Dirt and sediment in the water can lead to an undesirable taste in the ice produced by your ice machine. Hard and unfiltered water have a multitude of minerals that can positively and negatively influence the taste of ice. These additional minerals also build up in your ice machine leading to scale and bacterial growth, and also create unsanitary conditions.
An ice machine with scale build up has to use additional energy and run longer periods to produce the ice that it made prior. As the production efficiency decreases, an increase in the occurrence of failure occurs. A failed compressor is a timely and costly repair that takes the machine offline, as well as taking time away from the person maintaining the equipment. The increase in the electric bill and then the repair adds up to a large cost associated with not using filtration on your ice machine. It is true that an ice machine does not need a water filter to do its job. It will still make ice and can have a great taste depending on the water source. If, however, you don’t have great water but still want to enjoy crystal clear ice and a machine that won’t be out for repairs, the proper filtration can solve that problem. The best filter that money can buy is the Everpure i2000 (EV9612-22). It offers submicron level filtration to capture viruses and bacteria that may be in your water. The carbon helps to clear up any off taste and leave you with great tasting water to make your ice. The addition of scale inhibitor provides the necessary protection against scale buildup without adversely affecting taste. If you are noticing cloudy ice or a bad smell coming from your ice, try utilizing a water filter into the maintenance of your machine and see the benefits. For more info, call us at 800-942-7873 or ask us a question below.
Tag: limescale
What is a 7SO Softening Cartridge?
This pretty cool piece of equipment is used for food service and commercial applications. It can give you delicious specialty coffee, wonderfully strong espresso or refreshing, crisp ice tea. This cartridge reduces minerals like calcium and magnesium which cause hard water. It’s like having a mini water softener under your sink. This is ideal for hard water at a flow rate as high as 1/2 gallon per minute. The ion exchange technology is a carbon and resin blend. The cartridge has a psi range of 10-125, as well as, a temperature range of 35 to 100 degrees. The 2,000 grain capacity is ideal for high mineral content and low volume application. What is the proper way to use the 7SO (EV9607-04)? Usually it is a 2 stage setup. The first stage would be a MC2 (EV9612-56) filter. This reduces the chlorine, sediment, taste and odor. The precoat sub-micron technology reduces the dirt and particles as small as 1/2 micron. The 2nd stage is the 7SO, which reduces the hardness. Best operating procedure is to change the cartridge every 6 months just like most other filters. To determine cartridge life, divide total capacity of cartridge by the hardness in grains per gallon (gpg). So for example, 2,000 grains for the 7SO divided by 15 grains of hardness, you would exhaust this cartridge after running approximately 133 gallons of water through it.
You can also change when hardness of treated water increases to more than 3 grains per gallon. Do not exceed recommended flow rate which is 0.5 gallons per minute. Don’t forget to flush the cartridge when you install it or change one out. You do this by running water through it for five minutes at full flow. This should be done no matter what filters you are using. The other great thing about this cartridge is that it fits all existing Everpure heads. No electrical connection is required. So if you have hard water in your foodservice location and want great tasting espresso we would recommend the 7SO. For more information on how we can help you on this system or others like it please call us at 800-942-7873.
Everpure ScaleKleen Ice Machine Sanitizing Instructions
Even though ice machines ensure the daily delivery of a clean food product in millions of foodservice facilities around the world, too often they are left out of a business’s preventive maintenance plans. Developing and sticking to a consistent cleaning process for your ice machine not only helps guarantee your customers a clean food product time and time again, but it also enables you to reap the most from your investment for many years to come.
Your ice machine should be emptied and thoroughly sanitized at a minimum every six months and Filter Pure recommends Pentair Everpure ScaleKleen, the smart, environmentally safe way to delime your water-using appliances. It removes limescale buildup and scale quickly and easily. It’s FDA approved to be used around food grade material, it is completely non-toxic and is safe to pour down the drain after use.
SCALEKLEEN INSTRUCTIONS FOR ICE MACHINES;
1. Turn off the ice machine, and drain the sump. 2. Mix one 7-ounce packet of ScaleKleen in one quart of hot water and pour the solution into the ice machine sump. 3. Allow the sump to fill so that the pump is not starved of water. NOTE: Do not turn on, the “REFRIGERATE” cycle. ScaleKleen works most effectively when mixed with hot water. The colder the water; the longer it takes to dissolve the scale. 4. Turn the switch to the “PUMP” mode and allow water to recirculate with ScaleKleen for 20 minutes. 5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 if scale deposits are still visible. 6. Drain and rinse the sump thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining traces of ScaleKleen. 7. Check the pH of the water in the sump. If it is within one pH unit of the influent tap water; then the ScaleKleen has been sufficiently rinsed out. (NOTE: an inexpensive pH test kit is available from your Everpure dealer). 8. Turn the ice machine on to the “ICE” mode and place it back in service Cleaning times and frequencies can vary depending on the water quality and conditions of where the unit is installed. (Special care must be taken when bread or foods containing yeast are being prepared in the vicinity of the ice machine, since yeast-type bacteria could impact the machine’s operation.) Typical between-clean times average 30, 60, or 90 days (consult the user’s manual) to ensure the unit runs at its highest operating efficiency — the ultimate goal of any preventive maintenance program. By taking the time to clean your machine and change the filters you can greatly increase the life of your machine and drastically decrease the cost of owning an ice machine over time. Are you having problems with your water filtration or the quality of your water? Please do not hesitate to call us. We are trained professionals dedicated to solving all your water quality issues. Call us at 800-942-7873 or click the link below to ask a question.
Got Water Problems? We can help!
Problem:
Client: I’m having issues with my restaurant steamer oven having to be cleaned of a hard rock like substance on the heating elements and on the inside of the ovens boiler tank every 1 to 2 weeks. I’m also having to use more soap and cleaning supplies in the kitchen and bathrooms of my facility. I also have 2 large 1600 pound ice makers and 2 fountain beverage stations with 2 carbonators. My drinking water tastes bad and my glasses and flatware look dirty even after they have been cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand. My steamer oven manufacturer technician says I need an Everpure SRX scale inhibitor feeder bowl with a Scale Stick. Can you help? FPS: Yes we can but before we go any further and we sell you the wrong thing based on someone else. Can I ask you a few questions? Have you done a water sample recently to know what is in your water? Client: No, Why? FPS: The Everpure SRX scale inhibitor may not be enough or the right solution to take care of the entire problem you’re having. To know what is causing your problem in your steamer oven, bad smelling and tasting drinking water, high usage amount of detergents, liquid cleaning supplies, fountain beverage syrups, quick clogging ice machine water filters and dirty dishes it would be best to find out what’s in your water. How much water does your facility use? Client: Approximately 150 gallons per hour for 20 hours per day. FPS: What size is your water line to your kitchen and restaurant? Client: 3/4 inch FPS: Does the ¾” water line supply water to the entire facility? Client: Yes, it goes to the bathrooms and deep sinks. I want to make sure we don’t lose any water flow because we use a lot of water. I don’t want to use anything to make us lose water flow. FPS: No problem.
Solution: Municipal water test results revealed the grains per gallon of hardness was 21, total dissolved solids were 289, chloride level of 237 and PH was 7.2. The levels of hardness would not have been controlled properly by the scale inhibitor system originally suggested and the issues in the other part of the building would not have been solved. We recommended to the client the Hydrotech Duplex 9×48 alternating tank water softener, a salt brine tank and a metered head which handles 10 gallons per minute flow rate. We also recommend an Everpure Triple 7FC for the beverage stations.
Results: We talked to the client just one week after installation and asked how the system and his facility were doing after the installation. He said he did another water test after the system was installed and that the new water test sample reported the PH level was now 7.7, the hardness grains per gallon was now 7.5 down from 21, the chloride level are under 100 and the smell in the drinking water is gone. That was not the only good news. He also reported that the beverage syrup consumption is down and the soap usage has now been reduced by more than half than before. Also, the dishes and glasses are cleaner and shinier. The original problem with the limescale buildup issue in his steamer cooker, coffee machines and ice machine has been eliminated, saving money on downtime and additional service and replacement parts costs. He calculated his savings from this recommendation we gave and the equipment we supplied, he now will be able to save enough money to upgrade his facilities and add more revenue making equipment. Are you having problems with your water filtration or the quality of your water? Please do not hesitate to call us. We are trained professionals dedicated to solving all your water quality issues. Call us at 800-942-7873 or click the link below to ask a question.
The Unfiltered Truth
The truth is, Filter Pure and Pentair/Everpure have filtration solutions that give you more than just great-tasting water. Our filtration systems also extend the life of your water-using equipment. We can show you how custom-configured filtration can add years of service to those expensive foodservice systems. Equipment damage is just one of the unfiltered truths that is costing you money. Your combi-oven or ice machine might look nice and shiny and well kept on the outside, but take a look inside. You might be surprised at what you find. For instance: • Limescale – this winter wonderland of calcium will buildup on heating elements and boilers, slowly choking the life of your combi-oven. 
