An ice machine packs a compressor, an evaporator and an insulated bin into a cabinet barely bigger than a dishwasher, which makes it one of the densest appliances there is for its size. Commercial machines are heavier again, and usually come apart into a separate head and bin.
Empty the bin and let it melt
Switch the machine off the day before the pickup. Scoop the ice out of the bin and let what is left melt and run down the drain. A bin full of ice adds real weight, and meltwater sloshing inside is the last thing anyone wants on a stair.
Water and drain
Ice machines have a water supply line and a drain line, and many have a small drain pump.
Every appliance needs to be disconnected before pickup, including electrical, gas, and plumbing connections. For an ice machine that means the water supply shut off and capped, the drain line free, and the machine unplugged. For an under-counter unit, it also means sliding it clear of its opening so it stands on the floor where it can be lifted.
Refrigerant must be removed by a certified technician before pickup. That applies to home and commercial machines alike, so book the technician first and the pickup after.
Wipe the bin dry and leave the door propped open for a few hours after the ice is gone. A damp, closed bin smells by the next morning.
Commercial machines
A commercial ice machine is a head (the ice maker) sitting on a bin, and each part is heavy on its own. If yours separates, have the head lifted off the bin by the technician or the installer, and note the model when you book so the pickup is planned for the weight.
Ice machine checklist
- Switched off the day before
- Bin emptied and dried
- Water supply shut off and capped, drain line free
- Unplugged
- Under-counter unit slid clear of its opening
- Certified technician visit done
- Commercial model noted when booking
An ice machine starts at $155 on its own, or adds $100 to a pickup that’s already collecting other appliances.
