Most bar ice machines are full of snot like microbial jelly. Even if the ice machine is properly deep cleaned it will be back to some extent within only a few weeks.
In reality it’s harmless (if the machine is regularly and properly cleaned) because it’s mostly just yeast colonies caused by yeast being flung into the air from the beer. Yeast loves ice machines for some reason and grows very quick. Assuming the ice machine is properly cleaned regularly and not subject to overly filthy conditions then there shouldn’t be anything actually concerning growing in there. But now you are forever cursed with the knowledge that any ice you get in a bar likely came from a machine full of biological slime.
Also the issue can be mostly mitigated by built in air sterilization units or completely prevented by feeding the machine with ozonated water, but I’ve never met a bar owner willing to pay for those options.
Most bar ice machines are full of snot like microbial jelly. Even if the ice machine is properly deep cleaned it will be back to some extent within only a few weeks.
In reality it’s harmless (if the machine is regularly and properly cleaned) because it’s mostly just yeast colonies caused by yeast being flung into the air from the beer. Yeast loves ice machines for some reason and grows very quick. Assuming the ice machine is properly cleaned regularly and not subject to overly filthy conditions then there shouldn’t be anything actually concerning growing in there. But now you are forever cursed with the knowledge that any ice you get in a bar likely came from a machine full of biological slime.
Also the issue can be mostly mitigated by built in air sterilization units or completely prevented by feeding the machine with ozonated water, but I’ve never met a bar owner willing to pay for those options.