An ice-making machine is regularly used in several industries like the food and beverage industry, in the pharmaceutical industry etc. A regular ice-making machine uses a throttle valve to generate a low-pressure liquid. This low-pressure liquid is eventually sent to an evaporator where heat exchange happens. This head exchange helps form ice particles, dispensed as small chips of crushed ice.
Characteristics of Ice-Making Machines
Different ice machines vary in capacity as well as the make and body of the ice-making machine. However, the basic principle underlying the machine is the same in almost all machines. Most people who buy an ice machine do not know much about its working, so the next time you visit an ice-making machine manufacturers know about its working to ask the right questions.
Body Of The Machine
Stainless steel is the material of choice when it comes to ice-making machines. Stainless steel is quite durable, and hence, the body of the machine remains intact for many years. The only reason why a stainless steel body may start showing signs of damage is when corrosion happens. The presence of chloride ions in the water that goes on to make ice is one of the reasons why stainless steel may corrode. So, if you start seeing signs of rusting in your ice-making machine, it may be an indication to change the source of water.
Type Of Ice Produced
An ice-making machine produces ice of different shapes; some of them may be flaked, and others may be in the form of small cubes. Ice flakes are typically used in the food and beverage industry. For instance, flaky ice is added to chill and decorate glasses of mocktails and cocktails.
Likewise, small ice cubes are useful in a laboratory setup where chemicals must be kept cool(on ice) for long hours. Flakes of ice melt easily, but small cubes take time to melt; hence, if any fluid or chemical is to be kept cool for long, ice cubes are better than ice flakes. So, depending on the type of industry for which you want the machine, you have to select the machine accordingly.
Ice Production Rate
The ice production rate of a machine is usually calculated as the weight/quantity of ice produced every twenty-four hours. Usually, the larger the machine, the higher its capacity to produce ice. So, depending on the industry’s turnover, you must order a small or a large ice-making machine. Some of the largest machines have a capacity of three hundred kilograms, and some of the smaller ones only have a capacity of fifteen or twenty kilograms.
Conclusion
Ice-making machines are quite durable and work well for several years if the water used to make the ice is chlorine-free. If the machine is in perfect working condition, it will produce ice at regular intervals based on the bin’s storage capacity. So, the next time you are out to buy an ice-making, make sure to check the make, its capacity, and the type of ice (flakes/cubes) it produces.
