To help you choose what’s right for your operation, here’s some information on each type.

Air-Cooled Ice Machines:

An Ice Maker that Breathes Like You and Me

The best commercial ice maker for:

Most places that need large-scale ice production, including hotels, convenience stores, and restaurants. Does produce slightly more heat and noise than other two types.

Of all the commercial ice makers sold in the United States, an average of about 70 percent of them are air-cooled ice machines. While remote ice machines and water-cooled ice machines are somewhat specialized in that they solve problems for a select group of foodservice operations, the air-cooled ice maker can fit into most any facility.

An air-cooled condenser uses fans to blow cooler ambient air across the coils through which the system’s refrigerant runs, a process that cools that fluid enough to allow it to cool the evaporator plate. An under counter model of air-cooled commercial ice maker will typically draw air in – or “breathe” – and push it out through a grill on the lower part of the front of the machine. Modular or head units typically complete that process on either the left or right side of the box, though some have a grill for that purpose on the front.

Advantages of an Air-Cooled Ice Machine:

- Install is much easier than with other types.

- These commercial ice makers are typically significantly cheaper than others.

- Utility costs are much cheaper than with other designs.

Drawbacks of an Air-Cooled Ice Machine:

- Heat and noise of condenser is held in the area with the ice maker.

- Requires space to breathe and good ventilation.

- Undercounter units can draw floor dust into the refrigeration system, while modular units must cool using hotter air higher up.

Remote Ice Machines:

Putting the Noise and Heat of a Condenser in its Place

The best commercial ice maker for:

A remote ice machine is great for facilities that need to eliminate the heat and noise produced by an ice maker, especially those operating multiple systems in the same area.

A remote ice machine is actually an air-cooled ice machine with some really long refrigerant lines. In remote ice machines, the ice maker is typically purchased separately from the condenser and the two are connected by those long lines. That allows the condenser, which produces the majority of the noise and heat put out by the system, to operate in a different space, typically outside. That’s a good thing for cramped kitchens or hotels that don’t want the ill effects of an ice machine filling the halls, particularly when they operate several of those systems.

Several remote ice machines can be run with a single condenser rack system, which puts several condensers into one unit. The efficiency of a remote condenser for a commercial ice machine will vary with the weather outside. Cold and cooler conditions will be great for it because it will have little to do to cool the refrigerant. Meanwhile, it may struggle to achieve proper temperatures in hot and dry climates.

Advantages of a Remote Ice Machine:

- Puts heat and noise of condenser outside.

- Can be fairly efficient in areas with cooler climates.

- Several ice makers can be run off one rack system.

Drawbacks of a Remote Ice Machine:

- More expensive with separate pieces to buy.

- More costly to install, with holes through walls and a pad needed outside for remote condenser.

- Problems can arise with lengthy refrigerant lines.

Water-Cooled Ice Machines:

High Utility Demands, but Decreased Heat and Noise

The best commercial ice maker for:

Facilities, particularly hotels, where heat and noise from an air-cooled ice machine need to be eliminated. However, it is prohibitively impractical in most settings.

The negative side of a water-cooled ice machine will outweigh the positive for all but a select few operations. That fact is evidenced by the type’s small foothold – it accounts for less than 10 percent of total ice maker orders – in the market. However, it can be a great option for large-scale ice-producing operations like sprawling hotels and ice houses when used with a water cooling tower on the exterior – typically the roof – of the building.

Air-cooled ice machines use flowing water to cool the condenser coils and the refrigerant inside. If a cooling tower is available, water circulates through a trough around the condenser coils, drawing the heat out of the refrigerant through the metal. It then circles through the tower and runs through its own coils, cooling through exposure to the outside air before it’s circulated through the system again. When a cooling tower is not present, these systems must have two separate water lines and one of them will run nearly constantly to cool the coils. That can boost utility bills by hundreds of dollars per month and wastes a lot of water. So much so that some municipalities and even whole states have actually outlawed them without a tower.

Advantages of a Water-Cooled Ice Machine:

- Not impacted by high temperatures that may reduce the efficiency of an air-cooled ice machine.

- Produces less heat and noise in the ice-making area.

- Uses slightly less electricity.

Drawbacks of a Water-Cooled Ice Machine:

- Uses a tremendous amount of water if not used with a cooling tower.

- If not used with a tower, cooling water line should be filtered and will require a new cartridge frequently. If not filtered, particulates in water will likely cause regular problems in the refrigeration system.

- Illegal in some areas because of high water usage.

