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Commercial ice machines are an important part of summertime restaurants, bars, cafes, hospitality and office spaces. With high loads of daily use, even high-performance brands can break down from time to time. By thiis ice machine troubleshooting guide, you can learn more about some of the most common causes of ice machine breakdowns, and help it find relatively simple solutions to fix them yourself.
There are a number of signs that can indicate a problem with your ice machine, including: your ice machine does not produce ice or does not produce enough ice, the ice cubes are small or out of shape, the ice has a bad taste, the machine is leaking, etc. These are all signs that your machine is sending you signals, so it is important to understand these problems and find solutions to these malfunctions.
Whether you can fix your ice maker yourself will depend on the specific problem you encounter and how comfortable you are with appliance repair. Some basic ice maker problems, such as a clogged water filter, it can usually be fixed with minimal effort, while other problems, such as a faulty motor or control module, may require professional help.
Ice maker problems can usually be traced back to a handful of major components, including water valves and lines, water filters, ice trays, ice bins, and more. Select a topic below to learn more about troubleshooting your ice maker.
Ice machine does not de-ice
There are many possible causes of this problem, it could be a clogged water line or water filter, and the ambient temperature where the machine is located can also affect the ice making effect.
(1) Faulty power supply and fuse
Cause: The reason why the machine can not start may be that the power supply is not turned on or is not in the ON position, in addition to poor contact with the power outlet, loose parts of the machine connected to other items, and the power supply voltage does not match the voltage of the machine, the voltage is too high, etc. will cause the machine not to make ice. Also check if the fuse is blown and the distribution panel is short-circuited.
Solution: Replace the parts that look faulty and tighten the parts that have loosened.
(2) Defective compressor
Cause: Your condenser is clogged with dust or other impurities and the compressor is defective, all of which will cause your ice maker to not function properly.
Solution: Check the condenser for clogging, if so clean it immediately and replace any connections that look faulty. Check the compressor for proper operation, if it is defective, call the machine manufacturer's service professional to help you replace it.
(3) Insufficient or too much refrigerant charge
Cause: The unit is not running the ice making process properly, possibly because the machine is under or over charged with refrigerant.
Solution: If necessary, recharge the refrigerant.
There are several factors that can lead to insufficient ice production. Many ice production problems are closely related to the environment in which your ice machine is located.
(1) Excessive scale buildup
Cause: Incomplete or long-standing cleaning of the machine results in limescale in the evaporator, condenser, air filter, water filter and water valve, etc. Excessive limescale buildup makes the machine produce low ice.
Solution: Regularly clean your ice machine thoroughly, preferably every six months, the frequency depends on the cleanliness of the environment in which your machine is located.
(2) The room temperature is too high
Cause: The ambient temperature where the machine is located is too high, as the maximum ice production for each machine is calculated based on the room temperature where the equipment is located. If the recommended temperature is exceeded, the machine will not be able to produce the maximum amount of ice.
Solution: Do not place the machine in an area where the room temperature is too high and use an electric fan or other equipment to cool it down. The recommended room temperature for maximum ice production is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
(3) Small or closed space
Cause: Small or closed space causes hot air to not circulate around the machine, resulting in an increase in temperature.
Solution: Place the machine in a place with plenty of space and 20 feet apart from your walls, and clear the surrounding debris to allow air circulation.
(4) Water inlet valve malfunctioning and leaking
Cause: The water inlet valve is often open after it fails for some reason, making the sink overflow and causing a decrease in ice production.
Solution: Replace the water inlet valve.
Ice cubes that do not form or are too small can usually be attributed to two main factors: first, the water flow and second, the temperature setting of the ice bin. Common causes and solutions for small ice cubes include：
(1) Poor water flow
Cause: Poor water flow in the ice maker may prevent the ice tray from filling completely, resulting in small, hollow or oddly shaped ice cubes.
Solution: There are several reasons why the water flow may not be smooth, but each of them can be addressed. First, make sure your water filter is up to date to avoid scale buildup that can cause clogs. Next, double-check the plumbing at the back of the machine for kinks or twists. Finally, use a level to make sure your refrigerator and ice maker are level so that the water is evenly distributed throughout the ice tray.
(2) Temperature is not normal
Cause: If the temperature is set too high, your ice maker may not be able to keep up with its intended production rate, but a temperature that is too low can also result in smaller or hollow ice cubes. And a temperature setting below -10 degrees F will cause the outside of the ice to freeze too quickly, which triggers the ice maker's thermostat, causing the machine to eject the ice before it completely solidifies in the middle.
