Bensons Heating and Air Conditioning

Commercial ice machines should be professionally cleaned and sanitized every 6 months at minimum, or more frequently in hard water areas. The FDA Food Code requires ice machines to be clean and sanitized to prevent mold, slime, and bacterial growth. Between professional cleanings, staff should clean the exterior, ice bin, and scoop holder regularly. Many operators who skip cleaning face costly repairs from scale buildup and potential health code violations.

1) Do NOT operate any electrical switches, phones inside, or create any sparks. 2) Evacuate all staff and customers immediately. 3) Call 911 from outside the building. 4) Call your gas company's emergency line. 5) Do NOT re-enter until emergency responders clear the building. 6) Contact a certified kitchen equipment technician to inspect and repair gas connections before reopening. Gas leaks can cause explosions — always take them seriously.

Emergency repair typically costs 1.5-2.5x normal rates. After-hours service calls usually run $150-$300 for the diagnostic fee, plus parts and labor. Weekend and holiday rates can be higher. However, the cost of downtime — lost revenue, food waste, and staff idle time — almost always exceeds the emergency service premium. Most providers charge $100-$200 diagnostic fees that apply to the total repair.