Commercial Used Ice Machines – Facts And Buyers Guidelines
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As with any type of used equipment there are some basic steps and guidelines to follow before you spend your hard earned cash. Any used restaurant equipment requires careful evaluation to determine if it is a wise investment for the future success of your business.
There are various types of ice machines that are necessary for the needs of a typical commercial kitchen. This would include a commercial ice machine w/bin, water filter and an undercounter ice machine in the public area. Any of these commercial ice units can be found and purchased as used property at discount rates.
Your most important goal is to avoid equipment with a pre-existing problem. The compressor itself is not the only machinery part you have to be concerned with in regards to maintenance. You would also need to check the condenser, bin and evaporator.
In order to see the condenser you may have to remove the side panel of your ice maker. The condenser is very important. This part keeps the unit from overheating as it blows warm air out and away from the cooling unit.
Where the ice bin is concerned often you will find the ice bin is generally more worn than the other parts of the unit. In older ice machines this is one of the first parts to wear out. However, it is easy and inexpensive to replace. If it seems to be in good condition without undue noticeable wear and tear then it is fine. Conversely, if the door does not fit securely or there are cracks in the bin wall you want to consider a replacement. Otherwise you might experience wet insulation which would cause the stored ice to melt too quickly.
If the evaporator coat is wearing off or has too many nicks you will want to avoid this used ice machine altogether. The evaporator is the surface the ice initially freezes on, which is one of the most important task needed to produce ice.
Even with careful inspection and the ruling out of any expensive problems down the road there is still risk when you buy any type of used restaurant equipment. If you can’t tell how old the machine is that may a primary concern. If the seller provides the service manual, you could check online to see what generation the machine belongs to. This would give you some idea about how old it is. If there are maintenance records available, be sure t look through them as well. If you go through with the purchase, both these items will be helpful if you do need to call out a technician for repairs.
Remember the old adage “if it’s too good to be true then it probably is”. You can avoid a potential dud if you do your homework before buying. You’ll also need to match the unit to your particular needs so the ice maker doesn’t need to operate beyond its intended capacity.
Used ice maker sales are pretty competitive. Oftentimes a good salesman may talk you into an ice machine not specifically geared towards your purposes. But armed with the information provided here and what you turn up in your research that should not be a problem.
Don’t make a hasty decision. Go armed with a checklist and take notes. Check out the original manufacturers website to verify product information you’ve received or been told. Keeping with these guidelines will most likely result in a purchase that meets your budget and needs exactly.
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Source by Joel Williams