manitowoc ice machine

What Ice Machine should I Buy and Why?

by Articles

So you want to buy an ice maker? What ice maker issues and considerations are important, and which ones are not? Well, Scotsman reminds you of a kilt; Hoshizaki has a penguin on their logo, Cornelius sounds like a vegetable, Ice-O-Matic sounds Irish, and Manitowoc machines have an interesting name. So maybe if you like penguins, your decision will be easy. But unfortunately, wise decisions are not made on such grounds. So on what grounds is a wise ice maker purchase decision made; If not penguins, then what?

First of all, we will clearly state that the only ice makers that we will consider are the ones manufactured by Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, and Scotsman. There are many other ice maker manufacturers, including Cornelius and Ice-O-Matic, but being in the refrigeration business for over 50 years has taught us that these three makers make up the great majority of ice machine purchases for a reason. Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, and Scotsman are reputable, well-designed, and backed by dependable service warranties. So now the question is: should I buy a Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, or a Scotsman? In a moment,we will look at a detailed comparison between Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, and Scotsman ice makers. We will specifically consider their ease of repair and their evaporators (the ice maker’s crux component).

icemachinecleaning

Ice Machine Preventive Maintenance

by Articles

Preventive Maintenance ( PM ) is the key to maximum running efficiency, less down time, and longer life out of an ice machine.
The primary items for an ice machine PM  check are as follows:

Clean and sanitize the water system.
Clean air filters on air-cooled models.
Check external filter system and change cartridges as needed.
Check inlet water valve screens.
Conduct bearing and auger inspection on extruded ice makers.
Conduct a visual inspection of components, controls, and wiring for oil spots, loose wires, loose fasteners, corrosion, etc.
Clean the bin interior and unit exterior.

Follow this link to read the complete article by Danny Moore. click here

Clean and Sanitize

As ice forms on an ice machine evaporator plate, a separation occurs. Minerals separate from the water and form scale which sticks to the surfaces of the water system components. This scale will be more visible when the surfaces are dry. The color of the scale will vary due to the type of minerals in the local water supply. As an example, lime or calcium scale will be off white in color while iron scale will turn a rusty red color. Algae or slime growth may also occur in some locations. This is due to air or water-borne bacteria which can settle in the wet areas and grow.

Clean and Inspect

While you are waiting for the cleaning solution to do its job during the cleaning process, you can complete other steps in the PM check. Clean the condenser and/or air filter if included on the unit, and check the inlet water valve screen for restriction. Clean condenser fan blades.If the condenser coil is covered with grease, grime or dirt, use a non-corrosive cleaner and rinse thoroughly with water.  You may find it necessary to use a fin comb or brush on the coil fins. This is especially important on remote condenser units where

Flaker Bearing and Auger Inspection

Flakers produce ice on or inside an evaporator cylinder. The ice is broken away and extruded out of the cylinder by a gear motor-driven auger. Bearings allow the auger to rotate and maintain its positioning in the evaporator cylinder. Since the auger turns, bearing wear is eminent. A flaker bearing is a wear item. These bearings should be inspected per the manufacturers’ recommendations. the coil is subjected to outside elements.

Clean Exterior

The final step in the PM process is to clean the exterior. Use a soft cloth and a neutral cleaner to wipe down the stainless exterior of the unit and storage bin.