Conleys Appliance Center

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.

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.

CFESA (Commercial Food Equipment Service Association) certification is the industry standard for commercial kitchen equipment technicians. Certified technicians have passed rigorous examinations on electrical, refrigeration, and gas systems. When you hire a CFESA-certified tech, you can trust they have the knowledge to properly diagnose and repair commercial kitchen equipment safely and effectively.