Ice Machine Slime Is An Important Maintenance Issue

Ice machine owners may be getting slimed without knowing it.

Ice machine slime is more than a funny-sounding phrase that evokes fond memories of watching Bill Murray in Ghostbusters at the matinee. For restaurant equipment owners, ice machine slime is a real health hazard that can run a kitchen afoul of the health inspector and possibly shut down a thriving foodservice business.

The Gory Details on Ice Machine Slime

Ice machine slime is such a prevalent hazard that muckraking Houston newsman Marvin Zindler made the sentence “Slime in the ice machine!” a household phrase along the Texas coastline. Ice machine slime isn’t deadly to healthy adults, but still, it can be harmful. It also has a distinctive taste and smell, and can be visually disgusting to your customers. Here’s what the City of Houston says:

It is a type of mold or fungus that accumulates from bacterial growth on surfaces that are constantly exposed to clinging water droplets and warm temperatures. Water residuals may be present on these surfaces due to machine construction or the presence of scouring utensils such as steel wool or scouring pads. If the residuals are left exposed and not wiped clean or the machine is not sanitized regularly, you will then see bacteria and mold growths in the moist, cool environment of your ice machine. Most times, slime will take on a pinkish tone; if left untreated, the pink will turn to red, green, brown and even black ropes of slime hanging from the freezer panels inside the machine after a while. Pretty picture, isn’t it?

Green and pink ropes of slime hanging in your ice machine and dropping in customers’ drinks… it may not be fatal, but it could soon be sending your once-healthy clients to the lab for some health tests.

The Ice Machine Slime Answer

If for example you’ve got ice machine slime in your favorite Manitowoc ice machine model SD-0852A, how do you handle the problem?

The Houston health inspectors recommend using quarternary ammonium (QAC), which kills the mold/fungus and also inhibits additional growth for a period of time after the slime has been removed. This chemical won’t react with the stainless steel of your SD-0852A, and it’s also handy for keeping slime out of other restaurant equipment like your soda machine or the nozzles and hoses of your direct draw systems.

For other ice machine buying tips and maintenance advice, check out our ice machine buyers guide!

Manitowoc, WI, Is a Town of 35,000 People Who Can Go with the Flow

Manitowoc ice machines used to be all we knew about Manitowoc. In fact, we didn’t even know that Manitowoc ice machines were built in a place called Manitowoc. Then we took the time to find out more about this small town in eastern Wisconsin. It’s not just the epicenter of the commercial ice machine world; it’s the pride of the Manitowoc River and the county seat of - you guessed it - Manitowoc County. Located in Brett Farve’s back pocket, just a half-hour from Green Bay, Manitowoc sits at the mouth of the Manitowoc River where it enters Lake Michigan.

Manitowoc History

Manitowoc’s humble origins date back to 1820 and the family of Matthew Stanley, the original settlers. Given its geographical advantages as a gateway to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, Manitowoc unsurprisingly has been closely tied to seafaring, trading, fishing and shipbuilding. During World War II, Manitowoc iced its share of the Axis military machine by building tankers, subs and landing craft.

Manitowoc Attractions

Today, this powerhouse of commercial icemaker manufacturing is the site of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, one of the largest museums in the U.S. dedicated to ships and seafarers. Originally the Manitowoc Submarine Memorial Association, the museum is the current home of the mothballed WWII submarine Cobia and boasts over 60,000 square feet of displays. The quality and quantity of the Manitowoc museum’s efforts have been rewarded with Smithsonian Museum affiliation.

Other Manitowoc Features

For a small town that doesn’t even have its own TV station, Manitowoc is associated with a good number of fun features and facts:

• the mother house of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity is in Manitowoc.
• this city of some 35,000 residents also is home to about 23,000 Roman Catholics.
• Manitowoc has sent several favorite sons to the NFL, including Don Davey, Doug Free and Mike Lorenz.
• In the movie The Prince and Me, Julia Stiles plays a farm girl from Manitowoc, the ice machine mecca of the country.

And Manitowoc Ice Machines

Of course, on our little restaurant equipment blog, no mention of Manitowoc, WI, is going to pass without us pontificating a little about best-of-breed Manitowoc ice machines like the Manitowoc SY-0504, an easy-to-clean and typically reliable Manitowoc icemaker that generates 540 pounds of half-dice sized ice cubes every day. Manitowoc ice machines are made by the Manitowoc Foodservice Group, a three-division corporation that features the brands Manitowoc Ice, Kolpak, McCall, Hartford, Servend and Multiplex.

Needless to say, Manitowoc ice machines are pretty darned important to the small town of Manitowoc, WI. Without them - and the good people of Manitowoc who make them - our glasses would be a lot lonelier during long, hot, ice-cube-less summer nights.

Manitowoc ice machines cut your electric bill

Manitowoc ice machines are part of a restaurant equipment revolution. Things are changing as restaurant owners and restaurant equipment manufacturers are realizing that energy-efficient restaurant equipment - like the Manitowoc ice machines in the innovative S-series - aren’t just good for the environment. They’re also good for a food service facility’s bottom line, putting more cash in your pocket. You could say that restaurant equipment is going green in more ways than one.

Manitowoc ice machines: setting the bar

In 2003, Manitowoc took the initiative in energy-efficient restaurant equipment with the S-series of Manitowoc ice machines. These impressive Manitowoc ice machines delivered a 25% average efficiency increase over the competitive models at the time, and continue to run more efficiently than most of the rest of the pack. Manitowoc ice machines bearing the “Energy Mizer” trademark are among the most energy-efficient restaurant equipment appliances you can buy.

