{"id":22106,"date":"2020-09-16T15:07:05","date_gmt":"2020-09-16T19:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.filtersfast.com\/blog\/?p=22106"},"modified":"2023-09-26T10:13:35","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T14:13:35","slug":"selecting-the-right-ice-machine-for-your-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.filtersfast.com\/blog\/selecting-the-right-ice-machine-for-your-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Selecting the Right Ice Machine for Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

50-75% OF ICE MACHINE SERVICE CALLS ARE WATER-RELATED*<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re in the food service or hospitality industry, you might spend a lot of time thinking about water, ice, and your ice-making equipment. Water chemistry can be complex and we\u2019re here to help you have a better understanding of it so you can find the best water treatment solution for your business.<\/p>\n

First, let\u2019s talk about how water quality affects ice quality and how it can impact your equipment\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n

\"waitress<\/p>\n

Product Quality<\/h3>\n

With ice, water quality problems have nowhere to hide. Sulfur, iron, chlorine, and other contaminants can cause unpleasant tastes and odors to ice, and by extension, the beverages that the ice is used in. Particulates contribute to inconsistent formation and cloudy, unappealing ice. If you start to notice this, so will your restaurant and food service customers.<\/p>\n

Equipment Performance<\/h3>\n

Poor water quality can increase maintenance downtime and shorten the life of your ice machine, both of which can be added expense to your already thin margins. Properly treated water reduces scale buildup and helps reduce corrosion. Selecting the right water treatment technology that protects your equipment and improves operational efficiency is a clear advantage that you will appreciate.<\/p>\n

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Need help finding the right water treatment system for your business?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Email b2bsale@filtersfast.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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WATER TESTING AND WHAT IT REVEALS<\/h2>\n

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Water\u2019s Characteristics and Its Common Contaminants<\/h3>\n

Ice is 100% water, but water itself isn\u2019t just H2O. Water is a natural solvent, carrying away particles of whatever it encounters along the way. It\u2019s these particulates, chemicals, and contaminants that can impact ice quality, ice consistency, and equipment performance.<\/p>\n

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)<\/strong> is a combined measure of all organic and inorganic substances dissolved in the water, including minerals, salts, metals, and other particulates. High TDS levels can cause cloudy ice and unpleasant taste.<\/p>\n

Hard Minerals<\/strong> The most common and expensive water-related problem with ice makers is limescale buildup which is made of dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. These hard minerals, along with other dissolved solids, are forced out during the freezing process and create a rock-like layer of scale that can reduce performance and increase maintenance and downtime.<\/p>\n

Particulates<\/strong> Fine sediment, rust, and other particles provide a catalyst for scale buildup and will wear on your equipment.<\/p>\n

Chlorine<\/strong> While adding chlorine to water makes it safer to drink, it also contributes to corrosion in ice equipment and can give ice an offensive taste and odor.<\/p>\n

Iron<\/strong> In addition to giving water an unpleasant metallic taste, having iron present in the water used in your ice machine can lead to corrosion.<\/p>\n

Alkalinity<\/strong> is water\u2019s capacity to neutralize acid. High alkalinity can indicate an increased potential for hardness minerals to form scale; low alkalinity can indicate an increased potential for corrosion.<\/p>\n

pH<\/strong> is water\u2019s balance of acid and alkaline substances and can be an indication of whether it will be scale-forming or corrosive.<\/p>\n

Chlorides<\/strong> Even at low levels, chloride ions can penetrate the passive film on stainless steel and trigger corrosion.<\/p>\n

Slime<\/strong> As ice equipment draws in air, naturally occurring yeast and mold come with it. This slimy mix can quickly expand, causing loss of performance, decreased efficiency, equipment malfunction, and contamination.<\/p>\n

\"Chemistry<\/p>\n

The first step in finding the right water treatment solution is conducting a comprehensive on-site water analysis to determine the specific level of particulates, chemicals, and contaminants in your water. A water analysis is a “snapshot” of water characteristics at the time and place the sample was drawn. Although municipal water reports have value by measuring general safety and potability, they commonly combine samples from multiple sources and may not take seasonal changes into account. Therefore, municipal water reports alone may not provide an accurate picture of the water at your specific location.<\/p>\n

Here are a few questions to consider:<\/strong><\/p>\n