The Biggest Problem with Commercial Ice Machines and How to Prevent It

Mold. The four-letter word that no one in the food service industry wants to hear. Unfortunately, ice machines are notorious for harboring unseen mold, even when you think you’re cleaning your ice machine well enough. 

Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp environments with poor ventilation. Airborne mold causes adverse respiratory systems, such as: congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and asthma-like symptoms. If mold gets into a commercial ice machine, it can contaminate the ice and become a major health risk.  

Signs of Mold in Your Ice Machine

The consistently wet surface area of the ice maker creates the perfect environment for mold growth. Airborne impurities, bacteria and mold spores can easily make their way into the ice machine and find damp areas to grow.  

Unfortunately, mold in an ice machine can be hard to spot. The first sign you’ll likely notice is a musty odor. That means it's time to clean! Even if you don’t see any visible mold yet, something is growing and a thorough cleaning should be done ASAP!

How Often Should Ice Machines Be Cleaned?

How often your ice maker needs to be cleaned depends on its size, model and use.  As a general rule of thumb, we recommend a full, professional cleaning every 3-6 months. That being said, your ice maker should be inspected daily and regularly deep cleaned by staff as needed.

Note: industries that regularly use yeast (bakeries, breweries, etc.) must clean their ice machines more often. Airborne yeast will quicken mold growth and contaminate the ice machine much faster.  

Choosing the Right Cleaning Solution

We highly recommend using a cleaner made specifically for ice machines. These cleaners are both safe for the internal parts of the ice machine and are capable of sanitizing the system. If your ice machine has an excess of scale buildup, look for a cleaner that addresses scale. 

Whatever cleaner you choose, make sure to discard the first few batches of ice after cleaning to avoid any contamination! 

Professional Preventative Service 

Ice machines, along with your company’s other refrigeration equipment, should be serviced at least once per year. Preventative maintenance gives industry professionals a chance to catch the small problems you might miss before they turn into big repair bills down the line. They can also help you come up with a cleaning and maintenance plan to get the most out of your commercial ice maker. Plans like this will typically have a cleaning schedule that you can do yourself apart from scheduled preventative maintenance. 

To schedule ice machine service or maintenance in Lubbock and Austin, TX, contact us at 512-651-4565 or email info@tripointref.com 

Austin, Texas Location

Tri-Point Refrigeration, Inc

118 Iron Road Suite 100,

Hutto, Texas 78634

(512) 651-4565

Lubbock, Texas Location

Tri-Point Refrigeration, Inc

13805 Avenue P Unit B

Lubbock, Texas 79423

(806) 686-0050