Manitowoc ice machine energy rebate

Purchasers interested in energy-efficient restaurant equipment should be aware of the Manitowoc ice machines that earn energy rebates. Buyers in California and Wisconsin can save hundreds of dollars off their purchase of qualifying Manitowoc ice machines by selecting energy-efficient models approved by their states.

For example, Wisconsin buyers can choose the Manitowoc ice machine model SD-1002A/208/1 to garner an energy rebate and also save on their electric bills for many years to come. This Manitowoc ice machine SD-1002A is a Short Order editor’s choice that churns out 1060 pounds of ice every twenty-four hours. For smaller kitchens seeking energy-efficient restaurant equipment, take a look at the all-in-one Manitowoc ice machine model QM-45A. Producing 95 pounds of dice-sized ice in twenty-four hours, the rebate-eligible Manitowoc ice machine QM-45A stands on four adjustable 6″-7.5″ legs, and at three feet tall, fits well into cramped quarters. This Manitowoc ice machine is also a Short Order editor’s choice.

Manitowoc ice machines and the future of energy-efficient restaurant equipment

As the restaurant industry scrambles to meet the needs of restaurant equipment buyers, Manitowoc ice machines continue to evolve. As the Manitowoc EnergyMizer webpage says, “Tier 3 energy efficient models are right around the corner.” Stay tuned - it looks like there’ll be more good news for fans of forward-thinking, practical energy-efficient restaurant equipment coming from Manitowoc ice machines soon.

Manitowoc ice machines are as reliable as the seasons

Manitowoc ice machine weather has arrived. But it never left. As fall embraces us, bringing with it the chilly prospect of winter, we at Shortorder.com are still happy to have Manitowoc ice machines in our diverse selection of restaurant equipment. You see, the weather may be turning cooler, but diners and bar patrons still need ice in their drinks to give them the proper zing. Manitowoc ice machines are all-season restaurant equipment.

Manitowoc ice machines also are recognized for their all-season reliability. In fact, in November 2006, America’s #1 selling ice machine was again chosen as “Overall Best in Class” in the ice machines category by the readers of the restaurant equipment publication Foodservice Equipment & Supplies. This wasn’t the first time, either. Manitowoc ice machines have won this award for six years running. The award, chosen based on the votes of restaurant equipment buyers, dealers, and distributors, recognizes the excellence in quality, service, and support that are synonymous with the phrase “Manitowoc ice machine.”

For example, take the Manitowoc ice machine model SD-0452A. A Short Order editors choice, this stainless-steel-clad Manitowoc ice machine earns points for low operating costs, ease of maintenance, and superb reliability. The Manitowoc ice machine model SD-0452A just sits in your restaurant, bar, or kitchen, punching out 450 pounds of cube-style ice every day, rain or shine, and looking good doing it.

If you’re thinking of an ice machine for your establishment, take a peek at our ice machine buyer’s guide, a straightforward document that will help you narrow down your choices and make an ice machine buying decision that fits your needs. And don’t forget - every Manitowoc ice machine you buy at Shortorder.com comes with free onsite setup.

Ice machines are a critical component to the foodservice operator. They are expensive to buy, operate and maintain, but also a necessity. What do you need to know before diving in to this big purchase? Some considerations would be:

• type of ice machine
• operating costs
• reliability
• size
• water or air cooled
• remote or self contained refrigeration

All are important factors in your buying decision. Let’s see if we can make sense of a couple of these options.

There are two types of ice machines to choose from. Cubers are by far the most popular. A hard cube melts slowly and produces the best drink product. You can choose from full or half size cubes. Another option would be the flaker ice machine. It produces soft nuggets, or flakes, of ice. This is a great option for salad bars, hospitals and limited specialty drinks.

You’ll also want to consider operating costs before you make your purchase. Some of the the most popular brands are Manitowoc, Scotsman and Hoshizaki. The operating cost of electrical and water usage vary significantly between brands. Both Manitowoc and Scotsman utilize a system that efficiently minimizes water wasted and the cost of production. The operating cost of a comparable Hoshizaki unit can be substantially higher than competing brands. Do your research before you buy.

Reliability and size are also important factors. Available service reports rate both Manitowoc and Scotsman machines highly. Make sure you are getting a quality machine with a good warranty. Remember to buy a machine with adequate production and a bin large enough to hold your highest demand. Consider the environment your machine will be in as well. Manufacturers rate production at optimum conditions, and they will produce less ice in a warmer environment with warmer water. Buying ice because you under estimated your needs is very expensive!

There are usually two considerations for the machine cooling system. Water cooling systems are generally more expensive in daily operating costs. They are necessary for remote refrigeration where there is a great distance between the machine and the condenser. They can be worse for the environment because they produce more waste water and in general, the industry is turning to air cooled units. The one exception to that rule would be if your machine will be in an area with very little air circulation. The lack of circulation requires a water cooled unit. An air cooled unit produces less waste and has a lower daily operating cost and most ideal for self contained units.

Finally, consider if you need remote or self contained refrigeration. Remote systems are for generally larger machines over 800 lbs. In this case, the condensing unit is usually mounted on the roof of the building to minimize the noise and heat put off. Self contained units house the condensing unit inside the machine. They are easier to maintain and access in the case of repairs.

This is just a quick rundown of the many options available for the ice machine. I hope it helps get you started in the right direction picking the right product for you!