Ice Machine Water Filters and Filtration

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Most ice machine problems start with water. Minerals build scale on the evaporator, which slows freezing and harvest, and anything in the water ends up in the ice. A water filter sized for the machine, changed on schedule, prevents a lot of service calls. This page is part of our commercial ice machine repair section.

What a filter system does

• Sediment filtration keeps particles out of valves and the water system.
• Carbon filtration reduces chlorine taste and odor in the ice.
• Scale inhibition slows mineral buildup on the evaporator between descaling.

Filtration reduces scale but does not replace cleaning. California still requires ice makers to be cleaned at the manufacturer's frequency (HSC 114117). See ice machine cleaning and sanitizing.

When to change cartridges

Scotsman says to change cartridges if they have been installed more than six months, or if water pressure drops too much when the machine fills (Scotsman). Hoshizaki's cleaning sheet includes checking filter pressure and changing cartridges as required (Hoshizaki). Heavily used machines may need changes sooner. Write the install date on the housing.

Signs your filtration is not keeping up

• The machine needs descaling more often than the manufacturer's interval. Manitowoc says that if a machine needs more frequent descaling and sanitizing, a qualified service company should test the water quality (Manitowoc).
• Cloudy, soft or bad-tasting ice. See leaking and ice quality problems.
• Falling production or ice that does not release. See ice machine not making ice.
• A filter pressure gauge reading low when the machine fills.

What we do

We match the filter system to the machine's water use, install it with a bypass so cartridges can be changed without shutting off the water, and put cartridge changes on the same schedule as cleaning. For a new machine, filtration is part of installation.

Ask about ice machine filtration →

Frequently asked questions

Written and reviewed by Jim McKinny, owner of Cool Aid Air Conditioning & Refrigeration — California C-20 and C-38 licensed, EPA Universal certified, second generation of a family business serving the Bay Area since 1966. Every job we complete is backed by our 1-year parts & labor warranty.