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Ice-O-Matic Troubleshooting — Complete Guide

Jun 21st 2022 - Monica Cunanan

Ice-O-Matic Troubleshooting — Complete Guide

Commercial ice machines are essential for restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and offices. Even high-performance brands like Ice-O-Matic can experience malfunctions from time to time. Depending on the issue, some issues may require a quick solution or thorough cleaning, while other issues may require a service technician to resolve these common Ice-O-Matic Ice Maker Issues.

Here are the common issues of Ice-o-Matic Ice machines and how to fix it:

  • Ice-O-Matic Ice Machine is Not Making Ice
  • Machine Not Harvesting
  • If Harvest is Too Long and Not Producing Enough Ice
  • If It Produces Hollow Ice Cubes
  • Molding Issues
  • Leaking

Ice machine not running?

First of all, make sure that the machine is switched on selector switch is set to “ICE”

Troubleshoot:

  • Check Power Supply: Make sure the power supply is working properly by checking the voltage level at the outlet. Low or high voltage may damage the unit.
  • Check for blown control fuse: Once you made sure the power supply is okay, check if the power cable is damaged or if there's a power wiring issue. Faulty wiring should not be fixed by anyone but an authorized service technician.
  • Check the high-pressure safety trip: If the safety control wire is tripping, you'll need to check for any issues that could be causing high head water pressure.
  • Check if the bin control is out of alignment: If so, adjust it or replace it. If it's faulty then have it repaired by an authorized technician immediately
  • Check if the Liquid line solenoid is energized and open: To determine why the liquid line solenoid valve is not working, have an authorized technician inspect it.

Ice-O-Matic Ice Machine is Not Making Ice?

If your Ice-o-Matic ice machine isn't making ice, here are some things to check out to figure out why.

Troubleshoot:

  • If there is water leaking from the purge drain or water tank, repair the leak. A broken drain can be an issue as well.
  • Compressor might not be running and there are quite a few reasons for it. A bad contactor or coil might need to be replaced, or it could just be a broken compressor, defective drain, or starting components. If you need to repair or replace these parts, have an authorized technician do so.
  • A dirty condenser may clog the air filter so make sure to clean it using appropriate cleaning solvents. It can increase pressure drop and affect airflow, which can lower the production of ice.
  • If the hot gas valve leaks during the freeze cycle times, you'll need to replace it.
  • If the Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV ) is restricted or not opening correctly, you may need to replace it. Before diagnosing the valve as faulty, you should check whether the refrigerant charge is too low.
  • If the suction pressure is too low, the compressor won't be able to run properly. Contact an authorized service technician to get this checked out and recharged if necessary.

Why is my Ice Machine Not Producing Enough Ice?

Many ice machine problems stem from the environment where your ice machine is located. If your Ice-o-Matic ice machine is running but isn't making enough ice, here is some advice for diagnosing these problems.

Troubleshoot:

  • Make sure the surrounding air temperature is not too hot. Maximum ice production for each machine depends on the room temperature where it is located. If your location exceeds its recommended temperature safety control, the ice maker will be unable to produce the maximum amount. The ideal room temperature for maximum ice-making capacity is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • If the water line is clogged, clean out any drain obstructions from the drain tube..
  • Cleaning the machine is important in nearly every way in which ice is produced. If there is low ice production, it could be due to buildup, so it‘s important to regularly deep-clean your ice machine.
  • Another reason why your ice maker may not produce enough ice could be because the surface your unit sits on is too unbalanced. Make sure the machine stands upright and level on the countertop.

The Machine Not Harvesting?

The harvest cycle begins when ice is ejected from an ice mold. If it does not reach the freeze mode for Harvesting Cycle, look into these troubleshooting tips to fix the uneven freeze pattern:

Troubleshoot:

  • An uneven freeze pattern can be caused by different factors. If the compressor is working properly, then the problem may be related to an overcharged system, a thermostatic expansion control valve (TXV), or a worn-out compressor.
  • Leaks in the purge valve or hot-gas valve. Stop the leakage by replacing either valve or removing any blockages.
  • Timer issues - The timer initiate control may need to be readjusted or repaired by an authorized technician. If the entire timer has been defective for a long time, it would need to be replaced by an authorized technician.
  • If the high-temperature safety control is open, the purge valve won't operate when the manual purge switch is activated.

