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ice machine

 Ice Machine Repair

If you own and/or operate a dining establishment or a bar, regardless of whether or not it is a casual lunch spot or an upscale dining destination, your clientele with definitely have some expectations coming in. Among them is the chance to enjoy an icy cold beverage from the bar or soda fountain. If you cannot provide the customer with ice for his or her beverage–let alone your staff with ice for keeping food fresh leading up to preparation–then you are going to have serious issues to deal with.

That is why it is so important that your ice machine is kept in great working condition. Ice machines are relatively simple systems, charged with handling just one task: making ice! Just because they are simple in theory does not mean that they will operate perfectly, though. These systems work hard, and that wear and tear can take a toll. We have some tips to help you recognize the need for ice machine repair in Loveland, CO.

What to Look Out For

As is the case with any appliance or commercial refrigeration system, your ice machine may suffer from a number of different operational issues. Because of this, there are a number of potential warning signs to keep in mind. Not every problem will manifest in the same way, so be sure to keep these indicators in mind.

  1. Leaks: If you see water surrounding your ice machine, you need to contact us right away. This not only indicates that you may have a leak in the supply line, wasting water that you are paying for, but you may also have a damaged receptacle. It could be letting heat in and allowing ice to melt. Whatever the case, wet floors in your establishment are also a big reliability.
  2. Reduced output: Have you been flipping open the ice machine to grab a fresh scoop, only to find that it just is not filling up despite having been given what used to be adequate time for doing so? Then you could have an issue with incoming water temperature or water flow rates.
  3. Loud operating sounds: Your ice machine is not going to operate silently. You may hear water being delivered, and you’ll hear ice dropping into the collection bin. If your ice machine is making strange new sounds, though, or if it is just making louder noises than ever before, contact us. Ignoring the problem is only going to increase the risk of more serious repair needs.
  4. Foul taste or odor: If you notice that your ice tastes bad or has a foul odor, you may need to change a filter and/or give the bin a thorough cleaning. If that doesn’t seem to do the trick, though, you should contact a professional to have your water tested. You could have low-quality water, and that could have implications for the health of your patrons.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning proudly installs and services Manitowoc Ice & Soda Machines. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Commercial property owners in our area commercial ice machineknow that they can turn to our team for great commercial refrigeration services in Timnath, CO. We are now proud to announce that we are also an authorized Manitowoc Dealer. We install and service ice machines and soda machines from this manufacturer, and we are proud to do so. They make some of the finest products on the market, and their dedication to excellence matches our own. It is important to remember, however, that even the best commercial refrigeration equipment on the market can run into trouble from time to time.

If and when you do run into issues with your commercial ice machine, keep the following information in mind. In some cases, you may be able to troubleshoot the issue on your own. In other instances, professional commercial refrigeration services will be necessary. If this is the case, you can always count on our technicians for a job well done.

Problems That You May Encounter

It will probably come as no surprise to hear this, but many of the problems that commonly affect ice machines have to do with the water the system uses. It may also have to do with the delivery system for that water. If water isn’t reaching the machine properly, or if there are issues with water quality, you can expect problems to develop.

  • Water is leaking into the machine. When you scoop ice out of your ice machine, is it a watery mess? If so, you may have a leak that is funneling water directly into the bin. This could happen if there is a leaky valve or loose connection.
  • Are your cubes too small, or of an uneven size? Does it seem like you generally don’t have a full supply of ice at the ready? This could be an issue with low water flow. You could have a blockage in your water line, or a leak somewhere in that line before it reaches the machine.
  • Is your system shutting down frequently or overheating? Where is it stored? If the air surrounding the system is too warm, then you may run into such operational problems. If this is the case, cooling that area or moving the ice machine may be necessary in order to resolve the problem.
  • Is your ice cloudy? Does it have a foul odor or a strange taste? You can try emptying out the system and cleaning the bin if so. However, if this does not resolve the problem, you may have an issue with the water quality on your property. A water treatment system may be needed.
  • Are there flecks or spots of discoloration in the ice? If so, you probably need to be more vigilant in changing the filter of your ice machine. These systems are straightforward in their operation, but they do need some basic maintenance completed regularly.
  • Is your system shutting down before filling the bin? Is it making strange sounds? You could have any number of issues with your compressor, or even a refrigerant leak. Such problems must be diagnosed and resolved by trained professionals.

Let Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning handle all of your ice and soda machine service needs. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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