Whether you are purchasing an ice machine for personal or industrial use, there are a few common mistakes you will want to avoid. This situation can be compared to when you are purchasing a new coffee maker or maybe an air fryer.
You want to ensure that those random boxes are all checked off and you have considered all factors. So, we are going to break down the top five things to keep in mind when you are looking to purchase your next portable ice maker – whether it’s about the quantity of ice it can produce or where you place the ice machine.
Top Portable Ice Makers Mistake You Need To Avoid
Our list includes maintenance mistakes and product mistakes that you may want to avoid when looking at a countertop ice maker.
#1 Not Enough Ice
One of the worst things you can do when purchasing a new ice maker is not reading the product description. Most portable ice makers can produce up to twenty-six pounds of ice throughout a twenty-four-hour period. However, they only hold around two to three pounds of ice cubes at a time.
This may be perfect for a household setting or even a family get-together. However, if it is needed for a business or restaurant, it may not be enough ice to fit your needs. Requiring you to search for more industrial-sized countertop ice makers that may be able to produce fifty-plus pounds of ice a day while holding ten-plus pounds of ice at a time is much better.
Realizing your specific needs and ensuring that the ice machine you chose fits those needs is essential. There is nothing worse than purchasing an appliance and realizing after the fact that it’s the wrong item for you based on its ice production process and how much ice it can produce.
#2 Placing it in The Wrong Location
Before purchasing a countertop ice maker, you should have an idea of where you will place it. Portable ice machines can sit on countertops or be moved around as needed. However, some require access to the plumbing used by your refrigerator if you want a machine that automatically runs water for refills. This can mean that items need to be moved around and measured to ensure that everything fits where needed.
Or if you go the more industrial route, a plumbing hook-up will be required. So, placing a portable ice maker near a fridge is ideal while making sure that it will have proper ventilation. They tend to perform best in cooler areas where there is less humidity and fluctuation in temperature to deal with.
Either way, you will also need to be able to access items such as the service doors and filter for cleanings and maintenance.
#3 Not Caring About Your Water
Unknown to most, the type of water you have will help determine the type of filter needed for your portable ice machine. This means that knowing the quality of the water is important. Once you know the type of filter needed it will also need to be changed as recommended.
This ensures that poor water quality will not affect your machine negatively or cause you as many headaches over time, especially when it comes to damages, repairs, or upkeep.
#4 Forgetting to Clean it Regularly
While most commercial ice machines tend to have a self-clean option, proper cleaning is important so you won’t have any problem with the ice making process. Not only will this help with the longevity and maintenance of your machine, but it will also ensure that the ice you are using or serving is clean.
You must attempt to keep some type of cleaning schedule. Whether you empty the machine once a month and scrub it out (while it’s turned off of course so it does not sense the emptiness and begin to make more ice) or weekly to biweekly depending on the situation.
If several people are reaching into the portable ice maker for ice or the top is left open, there’s no telling what dust or germs have gotten in there. Plus, your ice should not be sitting there for long periods which gives you another good reason to regularly clean it out and drain excess water when needed.
#5 Disregarding The User Manual
Contrary to the belief of some people a user’s manual is important. It can tell you how to figure out the quality of water you have or what the different parts of an ice machine are. It even includes how to properly connect the valves or if you need to have a plumber set it up for you.
The user manual is meant to make your life easier and tell you what you need to know about the machine. Whether that’s the best way to clean it or common problems and how to avoid them.
Final Thoughts
These are our top five common portable ice maker mistakes to avoid when you are purchasing or dealing with your next machine. Keeping these mistakes in mind can help save you from needing to make a return or damaging your machine.