Hoshizaki FM-120KE-50-HCN Nugget Ice Maker 110Kg/Day 65kg Bin

Hoshizaki FM-120KE-50-HCN Nugget Ice Maker

The Hoshizaki FM-120KE-50-HCN Nugget Ice Maker is an under-bench commercial ice machine engineered for high-volume Australian bars, quick-service restaurants, and medical environments. Manufacturing Hoshizaki’s premium dry, densely compacted nugget ice, this self-contained unit pairs a wide chassis layout with advanced mechanical efficiency. Built specifically to handle demanding ambient operating conditions, it is the premier choice for busy establishments looking to secure substantial ice reserves while optimizing front-of-house workflow.

Expanded Storage & Premium Nugget Ice for Fast-Paced Service

The modern Australian beverage and catering sectors rely heavily on speed, visual appeal, and drink consistency. The Hoshizaki FM-120KE-50-HCN provides an exceptional solution for high-volume cocktail bars, juice hubs, bustling metropolitan cafes, and healthcare facilities across Australia. Traditional hollow ice sheets or soft flakes melt too fast or clump unpredictably. Hoshizaki’s chewable compacted nugget ice is pressed to remove excess moisture, resulting in a slower, highly uniform melt rate that chills drinks rapidly without causing immediate dilution. It is the perfect choice for signature tiki cocktails, layered mixed drinks, smoothies, and carbonated beverages.

Featuring a widened 940mm chassis footprint, this unit houses an expanded 65kg storage bin. This design allows food and beverage teams to accumulate a massive reserve of premium nugget ice before peak trading hours begin, eliminating mid-service supply shortages.

Operational Advantages & Efficiency Benefits

Integrating the Hoshizaki FM Nugget range means anchoring your kitchen workflow with long-term operational resilience and resource savings.

• Optimised Environmental Sustainability: Utilizing eco-friendly R290 natural refrigerant, this unit complies with strict Australian environmental standards, reducing greenhouse impact while lowering baseline energy usage.
• Intelligent Utility Management: The interior design incorporates an advanced automated water circuit rinse sequence. These routine flush pushes out residual minerals, averting calcification and defending internal hydraulic plumbing from breakdown.
• Flawless Presentation with Smart Monitoring: The system tracks usage via an intuitive, integrated display dashboard that features a worktime-based component tracker. This lets management plan preventative service windows rather than reacting to unexpected trade interruptions.
• Advanced Sealed Hygiene Protection: Constructed with a fully closed water circuit, the freezing process is isolated from back-of-house airborne dust, lint, and kitchen contaminants. Every compressed nugget is formed under sanitary conditions.

Key Engineering Features

• Expanded Under-Counter Reservoir: Built with a wider cabinet body to accommodate a massive 65kg internal bunker, maximizing storage without requiring an external modular bin top.
• Bearing less Auger System: Replaces traditional steel ball bearings with advanced carbon graphite bushings to enable completely grease-free operation near the water stream.
• Whisper-Quiet Friction Reduction: Minimizing complex moving parts decreases overall mechanical friction, lowering service wear and reducing noise in front-of-house bar installations.
• Marine-Grade Exterior Cladding: Fabricated with durable AISI 441 stainless steel on the face and sides, reinforced by a galvanized steel back plate to resist moisture corrosion.
• Plug & Play Implementation: Engineered with simple, pre-configured connections and intuitive controls to minimize installation time and technical setup costs.

Technical Specifications

• Nominal Daily Production: Rated up to 110kg per 24 hours at optimal 10°C Air / 10°C Water.
• Realistic Kitchen Scaling: Produces approx. 96kg per 24 hours at standard 21°C Air / 15°C Water; outputs approx. 75kg per 24 hours at peak 32°C Air / 21°C Water.
• Ice Format Size: Hard, tightly compressed Nugget Ice style.
• Integral Storage Bin Capacity: Maximum levelled storage capacity of approx. 65kg (with an automated bin control safety trigger point of approx. 47kg).
• Electrical Draw: 1 Phase, 220–240V, 50Hz configuration featuring a standard pre-fitted 10 Amp Australian Plug.
• Power Consumption: Energy-minimised 355W operational load.
• Exterior Shell Construction: Commercial-grade AISI 441 Stainless Steel face and sides with galvanized back panels.
• Standard Accessories Included: Complete professional installation kit and an ergonomic ice scoop.

