There are times when turning off your ice maker is the best course of action to guard against storms, cold winters, or an unnecessary utility bill. Turning off your ice machine isn’t as easy as flipping the power switch, though, and going to the control panel might not be practical either. Consider consulting the owner's manual so you've got the green light to turn off your icemaker.
When Should I Turn Off My Ice Maker?
There are many reasons you might want to shut off your ice maker. You may want to protect your ice maker from a storm or flood. Other reasons may include shutting a seasonal business during the off-season or having to shut down temporarily for things like renovations.
Here are the main reasons a business owner should be turning off their ice maker:
Thunderstorms
If a thunderstorm is approaching, lightning can cause surges that can damage the electrical components in your ice machine. It’s not a bad idea to unplug any appliance in a thunderstorm, and a commercial ice machine is no exception. You can do this in addition to turning off your ice maker. Considering the initial cost to buy an ice machine, you don’t want to have to spend thousands of dollars in ice machine repairs because a circuit board got damaged.
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Floods
Flooding is another thing that can do a lot of damage to an ice machine, especially if it’s still running. Flood water is not sanitary, which is why you don’t want it entering your ice machine. Luckily, most commercial ice machines are installed on top of an ice bin, which measures a few feet off the floor. When the water supply is compromised, you can have all sorts of trouble with your unit.
Turning off your icemaker at the control panel will save you a lot of trouble in the event of a burst water supply causing flood water to get in your ice maker.
If your ice maker does take in water, you’ll need a professional ice machine cleaning service to disinfect and sanitize components in the unit. That means taking the machine apart piece by piece. Instead of finding yourself making do with ice cube trays, ensure that your icemaker stays in good shape from the start.
Temporary Closures
Many businesses (especially seasonal ones) must shut down their business for days, weeks, or even months at a time.
If you won’t need ice cubes for even a couple of weeks, then flip the power switch while you're expecting an empty ice bucket. Shutting down an automatic ice maker will save you in utility costs and reduce risks relating to unsupervised electronics. Leaks or freeze-ups can do damage to the automatic ice machine or the building if they are left unattended.
Commercial ice machines are designed to run until the ice bucket fills with ice, but don’t assume that the ice machine will stop running on a full bin. Even if no one is there to scoop the cubed ice out of a bin, the ice will still melt eventually. As the ice level drops in your bin, the machine will continue to produce ice, keeping the bin full at all times.
Winterizing Your Ice Machine
Many seasonal businesses, like resorts and campsites, shut down for the winter. If you run a seasonal business in a state that is known for cold winters, you’ll want to make sure there is no water running through your ice machine.
When water freezes, it expands. If water is allowed to flow freely through the ice machine while the surrounding temperature is below freezing, water will freeze inside of distribution tubes. As that water freezes, it can expand to the point that it cracks through piping throughout the unit. These repairs can be expensive, especially as the ice melts. When water leaks inside your ice maker, it can cause structural damage to the housing of the machine, which is very expensive to repair.
A professional ice machine technician can winterize your ice machine to ensure there is no water left in the machine after turning off your ice maker. If you’re an Easy Ice customer whose ice machine in danger of freezing temperatures, please call Easy Ice Customer Support so we can schedule a technician to winterize your machine.
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How to Turn Off Your Ice Maker
Now that you know the reasons why you should turn off your ice maker, we’ll now show you how to do it safely. There are a few processes you should follow to safely shut off your ice machine.
Follow the steps below to turn off your ice maker when it’s not in use.
Determine Brand of Your Ice Machine
- Manitowoc
- Hoshizaki
- For other brands, consult the unit’s service manual for instructions on how to turn it off.
How Do I Turn Off a Manitowoc Ice Maker?
- If you are able, simply unplugging the Manitowoc ice machine is the best way to turn it off.
- If you cannot unplug the ice machine, the next best course of action is to locate the breaker that your ice machine is on and turn it to “off”
- If either of these options are not possible, please follow the instructions below.
- Open the front panel of your ice machine by unscrewing the top and bottom screw of the Manitowoc front panel with a Phillips-head screwdriver. The door will swing open. Make sure you do not lose the screws, as they're necessary to secure the front panel.
- On the top of the display panel, there will be three buttons. On the far left is the power button. Push and hold the power button until the unit powers off.
- Once unit has powered off, the screen will go blank. Please close the front door of the machine, and replace the 2 screws, thoroughly securing the front panel.
How Do I Turn On a Manitowoc Ice Machine?
- To turn the Manitowoc ice machine on, either plug the unit back into the outlet or turn the breaker back on. Otherwise, follow the instructions below.
- Open the ice machine as described above.
- Push and hold the power button until the unit powers on.
- Once unit has powered on, the screen will activate. Please close the front door of the machine, and replace the 2 screws, thoroughly securing the front panel.
Having a different issue with your Manitowoc? Check out our guide to troubleshooting Manitowoc ice machines.
How Do I Turn Off a Hoshizaki Ice Maker?
- If you are able, simply unplugging the Hoshizaki ice machine is the best way to turn it off.
- If you cannot unplug the ice machine, the next best course of action is to locate the breaker that your ice machine is on and turn it to “off.”
- If either of these options are not possible, please follow the instructions below.
- Loosen or remove the Phillips-head screw(s) from bottom edge of the front panel.
- Firmly grasp the edges of the front panel and slide upward to release the front panel from the top panel’s lip.
- Set aside panel in a location that’s away from foot traffic.
- Locate main “toggle” switch, which will be located on the control box.
- Flip switch to the “off” position.
- Once the machine is “off,” please replace the front panel. Ensure that the front panel’s top hinge has thoroughly secured with the top panels lip.
- Tighten the screw(s) on the bottom edge of the front panel.
How Do I Turn On a Hoshizaki Ice Machine?
- To turn the Hoshizaki ice machine on, either plug the unit back into the outlet or turn the breaker back on. Otherwise, follow the instructions below.
- Open the ice machine as described above.
- Flip switch to the “ICE” position. You will hear water begin to flow in your ice machine.
- Once the machine is on, replace the front panel as explained above.
The Easy Ice Managed Rental Protects Ice Makers from Damage
A broken down ice maker is a real hassle. Not only do you have to pay for expensive ice machine repairs, but you also have to purchase replacement ice for your customers or employees.
With an Easy Ice subscription, we provide the best ice equipment from leading brands. We protect your ice machine with routine maintenance and cleaning to keep your ice supply safe. If there is damage to the machine from flood or storm damage, we’ll fix the machine at no additional cost to you. For additional information on keeping your refrigerator ice maker in good shape, reach out to Easy Ice.