Visit Snowkey’s website to learn about our services and products at http://snowkey.com.au or call us on 61 1300 423 423 or 61 1300 ICE ICE. You may also send an email to info@snowkey.com.au for further enquiries.

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It took another 15 years for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a publication in which epidemiologists traced several outbreaks of gastrointestinal sickness—including noroviruses—to the use of contaminated ice.

However, ice is no distinct from food or water when viewed as a comestible. However, you can find differences between ice and potentially hazardous foods. Even though the temperature of ice is nicely within the “safety zone,” ice machines are prone to microbial contaminants. Yet clean, potable water can be dirty ice in ways that may not be readily noticeable.

Ice is so common and its use is constant and universal, we often see ice substantially exactly the same way we do water. The assumption is that both water and ice are clean, with the latter simply being an extension of the tap.

Controlling Ice Contamination

Considering the acknowledgment of ice as a way to obtain microbial contaminants, science has given us a better comprehension of biofilm production and its control. Biofilms are a group of microorganisms, primarily bacteria, growing together in a matrix of polymers secreted by the microorganisms. The related slime formation is mold or fungus that accumulates from bacterial growth on surfaces always exposed to clinging water drops and warm temperatures. The biofilm may cause objectionable flavors and scents in ice. After well-developed biofilms establish themselves on surfaces, cleaning and sterilization become substantially harder. Biofilms have a shielding effect on the bacterial cells that dwell within them. It is well known that normal cleaning and sanitizing approaches may not control or eliminate biofilms, but rather they must be physically removed or prevented from forming on surfaces.

Producers of ice machines maker recognize the biofilm phenomenon and have engineered units that minimize its formation and ease its removal. Clean ice, clean ice storage bins, and sanitary handling practices are the key to enhancing the product quality.

In addition, manufacturers report that 70 percent of ice machine functionality problems are connected with the water supply, through poor water quality, slow fill or insufficient water supply, and have acted correctly to cope with these difficulties also. All manufacturing companies now provide customers with invaluable tips on choice and operations.

When ice machines are inspected, it’s clear that many aren’t cleaned and sanitized quite often, if ever. Mold and slime build-up inside them is rather observable. Numerous studies reveal that dirty, polluted ice is more common than people think.

As the ice-making machine has changed, so have the laws governing ice used for human consumption. This mandates ice to the same management and cleanliness standards as everything else in retail food, including manufacturing equipment.

The bottom line is that cleaning and sanitizing the ice machine on a regular basis is required by law, whereas operations and maintenance in accordance with manufacturer’s’ recommendations draw out the ideal life of the unit and help minimize the risk of contamination.

There are several common-sense guidelines that should be followed to prevent liability problems connected with contaminated ice in addition to sticking to manufacturers’ recommendations on cleaning and care.

The sanitary treatment of ice. All workers who manage ice should be taught the following precautions:

• Wash hands before getting ice.
• Hold the ice scoop by the handle and don’t touch other areas of the scoop.
• Don’t manage the ice with hands.
• Don’t return fresh ice to ice storage chest or ice machine.

The sterilization of gear. The next practices should be part of the facility’s operations:

•  Keep the access doors to ice storage chests and ice machines shut except when removing ice.
• Ice scoops should be smooth and protected against contact with contaminated surfaces like floors, access door handles, service carts and non-food contact surfaces, to cite a few examples. Scoops should be kept in an uncovered stainless steel, impervious plastic or fiberglass tray when not in use. The tray and scoop should be cleaned daily in the kitchen scullery dishwasher.
• Remove all extraneous equipment and things from around or in the ice storage chests and ice-making machines, and if possible, limit access to them.
• Clean the ice storage chests on rather a weekly program, but no less than monthly.
• Consider regular microbiologic sampling of the ice and ice contact surfaces of the machine. Although this really is not needed, it can supply guidance on cleaning frequency and methods.

Snowkey produces a clean, stable, sanitary ice suitable for human consumption. Snowkey is a leading ice machine makers in Australia, not to mention not only in Australia but also in other countries. For more information about ice machines, visit Snowkey website at http://snowkey.com.au. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us on 1300 423 423 or send an email to info@snowkey.com.au.

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It is About Temperature

Temperature is very astonishing, in case you consider it. Ice is just one of the things that can make or break your cold beverage sales. You question me? The tube ice machine broke down and serve all your customers ice-less beverages during the next lunch hurry. In case mutiny hasn’t been plotted by your servers, and your telephone survey line is not flooded with criticism calls then you’re doing very well really.

