What’s the deal with ice dispensers? If making ice at home is so easy, why would people need this appliance?
Making ice in the freezer seems like no big deal, right? Simply pour some water into an ice tray and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Voila! You can now enjoy a glass of ice cold water. Seems pretty straightforward. After all, you’ve been making ice using this method since you were a child.
The above-mentioned method to prepare ice may be convenient, but only when you have to prepare ice cube for a few people at a gathering. Not to mention, this method of ice production is time-consuming. So when you want plenty of ice with convenience, an ice maker is the way to go.
The mechanism of automatic ice makers system is vastly different from the simple ice tray. So, let us go through the engineering behind ice dispensers and understand how they keep your drinks cool during summer:
How Do Ice Dispensers Operate?
An ice maker has the same end result as an ice tray, but the process is quite different. With an ice dispenser, you no longer have to deal with pouring water in the tray and extract cubes once the water freezes.
This is an automated machine with an ice-cube assembly line. You can extract a bulk quantity of ice using an ice maker – and immediately enjoy a glass of ice-cold water.
These machines include an electric motor, an electrical heating unit, and a water valve. Plug the ice maker into an electric outlet and let the ice dispenser machine do all the work. You can hook the machine to your home’s plumbing line.
This will automatically transfer fresh water to the system. When you purchase the product model, you will receive an installation manual with complete instructions. Going through the manual, you can easily connect the water intake and power line of the system.
The entire system will run after the installation process automatically. You can control the cycle through a series of switches and electrical circuits.
7-Step Cycle On How An Ice Maker Work
Below, we will discuss the cycle to make ice cubes with ice dispensers:
Step 1
The ice making cycle begins with a timed switch. This switch completes the circuit and sends an electric current to the solenoid valve. The central circuit connects with the help of the electric wires. When the current flows through the circuit, it transfers a charge to the solenoid. After receiving the current, the solenoid opens the valve.
Step 2
The valve opens up for few seconds, transferring enough water supply to the ice mold. The plastic ice mold contains multiple compartments. Compartments or tubes include small notches connecting one cube with the next one. All these half-circled and curved cavities fill in with the water.
Step 3
Once the mold fills with the water, the ice dispenser machine starts the freezing process. The process works through a cooling unit. The mechanism of the cooling unit depends on the type of the machine.
There are two types of ice dispensers. The first type uses the cooling unit of the refrigeration system. However, stand-alone ice dispensers have their own cooling units, which is a major component of the ice maker. The thermostat is the other major component, and it regulates the temperature.
After the temperature in the mold reaches a certain level, the thermostat turns off the switch. This switch connects with the electric circuit and manages the current flow.
Step 4
The cooling process stops when the thermostat turns off the switch. This diverts the current to the coiled heat exchanging pipes underneath the icemaker. The coil heats up and loosens the ice cubes by heating the mold.
Step 5
That’s when the ice maker’s motor comes into action. The electric circuit activates this motor, and it spins the gear attached to it. This gear rotates a long plastic shaft containing ejector blades. These blades scoop out the cubes from the mold, dropping them in the front section of the machine. The cubes connected with each other will move as a single unit.
Step 6
There are plastic notches at the front section of the ice maker. These notches will allow ejector blades to pass through them, but it pushes the cubes out, collecting them in the bin.
Step 7
There is a plastic cam on the revolving shaft. The cam contains notches to lift the shut-off arm and terminate the process while pushing out the cubes into the collection bin. Once the icemaker ejects the cubes, the cam will let the arm fall.
When the arm reaches the resting position, it turns on the switch. This starts the cycle one more time. However, when there isn’t any space in the collection bin, the arm will not fall down into position. This will disrupt the process until there is some room in the bin.
A stand-alone ice maker is an effective machine for home and commercial use. It’s a portable machine with a powerful design. These machines make instant ice and are perfect for parties and other settings where you can’t wait for the freezer to prepare your ice cubes.
Advantages of Ice Dispensers
When it comes to technological items, most ice makers have become a necessity in daily routine. On the other hand, some don’t have as much of an impact on your life. The remaining items are those that you do not need until you try them.
The ice maker falls under the third category.
This stand-alone machine helps with the mass production of ice. Because of the advantages it offers, it easily becomes essential once you install it.
1. Convenient
When you are at a party or hosting a bunch of friends at home dinner, you need instant ice to make sure your guests’ drinks stay cold. Also, you do not want to hop in your car and drive to the local store to buy a bag of ice cubes. Here, getting an ice maker will solve all your problems.
When you have an automated ice maker machine, you will never run out of ice. Simply open the ice collection bin and take as much as you want, making room for more ice in the bin. With more space in the bin, the cycle will start again. This is much more convenient than an ice tray?
With an ice maker machine, you can say goodbye to drinking warm beverages.
2. Easy to Use
There are two methods to make ice in your kitchen. The first method involves an ice tray, which you have to place in the refrigerator after filling it with water. The second option is using an automatic ice maker.
You can also drive to the local store and purchase a bag of ice.
But out of all the above methods, the ice maker is a simple and easy-to-use option. You have to install this ice dispenser machine in your kitchen like other appliances such as a dishwasher and refrigerator, and you will never run short on the ice.
The major benefit of installing an ice maker at your home is you won’t need to go through additional steps.
3. Additional Storage
Ice dispensers come in different sizes, and you can choose the one that fulfills your needs. Other than an instant supply of ice, you can store more ice than your refrigerators. Ice trays in your refrigerator take plenty of space. You cannot stock up on ice trays when you have a party planned ahead. Just install an ice maker and let the machine automatically refill the collection bin.
4. Variety of Ice
Ice dispensers will also serve you with variety of ice. You can make bullet-shaped as well as restaurant-quality ice at home. There are options that enable you to select the shape and size of the cubes.
Furthermore, the filtered water will make refreshing and clear ice cubes that will give an aesthetic look with the same consistency and taste as the traditional ice-making technique.
Conclusion
The traditional method of making ice is a great responsibility. Every time you want some ice, you have to fill the ice tray with water and store them in the refrigerator for hours. Also, you need plenty of space in your refrigerator to store more than one tray.
On the other hand, having an ice maker is such a relief. This automatic ice dispenser machine helps you avoid all the hassle you face when making ice using traditional methods. Ice dispensers are a reliable and fast solution when making ice.
It’s a fast way to enjoy a glass of ice cold water. Now, as you understand the engineering behind an ice maker, you probably understand why you need one too.
So, if you are looking for a quick solution to freeze ice instantly, here’s your solution. Installing this automated machine will increase convenience and help you make more room in your freezer.