It always happens at the worst time: a Friday night, a packed patio, a 90-degree day. Your bartender reaches into the bin and finds water and a few half-melted cubes. Here is what restaurants and bars can do when the ice machine quits.
Step 1: Stop using the ice in the bin
The FDA Food Code, which most health departments base their rules on, treats ice as a food. It must be made from safe drinking water and handled like any other food. If you are not sure the ice is good, do not serve it. Never put ice used to chill bottles or food displays into drinks.
Step 2: Run quick checks
- Power: Is the unit on? Has a breaker tripped?
- Water supply: Is the line on and the filter clear?
- Bin sensor: Is anything blocking the sensor or drop zone?
- Airflow: Is the condenser blocked with dust or grease?
Anything beyond that goes to a qualified refrigeration technician. Call right away, since weekend and summer schedules fill fast.
Step 3: Get emergency ice delivered
A store run pulls staff off the floor mid-service and may not find enough ice. Emergency ice delivery brings clean, bagged ice to your back door, and we are open 24/7. When you call, have this ready:
- Your address and best delivery entrance.
- Roughly how much ice you use on a typical day. Weekend volume often runs well above a typical day, so building in a cushion is smart.
- How long the machine may be down.
- Whether you need on-site ice storage, such as a chest or trailer, so extra ice stays frozen.
Step 4: Protect the rest of your cold storage
A storm, power outage or failed walk-in can put your whole inventory at risk. Food-safety guidance says refrigerated food should stay at 40°F or below. A refrigerated trailer rental can serve as a temporary walk-in behind your building. It gets down to -10°F, or can be set just chilled and runs on a standard 110V/20A outlet.
Step 5: Plan for the next breakdown
Carolina heat works ice machines hard. A little planning saves a lot of stress:
- Schedule regular cleaning and maintenance per the manufacturer.
- Post your refrigeration technician's number where every manager can find it.
- Consider recurring ice delivery in your busiest months, or as a standing backup.
- Save an ice delivery number in your phone before you need it.
Emergency ice delivery across the Carolinas
2 Cams Ice is a veteran-owned company serving restaurants, bars and food businesses in places like Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Fayetteville, Raleigh and Charlotte. See all service areas.
