With sales of over $2.5 billion, Hoshizaki is the world’s largest manufacturer of refrigeration equipment. Hoshizaki ice machines are considered some of the best commercial ice machines for restaurants, bars, delis, and cafés. The cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and unmatched performance make them the first choice for food businesses. If you’ve recently purchased or rented a Hoshizaki commercial ice machine, here is a complete installation guide to assist you in a DIY installation:

Choosing the Right Type of Hoshizaki Commercial Ice Machine

Hoshizaki ice machines are famous for their durability and reliability. These commercial ice machines come in various production capacities, sizes, styles, and ice shapes. Whether you run a food business, a bar, a clinic, or a hotel, the first thing to do before purchasing or renting a Hoshizaki commercial ice machine is to research various models and choose the right type of machine that best fits your business needs. You should select the size and model according to the frequency of ice production and the shapes you require. The available models of Hoshizaki commercial ice machines include countertop ice machines, modular models, stackable style ice machines, under-counter machines, and ice dispensers.

If you run a food business, the beverages on your menu define the type of ice shapes you need. The most popular ice shapes in Hoshizaki ice machines are crescent and cubelets. Other shapes include big squares, spheres, and flake ice.

Choosing the Right Size

Choosing the right size for your commercial ice machine is a critical decision. There are mainly three factors in deciding the right size for the ice machine – the total daily usage of the ice, the number of peak days, and the maximum bin capacity. You can use a commercial ice estimator to determine the right size of ice machine for your business.

When estimating the amount of ice you need, determine how much ice you use in your commercial kitchen for food and beverages. You must remember that ice machines require at least 12 hours to produce ice at their maximum capacity. The daily consumption of ice is not the same as on peak days. Consider the days when you receive a significantly greater number of customers and determine how much quantity you may require in those days and how much ice you can easily store besides rapid ice cube production. The amount of ice your machine can produce depends on the size of an ice machine’s bin.

How to Install a Hoshizaki Ice Machine

Listed below are some requirements you should consider when installing a Hoshizaki ice maker:

Placement

Install your Hoshizaki ice machinein the right place before connecting it to a power or water supply. Keep it at least 30cm away from the wall on each side to avoid having any difficulty during installation.
Do not place your ice machines outdoors. They cannot function properly when exposed to extreme temperatures and dynamic humidity.
Do not place your Hoshizaki ice machine in a hot environment indoors. Avoid placing your ice machine near a stove or oven.
Avoid blocking your machine ventilation points. This decreases your machine’s efficiency and results in malfunction.
Place your ice machine between a normal temperature range of 7°C-32°C. The standard ambient temperature range for ice machines is 7-38°C.

Plumbing

It’s easy to install an ice machine if you follow the right procedure for plumbing. Here is a complete checklist to follow when installing a water connection:

Keep the main drain line separate from the ice storage bin drain line.
Connect the drain lines horizontally to regulate water flow.
Make sure your ice machine receives at least 5 gallons of water a minute.
Install the shut-off valve for the water supply.
Don’t connect the drain line straight to the draining system. It will cause the ice to have an unpleasant odor.
Ensure all the drain and condenser pipes have a 5cm gap between them for ventilation.

Electrical Installation

Hoshizaki commercial ice machines’ voltage requirement is either 115V or 220V, depending on the model and size. Check your manufacturer or rental service instructions to determine the voltage to install a suitable socket. To avoid damage to the machine, electricians should be careful in making the electrical connections. Follow safety precautions throughout the installation process.

All the wires and connections must reach the appropriate electrical ports and sockets. Do not plug in an over-stretched wire.
Always use the recommended power supply. A damaged power supply may cause tripping issues or even burn the mainboard.
Connect the remote condenser unit before connecting the ice machine.
Be careful in making electrical connections to the remote condenser unit. Improper connections may result in gas leakage and short circuit.

Water Filter Installation

It is important to use water filters with your Hoshizaki ice machine. Filtered water not only improves the machine’s productivity but also prevents scaling. Water filters improve the taste of water and remove the effect of hard water. Follow these steps for water filter installation:

Choose a water filter that fits your Hoshizaki ice machine model.
Connect the water filter to the ice machine’s port.
Ensure that the water inlet is properly connected to the main water line.
Connect the water filter tube to the flushing valve.
Open the water line and check for leaks near the filter or water inlet.

Hire Professionals to Install a Hoshizaki Commercial Ice Machine

When it comes to installation and maintenance, it’s better to leave it to the experts. LA Ice Machine provides commercial ice machine rental services in LA with free installation. They have a team of skilled technicians and plumbers with years of experience installing all types of commercial ice machines and ice dispensers. They also offer 24/7 maintenance and ice machine repair services in LA.

Contact them or talk to their representative today.

About the Author

The author of this post, Mike Stevenson, is an ice machine technician with over nine years of experience installing, maintaining, and repairing commercial ice machines in LA. Mike is currently associated with LA Ice Machine.