Your basket is currently empty!
It sometimes gets forgotten that if a catering kitchen application requires water it will benefit from using the right kind of water. Whether the water is an actual ingredient in the finished product or used in the process, the right water is paramount for both taste and protection. Using just any water can result in the taste of food and beverages being tainted or valuable equipment failing prematurely or operating below par.
Most people know about limescale and the issues it can cause when it forms in equipment and appliances that rely on use of hot water or steam. What isn’t so well known is that hard water and the source of limescale can be just as much as a problem in ice making machines. A build up of scale can lead in higher running costs whilst unwanted elements within the water can affect the appearance and taste of the ice.
Choosing the right water not only helps keep your ice crystal clear, but also aids your ice machine. With the right water, your ice machine will avoid the nasty deposits that can gather on the freezing vanes or elements; and fewer deposits helps contribute to lower running costs, saving you money too.
Where to begin?
Always test your water before you begin, knowing the composition and PH value of your water is always a good starting point.
Your local water, the manufacturers recommendations, and the quality of the ice you wish to serve will all affect the water treatment solution you ultimately choose. A good quality filter will remove most of the unwanted elements that may affect the taste and odour of your water but won’t protect your icemaker machine from scale. A more advanced option combining ion exchange treatment and carbon filtration is a good starting point. Water softening can help and will offer excellent protection from limescale but can still leave you with partially cloudy ice. Reverse Osmosis will take out practically all of the dissolved solids leaving you with ‘pure’ water and translucent ice. Combine your choice of RO with a pre filter, water softener, and post RO demineralisation cartridge for the ultimate protection, quality and customer satisfaction. Or select one of the many specialist single and multi cartridge systems available from manufactures like BWT. If you’re unsure, please ask your water treatment specialist, their advice is often free.
How do I benefit from Clear Ice?
The most common, important and visible benefit is ice that looks fabulous and compliments the flavour of the drinks you serve. One of the reasons ice can appear cloudy is because of the hardness minerals in your water. Reducing the hardness of your water is a good start to making your ice clearer and equipment work more efficiently for longer. For better taste, consider using a filtered water solution. It’s common for unwanted elements to remain in your ice cubes during and after the ice making process, this can end up affecting the taste of beverages. Installing a water treatment solution will help remove these elements from your ice, leaving you and your customers satisfied.
A happy customer is the end goal but there’s benefits for your business too. The right water can help with the longevity and efficiency of your ice machine, saving you money on those never ending maintenance and descaling costs.
Get in touch to find the right solution
In summary, optimising the water supply to your ice making equipment will
- Help reduce running costs
- Create crystal clear ice to wow your customers
- Minimise cleaning time and
- Improve equipment reliability
There’s no
one size fits all solution when considering water filtration for your ice machine. Several factors come into play and depending on your needs, you may need more than one water treatment solution to help make your ice crystal clear.
To maximise the added value great looking ice can bring, contact your water technology specialist today and ask them how to achieve ‘Diamond Ice.’ Then you can watch your customers enjoy beautifully presented, ice cold drinks during the soon to arrive and inevitable hot summer/cold drinks bonanza!