Purchasing Guide for Commercial Ice Machines

A commercial ice machine can be considered as a central piece of every food service industry and commercial kitchen. Ice machine can also be called an ice maker. It includes the attachment of water source and a freezing mechanism. These machines are quite capable of making a greater amount of ice within a period of 24 hours. In order to select an appropriate ice machine, you are required to learn a lot regarding several kinds of ice makers or ice machines.  

The configuration of the Ice Machine:                                                 

Countertop Ice Dispenser

These dispensers have a quite unique compact design along with the production of around 400lb per day. These dispensers can be considered as ideal to be used in the self-service beverage stations, great traffic back line regions, and healthcare facility.

Ice Machine Head or Modular

These machines normally come in different productions as well as sizes. The production capacities can vary from 300lb to 2000lb every 24 hours on the basis of ice shape. These machines sitting atop of the ice bins with a variety of sizes and the soda ice dispensers. A couple of most common sorts of modular ice machines include the ice flaker and a modular ice cuber.

Undercounter Ice Machine

These machines also referred to as the ice makers are the most common ice makers because of their average production capabilities, and sizes in medium and small commercial kitchens and restaurants. These machines fit below the most 40″ high counters. Because of their size, one can expect lessened yield in the production of ice of no more than 350 lbs of the ice in a day.

Ice Bin

The ice bin usually comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and it tends to accommodate your modular ice makers or machines.

Types of Ice:

Following are the different types of ice you must be aware of:

Cube Ice

• It usually melts slowly, cools the drinks at a rapid pace, and has low consumption because of the size
• A small cube, half cube, and the full cube
• Generally, used in most bars and restaurants
• Ice cubes are generally produced by ice cube machines

Flake Ice

• Cools faster, and can be molded to any shape quite easily
• Quite easy to chew and is pretty soft
• Generally, used for displaying meat and seafood and for blend drinks
• These are produced normally by the ice flake machines

Nugget Ice

• Quite soft as compared to ice cube but denser as compared to ice flake
• Easy as well as soft to chew
• Generally, used in the healthcare industry and for blend drinks

Compressors for the Ice Machines:

Water Cool

The water cool ice makers or machines can be considered as ideal for a situation when the room temperature is higher than 80F and when the air incorporates a greater level of contamination, just like grease. Such machines tend to require a couple of different water lines including one for running along the condenser, and one for the ice-producing compartment.

Air Cool

The air cool ice makers or machines are generally quite cost effective. These machines are also quite less energy consumption as compared to other ice machines. The machines with energy star rated and the ones that are easier to use tend to utilize a cooler air and circulate around the condenser for drawing heat from the refrigeration lines. Due to the system of air cool condensing, the air cooled machines tend to be quite noisy and produce higher sound compared to other ice machines. In addition, these machines are quite likely to enhance the temperature inside the room.