Central Heating Consultants

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.

A comprehensive PM program should include: scheduled inspections at manufacturer-recommended intervals, cleaning of condenser coils and filters, calibration of temperature controls, inspection and testing of safety systems, lubrication of moving parts, replacement of wear items (gaskets, filters, belts), refrigerant level checks, combustion analysis for gas equipment, and detailed documentation for each visit. Avoid programs that are just a visual inspection without hands-on service.

Commercial fryer safety checks include: verifying hi-limit switch operation, checking thermostat accuracy, inspecting gas connections and pressure (gas fryers), testing electrical connections (electric fryers), checking oil filtration system function, inspecting drain valve operation, verifying fire suppression system compatibility, and checking for oil leaks. Safety checks should be performed by a certified technician at every service visit.