• Corrosion – water contaminants show no mercy when they attack metal, nylon and rubber components. Kiss your shiny ice machine goodbye.
• Particulates – these little soldier of sediment and debris might be small, but when they join forces their only mission is to clog system lines and tubing. 
The taste and quality of your water is important to us, but we know the damage that unfiltered (or poorly filtered) water can cause on your water-using equipment. Don’t let limescale, corrosion, or particulates break you down. Let us break THEM down with our water filtration systems. Let us know how we can help. Call us at 800-942-7873.
Claris: The Solution to your Steamer Problems
Protecting a commercial steamer from limescale and other damaging entities caused by the water has become easier with the introduction of the Claris system. The Claris system utilizes five stage softening and filtering to allow the user to dial in the perfect amount of mineral for their steamer. Boilerless and combi steamer ovens have to retain enough mineral content for probes to accurately detect the water levels. While necessary to keep minerals, too much content will cause scaling on heating rods and the hot plates. So having the ability to choose the amount of wanted mineral in your water is a great feature. The Claris system protects your steamer with a five-stage process.
Five-Stage Filtration Process Pre-filtration – Media at the entrance to the cartridge reduces coarse particles, such as dirt & sediment Carbonate hardness adjustment – The ion-selective Claris filter media reduces the levels of carbonate hardness while retaining essential minerals Fine filtration – Behind the carbonate hardness adjustment process, a fine filter compresses the filter bed and retains fine particles from the water High efficiency activated carbon absorption media -removes contaminants and chlorine off tastes & odors Final particle membrane – removes particles down to 5 micron (5 µm) for highest equipment protection The Claris system combines ion exchange, filtration and the ability to blend in one compact system. The Duoblend system allows constant and precise adjustment to produce the right amount of minerals in the water to protect the steamer. • Easy and flexible installation, horizontally or vertically • 4 sizes to accommodate many different applications • Compact design requires minimum space • Quick change head/cartridge design with AUTO SHUT-OFF For more information on which Claris System would best fit your water filtration needs, please call us at 800-942-7873 or click the link below to ask a question. Our customer service team is always happy to help. Ask us a question! Get our Newsletter!
How Often Do I Change My Water Filter?
One of the most common questions we hear from our customers is in regards to how frequently a water filter cartridge should be changed. Whether it’s a standard sediment or carbon filter, every customer has one key priority in mind: How Long Will I Have Dependably Clean, Great Tasting Water? In other words, how can I be sure that my filter is still reducing the impurities that can impact the flavor of my water? Our standard answer: It depends. The frequency of filter changes depends upon your water quality and your water usage. For example, if there are a lot of sediment particulates in your water, then you will have to change your filters more frequently than someone with little to no sediment. If you are a large restaurant consuming large amounts of water a minute or a hospital with large ice machines, then your usage will demand more frequent filter changes. Having said that, we suggest replacement schedules that are generally as follows: Everpure High Flow CRS Quad MC2 System 
The most common Everpure Filtration System, mainly seen in the back of the house of restaurants should be changed every 6 months, or every 36,000 gallons. The EC210 prefilter, to the left of the MC2 filters, should be changed more frequently to extend the life of the MC2 filters. We recommend every 3-4 months. Insurice Triple PF i4000(2) System w/ 20″ Prefilter 
For water filtration on ice machines, sometimes it can be difficult knowing when to change the filters, especially if you see no difference in the ice. But even if the ice is fine, deep inside the machine inches of scale can be forming and ruining your machine. That’s why it is important to keep a filter change out schedule. We recommend every 6 months or however many gallons are specified on the water filters. For the system pictured to the left, the Insurice Triple PF i4000(2), change those filters every 36,000 gallons of use. Again, changing the prefilter will give your primary cartridges longer life. You should also replace your water filters whenever you notice a decline in performance, whether it is a drop in flow rate and/or pressure, or an unusual taste in the water. You should also, per the CDC, replace your water filter after any boil water advisory alert is lifted in your area. Remember: taste and odor may tip you off to the presence of chlorine in your water, but most contaminants are tasteless and odorless. For the benefit of our customers, we have set-up automatic electronic reminders that are sent when we see that their filters are due to be replaced, based on order history. We can even set-up Auto-Ship for customers that know they will need water filters by a certain date, but may not remember to place an order. If you have a water filter or filter model not included in the list above, and have a question regarding how often you should replace your filter, I invite you to submit a question below or call our team at 1-800-942-7873. Click here to ask us a question!
