Hoshizaki FM-120KE-HC Flake Ice Maker 125Kg/Day 26kg Bin

Hoshizaki FM-120KE-HC Flake Ice Maker

The Hoshizaki FM-120KE-HC Flake Ice Maker is a commercial self-contained ice machine engineered for the premium Australian hospitality, retail, and medical sectors. Producing Hoshizaki’s signature light, soft-textured flake ice, this high-performance unit blends automated cleaning innovation with industry-leading thermal efficiency. Built specifically to withstand demanding ambient environments, it is the premier choice for upscale establishments looking to lower operational costs while elevating their fresh product presentation.

Premium Flake Ice Production for Australian Food Preservation

The modern Australian commercial landscape demands visual perfection and flawless temperature control. The Hoshizaki FM-120KE-HC is a premium solution crafted for seafood markets, supermarket displays, buffet stations, and medical facilities across Australia. Standard commercial ice cubes present sharp edges that can bruise delicate produce or leave large gaps that cause uneven cooling. Hoshizaki’s premium soft flake ice forms a gentle, highly packable bed that cools quickly and evenly. Its flat shape maximizes contact area with food items, preventing freezer burn while maintaining a consistent, hydrated temperature environment for fresh seafood, catering platters, and cold produce displays.

Designed as a self-contained unit with an integrated 26kg storage bin, it features a compact footprint that easily fits into tight workspaces or underneath commercial countertops. This layout provides kitchen and retail teams with direct, convenient access to premium presentation ice during intense service spikes.

Operational Advantages & Efficiency Benefits

Investing in the Hoshizaki FM FLAKER generation means putting long-term efficiency and operational resilience at the centre of your venue.

• Optimised Environmental Sustainability: Utilising eco-friendly R290 natural refrigerant, this unit complies with stringent modern environmental codes. It dramatically minimizes greenhouse gas impact while driving down baseline utility bills.
• Intelligent Utility Management: Engineered with a specialized worktime-based component replacement system, the machine tracks mechanical wear directly. Operators can monitor service intervals via an intuitive display to perform smart preventive maintenance.
• Flawless Presentation with Automatic Rinsing: The system features an innovative, automated water circuit rinse cycle. This continuous cycle prevents mineral buildup, blocks calcification, and flushes the hydraulic system to maintain exceptional sanitary conditions.
• Advanced Sealed Hygiene Protection: The combination of a fully closed water circuit and water-lubricated bearings shield the ice-making process from airborne lint and bacteria. Every batch is formed safely without the risk of lubricant contamination.

Key Engineering Features

• Bearing less Augur Technology: Built with carbon graphite bushings instead of traditional steel ball bearings for a completely grease-free operation.
• Reduced Mechanical Wear: The elimination of complex moving parts scales down friction, drastically lowering long-term maintenance costs.
• Premium Marine-Grade Build: Clad in premium AISI 441 stainless steel with a galvanized steel rear panel to ward off corrosion in humid, high-salinity Australian back-of-house environments.
• Tool-Free Component Access: The internal water circuit components and mechanical assembly are designed for quick accessibility, simplifying routine inspections and technical servicing.
• Compact Footprint Design: Tucks away neatly in limited layouts, maximizing floor space in busy retail and kitchen environments.

Technical Specifications

• Nominal Daily Production: Rated up to 125kg per 24 hours at optimal 10°C Air / 10°C Water.
• Realistic Kitchen Scaling: Produces approx. 105kg per 24 hours at standard 21°C Air / 15°C Water; outputs approx. 82kg per 24 hours at peak 32°C Air / 21°C Water.
• Ice Format Size: Soft, high-hydration Flake Ice format.
• Integral Storage Bin Capacity: Maximum capacity of approx. 26kg (with a bin control safety setting of approx. 21kg).
• Electrical Draw: 1 Phase, 220–240V, 50Hz with a standard pre-fitted 10 Amp Australian Plug.
• Power Consumption: Energy-minimised 355W draw under typical operation.
• Exterior Shell Construction: Commercial-grade AISI 441 Stainless Steel face and sides with galvanized backing.
• Standard Accessories Included: Complete professional installation kit and an ergonomic ice scoop.