Solution: Keep the ice bin temperature at the optimal setting, making sure the temperature inside the bin is set to 33-40°F (0-4°C).
Having weird-tasting ice in your favorite drink can be an unpleasant thing, which will make you realize that there is something wrong with your ice maker. If you have cleaned your ice maker, then consider that something else is causing it.
(1) An old or broken water filter
Cause: One of the most common causes of strange tasting ice and water is a faulty water filter. Water filters filter impurities and contaminants from the water, and without proper maintenance, they may become clogged and not function effectively.
Solution: Maintain a regular maintenance program and replace the water filter every 6 months to avoid old water filters that make the ice cause odors.
(2) Old ice cubes
Cause: Ice that has been in the refrigerator for a long time is more susceptible to contamination than fresh ice, and will deteriorate if it absorbs the odor of the food in the refrigerator or freezer.
Solution: If you do not intend to use the ice machine often, you can try to dump the old ice, a steady rotation of use.
(3) poorly packaged refrigerator items
Cause: By placing poorly packaged food in the refrigerator, especially next to the freezer, the ice has a chance to absorb potentially strong odors as the food moves from fresh to frozen.
Solution: Use supplies suitable for the freezer to wrap and package frozen foods to help ensure that frozen foods retain their quality longer and keep the ice free from odors.
There are many reasons why ice machines freeze, so it can seem complicated to determine which factor is causing the problem. Fortunately, the common causes listed below can probably be quickly troubleshot and corrected.
(1) Ambient temperature is too low
Cause: Low ambient temperatures may cause the ice machine's inlet pipe or evaporator to freeze, making it difficult for liquid to pass through and fill the ice tray. You may experience this more often during uniquely cold times of the year.
Solution: Set your refrigerator thermostat between 33-40°F (0-4°C) and begin defrosting the ice maker and intake tube.
(2) The inlet pipe is frozen
Cause: Even if the temperature is set properly, it is possible for the inlet pipe to freeze, causing the ice maker to shut down before it is started.
Solution: The inlet pipe is located at the back of the ice maker and can be thawed with warm air or hot water. While you may be able to thaw the water pipe yourself, it is best to let a professional help diagnose and repair the problem.
A leaking ice maker may drip into the ice bin and freeze in cold temperatures. Some of the most common causes and potential solutions for a leaking refrigerator ice maker include:
(1) Stuck ice
Cause: For various reasons, ice can form in the ice bin or dispenser chute, which can cause leaks when the temperature inside the bin fluctuates or when ice in the chute comes in contact with hot air outside the machine.
Solution: Use a long plastic or wooden handle (such as a spatula) to gently break up stuck ice cubes for hard-to-reach areas. Some ice cubes are too large or stuck and therefore cannot be broken without damaging the equipment. In this case, the ice bin should be removed and defrosted. If the ice is stuck in the dispenser, place a towel and plate under the chute and allow the ice to defrost naturally.
(2) Ice maker is not level
Cause: When there are fluctuations in the temperature inside the ice bin, the ice in the bin may melt slightly. An unbalanced refrigerator will prevent the melted ice from draining, which may also lead to leaks.
Solution: First, make sure that the area where the ice maker is placed is level. If there is any misalignment, you may need to reinstall the ice maker to make sure it is level, or adjust the refrigerator feet if the entire unit is not level.
(3) Misalignment of the water fill valve and sink
Cause: Your ice maker has a built-in ice tray or sink that is filled by a water filler located near the ice tray. If the water fill port and sink are misaligned, water may not enter the sink and leak directly into the ice maker. This water collects and may leak out of the bin before it freezes.
Solution: Find your ice maker's water fill valve and check that the sink is aligned directly below the valve opening.
There are a number of reasons why ice machines fail to de-ice, these common causes and solutions include:
(1) Ice block jamming
Cause: Some ice at an abnormal angle may temporarily block the chute, while large pieces of ice may completely block the chute, making some of the ice not come off.
Solution: Use a tool to crack the ice, or turn off the power, open the door to take the ice, so that the ice melts naturally.
(2) Ice is too thick
Cause: Due to the long ice making time set before ice making, the water flow through the ice tray is too long, causing the ice to freeze too thick and can not be taken out.
Solution: Set the appropriate ice making time to adjust the ice thickness.
A high-performance brand of ice machine can break down during use, so you need to know exactly how to solve some common problems. It is important to know which breakdowns require contacting a repair professional, it can help you save some maintenance costs.