A Word from Our Industrial Sector
My name is Vince Paglino and I am the Industrial Filtration specialist at Filter Pure Systems. We specialize in Chemical Feed Pumps, Chlorinators & Air Injection, Commercial Softening & ION Exchange, Commercial Reverse Osmosis, Industrial Water Remediation, UV Sterilization and Industrial filtration systems. I wanted to share with you a recent industrial experience. We were approached by a large ice manufacturer to help them find a resolution for their scale problem. The limescale accumulation was so bad that it had clogged the compressors and starved the equipment of water that it needed to produce the 360,000 pounds of ice it manufactured daily. We visited the location and immediately took water samples and investigated the type of equipment they were using and noticed the large amount of limescale remnants and corrosion it was causing to their equipment. They were using 2 large cartridge housings to filter the water down to 5 microns. After a few weeks of limescale buildup all of the ice manufacturing equipment was shut down and at a standstill without any ice production. Once the water tests were completed, the results noted that the Ph level was very high at 9.3 & 9.4 (the range should be between 7.0 – 7.5) and both the bicarbonate and carbonate alkalinity levels were elevated as well. The results indicated that the solution required softening the water and reducing the Ph levels at the same time to eliminate the problems of limescale accumulation. We customized a solution to handle the 40,000+ gallons of water that they use daily. A large duplex softening unit that continuously treats the water even while servicing one tank at a time when it cycles to backwash. A chemical pulse feeder that will introduce Muriatic Acid after the softener to reduce the Ph levels in the water. The solution is also modular so equipment can be added at a later date to handle any ice production growth and added manufacturing equipment. The delivery of this equipment was not only timely but it was delivered several days early to the customers delight. The manufacturer’s representative scheduled a time for installation training for the company representatives to ensure normal and ongoing operational use and maintenance of the equipment. Our Industrial sector is dedicated to insure that our customers are able to achieve the most efficient and cost effective solution for their industrial water problems. Our client support, industrial technical expertise and follow up is unmatched in the industry. 
Hydroblend Cuts Long-Run Costs
For applications in which water is heated past its boiling point, it is advisable to employ measures designed to reduce the level of lime and other minerals in the water service to safeguard against scale buildup in water boilers. Such buildup can lead to machinery damage, and if left unaddressed, failure. While the most common example of applications in which this is a concern is the brewing of coffee and other fine coffee beverages, the filtration of, and control of scale in, water used in steam equipment is extremely important. Because each piece of steam machinery, such as those used in the food service industry, by definition contains a boiler in which water is heated past its boiling point, harmful scale buildup will result if water used is not appropriately treated. There are two popular methods of addressing the presence of scale in a water supply, depending on whether scale has already formed or not. They are: Polyphosphate Granules
Generally used to clean boilers which have already suffered an amount of scale buildup, polyphosphate granules, such as Everpure’s proprietary formula “ScaleKleen,” remove limescale quickly, easily, and safely in an environmentally friendly manner from OCS brewers, steam, warewashing, and other equipment. Because activated citric acid is the typically the primary ingredient in these non-toxic blends, they are safer to skin and won’t burn clothing like conventional deliming acids. In addition, they are sewer system disposable, so you can pour it down the drain.
Hydroblend Scale Sticks
“Hydroblend” scale sticks are the second component of a two-stage water filter designed by Everpure. Scale inhibitor feeders (scale sticks) reduce scale inline by dispensing a controlled amount of Hydroblend, a sophisticated blend of polyphosphate compound which inhibits scale. As such, scale sticks present in dual-filter systems designed for OCS brewers, steam, warewashing, and other applications significantly reduce scale inline, effectively preventing scale from ever forming.
While both methods are used in modern commercial settings, each approach has its advantages. Polyphosphates have been used in the prevention of mineral scale and corrosion control for years as a cost-effective method of controlling scale within a water supply. Hydroblend products on the other hand, are comparatively new, and marginally more expensive. There are however, several advantages. Hydroblend products are:
- 100% active, so there is no residual product left over.
- specifically designed to provide mineral scale prevention and corrosion control in high temperature and high hardness applications, while phosphate granules are not.
- designed to ensure that the product feed rate is consistent over predictable time periods.
- available in various configurations allowing it application to many different processes.
Regardless of which approach is used, it is important to monitor and control scale levels within a water supply. Doing so will prevent costly repairs and possible replacements.