Do you own a commercial ice machine? If so, what type of cleaning and maintenance program have you implemented? In-house? Outsourced? Are you aware that ice machines have surpassed dishwashers as the greatest on-premise problem in the foodservice industry?Ice is food and therefore, commercial ice machines require regimented cleaning and maintenance that can impact the health of your patrons and your business.
It takes 22 factory-recommended steps to clean the machine, including the exact sequence of when to turn the power supply “ON” and “OFF” and for how long, and the exact cleaning agent and dilution to use for removal of scale, just to name a few.
Factory-approved sanitizing requires 23 steps, commencing with a 5.25% solution of chlorine bleach diluted in 0.8 gal of water, progressing through when exactly to close the water supply, when to turn “ON” the power supply and for how long, etc.
If you don’t perform these tasks on a regularly-scheduled basis, you run the risk of infecting your customers – a risk I doubt any intelligent owner wants to take. Suddenly, the thought occurs to me: I’d like to know how many bars and nightclubs have a staff member who’s properly trained to perform ice machine cleaning, to perform it accurately and on a regularly-scheduled basis. I think most owners would be hard-pressed to honestly state that they have a diligent in-house cleaning program for their ice machines. For those who do have such an employee, what happens if that person quits?
· Check external filter system and change cartridges as needed.
· Check and clean the inlet water valve screen as needed to assure proper water flow.
· Conduct annual bearing inspection.
This may not seem like much, but I bet the owners of most bars and nightclubs simply don't have the staff who are qualified to perform any of these tasks – and certainly not in an ongoing fashion. And if you think this is imposing, check-out the downloable below titled “Miscellaneous Tech Tips Articles,” which lists an entire page of topics that affect the performance of commercial ice machines. Although some of these articles are intended for technicians, many contain information owners need to know.
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All repairs and maintenance by expert technicians.
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Free standard water filter replacements and ice machine cleanings (2 per year).
With guaranteed ice, in the unlikely event that your ice machine breaks down, Easy Ice will furnish you with emergency ice! Hoshizaki ice machines produce the cleanest, hardest and best ice in the industry, which will help you pour more consistent drinks.
With an ice machine subscription with Easy Ice, you no longer have to concern yourself with machine cleaning and maintenance (except for routine responsibilities mentioned in the link below) and you can invest your hard-earned capital in something that produces a measurable return for your bar or nightclub.