Quit wasting time and understand what kind of machine is for you.” Would you need half blocks or total blocks? Just how much ice does one would like? What type of water filter would you have to make your ice flavor amazing? These and several other questions are what you ought to be asking yourself when you consider buying a brand new ice machine.

5 Things to Stay Away From When Purchasing an Ice Machine

1. In the event that you must get an ice machine in an enclosed area, such as, for instance, a cupboard space, prevent air cooled machines. An air cooled machine will warm the area in a tiny space immediately, that may result in machine failures and reduced efficacy.

2. Has the proper filter kit recorded as a company things? A few hundred dollars will help you save a couple thousand dollars later on. Your ice will taste definitely better when made from filtered water, and of course!

3. Prevent slow operation and repairs: if you’re purchasing an air be sure to have appropriate clearance for airflow. Should you not possess the clearance, save yourself expense and hassles by investing in a water cooled machine.

4.Avoid purchasing an ice machine that’s not too large for your requirements. There’s nothing worse than being forced to run to the shop to get ice within a busy shift. Determine your demands, and add a buffer that is 20%.

5. Additionally, please take a look at the spec sheet for the unit which you want to purchase and see the description.

Commercial Ice Machine

This is the first of a brand new site show we’d want to do focusing on ice makers. In my next place (and occasionally throughout the remaining string as well) we will try to point you to some outstanding ice making machine brands through answering questions like these:

• Do I want a bin? Do they come? Individually?
• How large of a bin do I want to my shop?
• What’s the dissimilarity between ice makers that make ice which is half-dice, total-dice, shaved, cube, nugget etc?
• The type of ice cube is the most effective for my needs?
• Ice that is just how much does an ice machine make?
• Just how much ice would I want per day?
• Is a particular electric source required by ice machines?
• What’s the dissimilarity between air cooled, water cooled, and remotely cooled? Which is better for me personally?
• Are there different types of ice making machines for different types of companies?
• Will there be a guarantee on ice machines?
• Can I return it if I do not enjoy the ice maker I purchase?

Snowkey Australia will go to reply all the questions (and then some) in order to become a specialist on ice machines before you buy, making your transaction with us satisfying for everyone involved. Stay tuned! Willing to purchase but unsure where to begin? Visit Snowkey website to know more about our products and services at http://snowkey.com.au/ or call us on +61 1300 423 423 or +61 1300 ICE ICE

The post Helpful Tips When Buying an Ice Machine appeared first on Snowkey Australia.

The ice Merchandiser is built and designed to give you the utmost quality and performance for your daily needs. Snowkey is always at your service to help you begin your ideal business, whether it is ice machine retail or any particular business relating to this. For further details on services and other products, you can check our product page or even contact us through phone. Snowkey has several machines that you can choose from depending on your requirement. Here are the quick reviews in Snowkey machines.

Flake Ice Machine: this machine can produce ice in low temperature. It is clean and convenient for your daily use. The ice that comes from Flake Ice Machine has no sharp edges like other ice. It is ideal to use for food processing, artificial snowfield, medical uses, preserving fresh food, concrete cooling and fisheries (with salt water version). The interior is good quality and they use non corrosive material to make it sure it’s free from contamination and rust. The external of this machine is made from stainless steel to make sure it can deal with any environmental situation.

Tube Ice Machine: the Snowkey tube ice machine can filter salt and impurities in the water throughout collecting cycle. The impurities will be sorted out and discharged immediately, and the filtered fresh water will be put through the reservoir to conduct another purity test. In this scenario, you will be assured that the ice you will use is clean and safe. You can use the tube ice in the supermarket and convenience store, food preservation, port ice plant and chemical and concrete products. It also has a longer melting time than flake ice. In terms of durability, the Tube Machine can stand extreme temperature. It is also a modular construction to make it easier to maintain and be transported anytime.

Block Ice Machine: the Snowkey also has a block ice, and they offer both containerized and non-containerized, depending on your specification. This block tube ice is ideal for ice structures, edible ice, and cooling for temperature reduction. It is also stable and energy efficient.

Plate Ice Machine: It can produce hard and clear cracked ice, the purity of the ice will show its transparent appearance. The ice from Plate Ice Machine is ideal for use on small goods, leather processing, edible ice, chemical industry, poultry, meat processing and seafood. The capacity of Plate Ice Machine can range from 1 up to 100 tonne.

Snowkey has various sizes and specifications on their SRM compressor sets. If you want to know more, you may contact us at http://snowkey.com.au/contact or you can contact us on 1300 ICE ICE (1300 423 423) a toll free hotline.

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