Dimensions & Operational Requirements

• Product Width: 640 mm
• Product Depth: 600 mm
• Product Height: 800 mm
• Net Product Weight: 66 kg
• Packaged Weight: 76 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-HC is fully GEMS Approved (GEMS Number: AIM0023) for energy efficiency and compliance across all Australian territories. It carries a premium manufacturer warranty framework:

• 3 Years parts and labour warranty covering the entire self-contained ice maker unit.
• 5 Years parts-only warranty covering the advanced commercial compressor and air-cooled condenser coil.

Why This Machine Excels in Busy Commercial Kitchens

Australian commercial kitchens are notoriously harsh environments, subject to elevated temperatures, grease vapor, and tight floor plans. Sizing an ice machine based on a mild winter day is a recipe for summer shortfalls. Industry experts emphasize that the 32°C ambient benchmark is the metric that matters most when planning for Australian kitchens. The Hoshizaki FM-120KE-HC delivers an impressive 82kg of soft flake ice daily even when internal kitchen temperatures spike to 32°C.

Its space-saving physical layout features front-facing air ventilation patterns, allowing it to fit into tight under-counter cutouts alongside seafood counters or prep benches without suffocating the compressor. Additionally, the grease-free carbon graphite design removes standard bearing wear during slower periods. This keeps the unit running dependably for years past cheaper, less robust alternatives.

Proactive Cleaning & Maintenance Routine

To secure premium flake ice and protect your factory warranty, simple preventative upkeep is essential:

1. Automated Water Rinse: Benefit from Hoshizaki’s automated rinse technology. This built-in sequence clears residual minerals from the internal lines, keeping your ice completely sanitary.
2. Accessible Air Filters: Slide out the front-facing air filter at regular intervals to wash out grease and airborne dust. Clean filters keep the cooling system efficient and reduce avoidable service call-outs.
3. Sealed Storage Bin Care: Clean down the interior walls of the 26kg bin weekly using food-safe sanitizer to eliminate potential bacterial film in high-moisture environments.
4. Water Treatment Requirement: This unit requires a dedicated water filtration system (such as the compatible HLF10G Water Filter Kit, sold separately). Proper filtration removes heavy chlorines and sediment, protecting the internal auger assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is flake ice preferred over cube ice for seafood and buffet displays?
A: Flake ice is soft, mouldable, and free of sharp edges, meaning it gently contours around delicate fresh seafood or produce without bruising it. It also forms a solid, interlocking bed that prevents air gaps, ensuring uniform cooling and a pristine retail presentation.

Q2: What is the benefit of carbon graphite bushings over standard ball bearings?
A: Standard metal ball bearings require ongoing lubrication and wear down quickly under constant rotation. Hoshizaki’s carbon graphite bushings allow completely grease-free operation, which eliminates the risk of grease contaminating the water circuit while dramatically reducing mechanical wear and tear.

Q3: Can this flake ice machine handle fluctuations in the Australian power grid?
A: Yes, the FM-120KE-HC is engineered to operate safely within a voltage range variance of ±6% of its rated capacity, allowing it to withstand minor power fluctuations common in commercial zones.

Q4: How does the worktime-based replacement system help my business?
A: Instead of guessing when your machine needs a service, the system monitors actual operational hours and updates the control display. This allows you to plan routine preventive maintenance ahead of time, preventing sudden breakdowns during peak trading periods.

Q5: What is the purpose of the water-lubricated bearings inside the auger?
A: Water-lubricated bearings eliminate the need for traditional petroleum-based lubricants within the freezing zone. This smart design blocks calcification buildup and bacterial contamination, keeping your flake ice production exceptionally clean and 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.