Commercial ice makers are used in many different establishments, from fast-food chains to health clinics. They are very common and necessary pieces of equipment, whether for a cold drink or an ice pack to apply on wounds. To acquire one suited to your business, you should familiarize yourself with the brands of commercial ice makers and types of ice they produce and find the right one for you.
Commercial Ice Makers
You can utilize several main types of ice makers in your kitchen.
- Modular Ice Machines are heavy-duty models that produce up to around 1000 lbs daily. You can invest in one of these to have a constant flow of ice in your kitchen but keep in mind that these units are only for production. They won’t be able to store the ice they produce. So, it would be wise to purchase an ice bin alongside it to keep the product in a sterile environment.
- Countertop ice machines are more common in small businesses and households. They aren’t the most industrial models, yet they can still produce over 300 lbs daily and meet your needs. Most healthcare clinics, cafes, and bars will have these units since they are easy to operate and come with an installed storage bin. While the storage space is not very big, this isn’t much of a problem considering the fact that countertop models are preferred by busy environments that consume the produced ice rather quickly.
- Undercounter ice makers are an excellent blend of modular models and countertops. While they can produce over 350 lbs a day, they can also store the produced ice thanks to their relatively bigger storage space. Dissimilar to countertop models, you wouldn’t be in a rush to make room in the storage space to increase production. Also, undercounter placement makes it easy to reach and use the ice, which is why these models can be seen in many bars and cafes.
- Floor model ice makers with ice dispensers are possibly the most industrial form of these valuable machines. They are bigger in size compared to other models, and they produce more. Their dispenser feature makes them versatile machines that can adapt to different needs. It is possible to find them in hotels, large restaurants, or even hospitals.
(You can get more detailed information on them from our ice maker article.)
Types of Ice They Produce
Ice types are as varied as the models of ice makers on the market, and each type serves a different purpose or brings a unique flavor to your business. (You can check out our article dedicated to types of ice to learn more about their specific features and how they might serve you best.) Here we will take a closer look at how ice makers and shapes of ice are related. Some models are more suited to produce certain types of ice or more preferred for creating specific shapes. Whether it is a matter of machinery or convenience, it is essential considering this relation to make a wise purchase.
- Half dice or half cube is one of the most prevalent types of ice globally. They are usually produced by the most standard ice makers in line with their popularity. Whether they are floor models or under-counter/countertop models, you will find a half-dice maker without an issue.
- Nugget ice is a softer form of ice that people even can chew. They are more preferred in clinics for their ease of use and texture. Countertop models are utilized to accommodate this shape of ice, though it is possible to attain them in different models.
- Flake ice makers are also referred to as flakers for short. Since they are primarily used in storage and display units, they are usually produced by floor models. These industrial ice makers aren’t very common in restaurants and bars because flake ice isn’t considered a good form of ice for cooling drinks and enhancing flavor.
- Full ice cubes and gourmet ice cubes are the biggest forms of ice cubes used in cafes and bars. These are generally found in high-end environments, and their production might prove more expensive than other shapes. Since full cubes hold more water in their formation, the production rate will be lower in comparison to smaller forms. This means that you need a heavy-duty high-end environment or rather a large machine to keep a fast flow of big cubes. Modular ice makers and combination models can be the most valuable choices when it comes to full ice cubes. However, they are also found in other models.
- Crushed ice is something you can purchase separately or make yourself by crushing the ice produced by your machine. It makes more sense to acquire an ice bin to store crushed ice since it isn’t wise to invest in a machine to get ice in crushed form. You can buy an ice machine to provide you with a different form of ice and crush them as much as you need.
Ice Machine Brands and the Types of Ice They Produce
A constant flow of good ice is crucial to many businesses, and you should choose wisely when purchasing an ice maker by examining brand-specific models. There are several brands you can look into while making your decision, and each brand has established specialties regarding the types of services they offer. Following brands and models have proved themselves to be trustworthy, and they all offer different features and benefits in the designs of their machines.
1. Koolaire
Koolaire is a well-established ice maker brand. Their strong suit produces the standard forms of ice needed by many kinds of businesses.
Types of Ice Koolaire Ice Makers Produce: Full Dice, Half Dice.
2. Manitowoc
Manitowoc is a fairly versatile brand when it comes to the types of ice their machines produce. You can purchase a plain ice maker or an ice machine with a bin from Manitowoc and gain access to many different ice shapes. Nugget and flake ice models are especially in demand.
Types of Ice Manitowoc Ice Makers Produce: Full Dice, Half Dice, Nugget, Flake.
3. Scotsman
Scotsman is a brand known for its range. Whether their machinery or service, Scotsman appeals to many different needs. While many machines can be used to produce gourmet ice, Scotsman’s thimble cube models set themselves apart with their performance. If you hope to get ice for your high-end restaurant or have chewable nugget ice ready for your shakes, you can look into Scotsman for both.
Types of Ice Scotsman Ice Makers Produce: Full Dice, Half Dice, Nugget, Flake, Gourmet Cube.
4. Maxximum
Maxximum can be considered equal to ice cubes on the ice maker market. Their dedication to ice cubes runs deep, and their models mainly focus on producing high-quality cubes. If you all need a straightforward path to get good ice cubes, Maxximum can be the one for you.
Types of Ice Maxximum Ice Makers Produce: Full Dice, Half Dice, Round.
5. ITV Ice Makers
ITV is a flexible brand. Apart from their regular models, they also have “adjustable” models. You can use one machine to produce a couple of different types of ice. Just adjust it to your liking and start working.
Types of Ice ITV Ice Makers Produce: Full Dice, Half Dice, Flake.
6. Hoshizaki
Hoshizaki is preferred by many establishments. Alongside many types of ice their machines make, they also have models for crescent ice. Crescent ice is a popular type of ice, and being one of the few brands that offer a machine for it makes Hoshizaki unique.
Types of Ice Hoshizaki Ice Makers Produce: Full Dice, Half Dice, Crescent, Nugget, Sphere, Flake.
7. Eurodib USA
Eurodib USA takes pride in the ice it offers. While the labels of the models aren’t as embellished, the cubes they produce are called compact crystal ice. Made with an elegant form and a crystalline finish, these cubes are preferred by those who want a stylish touch to their business.
Types of Ice Eurodib USA Ice Makers Produce: Full Dice, Half Dice, Flake.
8. Blue Air
Blue Air is another brand that offers crescent ice. While their collection might not be as varied as some other brands, having crescent in their repertoire makes them a front-runner in the ice machine markets.
Types of Ice Blue Air Ice Makers Produce: Full Dice, Half Dice, Crescent.
9. Ice-o-Matic
Ice-o-Matic is a reliable brand with a wide range of ice makers. You will easily find a model that fits your requirements among their many different ice machines.
Types of ice Ice-o-Matic Ice Makers Produce: Full Dice, Half Dice, Nugget, Flake.
Conclusion
Ice makers and the types of ice they produce are an important stage of consideration in purchasing your ice machine. Once you decide on the ice types, you need the most and the model of ice maker your environment can support. You can blend these two decisions and find a suitable unit for your establishment.