Dimensions & Operational Requirements

• Product Width: 940 mm
• Product Depth: 600 mm
• Product Height: 800 mm (Adjustable base legs support a variable height range of 798mm to 833mm)
• Net Product Weight: 76 kg
• Packed Weight: 88 kg
• Ambient Operating Temperature Range: 5°C to 40°C
• Incoming Water Supply Temperature: 5°C to 35°C
• Water Supply Pressure Range: 0.05 to 0.8 MPa
• Voltage Range: Rated Voltage ±6%

Warranty & Regulatory Compliance

The Hoshizaki FM-120KE-50-HCN is fully GEMS Approved (GEMS Registration Number: AIM0025) for verified power efficiency and compliance parameters across all Australian states. It is backed by a robust factory warranty program:

• 3 Years parts and labour warranty spanning the complete self-contained nugget maker system.
• 5 Years parts-only warranty protecting the high-grade commercial compressor and air-cooled condenser coil assembly.

Why This Machine Excels in Busy Commercial Kitchens

Australian bars and restaurant kitchens operate under extreme, high-stress conditions characterized by soaring kitchen heat, ambient grease, and restrictive spatial footprints. Selecting a machine solely based on mild climate testing triggers sudden summer volume drops. Commercial refrigeration metrics state that the 32°C ambient baseline is the only benchmark that matters for venue planning. The Hoshizaki FM-120KE-50-HCN consistently pumps out 75kg of solid mixology nuggets daily even when ambient bar temperatures surge to 32°C.

Its physical layout features front-facing heat ventilation pathways, letting it settle into tight under-bench niches alongside cocktails rails or service stations without choking off vital air induction. Furthermore, the inclusion of water-lubricated bearings acts as a safeguard against mineral calcification and bacterial buildup during low-use winter periods. This engineering focus guarantees the equipment outlasts cheap, standard ice units by a wide margin.

Proactive Cleaning & Maintenance Routine

1. Automated Water Purging: Trust the automated rinse cycle built into the system. It clears lingering sediment from internal water lines, guaranteeing every nugget remains completely hygienic.
2. Accessible Condenser Filters: Slide out the front-mounted air ventilation filter at set intervals to wash away dust and oil particles. Clean airflow blocks unnecessary motor strain and prevents your energy bills from climbing.
3. High-Capacity Bunker Sanitation: Clean down the interior walls of the wide 65kg bin weekly using an approved, food-safe sanitizer to disrupt bacterial biofilms.
4. Water Treatment Requirement: This appliance requires an inline water filtration system (such as the compatible HLF10G Water Filter Kit & Gauge, sold separately). Quality water filtration eliminates chlorine elements and heavy sediment, shielding the internal extrusion head from scoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What makes the FM-120KE-50-HCN different from the standard FM-120KE-HCN model?
A: While both machines share the exact same internal nugget-making motor and 96kg daily production capability, the FM-120KE-50-HCN is constructed with a significantly wider 940mm cabinet. This expanded profile increases the onboard ice storage from 32kg up to a levelled capacity of 65kg, giving high-volume venues a larger ice reserve.

Q2: Are there any specific height adjustment restrictions for under-counter installations?
A: The standard height of the unit is 800mm, but the adjustable leveling legs allow the machine’s height to be dialled down to a minimum of 798mm or raised up to 833mm. This flexibility helps installers align the unit perfectly beneath variable-height custom bars or stainless-steel benchtops.

Q3: Does the automated water rinse cycle cause excessive water waste?
A: No. The automated circuit rinse cycle is engineered to run precisely and efficiently. It uses a minimal amount of water to flush lingering minerals out of the hydraulic lines before they can cause scale buildup, preserving premium ice taste without causing massive spikes in your utility bills.

Q4: Can I place this wide under-bench machine directly flush against side walls?
A: The unit draws and exhausts air through front-facing ventilation patterns, allowing it to fit into tight cabinetry cutouts. However, to maximize efficiency and maintain the compressor’s longevity, it is best practice to avoid blocking the front grilles and leave a small clearance at the rear for plumbing lines.

Q5: Why is water used as a lubricant for the internal bearings in this design?
A: By using the incoming water supply to naturally lubricate the internal bearings, Hoshizaki completely eliminates the need for petroleum-based food grease near the freezing cylinder. This advanced sanitary design prevents bacterial breeding grounds and keeps your nugget ice completely pure.

Why Buy from Snowmaster?

Selecting the right commercial ice machine requires specialized, technical industry knowledge. At Snowmaster, we provide over 80 years of hospitality supply experience to catering projects, hotels, and bars across Australia. We don’t just ship boxes; we act as dedicated Hoshizaki product partners, guiding you through specific utility configurations, ambient heat ratings, and delivery coordination.

Our team ensures you receive the exact footprint your layout requires, backed by competitive pricing, transparent national freight routing, and flexible commercial financing pathways. Trust your kitchen’s ice production to Australia’s proven refrigeration specialists.