Commercial Ice Machine: How to Choose a Right Machine for Your Business?

With so many models on the market, it’s not easy choosing the right ice machine for your business. Here’s a guide to help make your decision easier.

A Commercial Ice Machine sometimes called an “Ice Maker,” is a must for any business that needs large amounts of ice on hand for everything from cooling beverages to, keeping fresh food chilled, or blending smoothies.

Choosing the right ice machine for your restaurant can seem a bit daunting with all of the different models and styles available, so we’ve put together a guide to choosing a Commercial Ice Machine that will help make your decision much easier.

What Type of Ice Do You Need?

Before choosing which kind of ice machine you need, it’s best to first decide what kind of ice you want. While that might seem straightforward, there are actually several different types of ice to choose from.

Cubed Ice

This is the most common type of ice coming in either full or half cubes that offer a large surface area that will slow the melting process and keep beverages cooler longer.

Nugget Ice

Nugget ice is also referred to as “bullet ice,” “pellet ice,” “pearl ice,” or “chewable ice.” Its porous composition allows it to absorb the flavour of the beverage. Its “chewability” and versatility make it popular in hospitals, aged care facilities, hotels, restaurants and convenience stores.

Flake Ice

Flake ice consists of shaved or flaked pieces of ice that are soft and easy to form into shapes or mounds. Most commonly used for blended beverages, and food displays it’s also the ice of choice for cooling fresh seafood and poultry.

Crescent Ice

As the name implies, this ice, with its long, slender shape, resembles a crescent. The shape of the cubes displaces liquids better which limits spills and splashes by allowing liquid to cascade over the cubes. One study even showed that crescent ice can save up to 15% on drink yield.

Gourmet Ice

Due to its slow melt rate, larger-sized Gourmet Ice is typically used in cocktail bars so it won’t water down those tasty ‘on the rocks’ cocktails.

Types of Commercial Ice Machines

Under Counter Commercial Ice Machines

Great for cafes and bars, under-counter ice machines are installed below counters and bar tops and are typically self-contained with ice storage built in and do not require an additional bin or dispenser to operate.

Modular Commercial Ice Machines

These commercial ice machines typically come with an ice bin or dispenser to store the ice until it’s ready to use. Of the different types of ice machines, Modular Ice Machines are usually high-capacity units for high-volume use.

Different Condenser Types

Regardless of the model, all ice machines are designed with a condenser, to minimize heat, which is, obviously, bad for the ice. There are three main types of condensers to choose from:

Air Cooled

Air-cooled condensers use the least amount of water making them a popular choice for sustainability-minded kitchens. Since it uses built-in fans that blow air across the condenser you should have enough space to provide adequate clearance for the airflow.

Water Cooled

This type pumps water next to the condenser’s heated coils to keep them cool. It requires a consistent source of cool water. This is a great option for high-temperature environments.

Remote Cooled

Similar to your air-conditioner at home, this condenser is installed separately from the ice machine—typically on the roof or somewhere outside of the building. This makes it an excellent option for reducing the heat and noise produced by the ice machine.

Pro Tip

It’s important to keep your ice machine clean and well-maintained. Not only for the health and safety of your customers, but also to increase its longevity.

Regular maintenance includes keeping the bin and surface areas that come in contact with the ice clean. Also, be sure to regularly change the water filters, and clear any possible clogs in the drainage system.

Hopefully, this outline of the available options has made it easier to determine which kind of Commercial Ice Machine is best for your restaurant or business.

If you have questions about commercial ice machines in general or specific models and features, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Caterlink’s commercial kitchen experts who are ready to assist you.