Play It Cool With Ice Machines

by: Galway
Total views: 41 | Word Count: 515

Commercial Ice Machines are normally used in pubs clubs bars and restaurants or other premises serving drinks, the most common ice machine for this type of premises is an ice CUBE maker producing cubed ice for various beverages.

Ice FLAKERS are the preferred choice for hospitals, laboratories and medical centres they are often used in the display and packing of fresh food produce such as fish or meat counters. Ice flakes are easier to mold and pack to shape for certain applications.

The most common type of ice machine available is a self contained unit comprising of the ice maker, condenser and a refrigerated storage bin to hold the ice these units are known as non-modular ice makers. Alternatively for larger premises such as nightclubs a modular machine may be a more suitable option, a modular ice machine comprises an ice making unit stacked on top of a much larger storage bin. It is advisable to seek professional advice when purchasing a modular ice maker as there are many factors to take into consideration such as drainage outlets, water supply and ventilation most manufacturers or suppliers will offer this service free of charge.

When choosing an ice machine your main consideration (after pricing) should be the quantity of ice your premises will be using per day, ice machines vary in size and amount of ice produced within a time period (usually per 24 hours) non-modular ice machines will stop producing ice when the storage bin is full to stop the unit producing more ice than the storage bin can handle. So although the amount of ice your machine produces in a 24 hour period is an important consideration do not ignore the storage capacity of the unit as this will be the maximum amount of ice you will have at your disposal at any given time unless you plan to remove ice from the storage bin and place it in a suitable chest freezer to rely on in busy periods. As an example an ice machine with a 50Kg per 24 hour production rate and a 25Kg storage bin will take 12 hours to replenish the completely empty storage bin.

Installation of an undercouter (non-modular) ice machine is very similar to a domestic washing machine as an ice machine will require a mains water feed, drainage outlet and a 13 amp plug. Installation can be carried out by a qualified plumber or most manufacturers will offer this service at an additional cost. Most ice machines will be supplied with all the relevant connection hoses.

It is recommended that you use a water filter or scale reducer with your ice machine to prevent scale build up and prevent any potential breakdown problems related to scale build up in hard water areas.

A reputable ice machine supplier will offer a comprehensive warranty which should cover parts and labour. Parts only warranties can prove to be costly if in the event of a breakdown you have to pay for an engineers labour cost which will usually be chargeable at an hourly rate.

About the Author

Shaun Parker has been a pub landlord for many years. He is a member of the campaign for real ale and offers advice on ice machines and ice makersto aspiring publicans.  

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