Ice Machine Placement

If you own a commercial ice machine or are looking at purchasing one, you may have already asked yourself where the safest place to put it is. Generally speaking, to perform optimally, ice makers should be inside, in a temperature controlled environment. Placing your ice machine outside, or in areas of extreme heat can cause serious productivity issues. The ultimate goal is the longevity of your machine. One way to ensure a full life span of your ice maker is to find a location inside your store or venue that offers a cooler, low-humidity environment.

Air Heat Index

Extreme heat is not always indicative of outside temperatures. Commercial kitchens are another area where placement matters. As the kitchen comes alive with food preparation and workers scattering about trying to fulfil orders, the heat index inside a commercial kitchen will immediately begin to rise. One of the most common problems getting in the way of ice machine efficiency is higher air temperatures, which results in lower ice production. As a general rule of thumb, temperatures approaching 35 degrees Celsius will likely put slow your machine’s ice production. When deciding where to place your ice machine, factors such as where heat sources are, and access to cool water lines should be taken into consideration.

Best Ice Machines for Hot Weather

Hot weather can dictate the type of ice machine that you purchase. Living and working in temperatures that are typically above 35 Degrees Celsius means searching for a commercial ice machine designed to withstand heat. Water-cooled ice machines perform well in high temperatures because of their unique design; they have two separate water lines, one for ice production, and the other to cool the refrigerant. As these two water lines work together, your ice machine can regulate the temperature more efficiently and continue to produce ice more regularly.

In peak season when the demand for ice is high, it is imperative to check your ice making system thoroughly for proper operation. This means a full inspection of your evaporator, condenser, water filter and air filter. Remember that while the vast majority of ice machine problems happen during the hottest months of the year, following these tips can help you reduce your chances of losing access to ice when the temperatures start to rise.

As the backbone of many service industries, there is not many food service establishments that can go about their daily operations without the use of ice.

That being said; the real task becomes making sure your ice machine can run for extended periods of time, even while in inclement weather. While it is never the ideal to have commercial ice machines work against extreme temperatures, in some instances it is necessary.

Don’t panic just yet! Follow our best practices for operating in hot weather conditions to effectively maintain your ice machine year-round, even when temperatures spike.

Keep your Ice Machine Running Well