5 Tips to Keep Your Bar’s Ice Machine Running Smoothly All Summer Long
Do you run a bar? Do you need ice? When it gets hot, your ice machine works hard. It might break if you do not take care of it. But do not worry! Here are five easy ways to keep your ice machine happy all summer.
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Why This Matters
Your bar needs ice all the time. No ice means no cold drinks. No cold drinks means sad people. And sad people do not come back to your bar.
When it is hot, ice machines get hot too. They have to work more. Just like you, they can get tired. But you can help them!
Tip 1: Clean and Wash Your Ice Machine Each Week
Dirt and gunk can make your ice machine sick. Did you know that 68% of ice machines break because of this gunk? It’s true!
A bar in hot Phoenix had lots of health problems. Then they started to clean their ice machine each week. Their health problems went down by 90%!
What You Need to Do:
- Clean the ice bin with soap that is safe for food
- Wipe all parts that touch the ice
- Clean the drain line where water goes out
- Check the door seal to make sure it is not torn
When to do this: Pick one day each week. Make it the same day, like every Monday.
Big Tip: Use a timer to help you remember!
The heat in summer makes germs grow fast. That is why you must clean more in hot months.
Tip 2: Keep Air Moving Around Your Machine
Your ice machine needs to breathe! If it gets too hot, it will not make ice well.
When the metal coils get dirty, your machine:
- Uses 30% more power
- Makes less ice
- Has to work too hard
- Gets too hot
A bar in Miami had a hot ice machine. They fixed it by cleaning the coils two times each month in summer. Now they have all the ice they need!
How to Help Your Machine Breathe:
- Clean the coils with a soft brush
- Keep space all around the machine
- Move it away from hot things like ovens
- Check air vents for dust
Need a new ice machine that stays cool? Try our Metal Ice Bucket for when your machine needs a break.
Tip 3: Make Sure Your Water is Clean
Bad water makes bad ice. It also hurts your machine.
Did you know? Hard water (that’s water with lots of stuff in it) makes your machine get scale 42% faster. This makes your ice machine die two years too soon!
A beer place in Austin put in special UV water cleaners. They cut down on fixes by 75%!
Water Tips For Good Ice:
- Change water filters each month in summer
- Test your water to see if it is too hard
- Clean water lines to stop green stuff from growing
- Look at ice – if it’s cloudy, your water might be bad
For times when your machine is down, have a Custom Ice Bucket ready to keep your ice cold and clean.
Tip 4: Get Your Machine Checked Before Summer
Just like you see a doctor for a check-up, your ice machine needs one too!
Scary fact: 80% of bars skip checking the Freon (that’s the cold stuff inside). And 45% have leaks when it gets hot out!
A fancy drink bar in New York City had a pro check their machine before summer. This saved them from a $3,000 fix later!
Your Pre-Summer Check List:
- Call a pro to check the Freon
- Test all parts that move or spin
- Fix tiny problems before they get big
- Clean all parts super well
Put this day on your calendar: Do this check each year in late spring.
Tip 5: Be Ready For Problems
Even with good care, things can break. Smart bar owners are ready!
Bars that keep spare parts fix their machines 50% faster when they break.
One club in Las Vegas did not have spare parts. Their ice machine broke for three days. They lost $12,000 because they had no ice!
Your Emergency Kit Should Have:
- Water pump in case yours breaks
- Fan motor for when it gets too hot
- Float switch that tells when to make more ice
- Phone number for a good fix-it person
Keep your kit in a safe, dry spot. Make sure all staff know where it is.
Having a Wine Bucket or Acrylic Ice Bucket can save the day when your machine needs a quick repair.
The Cost of Not Taking Care
Let’s look at what happens if you skip these tips:
| What You Skip | What Can Happen | The Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Cleaning | Germs, bad ice, sick people | Health fines: $500-$1,000 |
| Coil Cleaning | Machine works too hard, gets hot | Power bill up 30%, $300+ to fix |
| Water Filters | Scale, bad parts | New machine: $2,000-$5,000 |
| Pro Check-up | Big breaks that stop all ice | Lost sales: $1,000+ per day |
| Spare Parts | Long wait for ice again | Lost sales: up to $12,000 |
Questions People Ask A Lot
How often should I clean my ice machine in summer?
Clean it once each week. Wipe it down each day too. Summer heat makes germs grow fast.
Why is my ice cloudy when it’s hot out?
When it’s hot, water freezes too fast and traps air. This makes cloudy ice. Some ways to help:
- Use clean water
- Let the water cool before it freezes
- Keep your machine in a cool spot
How much ice should my machine make?
Most bar ice machines make 400-800 pounds of ice per day. If yours makes less in summer, it might need help.
Can I clean the ice machine myself?
Yes! You can do the basic clean. But have a pro do a deep clean two times per year.
Check How Your Machine Is Doing
Use this quick list to see if your ice machine is happy:
- [ ] Makes enough ice for your bar
- [ ] Ice is clear, not cloudy
- [ ] No strange sounds
- [ ] No water leaks
- [ ] No bad smell
- [ ] Not too hot to touch
- [ ] Coils are clean
- [ ] Filters are fresh
If you checked all these, good job! Your ice machine is happy.
Get Help When You Need It
Even with good care, you might need help. That’s OK! Call a pro when:
- Your machine stops making ice
- It makes strange sounds
- The ice tastes or smells bad
- You see rust or bad spots
Don’t wait too long to get help!
Keep Your Cool All Summer
Now you know how to keep your ice machine happy all summer long:
- Clean it each week
- Keep air moving
- Use good water
- Get a check-up
- Be ready for problems
Follow these tips and you’ll have happy customers with cold drinks all summer!
Don’t forget to check our Custom Bar Coasters to keep all those cold drinks from making a mess on your bar top!