Ice Machine Produces Ice Cubes That Are Hollow

Here are some common reasons why your ice machine may be producing hollow ice cubes.

Troubleshoot:

  • If the water used to make ice cubes is too hot, the ice will not form properly. Hot water is not recommended at all. The incoming water temperature should be between 48-50 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
  • If there's water leaking from the purge line, check for obstructions or a faulty drain. If there is any debris or dirt in the drain, clean or replace it.
  • Check if the timer module is working properly. If not, check whether it needs to be adjusted or is defective. If the timer has not been initiated properly, check if the timer needs to be readjustment or repaired by a service tech­nician.

Molding Issues in Ice-O-Matic Ice Maker

Molding in an ice maker can be common if it is in an unsuitable location and environmental conditions. It can also be due to infrequent or improper cleaning.

Ice is considered food by the FDA, so it must be treated and cared for in the same way as other foods. Any part of your ice machine in contact with water can develop scale, slime, or mold at any time. This could contaminate your ice and possibly harm your customers.

Troubleshoot:

  • If you find mold in your ice maker, clean and sanitize the unit according to the cleaning and sanitization instructions provided in your unit’s manual.(See official guide to cleaning)
  • Make sure you and your staff are always using an ice scoop when they're handling ice and never their hands or glasses. Always keep the ice scoop clean.
  • If you want to keep your machine away from damp conditions and areas of your kitchen that tend to get damp, consider moving it. This includes prep stations for handling large amounts of dough, yeasts, sugars, or any ingredients that need to be handled in an environment with lots of moisture.

Is Your Ice-O-Matic Ice Machine Leaking?

Leaks that come out of the outside of the ice machine are most probably a plumbing problem that is related to the ice machine not being installed correctly. You need a plumber to fix this problem. If the leak is happening inside the machine, you'll need to contact an authorized ice machine technician to repair the problem. Make sure to turn your machine off before inspecting it to avoid any potential accidents.

Troubleshoot:

If the source of the leak is the shutoff valve, check to see if there is any damage to the pipe. If there is no damage, then you can turn off the water supply and call a plumber.

  • Check the drains and clear any blockages.
  • Check the water line for cracks or leaks. Similar to a water shutoff valve malfunction, a cracked or loose drain pipe requires the help of a plumbing professional to fix the problem.
  • Once a plumber or technician comes to fix the unit, you should deep clean your machine to make sure there aren’t any other blockages.

Ice-O-Matic Ice Maker Flashing Lights

The Power Button and Clean Button on the Ice-O-Matics Elevation Series ice machines have different power LED lights to let operators easily see when the machine needs service.

  • Both Power and Clean LEDs are solid blue. This means the unit is operating normally.

Ice-O-Matic Yellow flashing light:

The power LED light is solid red, which means the unit needs to be clean. The clean LED light is slow flashing, which means the unit has been cleaned.

Ice-O-Matic flashing red light (quick):

Power LED light is flashing red. This means a one-hour maximum freeze cycle or five and a half minutes maximum harvest cycle.

Ice-O-Matic flashing red light (slow):

This indicates a thermistor failure.

The power LED light flashes quickly, and the clean LED light flashes quickly:

This indicates a fill or drain failure The unit has experienced its maximum fill time or maximum purge time.

Resetting and Restarting an Ice-O-Matic Ice Machine

If you see any error codes, follow these steps to clear them and reset your Ice-o-Matic Elevation series ice machine.

  • Step 1: Loosen the two bolts holding the front panel onto the chassis with a Philips head screwdriver. Don't remove the screws.
  • Step 2: Lift the front panel off of the unit.
  • Step 3: To turn off the machine, press and hold both the Power button and the Clean button for three seconds. When you see the lights flashing blue and yellow, stop pressing.
  • Step 4: Press the power button on the back of the machine to turn it back on.

Getting Ice-O-Matic Ice Machine for Your Business?

Ice Equipment is crucial for operating any kitchen. Here at Culinary Depot, we are eager to help you find the right Ice Maker, parts, and necessities for maintenance.

May it be:

Visit our online store or contact us today for more information.