Therefore, it is crucial to purchase a professional ice maker that is the best suitable for your type of business. That is the reason we recommend investing in the Scotsman Ice Maker line of machines.
Besides being one of the largest global ice machine manufacturers, Scotsman Ice Systems produces efficient and reliable machinery for easy maintenance and durable ice-making. Their catalog counts an extensive range of models suitable for different catering and logistic demands. Also, they are eco-friendly and energy-savvy machines.
Read on to know why the Scotsman Ice Makers are the best choice for your business.
Scotsman Ice Makers: efficient, eco-friendly, and silent
This company has been producing Ice Makers since the 1950s in the USA. They are credited with pioneering the shaping of commercial ice cubes to fulfill different roles in hospitality venues – and even hospitals! Two types of the most popular ice formats nowadays, the nugget ice and the soft chewable ice, were innovations introduced by Scotsman in the market.
The company has low energy-spending, noise-leveling, and self-cleaning and sterilization systems incorporated on their lines. Even though the Scotsman Ice Makers are costly, the investment is definitely worth it.
Those are long-term usage machines programmed to maintain balanced costs in energy and water spending, with easy maintenance and cleaning logistics.
To understand the range of functionality, practicality, and efficient usage of water and energy that the Scotsman ice machines offer, it’s important to know the key functions that differentiate Scotsman´s machines from other brands
The right type of Scotsman's ice maker for your business
The Scotsman ice makers come in many shapes and models to fulfill specific hospitality demands of space availability, types of service and customer goals.
The ice yield is the main criterion when it comes to the productivity of ice maker machines, which refers to the quantity of ice produced in a 24-hour period.
Regarding Scotsman’s ice makers, regardless of the demanded ice yield your business requires, there would be an ice-machine model to serve your specific productivity goals.
Being a supermarket or food transportation company to an office space or small coffee shop, the Scotsman´s range of ice-makers fits into any available area while providing top output.
For example, the Scotsman ECM ice cube-making line has machines that produce an ice yield scope of 24 kg to 137kg, such as the Scotsman ECM46 AS Self-Contained Ice Cubes Machine and the Scotsman ECM206 AS Self-Contained Ice Cubes Machine.
The types and formats of Scotsman ice machines:
- Shapes: Compact or split / Self-contained or modular
- Placement: Undercounter /Countertop
- Function: Ice Maker and Dispenser /Combination of Ice Maker and Water Machine
Ice shapes and types: why it matters
Scotsman ice makers’ range of ice formats is the most versatile in this market. Why does this matter, you might ask: depending on the size and type of ice shapes your business needs, you will need a specific machine that produces them.
The 5 types of ice produced by Scostmans
One of the first particularities that must be kept in mind when it comes to commercial ice-making machines is that before choosing any model or system from Scotsman, you must know which types of ice you will need in your business.
Yes, there are five types of ice produced by Scotsman Ice Systems, and they have not only different shapes but also different purposes. Here we explain each one:
1. Super cube / Gourmet ice
The Scotsman’s invented round-shaped ‘super cube’ is a must-have for venues where high-end cocktails and iced coffee are served because it’s the shaped ice that takes longer to dissolve. Four sizes are available (from small to extra-large), and it’s produced under the cleanest and contamination-proof systems.
The Scotsman ECM86 AS 39 kg Self-Contained Ice Cubes Machine produces individual Gourmet/supercubes and has an inbuilt system for remote water drain and antimicrobial technology molded in plastic parts.
2. Flake ice
The flake ice has an irregular shape and dimensions, but it is supposed to be this way. It is indispensable in grocery stores, delis, and self-service stores. It’s this type of ice that keeps fresh food under ideal temperatures in display fridges because it’s quick to melt – not freezing the food or beverage.
It is also ideal for healthcare since this type is “the chewable ice” type and is compressed as flaked chips with irregular sizes and shapes.
The Scotsman AF80AS 73 kg Self-Contained Flake Ice Maker is a great example of the water in / ice out concept of the brand, which means zero water wastage when manufacturing flake ice.
3. Scale ice
The scale-shaped ice is ideal for fresh produce transportation. It has the appropriate durability, being the coldest form of ice, to be used in perishable goods transportation, from food processing to fishing industries, and seafood displays.
Scotsman Scale Ice machines manufacture ice in a range of thicknesses, from 1.2mm to 2.2mm.
4. Nugget ice
As well as the flake ice, it melts quicker than all other sizes. Still, it has more volume in its composition, displacing more liquid from a concentrated source. As the water treatment of Scotsman’s ice maker is top-notch, this ice shape can replace the water in beverages. Is easily chewable and is used in healthcare as well.
5. Cubelet Ice
This is the traditional all-purpose classic ice shape. It has the hardest structure of all types (as the super cube) but has a softer structure than the super cube.
Its manufacturing happens very quickly by the Scostamsn ice cube machines, which makes the ice-cube models ideal for venues that demand a high quantity of ice in a short period of time.
How to clean your Scotsman ice maker
When it comes to cleaning, it is actually the machines that carry on the heavy lifting in this department. This is because the Scotsman ice makers have top-quality smart cleaning systems, from the water quality to the cleaning / maintenance / sanitation aspects.
Starting with the “time to clean” alert that cautions on when to clean the filter, the Scotsman machines have built-in smart-cleaning features such as the Agion, that work full-stop to prevent unpleasant odors and microbe contamination. In addition, the XSafe is a natural sanitization feature that cleanses the ice constantly to maintain the quality of the water in it.
Cleaning a Scotsman ice maker is an entirely normal and expected procedure. Every Scosstamn ice maker unit has a manual that thoroughly explains the periodicity and the proper cleaning steps.
As you can see, ice-cleaning procedures matter because it also guarantees the ice-making equipment´s longevity.
Those are the best and worst practices for cleaning Scotsman ice-making machines.
Good cleaning practices for Scotsman ice makers
When the “time to clean” alert is on, and its light turns yellow, it’s time to clean your Scotsman ice maker. But even if the sign isn’t up, there are a group of issues that can be solved simply by cleaning the ice-making machine.
Those are the main signs that indicate the ice-making machine will improve its functioning with a cleaning: visible build-up in the storage, unusual noise and unpleasant taste, lower volume capacity, and misshaped or wrongly formed ice.
This natural process only becomes a problem if the cleaning routine is not implemented roundly, which can – and most definitely will – impede the machine from adequately functioning with time.
The question of how often a Scotsman ice machine should be cleaned depends on which part of the machine, which we explain in detail below.
Be mindful that overall the Scotsman ice machine must undergo a complete descaling, cleansing and sanitation every 5 or 6 months. The procedure is explained step-by-step in each Scotsman User Manual.
The Ice-Maker parts that need cleaning and how to do it
The frequency of cleaning for every part of the Scotsman’s ice machines are determined according to the official manual guidelines of the brand.
- The Condenser
The closer the Scotsman ice maker is placed to high carpet or curtain areas, pets, and high-influx spaces, the more frequently the cleansing must be conducted. The dust that accumulates needs to be vacuumed. Do not dent the fins.
Cleaning Frequency: monthly.
- The Outside Cabinet & Door
Both need to be washed and wiped when a substance splashes on their surfaces. Mix warm water with neutral liquid soap (1 to 10 proportions).
Cleaning Frequency: daily and whenever needed.
- Ice Storage Bin
Use a clean cloth and add a sanitizing solution (200 grams to 2 gallons of 95º C water) to cleanse the inside of the bin, which must be emptied entirely beforehand.
Cleaning Frequency: Occasionally.
- The Ice Scoop
Should be washed thoroughly and as often as possible during service to guarantee that the hand contact doesn’t contaminate the ice.
Cleaning Frequency: As often as possible.
- The Ice-Making System:
The most complex cleaning process of ice-maker units.
When this piece starts producing noises, it is primarily due to the hard water scale that accumulates, which strains the gearbox and motors. The reason for that is that every water supply leads to scale and mineral build-up in the machine with usage.
The cadence of cleaning the ice-making system of a Scotsmen ice maker also depends on local water treatments and conditions.
It should be conducted using an appropriate anti-scale product, such as Scotsman “Clear 1” Scale Remover, and rinsed with hot water. All ice should be removed from the bin before starting the process.
Cleaning Frequency: in about five or six months – according to the official manual.
Bad cleaning practices that damage the Scotsman ice maker
Be mindful that ice storage bins are NOT supposed to have anything else besides ice.
Refrain completely from placing bottles or cans with the ice because that can disarray many complications in your service flow and cost you a lot of money to fix them.
