Accessorize, accessorize. Who doesn’t love accessories? Well, ditch the clutch, because we have something wayyyyy cooler (get it?). We have the ultimate list of ice machine accessories to have if you’re looking for great additions to add to your residential or commercial ice experience.
More seriously though, ice machines can really be the backbone of so many businesses: restaurants, bars, bakeries, ice cream parlors, grocery stores, and so many more. Accessories are great in that they give you wider versatility and ease of use with a machine that you and your staff may be using round the clock every day.
Here, we’ll dig into some of the best accessories to have to boost performance, better your machine's features, or simply just make life a little easier.
Ice scoop. The humble ice scoop--very simple and ever needed. We’ve seen it everywhere: using hands and cups to scoop glass. Not only can this severely risk cross-contamination, but it can also really limit the amount of ice one can scoop at once, meaning that if you or an employee needs lots of ice for something, it’s gonna take quite a while if they’re just using a drinking glass.
Ice shovel. Speaking of large quantities, ice shovels are great at just that: scooping up loads of ice at once for whatever you need it for. This is especially useful in businesses where you may be using several ice bins throughout the space or need to fill up a cold bar.
Ice storage bin. If you have to work with large amounts of ice on a daily basis, an ice storage bin can be a great investment. They are essentially extensions of your ice machine's storage bin. They have all the insulation to keep the ice fully optimized just as your ice machine does it.
Ozone generator. Sounds futuristic? It’s actually pretty simple! This all-natural gas is most often used in water plants to sterilize water, but there are plenty of scaled-down versions that are great upgrades for an ice machine to help kill bacteria. Ozone generators regularly release very small amounts of ozone in order to sanitize the water that your machine uses to make ice, killing bacteria, and mold, and even discouraging bio-film build-up in the process.
Condensate drain pump. Nothing is worse than coming in in the morning and seeing that the ice machine has made itself a pool on the ground. Improper drainage can be a huge pain for ice makers, and adding a condensate drain pump to the works can really aid in drainage, especially if your ice machine is not near a drain and its condensate (water) must be pumped away.
Automatic cleaning systems. It’s exactly what it sounds like! Although these definitely should not replace regular deep cleans and preventative maintenance, automatic cleaning systems can help ensure that your ice machine continues to run smoothly in between checkups and keep the ice clean and tasting fresher than ever. These small systems regularly release cleaners or sanitizers to prevent mineral buildup, as well as dirt and bacteria, build up in your system. It’s important to note that many new ice machines already have automatic cleaning systems, but if you’re operating on an older machine, this is a wonderful upgrade!
Ice totes and ice buckets. These are super useful in restaurants and hotels where employees may need to tote around large amounts of ice from point A to point B. Likewise, ice buckets are an amazing addition to providing a more aesthetically pleasing touch to wine service.
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There are so many great ice machine accessories worth mentioning, and this wasn’t even all of them! Accessories can help boost efficiency, and sanitary levels, and even help your ice machine's longevity. It’s important to note that ice machine accessories that aid in cleaning should never replace regular deep cleans and preventative maintenance, but they can make a world of difference in the time in between those events.
Have questions or need recommendations? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Tri-Point Refrigeration so we can help you along the way. We’re excited to hear from you, and with regular servicing, we can keep your equipment running smoothly and healthily, while also extending the reach of your dollar.
For a direct line to any of our employees ready on the line to help you, please call…(512) 651-4565 for our Austin, Texas community (806) 686-0050 for our Lubbock, Texas community. Or check out our website at www.tripointrefrigeration.com