Ice Machine Repair Technicians Are Not Created Equal–And Why This Could Cost You Lots of Money
Most all restaurants, convenience stores, schools, churches, clubs, bakeries, delis, and bars have ice machines or ice makers. These businesses rely on many other pieces of equipment too. But the primary task of the manager of the business is not to maintain commercial equipment like ice machines. Their task is to provide service for their customers, be it food, liquor, or entertainment. So when the ice machine stops making ice what do they do? Probably they go on the internet and Google ice machine service. You might also use Bing for your search. Well unless Marathon Air somehow magically reached the top of those searches, and you call us, you may be shocked when the tech hands you the bill for your ice machine repair.
A Faulty Ice Machine Troubleshooting Story
I like to give examples of what I find on my daily run of repairing food service equipment and ice machines in the Orlando area. One day I went to a customer who always calls Marathon Air for his commercial air conditioning, ice machine and refrigeration service/repairs. This customer owns gas/convenience stores. He took over a new place and the old manager was still working there carried over from the old owner. They had two large ice makers, both of which were not working.
What The Other Ice Machine Repair Tech Said
I asked the manager what he thought was wrong with these ice machines. He said the previous ice machine technician said both ice machines needed to be replaced because their evaporator plates were bad. The old service tech said he was barely able to keep them going and they would not last much longer. Well, I worked on the first machine and found the evaporator plates to be in exceptional condition. Upon further investigation, I found the problem was a faulty harvest assist regulator valve. I changed the valve, a relatively inexpensive repair when compared to the price of a new ice machine, and the ice fell off the evaporator plate like a new machine.
Ice Machine Repair, Used Machines with Warranties, and The Problem
I am sure the old tech was being called on a regular basis, which allowed him to charge the old owner money to reset the machine and most likely add extra freon to increase the coil temperature (which, by the way, damages the compressor) to help with the harvest of ice. The old tech told them he could get them a used ice machine for $1000.00 with a one year warranty. Well I bet the used machine would not have been as good as the ice machine they already had. And I bet the “warranty” from this guy was as worthless as his ability to fix any ice machine (and that’s even assuming the guy stays in business long enough to service this supposed warranty–not always a guarantee in this industry). Also I’m sure he would have taken the old ice machine and sold that used piece of equipment to someone else, maybe for another $1000.00 with another year warranty. Sounds great, huh?
Was that Ice Machine Repair Tech Dishonest or Incompetent?
I do not know if the old repairman was only incompetent or if he was only dishonest, or maybe he was both. Either way the customer who simply cannot know for sure will have to pay for bad service. We at Marathon Air try to be both honest and competent. I see far too often people try to hire cheap repair people and pay lots and lots more for that cheap repair guy. It also happens when they hire the big “professional” company.
The Solution to Your Ice Machine Repair Problem? Really.
Really the only way to not get ripped off is to call Marathon Air. Having the job done correctly and honestly, for a fair price, will save you money on repairing your ice machine or other commercial cooling equipment. I do not know how else to put it.
Last week we finished installing one commercial air conditioning unit for Everest Concepts, a cool concept catering company (great for weddings!). They have a gussied up large space near the airport area where they host weddings. We’ve known Avery at Everest Concepts for several years, so he called us first when he needed at least one if not two new commercial air conditioners. He may need another one, but we installed the first and are waiting to see if the cooling is sufficient. His staff reports being much happier now that they are cooler!
Later in the week, we finished installing a 16 SEER unit in Clermont for a luxury homeowner.
We also repaired an ice machine for one of our regular customers in Largo, Florida–Long John Silvers. We service many of their locations in Tampa and Orlando. Their ice machine had a Freon leak, which was no problem to repair.
Of course, we had lots of other jobs, but those were a few of the memorable highlights. If you have an ice machine, please subscribe to our updates because eventually we hope to add instructional videos and information about ice machines that might help you keep them running better on your own.
Update 02/08/2015
This update section did not get the attention it deserved. We have been busy repairing airconditioners and refrigeration equipment. As I do all the work I do not have the time necessary to keep a daily log online. Just too busy to sit at a desk I guess. It seems on almost once a week I find a new customer that has been frustrated at the type of repair personel that they are having come out and fix their equipment. If you want an honest person working on your equipment call me. If I can’t fix a problem I will tell you. I work on all makes and models of ice machines. Each manufacturer from Manitowoc, Scotsman, Hoshizaki, and Ice O Matic to name the big ones all use a little different method of making ice. Over time I have come to learn the good and bad points of each one and thus have the experience to diagnose what is not working.
I will try to enter more blogs over time but will not be updating this daily type of what is happening blog. Also I am going to try to do more videos of what I am repairing on the jobsite. Go to you tube and browse channels type in Marathon Air. My picture will be there. This is the channel that I will post what I am doing.
