Ice Gate
An ice gate positively controls the flow and direction of machine produced ice into an ice bin container for removal with either a scoop or a shovel. Ice gates can be adjusted and locked at one of several increments to regulate the volume of flow of different types of ice whether cubes, flakes, or nuggets.
Ice level
An ice level detector may be either a mechanical arm connected to a switch that turns ice production on or off or it may be an ice level control board that uses an infrared beam to sense the level of ice in the ice bin and signal the ice maker to make more ice. If the ice level detector fails, the ice maker will normally stop making ice.
Ice Scoop
An ice scoop is a large ladle used to remove ice from the bin of an ice machine in bulk. It may be made of plastic or metal and may be stored inside the bin of the ice machine or in an external cradle.
Idler
An idler or idler-wheel is wheel or pulley which serves only to transmit rotation from one shaft to another (or as a to guide or tension a belt), in applications where it is undesirable to connect them directly.
Ignition
An ignitor is a device used to initiate combustion - the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of a chemical state. The release of heat can also result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame. A gas lighter is a firestarting mechanism used to ignite gas stoves which do not have automatic ignition systems. It relies on a physical phenomenon called the piezoelectric effect to generate an electric spark, which ignites the combustible gas from the stove burner.
Ignition Switch
An ignition switch, starter switch or start switch is a switch in the control system that activates the main electrical systems or causes ignition of a burner.
Impeller
Pumps and fans of various types and sizes are used in all kinds of restaurant equipment. The main internal component of these pumps and fans is the impeller. The impeller is a rotor blade designed to increase the pressure and flow of air, gases or fluids.
Induction
Induction cooking is performed using direct induction heating of cooking vessels, rather than relying on indirect radiation, convection, or thermal conduction. Induction cooking allows high power and very rapid increases in temperature to be achieved, and changes in heat settings are instantaneous.
Infinite Switch
An infinite switch is a rotary switch which controls the power dissipated by a heating element. It is used on electric ranges, hot plates, warming drawers and zones, barbecue grills, space heaters, quartz heaters and many applications which call for proportionate control of a resistive load. An infinite switch, simmerstat, energy regulator or infinite controller is a type of switch that allows variable power output of a heating element of an electric stove. It is called "infinite" because its average output is infinitely variable rather than being limited to a few switched levels. It uses a bi-metallic strip conductive connection across terminals that disconnects with increased temperature. As current passes through the bimetal connection, it will heat and deform, breaking the connection and turning off the power. After a short time, the bimetal will cool and reconnect. Infinite switches vary the average power delivered to a device by switching frequently between on and off states.
Injector
A steam injector is typically used to deliver cold water to a boiler against its own pressure using its own live or exhaust steam, replacing any mechanical pump. Other types of injectors may use other pressurised motive gases or fluids such as air.
Inlet
Frequently used in foodservice equipment, inlets are connectors that involve a service provider or holding tank to provide air, gas, water and other fluids in supplying a secondary component. An electrical inlet is a power connector that receives electrical power from a service provider.
Insulation
Thermal insulation is the reduction of heat transfer (i.e., the transfer of thermal energy between objects of differing temperature) between objects in thermal contact or in range of radiative influence. Thermal insulation can be achieved with specially engineered methods or processes, as well as with suitable object shapes and materials.
Interface
The user interface (UI), is the space where interactions between humans and machines occur. The goal of this interaction is to allow effective operation and control of the machine from the human end, whilst the machine simultaneously feeds back information that aids the operators' decision-making process. Examples of this broad concept of user interfaces include the interactive aspects of computer operating systems, hand tools, heavy machinery operator controls, and process controls.
Interlock
An interlock is a feature that makes the state of two mechanisms or functions mutually dependent (working together as one). It may be used to prevent undesired states in a finite-state machine, and may consist of any electrical, electronic, or mechanical devices or systems. In most applications, an interlock is used to help prevent a machine from harming its operator or damaging itself by preventing one element from changing state due to the state of another element, and vice versa
Inverter
A power inverter, or inverter, is a power electronic device or circuitry that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC).