You know it is time to shop for a new ice machine when the current one can no longer run efficiently. It could be a problem with the manufacturer or issues with wear and tear.  Extra caution is needed when buying refrigeration equipment as they don’t come cheap.

If you’re a grocery store owner, you want to make sure you’re getting value for money. A good ice machine should be able to keep the produce fresh as a failed machine could result in thousands of dollars of wastages. There are a couple of factors to consider when choosing the best ice machine for your grocery store.

Ventilation & Air Temperature

The air output and quality are determined by the ventilation and the temperature of the machine. If the machine is not properly ventilated, there is a high likelihood of high temperatures which leads to lower ice production.

Your machine might have to work harder in order to provide the needed ice and cooling. This is inefficient as it leads to high energy costs.

Water Temperature

This is another important consideration to have in mind when shopping for an ice machine for your grocery store. An efficient machine is one that can effectively maintain internal water temperatures.

Just as with air temperature, a machine that doesn’t effectively manage the water temperatures will lead to low ice production.  Make sure you have an expert with when you’re out shopping if you don’t know what to look out for.

Water Filter

This will be determined by the kind of water found in your area. Those who live in areas with hard water will be required to use durable water filters as the salt sediments can interfere with the functioning of the ice machine.

You should also ensure that the machine is regularly cleaned and fitted with the right filtration equipment to avoid damage and unwanted minerals.

Recommendation

A heavy duty commercial ice maker is recommended for a grocery store. Heavy duty machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Iron Mountain Refrigeration offers a great selection of ice makers, and we are sure you can find something that suits your need while browsing our website.  Other top brands include Manitowoc, Scotsman brand, and Ice-O-Matic.

It is important that you do more research to find the one that addresses all your needs.

Balancing Refrigeration and air conditioning in the grocery store

It is important that you balance the refrigeration needs and the comfort of the shoppers in the grocery store. The easiest way you can reduce the energy costs is by retrofitting open refrigerators for the products on display.

You can add transparent doors to save energy. Motor upgrades and lighting could also bring additional energy savings. The HVAC system will need to be configured so as to effectively interact with the refrigeration equipment in the grocery store.

This will require that the performance of the HVAC system is carefully analyzed so that it is fine-tuned to the needs of the store. You should contact an experienced HVAC technician for the job. You can always contact the pro’s right here at Iron Mountain should you have questions.

Iron Mountain Refrigeration & Equipment

(833) 734-8880