Is your slush machine looking a little worse for wear? Do not fear!
There may be a cheap and easy solution to your problems that you can do at home so you can get back to selling slush to all your thirsty customers as quickly as possible.
Before you start any maintenance on your machine, make sure it is switched off at the power switches and plug socket to avoid injury or electrocution.
All switched off? Great!
Let’s dive in to some slush machine troubleshooting…
Machine Leaking
If your machine is leaking, the first step is to work out where the leak is coming from. This will determine how to fix the leak.
Tap Leaking
If the leak is coming from the tap, on your slush machine, the cause is usually a stiff tap or damaged seals. First try lubricating the tap at the rotation point, you may need to give the tap a couple of turns to get the lubricant into the mechanism.
If this doesn’t solve your leakage, check the seals within the tap head and check they are in the right place and not torn. If the seal is broken, you can order a spare here.
Overflow Outlet Leaking
If your overflow outlet is leaking clear liquid, this is nothing to worry about! This is simply condensation from the outside of the machine being collected and disposed of.
However, if the liquid is the same colour as your slush, there is likely to be damage inside your machine. Firstly, check the seal at the back of each tank is fitted properly and is still intact.
If your seal looks in good shape, check the shaft and its seal for wear and tear. Usually, it will be the seal that’s causing the leak which will simply need replacing. However, it is possible that the shaft itself is worn down, which is more difficult to do at home so you may require some additional help.
Slush Not Freezing
Before you take apart your machine, the reason your slush isn’t freezing may be that you’re using the wrong water to syrup ratio. For Mr Cool It slush syrups, we recommend you use 6 cups of water for every cup of slush syrup (6:1 ratio) for the optimal slush consistency.
If you’ve mastered that perfect ratio already, underfreezing is most likely to be due to an airflow blockage. Make sure there is at least 20cm clearance around your machine at all times with nothing blocking the fan in particular.
Airflow blockage may also be caused by a build-up of dust on the condenser. Your condenser should be cleaned at least once a week with a brush, as shown below.
Overheating
Machine overheating is also caused by a restricted airflow.
If your slush machine is too hot, make sure there is at least 20cm of clearance around the machine and that the condenser filter is cleaned as above.
Machine Making Noise
Some noises coming from the machine are completely normal, for example every machine makes a clicking noise as temperature adjustments are made. While this is more common in newer machines, you may still be able to hear it on older machines.
Another issue we often hear from customers is a squeaking noise coming from inside the slush tank. This is almost always due to the barrel and spiral being dry. The barrel inside the tank should always be submerged under the slush mixture which will prevent the speaking noise.
Machine is Freezing on the Outside
If your machine is frozen on the outside of the tank, the slush ratio may not have enough water. To rectify this, switch off your slush machine and let the slush defrost, remove the mixture from the tank and refill with a slush mixture with a ratio of 6:1.
Alternatively, freezing could be due to the machine being left on for too long. Make sure you turn off the machine while it’s not being used and allow the slush to fully defrost before switching back on. This can be done overnight if you prefer.
Still Struggling?
If you’ve tried all these DIY hacks but your problem is still persisting, you may have a more serious problem with your machine.
Talk to our team for more advice on fixing your machine or book a service.