Commercial ice makers are mostly found in restaurants, hotels, etc. These machines are designed to perform almost throughout the day. This means it is normal for them to freeze up. However, troubleshooting the issue and performing ice dispenser repair can be a bit frustrating. So, let’s take a look at some tips that will help you get your commercial ice maker up and running in no time.

Check For A Clog

Sometimes, people tend to over-diagnose a problem with an appliance. As a result, the root cause of the problem remains unfixed and the owner simply ends up paying money for something else. Therefore, one of the first things you need to do if you observe your commercial ice maker frozen is to use a wooden spoon and try to remove the obstruction.

However, make sure that you do not use any sharp objects or the wooden spoon harshly to avoid damage during the process. In addition to that, if the ice maker was not used for a long time, the melting and re-frozen process might have caused the ice to stick together in giant clumps which makes it difficult for the machine to dispense ice.

Make Sure It Is Maintained

Commercial ice makers are not cheap. They cost thousands of dollars on average and are meant to last for decades only if maintained the right way. However, some businesses tend to overlook this factor and end up paying for expensive replacements or repairs down the road.

Commercial ice makers like other kitchen appliances require expert inspection and maintenance depending on the usage frequency. At the same time, you should also consult the user’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Check The Water Filter

Water filters are designed to keep the water away from toxicants and contaminants. If you are running a restaurant, the last thing you would want is your customers falling ill just because you ignored replacing the water filter and the ice contained bacteria.

Some states have strict regulations regarding the maintenance and inspection of commercial machines. If the basic protocols are not met, the local authorities can impose heavy fines. Therefore, if your commercial ice maker is constantly freezing up, you should check its water filter and replace it.

Check Water Pressure

If the water pressure going into your restaurant ice maker is either too low or high, the freezer might end up jamming. Commercial ice makers are designed to perform using specific water pressure. If the water pressure happens to be above the specific limit, the machine will struggle to produce ice. And the same is the case if the water pressure is too low.

Check The Water Line For Freezing

If you believe that there isn’t anything wrong with the machine, you should check the water line for freezing. You will need to move the freezer in this case and look for any signs of a frozen fill tube. The line between the valve and the ice maker should not freeze up. However, it could still occur due to several different reasons.

If you find out that the water line is frozen, you will need to start defrosting the unit to fix the issue. However, if you do not have the time for that, you could simply use a hair dryer and carefully defrost the frozen water line. You should only opt for this technique if you cannot afford to shut down the freezer during a very busy day.

Check The Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve is responsible for letting the water flow into your commercial ice maker. If the valve happens to be defective, it can overfill the ice cube bucket and cause the entire machine to freeze. Therefore, if nothing else works, you will need to check the water inlet valve. It is rare for water inlet valves to give up that easily but that does not mean it is impossible.

Final Word

As you can see, commercial ice makers can freeze up due to a variety of reasons. However, as an owner, it is your responsibility to keep it maintained to prevent many of the causes from freezing your machine up. And if you are not able to troubleshoot the issue, hire a commercial ice maker repair expert who shall identify the root cause of the problem and get your machine running back to normal. topac