Ice machine including vapor-compression system

A method comprising:

• selecting, at a processor, a first set of values for a first set of parameters of one or more hardware components of an ice-making machine, wherein the ice-making machine is configured to, in a freeze mode, cool liquid water using an evaporator to exchange heat with the liquid water;
• identifying, at the processor, a water temperature at a water inlet of the ice-making machine;
• identifying, at the processor, an ambient air temperature surrounding the ice-making machine;
• executing, by the processor, a model of the freeze mode of the ice-making machine, wherein executing the model of the freeze mode includes:
• determining, by the processor, whether a predetermined amount of liquid water in a receptacle of the ice-making machine is frozen and
• in response to a determination that the predetermined amount of liquid water in the receptacle of the ice-making machine is not frozen, calculating, by the processor, a second set of parameters of the ice-making machine based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the second set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in the freeze mode in which the liquid water is cooled by the evaporator, wherein the calculation of the second set of parameters is repeated until the predetermined amount of liquid water in the receptacle of the ice-making machine is frozen;
• and
• in response to a determination that the predetermined amount of liquid water in the receptacle of the ice-making machine is frozen, executing, by the processor, a model of a harvest mode of the ice-making machine, wherein executing the model of the harvest mode includes:
• determining, by the processor, whether a predetermined amount of ice in the receptacle of the ice-making machine is melted and
• in response to a determination that the predetermined amount of ice in the receptacle of the ice-making machine is not melted, calculating, by the processor, a third set of parameters of the ice-making machine based on at least a portion of the first set of values, the water temperature and the ambient temperature, the third set of parameters corresponding to operation of the ice-making machine in the harvest mode during which the predetermined amount of ice is melted until the ice is removed from the evaporator,
• wherein the first set of parameters includes compressor motor speed, an initial evaporator pressure at a startup of the ice-making machine and an initial condenser pressure at the startup of the ice-making machine.