Why Regular Filter Changes Matter for Commercial Ice Makers

Why Regular Filter Changes Matter for Commercial Ice Makers

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This excerpt from the Malachy Parts+ blog post explains the importance of regularly changing filters in commercial ice makers. The text highlights the various types of filters available, their roles in maintaining clean and high-quality ice, and the potential consequences of neglecting filter replacements. The article also provides signs indicating when filter changes are necessary, tips for selecting the right filters, and a step-by-step guide for changing the filters. It concludes by emphasizing the benefits of consistent filter maintenance for extending the life of the ice maker, reducing repair costs, and ultimately ensuring a steady supply of quality ice for commercial use.

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The Role of Filters in Commercial Ice Makers

Filters are super important for keeping commercial ice makers running smoothly. At Malachy Cares, we know clean ice is a big deal for businesses. Our Rational parts collection has filters that help ice makers work their best.

Here's what filters in ice makers do:

• Clean the water that becomes ice
• Make the ice taste better
• Stop minerals from building up inside the machine
• Help the ice maker last longer
• Improve how well the ice maker works
• Protect the inside parts from getting damaged

By getting rid of yucky stuff in the water, filters make sure the ice is safe to eat and meets the high standards businesses need. This is really important for places that serve food and drinks, where bad ice could make customers unhappy or even sick.

Types of Ice Maker Filters

There are three main types of filters used in commercial ice makers:

1. Sediment Filters

These filters catch dirt and small bits in the water. They come in different sizes to catch different sized particles. Think of them like a net that catches leaves in a pool.

2. Phosphate Filters

These filters stop scale from forming. They're not good for all types of ice makers, though. They work by adding something to the water that stops minerals from sticking to surfaces.

3. Carbon Filters

Carbon filters trap harmful things and remove chlorine. They're great for many types of ice makers. It's like the filters you might use at home to make tap water taste better.

Many ice makers use a mix of these filters to make the best ice possible. 

Signs It's Time for a New Filter

Here's how you can tell it's time to change your ice maker's filter:

• Ice looks cloudy or has a weird color
• Ice tastes or smells strange
• The machine makes ice slowly
• Water doesn't flow as well as it should
• You can see bits in the ice
• The ice maker is making less ice than usual
• It's using more energy than before
• You see scale building up on parts you can see

Keeping an eye out for these signs can help you keep your ice quality high and stop your ice maker from getting damaged. It's important to fix these problems quickly to avoid bigger issues later.

Why Changing Filters Regularly is Good

Replacing your ice maker's filter often has many benefits:

• Better ice quality and taste
• Ice maker lasts longer
• Less money spent on fixes
• Ice made consistently
• Uses less energy
• Improved water flow
• Reduced risk of bacterial growth

Changing filters regularly doesn't just make your ice better - it also helps your ice maker last longer. Clean filters mean the machine doesn't have to work as hard, so it breaks down less and keeps working for years. Check out our Dragon 24 Gas Net Filter for great filtration.

How Often to Change Ice Maker Filters

How often you should change your filter depends on a few things:

• How clean your water is
• How much you use the ice maker
• What the maker of your ice machine says
• The type of filter you're using
• Your local water quality and mineral content

Usually, it's good to change filters every 6 months. But if you have hard water or use your ice maker a lot, you might need to change it more often. Some busy places might need to change filters every 3 months, while others with really good water might go 9 months. It's best to check your machine's manual and think about how you use it.

Steps to Change Your Ice Maker Filter

Here's how to change your ice maker filter:

1. Turn off the ice maker and unplug it
2. Find where the filter is
3. Take out the old filter
4. Clean around where the filter goes
5. Put the new filter in, making sure it's the right way
6. Lock the new filter in place
7. Run water through the system before using it
8. Check for any leaks or unusual noises
9. Throw away the old filter properly
10. Reset the filter change indicator if your machine has one

Always check your ice maker's manual for specific instructions, as different models might work a bit differently. Putting the new filter in correctly makes sure it works well from the start. Our Dragon 32 Gas Net Filter is great for bigger ice makers.

Picking the Right Filter for Your Ice Maker

Choosing the right filter is important. Think about these things:

• Does it fit your ice maker model?
• What type of filter do you need?
• How much water can it handle?
• Is it a good quality filter?
• Does it meet food safety standards?
• How fast can water flow through it?
• How long is the filter supposed to last?

Buying good filters made for your specific ice maker can really help it work better and last longer. Cheaper filters might save money at first, but they might not clean as well and could even hurt your machine over time.

More Tips for Taking Care of Commercial Ice Makers

Besides changing filters, here are more ways to keep your ice maker working well:

• Clean the condenser coil once a year
• Clean the ice bin often
• Check and clean where water comes in
• Make sure the water pressure is right
• Have a professional check your machine sometimes
• Clean the whole system regularly
• Keep the area around the ice maker clean and with good air flow
• Check and adjust water temperature as needed

Taking care of your ice maker regularly doesn't just make better ice - it also helps the machine last longer and saves money on repairs. Look at our Rational parts to keep your ice maker in top shape.

Conclusion

Changing your ice maker's filter regularly is really important. It keeps your ice clean and tasty, and helps your machine work better for longer. By following these tips and changing filters when needed, you can make sure your commercial ice maker keeps making great ice for your business. Remember, taking good care of your ice maker helps it work better, use less energy, and save money in the long run. Don't forget about this important part of ice maker care - your customers and your wallet will thank you!