manufacturing plants kick up a lot of dust and dirt. Those particles can enter your ice machine and cling to vital ice making components. A dirty ice machine produces less ice, so make sure you get at least two professional cleanings a year.
Hard Water
Hard water is any water source that contains a high concentration of minerals that eventually lead to scale. Scale can bind to ice machine components and cause expensive repairs. Chicago’s municipal water supply is very clear, but some rural areas suffer from hard water.
How Do I Keep My Industrial Ice Cube Maker Clean and Sanitary?
A dirty ice machine produces less ice than a clean one. Dirty ice makers can also spread contaminants to the ice supply which can lead to accidental infections of your customers, patients, or employees. Businesses should establish a routine cleaning schedule to keep their ice maker clean and safe. Commercial ice machines also require two preventive maintenance and cleaning events a year.
How Do I Clean My Machine from Mold and Slime?
The environment inside your ice machine can make a nice home for mold and slime. Ice machines are dark and damp, which attracts mold growth if there is a lot of dust, grease or yeast in the air. Mold and slime are not dangerous to people, but Chicago health inspector will write a violation if there is an excessive amount in your ice machine. Biannual professional cleaning will help keep every area of your ice machine clean.
How to Clean Scale Build Up?
Scale is formed when mineral s in the water supply bind together. While scale is not harmful to people, it will harm your ice machine. Scale clings to components and plugs up water filters and distribution tubes. All of these issues can lead to expensive repairs in the future. While most business in Chicago proper don’t have high minerality in their water, rural areas might suffer from hard water.
How Do I Prevent Sediment from Building in My Ice Machine?
Chicago water is known for its clarity, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely free of sediment. Old piping can flake particles into the water supply which can enter your ice machine. These particles are not harmful to people, but you don’t want them harming your ice maker. Proper water filtration is the best way to prevent these particles from entering your ice machine.
How Do I Clean My Ice Bin?
Commercial ice bins and dark and damp, which can attract mold growth without proper cleaning. Ice machines should be cleaned weekly to reduce mold spores and well as bacterial and viral pathogens. A clean ice machine leads to aa clean ice supply! Professional cleaning also helps to keep every corner of your ice machine sanitary.
How Much Does It Cost to Own an Industrial Ice Machine?
A high-volume industrial ice maker is the perfect choice for many Chicago manufacturing and distribution plants. These units can cost up to $10,000. Smaller ice dispensers for front offices can cost around $1,500. Once you find the right machine, there are also hidden costs associated with caring for the unit. Preventive maintenance, professional cleaning, and routine repairs are all necessary to keep your ice maker running efficiently.
Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is an important part in keeping your machine running smoothly over the years. Ice machine technicians help to optimize the ice machine to produce the most ice possible. They can also check the machine for potential problems that can lead to big repair costs. The average preventive maintenance costs around $300 per visit.
Professional Cleaning
Professional cleanings take care of the ice machine parts that routine cleanings can’t get to. Ice machine technicians individually disinfect and sanitize ice machine components which make for a cleaner ice supply. This process involves taking the machine apart and using strong cleaners. Manufacturers recommend getting two professional cleanings per year, more if your ice machine is in a particularly dusty area. Cleanings cost around $250 per visit.
Breakdowns
The cost of an ice machine repair depends on the extent of the damage or the price pf a component that needs replacing. Here are some examples of some common ice machine repairs and their estimated costs:
- Hot Gas Valve Replacement - $600
- Expansion Valve - $600
- Compressor Repair - $1500
- Evaporator Repair - $2500
Keep in mind, a broken ice machine can lead to big costs. You‘ll need to buy ice while the machine is down. 1000 lbs of ice costs around $225.
All-Inclusive Industrial Ice Cube Maker Program at a Distribution Center or Manufacturing Facility
Commercial ice equipment is a necessity for any Chicago manufacturing or distribution plant, but tough conditions can harm the machine over time. Maintenace and cleaning is required if you want your ice supply to stay clean and safe. An Automatic Icemakers lease comes with a top-quality ice machine with maintenance, cleaning, and repairs included in a low, monthly charge.
