Industrial Ice Machine Cleaning Recommendations

The industrial ice machine, although made to handle an extreme workload, still requires basic cleansing and maintenance to operate smoothly and economically. Preventative maintenance steps are recommended to prevent the machine from completely coming to a halt, reduce the risk of scale build-up, health consequences, and of course, reduced efficiency.

The owner can clean the industrial or commercial ice machine without technical help, but it is recommended that one at least once a year service the machine completely to ensure optimal working. Training is provided at Ice Systems regarding operating, cleaning, and basic maintenance of the industrial ice makers. Getting to know every major part of the machine is important for proper and safe cleaning practices. If you are unsure of procedures to follow, get expert help from the technical team of Ice Systems.

Coil Cleansing

The industrial and commercial ice machine coil can easily be damaged if you use the wrong tools. It is, however, imperative to keep the coil clean as it plays an integral part in prolonging the working of the ice maker. Dirt can be blown away by means of compressed air. One can also use vacuuming, but should be careful not to damage the fins. Dust build-up on the coil is often the cause of low ice production.

Inspect the Ice Maker Plate

It is one of the first places in the industrial ice machine where you will notice mineral build-up in the industrial ice machine. If there is mineral build-up, you may also have noticed ice clogging, which if left untreated can lead to complete packing up of the ice making unit. Specific ice maker cleansers are available and it is imperative that you use only the manufacturer recommended cleanser. A cleansing agent that is too harsh can lead to plate damage. The cleanser can be used to flush the water circuit.

Get expert help from Ice Systems on the cleaning of the commercial and industrial ice machine units in the Scotsman range.

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Scotsman Ice Machine Benefits and Selection Tips

Scotsman ice machine units are sold around the world and Ice Systems is an official distributor of Scotsman products in South Africa. Some of the reasons why so many restaurants, hospitals, food markets, and even homes feature Scotsman ice makers are that of;

• Cost efficiency.
• Optimized cleansing.
• Parts to be serviced can be accessed with ease.
• Low on maintenance.
• Self monitoring.

Scotsman ice machines are reckoned as highly efficient and durable. If you thus want a commercial ice maker that will be able to handle large production demands, operate quietly, and stay in working order for a long time, then purchase a Scotsman unit. The nugget ice makers available from the brand are known for superior performance and excellent savings on energy usage. Nugget ice is exceptionally popular because of the ice chewing craze which started quite a long time ago and is still going strong today.

Whether you require gourmet, contour or square cubes or need a scale or flake ice machine, the Scotsman brand is superior in quality and operation abilities.

How To Select A Scotsman Ice Machine

The right capacity selection is important as you will not want a machine that cannot produce the quantity you need or one that produces more than what is required. Overproduction costs extra because of electricity usage, storage, and cleaning. Underproduction means that your requirements are not met and as such you will need to purchase additional ice to meet the demand.

For a restaurant you will need on average 800 grams of ice per patron whereas for a fast food outlet you will need 225 to 230 grams per 500 ml drink. For lodges or guesthouses the average usage is around 2.5 to 3 kg per guest and for catering it is generally 2.6 kg per person. In hospitals the ice usage is around 5 kg per patient and in the hospital restaurant the usage is also about 2.6 kg per patron.

Multiply the average per person with the total average of customers or patients in a given day and add the ice usage in the kitchen to get an idea of how much ice you need produced in a given day. The sales consultants at Ice Systems can assist in calculating the ice demand and thus capacity required ensuring that you will be able to select the most appropriate Scotsman ice machine for the job.

Contact Ice Systems for professional assistance and more information on the range of Scotsman ice machines today.

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How To Select A Scotsman Ice Maker For Profits

If you want to buy an ice machine for the purpose of making a profit from ice selling, a Scotsman ice maker such as the MV300 model will be a good investment. A few tips on selecting the most appropriate ice machine for the job according to your budget and income expectations are briefly shared below to help you make an informed buying decision.

The specific Scotsman ice maker unit model must be selected based on the following:

• Initial capital lay-out.
• Potential production.
• Available budget.
• Operating costs.
• Maintenance requirements and costs.
• Storage bin size.
• Water used in a 24 hour cycle.
• Electricity used in a 24 hour cycle.
• Total cost per kilogram of ice produced.
• Type of ice produced.
• Selling price per kilogram.
• Delivery costs.
• Total number of bags you can sell in a day.
• Total profit per day.
• Period it will take to recoup the initial investment (keep normal operating costs in mind).

If you are looking for a Scotsman ice maker that can produce the square economy cube then the MV300 is an excellent choice. The MC46 and MC16 are the ideal choices for production of the gourmet cube for the purpose of ice selling while the C1448 and C1848 are good choices for production of square cubes.

Scotsman ice makers for flake and scale ice making are also available. What makes the ice machines in the Scotsman product stable excellent choices are the quality associated with the brand, guarantees which are in place as well as:

• After sales service.
• Training.
• Reasonable pricing.
• Longevity of the machines.
• Range of machines available.
• Service & maintenance available from Ice Systems.
• Economical working of the machines.

The sales consultants at Ice Systems can assist in the selection of the most appropriate ice makers and will also help you determine the profitability of the machines. There is a definite market for selling ice to forecourts of fuel stations, smaller restaurants, schools, small pubs, and even just for the production of ice for events. Identify your potential market and provide samples for the vendors. They will want to inspect the quality of the ice and will also want competitive prices. Keep in mind that your prices must be market related, but don’t forget about the costs of production, marketing, and delivery as well as labour. At the end of the day it is about profits.

Contact the Ice Systems sales consultants to help you select the best Scotsman ice maker to ensure optimal profits.

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Industrial Ice Maker Selection Tips For A Restaurant

An industrial ice maker is an ice machine that produces enough ice for commercial usage. As such capacity is one of the most important considerations for the restaurant owner.

Capacity Considerations

Running out of ice at peak time can be a disaster and such an ice machine that can handle the required production is essential. At the other end of the spectrum, a machine that produces far more than what can be used by the restaurant means money lost because of expenditure on energy and cleaning out of the storage bin. If the industrial ice machine is forced to produce ice at a tremendous rate in a short timeframe it can shorten the production years of the machine. Selecting the appropriate capacity is thus all important.

Ice Type

An error frequently made by first time restaurant owners is to think that their industrial ice maker must be able to produce every type of ice they want to use in their restaurant. Although it is possible that one machine can produce more than one type of ice, it is the exception rather than the rule. Select the ice types you will need such as flake, gourmet, half or full cubes, and or shaved ice. If you have an upmarket restaurant and bar you will require gourmet cubes.

For a salad bar or food display area, flake ice will be appropriate. If you have a chain restaurant you can go with the normal half or full cube ice types. In some instances you may need more than one type of industrial ice maker to meet all the requirements. As a rule of thumb, cubes are used for beverages whereas nuggets and flakes are used for displays and cooling.

Space Requirements

Keep in mind that industrial ice makers are bigger and take up more space than home ice machines. As such consider where the machine will be placed. There are top of counter and under counter ice machines. For the bar area you can use one that fits underneath the counter and for large production you can place an ice maker in the kitchen area. In this respect also consider the drain and electrical connections.

There are many more considerations which go into the selection of the industrial ice maker. The sales and technical teams at Ice Systems can assist you in determining the right ice machine for your particular purpose. Contact Ice Systems for more information or assistance today ensuring that you select the most appropriate industrial and commercial ice maker.

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