Here’s some quick FAQs about Ice machines that I’m sure you’ll be thanking One Fat Frog Restaurant Equipment 407-480-3409 for years to come on:
- Size up: Whatever you do don’t buy an ice machine that is toooo small. Make sure you project a minimum 1.5 lbs per customer and then add on a bit… we’re in Florida after all. This ratio is variable if you bring water to every customer, have a patio, do high volume soda or ice tea sales, ice down seafood, ice down beer displays or salad bars.
- Ratings: When the manufacturer suggests an ice machine makes 1000 lbs note that is under optimal performance standards. This means if you put it on a covered patio or in a warm warehouse you will have less ice. Just because it’s a 1000 lb machine doesn’t mean it will make ice to overflow. Ice machines have a technical part (I think called the overflow sensor or valve or shutoff… something like that- you’d have to ask our technical team but since they’re off this weekend you’ll just have to deal with my level of expertise and be glad I just type and don’t fix restaurant equipment- for the record I’m not too good at cooking either… but at least there’s one thing I am good at with my hands and that is typing) and back to our original question- the bin sensor (didn’t I throw you a curve ball with that knowledge- taking a bow) will automatically shut off and stop making ice once the bin is full. So the worst part of having an oversized ice machine is having old ice- easily remedied by dumping some old ice.
- Talk to our team members about water cooled versus air cooled. We have technicians in house that know this inside and out. So rely on us to help you out.
- Proper installation is a MUST! This means verify the electrical specs, drain and all that good stuff. 9 out of 10 issues are all from improper install. Believe it or not there are things like shut off valves and other technical dohickeys in these machines that are important. There are buttons and switches in some models that have to be flipped on to allow them to work. This fine tuning is what you pay the install for.
- In Florida filtration is king. This means you must have some sort of filtration- you should have it on every home and restaurant appliance that takes in water. The filter will extend the life of the equipment and save you much money in the long run. Additionally the entire type of filter you have will change the flavor of the water- which pizza guys and bagel guys tell me is integral in getting the right pizza dough taste or bagel taste.
- Two things affect efficiency: heat and air flow. So if you have poor air flow then you’ll have poor output of ice. Likewise you’ll also hurt ice output and shorten the length of the machine if you set it outside or in a hot warehouse. Sure they’ll still work, it’s just a matter of space and knowing that your 1000 lb ice machine will underperform because it is not in optimal setting. Who’se got your back? The Frog- call us at 407-480-3409 or [email protected] or better yet stop in. We have tons of used restaurant equipment for you!