Tell me the do/donts when buying an ice machine

Save money on a huge machine and get a small freezer. Bag ice and freeze. U would think u need massive machine to put out 200lbs an hour. We use outs in grand isle and keeps up pretty well. Each tray drop is pribably about 5 lbs and drops ine about every 20 minutes.

Hoshazaki is one of the best ,this from several refrigeration repair people and one salesman that could not sell me what I wanted from a supply house. Hoshis are what is used in lots of restaurants they freeze the ice harder than the other manufacturers

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Invest in a quality one (e.g. Uline).
Install it where won't be exposed to the elements.
Put a good filter on the feed line.
Level it.
Have a competent friend check that you leveled it correctly.
Check the ice production on a regular basis and make adjustments since ambient temp/water quality affect production.
Clean out the ice bucket, wipe out the interior, and let it air out every few months. That'll help prevent scaling from whatever minerals get past the filter.

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This is the proper way. I know people with hoshizakis that have never done a single one of these things besides clean the filter and they each had theirs for at least 10 years with no problems.

Is there a motel anywhere near your home?

I've repaired and trouble shot several and it always came down to unfiltered water, not leveled, or setup on a porch or outdoor kitchen where crap was getting into compressor area. I had a Uline 25#/day that was given away by the previous owner because it stopped working. Unfiltered water had let deposits build up in the water valve. $20 part and 5 minutes to swap it in and it ran like new. I always cleaned it out with diluted white vinegar and a microfiber cloth too.

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Invest in a quality one (e.g. Uline). Install it where won't be exposed to the elements. Put a good filter on the feed line. Level it. Have a competent friend check that you leveled it correctly. Check the ice production on a regular basis and make adjustments since ambient temp/water quality affect production. Clean out the ice bucket, wipe out the interior, and let it air out every few months. That'll help prevent scaling from whatever minerals get past the filter.

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Great advice. Thanks!

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I've repaired and trouble shot several and it always came down to unfiltered water, not leveled, or setup on a porch or outdoor kitchen where crap was getting into compressor area. I had a Uline 25#/day that was given away by the previous owner because it stopped working. Unfiltered water had let deposits build up in the water valve. $20 part and 5 minutes to swap it in and it ran like new. I always cleaned it out with diluted white vinegar and a microfiber cloth too.

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Oh I wasn't going against you I promise. Mine is setup properly and cleaned regularly because I am OCD as can be.


I was just saying that a couple dumbasses I know must be the two luckiest bastards in the world because they have done none of that and probably never clean anything.

If your putting it in a tight space with minimal air flow get a water cooled machine.

If putting outside with plenty of air flow air cooled will be ok. Put a fan blowing on it in the heat of summer.

Get bigger than you need. A 300lb machine won't keep up when it's 95 degrees outside.

Over size the ice bin. This is good for big weekends.

I loved the crushed ice machine we had. You will never know how great it is until it breaks. We use so much ice that you don't realize it until that endless supply is gone

We have a camp near saltwater and it is a pretty rough environment for appliances left outside. If you can keep it in a relatively cool place you are better off.