Besides being against sanitary policy because it can contaminate the ice (and the water in it), plastics and papers from the bottles are surely like to shed with the humidity and end up plugging the drain.
In addition, this factor will undoubtedly demand more technical monitoring and repairs, which add to the monthly costs of management – without mentioning the fact that your business won’t have available ice during service hours.
Common Scotsman ice maker troubleshooting and fixing issues
| PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSE | POSSIBLE SOLUTION |
|---|---|---|
| Why is the machine not making ice? | 1, The machine is unplugged 2. Ice machine control turned to OFF. 3. Bin thermostat opens keeping the machine off. 4. Timer contacts open. | 1. Plug the machine in. 2. Reset breaker/replace fuse – if it happens again, call for service to check for a short circuit in the machine. 3. Turn the ice machine control to ON. 4. a) Bin thermostat keeps the machine off. b) Ice on the sensor tube – it is normal for the machine to be off. c) Ice machine in a room below 50 degrees – room needs to be warmer for the machine to operate. d) Bin thermostat is stuck open and needs to be replaced. |
| How do I reset my Scotsman ice maker? | There are timely steps that need to be fulfilled in order for the ice maker to be restarted. | Step-by-step reset process: 1 . Unplug the machine. 2. Wait at least 30 seconds. 3. Plug the machine back in. 4. Press the power button while holding it for around 5 seconds. |
| What does code B mean for a Scotsman ice machine? | The “B” is an indicator, not an error code, that points out that the ice storage bin is full. | 1. Empty the bean until the sign is turned off. 2. The curtain may be open and the system reads it as if the bin was full. So close the curtain and restart the machine. |
| What does each error code mean? | It is entirely normal for the ice-maker machine to communicate error codes, which all have a specific purpose to help you manage the machine properly. | Each of the error codes programmed on the Scotsman ice-making machine has corresponding procedures and explanatory step-by-step troubleshooting guidelines. |
| Problem | Possible Cause | Possible Solution |
|---|---|---|
|
Why is the machine not making ice? |
1. The machine is unplugged
2. Ice machine control turned to OFF. 3. Bin thermostat opens keeping the machine off. 4. Timer contacts open. |
1. Plug the machine in.
2. Reset breaker/replace fuse – if it happens again, call for service to check for a short circuit in the machine. 3. Turn the ice machine control to ON. 4. a) Bin thermostat keeps the machine off. b) Ice on the sensor tube – it is normal for the machine to be off. c) Ice machine in a room below 50 degrees – room needs to be warmer for the machine to operate. d) Bin thermostat is stuck open and needs to be replaced. |
|
How do I reset my Scotsman ice maker? |
There are timely steps that need to be fulfilled in order for the ice maker to be restarted. |
Step-by-step reset process:
1 . Unplug the machine. 2. Wait at least 30 seconds. 3. Plug the machine back in. 4. Press the power button while holding it for around 5 seconds. |
|
What does code B mean for a Scotsman ice machine? |
The “B” is an indicator, not an error code, that points out that the ice storage bin is full. |
1. Empty the bean until the sign is turned off.
2. The curtain may be open and the system reads it as if the bin was full. So close the curtain and restart the machine. |
|
What does each error code mean? |
It is entirely normal for the ice-maker machine to communicate error codes, which all have a specific purpose to help you manage the machine properly. |
Each of the error codes programmed on the Scotsman ice-making machine has corresponding procedures and explanatory step-by-step troubleshooting guidelines. |
All error code meanings are available in the Scotsman Official Troubleshooting and Repair Guide.
Questions about Scotsman ice makers
Here we answer every practical question you might have regarding Scotsman ice maker machines, so there will be doubts left.
Q:) How long does it take a Scotsman ice machine to make ice?
A.: First, the machine gets prepared in what’s called a “dry” cycle that lasts 10 minutes more or less until the water fills the Ice Then the water fill and harvest cycle will begin the time range for Scotsman ice makers is of about 20 minutes until ice is released.
Q:) Where are Scotsman ice makers made?
A.: In the USA, Italy, and China.
Q:) Is the Ice O Matic the same as Scotsman?
A.: No, they are different companies that manufacture ice-making machines.
Q:) Can I use vinegar to clean my Scotsman ice machine?
A.: It is possible to use vinegar to clean your ice machine, but be mindful that it can lead to a residual taste in the melted water, which can cause troubles in your service.
