Whether consumed daily as food or used to aid in refrigerated video preservation, ice is significant in everyday life and food service operations. While most people assume that the ice produced is safe and ready to eat, if it is not handled properly or if the ice maker is not sanitized and cleaned regularly, the ice produced can easily become contaminated and turn into ice that creates a hazard when consumed.
This article starts from the issue of ice safety, focuses on the introduction of ice machine routine maintenance tips, guides our readers to correctly maintain the use of ice products and all the kitchen appliances around them, and enjoy the convenience of ice production at the same time enjoy a safe and secure good ice.
How Ice Becomes Contaminated
Ice preservation is not fundamentally different from food preservation, and improper handling can lead to physical foodborne illness.
Unfortunately, however, we pay close attention to food safety issues but often overlook hidden safety hazards in everyday items, and dirty, contaminated ice is more common than you might think.
In this article, we list the basic ways in which ice can become contaminated:
(1) Unsafe water
(2) Unsafe handling
(3) Poor cleaning
(4)Improper use of ice buckets
Next, we discuss them in order and detail.
（1）Unsafe water:
Countertop Ice Makers generally require the user to manually fill the machine with water, and if your ice is made with water that is unsanitary or not potable for human consumption, you have no guarantee that the ice produced is up to the standards of an edible grade.
In addition to problems with the water itself, cross-contamination due to problems with the plumbing system can also contaminate the water, which we refer to as indirect water quality contamination.
Cross-connections can cause a change in pressure in the water supply line, forcing the water to flow in the opposite direction from its intended direction, which allows contaminants to enter the drinking water supply.
Solution:
(1) Choose pure tap water or mineral water for ice-making to pinch off the ice contamination problem at the source.
(2) You can prevent cross-connections by using an air gap or backflow prevention device. An air gap ensures that the potable water supply is separated from the air space at the highest water level of the appliance.
（2）Unsafe handling:
Like a spatula, tongs, or spoon, an ice scoop is an essential tool to have with your ice machine. Ice scoops are exposed to the air for a long time as an accessory, and with an unreasonable amount of time on unhygienic table tops and countertops, they are subject to bacterial contamination, which is why our recommendation is to clean and sterilize ice scoops every day.
Solution:
(1) When not in use, always place the spoon on a tray or stand outside the ice bucket so that the easily contaminated handle does not come into contact with the ice.
(2) You can also store spoons with the handles facing up in separate ice wells and ice buckets, such as those used in bars and restaurants.
(3) In either case, always use an ice scoop, not a glass, and not your hands when handling ice. Scooping ice with glass may be more convenient, but you'll never know if pieces of glass fall into the ice, leading to physical contamination.
(4)Washing your hands before scooping ice is also a good habit.
（3）Poor cleaning:
Ice machines typically operate in a cool environment, but bacteria and mold can still build up over time. Therefore, it is important to insist on regular cleaning and sanitizing.
Solution:
(1)Clean the ice inside in time: after using the ice machine, we suggest that you clean the residual ice inside the ice machine and wash it in time. In the cleaning should not only pay attention to the power off first but also avoid direct use of the hose to wash, should be added to the water in the appropriate amount of neutral detergent scrub the ice machine enclosure and liner, and then use a clean soft cloth to dry the water.
(2)Regular cleaning of the water inlet valve filter: To maintain the health of the ice machine, it is recommended that every two months will be used to open the water inlet hose shut-off, off the water inlet valve filter because there will be some sand impurities in the water, if not cleaned up for a long time will be clogged inlet, so that the amount of water inlet to become smaller and smaller and lead to the inability to normal ice, so it is necessary to clean regularly to avoid these impurities will be blocked up in the water inlet.
(3) often clean the surface of the dust: to get clean ice, it is recommended that we often clean the dust located on the condenser when in use, on the one hand, to ensure that the dust will not enter the internal ice machine, on the other hand, to avoid the accumulation of dust is too thick and lead to the compressor due to heat dissipation is not good to appear damage. In addition, when cleaning the dust should be careful not to use a sharp metal brush, should use a soft cloth or brush.
(4)It is also advisable to ask a technician to carry out regular maintenance to ensure that all parts of the machine are in normal working order, which not only extends the service life of the machine but also makes it easier to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
Of course, all of our AGLUCKY ice machines come with a self-cleaning function, which allows you to thoroughly clean your ice machine with a simple ‘one-button operation’ mode.
(4)Improper use of ice buckets:
Commercial ice maker are usually characterised by fast ice production and high ice production, so they are equipped with ice buckets for the storage of ice cubes, but we have to bear in mind that ice buckets are only used for the production and holding of ice cubes. Therefore, neither food nor beverages should be stored in the ice bucket of the ice machine. Doing so can transfer bacteria and other contaminants from the package or container to the ice.
Solution:
(1) If it is necessary to transport ice from the ice bucket to another location, always use a designated sanitary ice bucket or refrigerator.
(2)Never return unused ice to the ice maker bin as this can lead to contamination.
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