theicedoctors

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Commercial Ice Machine?

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 06:53:56 GMT

Commercial Ice Makers

Ice maker energy use is around 350 kilowatt hours (kWh) in a month—at a typical rate of $0.06 per kWh, that would cost around $21 a month.

The best commercial ice makers will handle a much larger volume than one meant for the home. It’s not unusual for a commercial ice maker to make 500 pounds of ice in a single day.

What is a commercial ice maker? Commercial ice makers make large quantities of ice and are used in such businesses as restaurants, hotels, bars and hospitals.
How do they work? Commercial ice makers work by pouring water into a mold, supercooling it with refrigerant-filled coils, and storing the frozen water in the form of chips or cubes. The best ice makers can do this very quickly while keeping up with high demand.

Air-Cooled vs. Water-Cooled Ice Makers

When shopping for the best commercial ice maker, it’s important to understand the difference between air-cooled and water-cooled models.

Air-cooled ice makers: Air-cooled ice makers use fans to remove heat from the refrigerant coils, a process that causes the temperature to get cool enough to freeze the water. These are the most common ice makers on the market and the most environmentally friendly.
Water-cooled ice makers: Instead of using air, water-cooled ice makers use water to transfer the heat away from the condenser coils. If water conservation is one of your goals, then water-cooled ice makers might not be for you. Though water-cooled ice makers tend to use less electricity, they use much more water—as much as 100 gallons for every 100 pounds of ice!

Saving Energy with Energy Star Ice Makers

The best way to cut down on ice maker energy use is to opt for one of the most energy-efficient ice makers on the market. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program recognizes the most efficient equipment available, including the best commercial ice makers.

Energy consumption: Compared to conventional models, ENERGY STAR–rated ice makers are an average of 20% more efficient. The best ice makers can save 1,200 kWh of energy each year on average.
Savings: When searching for an energy-efficient ice maker, it’s helpful to know that the energy savings of an ENERGY STAR–rated ice maker translates to $125 a year. Over the course of its lifetime, an ENERGY STAR ice maker could save you between $900 and $1,300.

Learn more about costs compared to Refrigerators.

About The Author: The Ice Doctors by S&W Refrigeration

Ice Doctors services Tampa for Ice Machines new and used. In business since 1997 with over 1000 satisfied customers.

How Do You Clean a Commercial Ice Machine?

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 07:01:02 GMT

Commercial ice machines are the unsung workhorses of the beverage and foodservice industries, keeping drinks at optimal temperatures for taste and safety. Yet this piece of equipment can easily be forgotten when it comes to cleaning, allowing deposits including limescale and mold to develop that could contaminate ice and put customers at risk for illness. Since ice is considered a food by the FDA, it’s important to meet government standards by regularly cleaning and sanitizing all components. Do you know how to clean an ice machine?

Some simple tips you can do!

Interior Ice Machine Cleaning:

Turn off the ice machine and remove all ice from the bin or dispenser
Wipe the interior of the bin to remove excess water and loose dirt and soil
Apply properly diluted Ice Machine Cleaner to the interior of the bin.
Allow the cleaner to remain on surfaces to dissolve scale and deposits; scrub stubborn deposits as needed
Rinse with fresh water
Wipe dry and apply a food-safe sanitizing solution.
Allow drying before turning on the machine

Exterior Ice Machine Cleaning:

Wipe exterior surfaces to remove loose dirt and soil
Apply diluted Ice Machine Cleaner to exterior surfaces
Use a damp cloth or non-abrasive pad to remove deposits
Rinse with fresh water
Wipe dry and apply a food-safe sanitizing solution.
Allow drying

About The Author: The Ice Doctors by S&W Refrigeration

Ice Doctors services Tampa for Ice Machines new and used. In business since 1997 with over 1000 satisfied customers.

How Much Ice Does a Commercial Ice Maker Make?

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 07:02:52 GMT

Commercial Ice Machine Production Rates

Commercial ice machine production rates vary greatly. On the smaller side, a commercial ice machine may produce as little as 70 lbs. a day, while on the opposite end of the spectrum are ice machines with a production rate of over 1,000 lbs. a day. The larger your business or commercial ice needs, the larger the ice production rate you will need.

When shopping for an ice machine, the production rate is an important component to take into account, especially if you need a specific amount of ice available on a daily basis. Remember to take into account ice capacity in relation to the production rate and the environmental conditions the ice machine will be placed into. With all these things considered, it will be easy to find the perfect ice machine for your ice-making needs.

Read about how much it costs to run an ice machine monthly.

About The Author: The Ice Doctors by S&W Refrigeration

Ice Doctors services Tampa for Ice Machines new and used. In business since 1997 with over 1000 satisfied customers.