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Whether you run a bar, restaurant, or industrial production line, efficient operation of tube ice machine is essential. This article will share proven tips to help you create unique ice shapes, improve production efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and extend the life of the equipment.

​​1.Create unique ice shapes to attract customers

Want to make ice tube a visual focus? Try the following methods:
 
  • ​​Customized icicles: Replace the tube ice machines evaporation tube with a thicker model (such as 5 cm in diameter) and slow down the water flow to 3 liters per minute to create crystal clear slow-melting icicles, especially suitable for high-end whiskey bars.
  • ​​Quick ice crushing: Add 5% food-grade glycerin to the tube  ice-making water. The ice tube will naturally become brittle after freezing. Gently tap to get uniformly crushed ice, which is suitable for smoothie shops and milk tea shops.
  • ​​Creative shape: Put a food-grade silicone mold with the brand logo in the ice tube in advance, and you can get exclusive customized ice tube after demolding.
 

​​2.Tube ice machines practical strategies to accelerate production​​

Increasing production capacity does not require expensive modifications, try these methods:
  • ​​Precooling water temperature​​: Install a small chiller at the water inlet to precool the water temperature from 25℃ to 10℃, which can shorten the freezing time by 20%.
  • ​​Intelligent defrosting​​: Adjust the defrosting frequency according to the ambient humidity. In the dry season (humidity below 50%), extend the defrosting interval from 2 hours to 4 hours to reduce ineffective downtime.
  • ​​Peak-shifting operation​​: Set the equipment to produce at full capacity during the low electricity price period in the early morning, and use the insulated ice storage to supply ice during the day, saving up to 30% of electricity costs.

​​3.Hidden tips to reduce energy consumption​​

Effective energy saving can start from the details:
  • Tube ice ​​condenser cooling​​: Spray atomized water mist on the outer wall of the condenser in hot weather to help the radiator cool down quickly and reduce the load on the compressor.
  • ​​Residual heat utilization​​: The hot air discharged from the compressor is guided to the back kitchen through a pipe for drying tableware or space heating in winter to achieve secondary energy utilization.
  • ​​Regular maintenance​​: Clean the dust on the condenser fins once a month to maintain heat dissipation efficiency and avoid energy consumption increasing by more than 15%.
 

4.Five-minute daily maintenance method​​

Simple habits greatly extend the life of the tube ice machines:
 
  • ​​Daily cleaning​​: After shutting down, wipe the inner wall of the evaporator tube with a non-woven cloth soaked in white vinegar to prevent scale accumulation.
  • ​​Filter element inspection​​: Observe the color change of the water inlet filter element. If it changes from white to dark brown, replace it immediately to avoid impurities affecting the ice quality.
  • ​​Abnormal monitoring​​: Pay attention to the sound of the equipment when starting. Continuous humming may indicate insufficient lubricating oil, and sharp friction sounds require checking the bearing status.

5.Key measures to extend the tube ice maker service life​​

Dealing with aging problems in different environments:
  • ​​Rust prevention​​: Users in coastal areas can spray epoxy anti-rust paint on the metal casing every year to resist salt spray corrosion.
  • ​​Transmission maintenance​​: Add low-temperature resistant grease to the motor bearings every quarter to ensure smooth operation in a -20℃ environment.
  • ​​Circuit protection​​: Place a moisture-proof box for the control cabinet in a humid workshop, and place a silica gel desiccant inside to absorb moisture.

6.Avoid common operating errors​​

These mistakes may cost you a lot:
  • Do not use steel wool or sharp tools to clean the ice tube. Minor scratches will accelerate the adhesion of scale.
  • Avoid using tap water to make ice directly. The chlorine and minerals in the water will cause the ice to be turbid and damage the equipment.
  • Never force the ice tube while the equipment is running, which may cause permanent deformation of the sealing ring.

​​Immediate action suggestions​​

Implement the three easiest improvements starting today:
  • Set automatic ice making from 2 to 6 am to take advantage of low electricity prices
  • Buy food-grade glycerin to try to make fragile ice
  • Use your mobile phone to set a cleaning reminder every Sunday morning
You will find that small changes can bring significant efficiency improvements and cost reductions.
 

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