Small or hollow cubes usually mean the machine is not getting enough water or is harvesting before the cube is full: check the water supply and filter, then clean scale off the water system and check the ice thickness setting. Cloudy ice usually points to hard or dirty water, scale, or a machine running too warm because of a hot room or a dirty condenser.
Shop the equipment in this article: refrigeration and ice equipment, bar ice chest and underbar ice bins. Freight is included on every order.
Most of these causes are things staff or a plumber can check before calling a refrigeration technician. This guide goes through what good ice looks like, then each symptom and its causes, and ends with a cleaning routine.
What good ice looks like
Ice style depends on the machine: full cube, half cube, crescent or nugget. Cube and crescent machines freeze water in layers on a cold plate (the evaporator) and harvest when the cube reaches a set thickness. Cubes from the same batch should be close to the same size and mostly clear. Nugget machines make soft, chewable compressed ice and are never clear, so cloudiness is not a fault on a nugget machine.
Some machines let you adjust thickness. The Coldline ICE300 lists adjustable ice thickness, an auto clean cycle and an in-line water filter in the box.
Small or hollow cubes
Causes, roughly in order of how often they happen:
- Low water supply. A partly closed shutoff valve, a kinked line or low building pressure means the reservoir does not fill and cubes come out thin. Check the valve is fully open and the line is not pinched behind the machine.
- Clogged water filter. A filter past its change date restricts flow. Replace it on the schedule the filter maker gives.
- Scale on the water system. Mineral scale on the distribution tube or spray nozzles stops water reaching every cube cell, so some cubes come out small or hollow. Run the cleaning cycle with an ice machine cleaner approved by the manufacturer.
- Thickness setting. If the harvest sensor or thickness control is set too thin, every cube comes out small. Adjust per the manual.
- Refrigeration problem. If water flow and cleanliness check out and cubes are still small across the board, a technician should check the refrigerant charge and the expansion valve.
Cloudy ice
- Hard water: dissolved minerals freeze into the cube and show as white cloudiness. A filter suited to your water helps; ask a water treatment supplier to test your supply.
- Scale build-up: the same minerals coat the evaporator. Clean and descale.
- Dirty water system: slime or residue in the reservoir clouds ice and can affect taste. Sanitize after descaling.
- Running warm: a machine that freezes slowly or unevenly because of a hot room or a dirty condenser can make cloudier ice. Clean the condenser and check the room.
Ice that sticks together in the bin
Ice that fuses into clumps is often from a warm bin, a bin that is not emptied and turned over often enough, or wet cubes from a slow harvest. Scoop the bin regularly so old ice is used first.
Uneven ice across the evaporator
Cubes full on one side and thin on the other point to a blocked spray nozzle or distribution tube on the thin side, or a machine that is not level. Clean the water system and level the machine with its legs or feet.
Odd taste or smell
Taste and odor come from a dirty water system, an old filter, or the bin and scoop. Ice is food: the Food Code requires that ice used as food or a cooling medium be made from pure (drinking) water (12VAC5-421-390 in Virginia’s adoption). Clean and sanitize the bin and scoop holder as well as the machine.
The room and the condenser
The product pages for the machines we carry say production drops in hot rooms and with warm incoming water, and that air-cooled machines need the clearance the manual calls for around the vents. A machine pushed tight against a wall, or a condenser coated in kitchen grease and dust, runs hot and makes less, smaller and cloudier ice. Clean the air filter and condenser on the schedule in the manual. If you are replacing a machine, compare production and bin size across our refrigeration and ice equipment.
A maintenance routine
- Monthly: clean the air filter and check the condenser; check the water valve and line.
- On the manufacturer’s schedule (often every few months, more with hard water): run the clean and sanitize cycle, with the manufacturer’s approved cleaner.
- Filter: replace on the filter maker’s schedule.
- Bin and scoop: clean and sanitize regularly; keep the scoop in a holder, not in the ice.
When to call a technician
Call a refrigeration technician if cubes stay small after cleaning and a new filter, if the machine does not harvest, if frost builds on lines, or if production stays low in a normal room. Machines often carry a longer compressor warranty than parts and labor warranty; the Coldline ICE300, for example, lists 5 years on the compressor and 1 year on parts and labor, so check before paying for a repair.
Ice storage at the bar
Ice for drinks is carried from the machine to a bar ice bin. A bar ice chest with a lid keeps that ice clean during service. See also underbar ice bins and all commercial ice machines.
Ordering from Express KitchQuip
Freight with liftgate delivery to the 48 contiguous states is included in the price. Ice machines are powered equipment with a 7 day return window from delivery, and lease-to-own financing is available on items from 500 dollars.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my ice cubes hollow in the middle?
Usually low water flow, a clogged filter, scale on the water system or a thickness setting that is too thin.
Is cloudy ice safe?
Cloudiness is usually minerals or air, not a hazard by itself, but it can point to scale or a dirty water system that needs cleaning. Ice must be made from drinking water.
How often should an ice machine be cleaned?
Follow the manufacturer’s schedule, and clean more often with hard water or a dusty kitchen.
Does a water filter stop cloudy ice?
A suitable filter reduces it. Very hard water may need treatment beyond a standard filter.
Your local health department has the final say on ice handling.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
Coldline EIC200 22″ 200 lb. Commercial Full Cube Ice Machine (model EIC200)
- Brand: Coldline
- 50 lb. Ice Bin Storage Capacity
- Air Cooled Efficiency for Savings
- Compact & Durable
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Coldline ICE300 300 lb. Commercial Half Cube Ice Machine (model ICE300)
- Brand: Coldline
- 80 lb. Bin, Air Cooled
- Stainless Steel Exterior
- Easy Maintenance System
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Hoshizaki KM-81BAK 17 Undercounter Ice Machine | 78 lbs/day, Air Cooled, ADA (model KM-81BAK)
- Brand: Hoshizaki
- Crescent Cube Ice: Produces unique, crystal-clear crescent-shaped ice that prevents splashing and improves liquid displacement.
- High Output, Small Footprint: Capable of producing up to 78 lbs of ice per day , all within a slim 17 3/4″ width .
- ADA Compliant: Designed with a height that meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards for easy accessibility.
Westlake SK-329 Commercial Ice Machine, Full Cube Ice Maker Machine 350 lbs Ice with 308lbs Storage Capacity (model SK-329)
- Brand: Westlake
- High-Volume Production: Generates up to 350 lbs of ice daily to keep up with your busiest shifts.
- Massive Storage: Includes a built-in bin that holds up to 308 lbs , keeping a fresh supply ready at all times.
- Eco-Friendly Performance: Utilizes R290 natural refrigerant , offering superior cooling efficiency with a lower environmental impact.
- Warranty: 6-Year Compressor / 2-Year Parts & Labor
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.