How to Choose a Commercial Ice Machine for Your Business

On average, it costs $650,000 to establish a restaurant in Australia. As part of launching a restaurant, it’s important to purchase great equipment that can help you serve the needs of your patrons.

While managing a catering business or commercial kitchen, you should have a reliable ice machine to use. A steady supply of ice can serve many different purposes, so you’ll want to choose a commercial ice maker carefully based on your needs and requirements.

Here’s how to choose the perfect commercial ice machine for your business.

Understand the Commercial Ice Machine Types

When choosing a commercial ice machine, think about the type that you need. Depending on your preferences, you may want to get a countertop ice dispenser, an under-counter ice machine, or a modular ice machine.

While a countertop ice dispenser will have only a small amount of storage, under-counter ice machines and modular ice machines are considerably larger. Each of these types of ice machines can produce quite a bit of ice, but you’ll want to think carefully about how much of this ice the machine can store.

Check the Ice Storage Capacity

You can purchase an ice machine with a built-in bin and dispenser or an add-on bin and dispenser. It’s a good idea to look for an ice machine with a capacity that matches up well with the production capacity of the machine.

Look for a storage capacity that is 75% or more of the amount of ice the machine produces. Ideally, the storage capacity should be 10-20% more than the amount of ice your ice machine will create during a 24-hour period.

Remember that if you are getting a self-serve ice machine, it may be necessary to get touch-free dispensers.

Consider the Types of Ice Cubes the Machine Makes

Different types of ice have different properties, and each is ideal for certain applications. You’ll want to choose the right type of ice cube for your needs.

Cube ice, for example, melts less quickly than other types of ice and is a great choice for use in alcoholic drinks. Flake ice is a good option for displays in which products such as salads or seafood will be chilled.

Nugget ice is a good choice for blended drinks and will be less of a choking hazard than other options. This type of ice can be a good choice if ice that is easy to chew is needed.

Be sure to consider the ice types carefully when choosing a commercial ice machine to buy.

Find Out How Much Ice the Machine Can Produce

Ice machines will outline the maximum amount they can produce within a 24-hour period. Be sure to check the production capacity you need for the commercial ice cube machine you’re buying.

You can determine your production needs by considering your daily demand and knowing how much ice is used in your business each day. Make sure that you consider the peak times for your business to ensure that you’ll have enough ice production during those times and during other slower periods of the day or week.

Decide on a Cooling System Type

You should also decide between the different condenser options for ice machines. There are 2 main options to consider, including air-cooled ice machines and water-cooled ice machines.

Each machine requires different amounts of clearance and has different air intake requirements. These need to be taken into consideration when choosing a cooling system.

Air-cooled ice machines are cost-effective but will need a good bit of clearance. They’ll also need to be installed in a location that will stay under 30 celsius or less.

Water-cooled machines, on the other hand, can work better in areas with high temperatures and without much ventilation or clearance but will use more water.

Understand Ice Machine Maintenance

When choosing an ice machine, it may be worth looking for special features that can make maintaining the machine easier.

Auto-cleaning features can be helpful and can keep your machine cleaner on an ongoing basis. Auto-purge features can also be useful and can prevent scale buildup that occurs between cleanings.

Finally, it’s a good idea to check the placement of various components, such as the air filter. Ensure that parts can easily be accessed and cleaned by your team.

Additionally, you may also want to find out whether the ice machine includes an alert system that will notify you when cleaning is needed.

Check Water Treatment and Drainage Options

When purchasing an ice machine, it can be helpful to choose one with a great filter system. A strong system can filter chlorine and sediment and make it so that ice tastes better.

Additionally, ensuring that drainage is set up well will help to prevent excess water usage and will improve sanitation.

You’ll want to ensure that modular ice machines have a floor drain for excess water and that countertop ice machines will channel water into a nearby sink. There should also be a sufficient air gap for any setup that you choose.

Choosing the Right Commercial Ice Machine With These Tips

If you need to purchase a commercial ice machine for your business, you should be sure that you compare all of your options carefully. Be sure to check the ice production and storage capacity, the ice cube type, the cooling system type, and the ice machine maintenance requirements when making your choice.

Do you have questions about our commercial ice machines? Contact us now to learn more about what we have to offer.