Article contributed by John Mahlmeister, COO, Easy Ice
Whether you’re a first timer in the world of commercial ice machines or a veteran ready to replace your old ice machine, there’s a lot to consider when selecting a new one for your business.
Make sure to take these essential ice machine features into account before talking to your ice machine provider and don’t be afraid to ask for their advice!
Water-Cooled vs Air-Cooled
Most business owners have air-cooled ice machines, which are more cost-efficient and eco-friendlier than their water-cooled counterparts. Air-cooled ice machines cycle surrounding air to cool the water it uses for ice. They use much less water than water-cooled ice machines, which translates to cheaper utility bills.
In some cases, water-cooled ice machines are necessary. If your business must install the ice machine outside or in an exceptionally hot indoor location, a water-cooled ice machine may perform better than an air-cooled model. In these environments, air-cooled ice machines have to work too hard to cool the hot air, where water-cooled ice machines have an easier time using water exclusively to produce ice.
Ice Type
Business owners have several options when it comes to ice type, and it can be tough to know which one is ideal.
Standard ice includes hard cubes and softer pellet ice.
The most popular standard ice cubes are:
- Hoshizaki’s Crescent Ice
- Manitowoc’s Regular Ice
- Manitowoc’s Dice and Half Dice Ice
- ICETRO’s Cube Ice
Hard cubes melt slower than pellet ice and displace liquid, reducing the total amount required to fill a glass. Most beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are suited to standard cubes.
Pellet ice, on the other hand, is softer and soaks up liquids better and faster than cubes. If your business offers blended frozen drinks or syrupy, sweet drinks, pellet ice is a must. This ice type comes in:
Specialty ice cubes feature shapes and sizes you don’t often see and are best for upscale cocktails, coffee drinks, and expensive liquor on the rocks. Two of the most popular specialty ice types are:
To choose the best ice type for your business, consider how you’ll be using the ice and the personality of your brand. Don’t be afraid to choose more than one ice type! Plenty of businesses have both standard and specialty or both cubes and pellet ice. If you have a diverse drink menu, you might need two different kinds of ice.
Production Capacity
How much ice you need per day obviously depends on the average number of customers you serve daily. A restaurant that typically sees 250 customers or fewer each day should have a 500lb ice machine, whereas businesses who serve double that number of people need a 900lb model. Ice machines can make as little as 200 lbs. of ice per day or as much as 1900 lbs. Production capacity is arguably the most critical detail to consider when choosing an ice machine for your business. Pick the wrong model and you could end up running out of ice on a regular basis and having to spend more money to replace a new ice machine!
Machine Style
- Modular ice machines are what people often think of when they think of commercial ice machines: they are just the “head” of the machine and must be paired with an ice bin or dispenser. Modular ice machines are typically only accessible to staff in the back of the house, who scoop the ice straight out of the attached bin or transfer it in buckets to a secondary bin.
- Undercounter ice machines are self-contained—meaning they contain the ice maker and bin in a single unit—and are small enough to fit under bars and coffee shop counters. This style makes life easier for staff, who can scoop ice right where they make drinks instead of hauling it from the kitchen.
- Countertop ice machines are also self-contained units and are typically dispensers, with or without water in addition to the ice. Restaurants and other businesses who want self-serve ice available to customers choose countertop machines.
Whether you’re looking to buy or rent a commercial ice machine, selecting the right option in each of the above categories will ensure your business has the ice it needs to succeed.
John Mahlmeister is the chief operating officer and co-founder of Easy Ice. Co-headquartered in Phoenix, AZ and Marquette, MI, Easy Ice is the national leader in the full-service ice machine subscription industry with warehouse and distribution facilities in Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Orlando, and Denver. Since its founding in 2009, Easy Ice has rapidly grown the number of ice machines under management to over 30,000 units across 47 states. The Easy Ice commercial ice machine subscription programs include installation, cleaning, preventive maintenance, repairs, and backup ice. For more information, please visit EasyIce.com. Find them on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
