Things don’t always go according to plan, and this is particularly true in homemade ice cream. Making your ice cream is just full of surprises and occasional flops, which is what makes it so much fun and an adventure. The real thrill of having your ice cream maker is being able to try out new flavours and techniques where things don’t turn out perfectly. For example, with highly specialised equipment, like the 034147 Hex Coupler Taylormate, you will need to tinker and adjust things a bit to get them perfect. Consider such moments as learning curves and relish the creativity. You get experience with each experiment in this journey of making ice cream, and these experiences are what make it truly rewarding and a lot of fun. In this article, we’ll discover the factors that affect the working of an ice cream.
Ventilation / Air Temperature
Adequate ventilation and air temperature are crucial to the optimum performance of the ice machine, more so with air-cooled systems. Poor ventilation causes the development of a high ambient temperature that will force the working of an ice machine to increase, thereby decreasing efficiency and, more importantly, ice production. This problem is heightened by its placement inside a hot kitchen area or one that has a bad circulation of air.
Always go through the unit’s specification sheet and manual for specifications on ventilation and air temperature. This will ensure the machine works at its best without overheating, thus improving its life. Proper spacing around the ice machine creates room for airflow, hence preventing the accumulation of heat and again improving cooling efficiency.
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Water Supply and Floor Drain
Your ice maker will need an adequate cold water supply with a shutoff valve. A floor drain, correctly located, will also be necessary to handle the water runoff from the ice machine. Refer to your local codes to determine drain type and location requirements. Constant pressure and temperature in the water supply must be maintained so that ice will continue to be made without production interruptions. A filtering system can also be installed which cleans the water to improve the taste and clarity of the ice. The floor drain should be suitably positioned to avoid water pooling or flooding, which will cause serious damage to either the machine or the surrounding area.
Power Supply
Most ice machines are supplied without a cord and plug; an installation by a qualified electrician with hardwiring is required. This is important because not all models can simply run on a standard 110V outlet. Refer to the machine specification document for detailed electrical requirements such as voltage, amperage, and phase. There will also be special considerations outlined for installation, like if the machine will require a dedicated circuit or specific breaker size. The system will also be made to ensure that the power requirement of the ice machine does not exceed the capacity of the electrical system to avert overload or electrical failures.
It is also suggested that a licensed electrician inspect and check the electrical setup before switching on the machine for safe and proper working under the local electrical code.
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Dripping from Machine
If your soft-serve ice cream machine is leaking a more-than-average amount into the drip tray, then something might be wrong. The first and most common reason is that the drive shaft gasket is either not greased or poorly lubricated. Be sure to more than adequately grease the gasket with Spaceman’s food-grade lubricant; it’s very critical to the running of this machine. If that’s ruled out, the parts aren’t put together right.
All parts should fit snugly with little force applied. If you have done so already, make sure to properly lubricate it and assemble it correctly. If it still leaks after checking for these things, check the advanced leaking troubleshooting guide located here.
The Hopper Is Either Too Hot or Too Cold
Machines are designed for pre-chilled liquids, not hot liquids. Any mix, whether it is soft serve, water, or sanitiser, needs to be chilled before putting it in the machine. Although Spaceman machines have refrigerated hoppers, running the warm mix through them can put a great deal of stress on the machine. This stress may lead to inefficiency and problems. Therefore, always refrigerate your mix before adding it to the hopper so that it will help the machine operate more efficiently, conserve energy, and produce frozen products more quickly.
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