A Guide to Manitowoc Commercial Ice Makers
When choosing the best ice machine for your Chicago business, there is a lot to take into consideration. You’ll need to consider factors like sizing, ice types, installation and maintenance. We’ve put together this guide to answer all your questions about Manitowoc commercial ice makers.
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What Type of Manitowoc Ice Shapes Are There?
Manitowoc ice makers produce ice cubes that are rhomboid in shape. These types of ice are clear and solid, which makes them melt slowly. Whether it’s a high-end cocktail or a soft drink, Manitowoc ice cubes work great for any beverage.
Sizing a Manitowoc Commercial Ice Maker
To pick the right machine, you will need to figure out exactly how much ice your business will require in a day. Our helpful Ice Machine Estimator helps you estimate the right amount based off your industry. Check below to learn about the main criteria we use for ice machine sizing.
Daily Ice Usage
It’s important to determine how much ice your business uses in a day to size the right ice machine and ice bin for your business. This includes everything from ice for drinks to food prep, beer tubs and even food presentation. It’s also important to keep in mind that it takes an ice machines 24-hours to produce the maximum amount of ice. This means that for example, a 900-lb ice machine will take 24 hours to produce 900 lbs of ice.
Types of Condensers for Manitowoc Commercial Ice Makers
Keeping your ice machine cool is crucial which is why condensers help to cool the refrigerant and expel heat away from the machine. Manitowoc ice makers come with three different styles of condensers.
Manitowoc Air Cooled Ice Machines
Air cooled ice machines cool the condenser and push hot air away from the machine into the surrounding environment with a fan. These types of machines need lots of space to operate in so that the hot air being expelled has plenty of room to move around. Being the most cost-effective, these are the most common condenser systems on commercial ice machines.
View Our Manitowoc Air Cooled Ice Machines
Installation Requirements for a Manitowoc Commercial Ice Machine
Before installation, you need to ensure your Chicago location meets the requirements for an ice machine. You will need to provide enough electrical, drainage, water and space for the ice machine to function properly. If you need help fitting these requirements, contact a plumber or electrician. Our pre-installation checklist that details all the requirements commercial ice machines need to run.
Ice machines have four general installation needs
Drainage
Leftover ice in your bin will melt and it needs somewhere to go. With most ice machines, you’ll need a floor drain but with countertop models, you can use an alternative draining method. According to state health regulations, ice machines need an air gap underneath the machine between the drain. Check into your local health code for specific city drainage requirements.
Electrical
Two common voltage types are used in ice machines. 115v is the most common but some machines do run off 220v. The larger the ice machine, the more voltage it requires. So if you’re looking for an ice machine that produces below 800 lbs. of ice per day, you will need 115v to run the machine. For larger machines, you may need an electrician to install a 220v outlet if you don’t already have one.
Water
Without water, you’ll never get any ice and more than that, ice machines need a particular flow rate to make a good batch of ice. When you don’t have the correct flow rate, you’ll see your machine producing less ice and smaller cubes. You will mostly likely need a flow rate of 3-5 gallons per minute, but it’s dependent on the machine you choose. Call a plumber if your water line doesn’t run at the correct rate for the ice machine.
Space
With air cooled ice machines, you will need a large amount of space to keep the ice machine cool as hot air is being pushed out around it. If your ice machine doesn’t have enough space, it will reuse the hot air nearby, overheating the system. This will lower your production rate and possibly cause expensive repairs. Giving your machine at least 1 foot of space on all sides is suggested, but the more room the better.
We’ve serviced over 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.
Cost of Commercial Manitowoc Ice Machines
When buying a Manitowoc commercial ice maker, the initial cost can be anywhere between $1,500 to $10,000. That price doesn’t include the cost of installation or additional ice storage. As well as these, there are several additional costs to expect:
Manitowoc Ice Maker Maintenance
Preventative maintenance visits for a Manitowoc commercial ice maker can cost up to $300 per visit. With two visits per year, you should be budgeting a minimum of $600 a year towards maintenance. If you skip maintenance visits, not only will your ice machine produce less ice consistently, but it may also lead to expensive repairs later on.
Manitowoc Water Filters
Sediment or minerals in the water are trapped in water filters to avoid damaging the machine. An ice machine water filter can cost between $15-$100 dollars, depending on which brand your ice machine technician recommends. If water filters are not replaced every few months, your ice production could decrease and the ice you get won’t be great quality. Challenging environments, like Chicago bakeries or breweries, depending on the brand. Water filters need replacing every few months or your ice machine could start to produce smaller, may cause you to replace the filters more often due to more airborne particles.
Manitowoc Breakdowns
An ice machine repair is always an inconvenience whether it costs a few hundred dollars or thousands. By keeping up with maintenance and cleaning, you can avoid costly repairs. When repairs are needed, here’s an example of what certain repairs may cost:
- Control Sensor Repair - $150
- Expansion Valve Repair - $600
- Compressor Repair - $1500
- Evaporator Repair - $2500
Additionally, you will have to pay for backup ice while your machine is down. This can cost over $100 extra per day if you need 500 lbs. of ice for example.
Manitowoc Commercial Ice Makers Included in
Our All-Inclusive Ice Machine Program
Here at Automatic Icemakers, we work hard to keep Manitowoc commercial ice makers in peak condition for our Chicago-area customers. We provide preventive maintenance, cleaning and any repairs at no extra cost. Everything in our program is always included in our already low, fixed monthly price!
Preventative Maintenace
Per manufacturers recommendations, ice machines need at least two preventive maintenance visits a year. With Automatic Icemakers, you’ll get that and more! Having routine maintenance visits allows us to check the machine for any potential problems so that they are always running the best condition.
Repairs
Ice machines can be unpredictable, which is why we include repairs in our program. If you ever have an issue with your Manitowoc commercial ice maker, give us a call and we will fix it for no additional charge, including parts and labor.
Breakdown Ice
While you’re waiting on an ice machine repair, we know how much trouble buying replacement ice can be. Our program includes Breakdown Ice so that your business can keep running even when your ice machine isn’t. If we can’t get the ice out to you quick enough, we'll credit your account for the ice you purchase.
We Make it Simple to find the Best Manitowoc Commercial Ice Maker for Your Business
If you need assistance choosing the best Manitowoc commercial ice maker for your business, contact us and we will point you in the right direction. Our experts have extensive experience sizing ice machines for any industry in Illinois.