Tips for Buying Commercial Ice Machines| Best Ice Maker For Sale 2020
The importance of ice makers in our business premises should not be understated. Buying these devices is a huge investment in as much as they are comparatively cheaper than other electrical appliances. Commercial ice makers are predominantly used in the hospitality industry. The appliances have proved to be a better alternative to the conventional ice making appliances such as freezers due to their convenience, ease of storage, affordability, and general ease of use.
Before upgrading from your current ice maker, you need to have an idea about the exact type of appliance that suits the needs of your establishment. There are numerous factors that you need to consider. Keep in mind that ice machines are an important component of business. This means you should avoid making a blind purchase. There are different models in the market. Therefore, you need to take time and evaluate the aspects of all models under consideration. The following tips can help you purchase a suitable commercial ice machine.
Establish the Amount of Ice that You Need
You must know beforehand how much ice your customers will need. This will help you determine the most suitable ice machine for you. The production rate of your ice machine should be in correspondence with the demand of ice at your establishment. Come up with an estimate before going out to shop for an appliance. Appliances whose capacity is way higher than your demands may cause you to incur huge operation costs. On the other hand, those that do not meet your needs may cause you a lot of inconveniences, more so during peak business hours.
Know the Ice Style that You Need
Before going out to shop for an ice maker, you should first establish why you need it in the first place. You need to determine whether you will use ice for beverages, and the level of liquid displacement that you need. In line with this, you need to understand that there are different styles of ice. These include nugget ice, full cubes, crescent ice, gourmet ice, and flake ice. Having an idea about the type of ice that a machine makes is of great importance. Generally, ice makers only produce one type of ice.
Learn about Condensers
Ice machines have three types of condensers. These are remote air cooled, water cooled, and air cooled condensers. Air cooled appliances are considered to be the most effective and cheapest to maintain among the three. However, they are louder than remote air and water cooled units. Water cooled appliances are preferred due to their production consistency and the fact that they produce little noise. However, they require a lot of water for them to function smoothly and efficiently. This might cause your water bills to skyrocket significantly.
Remote air cooled ice making machines produce ice consistently. They are also quiet and efficient. Nonetheless, you will be required to purchase the condenser separately in case you opt for these units. Besides, you need additional space outside your establishment to set up the entire system. These appliances are therefore expensive and require a lot of space. They may be suitable for individuals with a tight budget.
Factors to Consider When Buying an Ice Maker
Ice Machine Size
This is a basic characteristic that you should consider. You must ensure that there is enough space in your establishment to accommodate the machine, and allow it to operate freely and efficiently. Luckily, manufacturers are coming up with upright and low profile units, which are narrower and shorter than earlier models. You should equally keep in mind that some models need extra clearance space on the sides and on the top for them to function maximally. All these factors ought to be considered when buying an appliance.
Warranties
It is important to purchase ice machines that come with strong, clearly-defined warranties. This is the surest way of protecting your investment against common mechanical problems. These warranties vary from one model to another. Typically, parts and labor warranties last up to three years while overall warranties last up to 5 years. However it is recommended that you buy from retailers who offer extended warranties, more so on replaceable parts such as evaporators, filters, condensers, and compressors. Before purchasing a new model, ensure that you go through its warranty information to ascertain that the manufacturer and retailer provide the kind of coverage that you need.
Technology
The level of technology varies from one machine to another. There are manufacturers whose only standout feature is ice production. Others have additional features such as programmable ice production. It is in this regard that you should consider the type of technology that you wish your new unit to have. Take note of the fact that more technologically advanced ice makers are likely to retail at a higher price than basic models.
Energy Conservation and Structural Adjustments
Ice makers are electrical appliances. The model that you choose should have power saving features, which can help you avoid unnecessary costs. Small ice machines require less than 115 KV. On the other hand, higher output machines require around 220 KV. You may also need to make electrical connection adjustments at your business premises when you buy a new unit. Avoid ice machines that will increase your power bills because such appliances are not sustainable in the long run. Energy Star qualified machines can significantly reduce your operation costs. These appliances do not also detrimentally affect the environment.
Ease of Use
Ice machines are relatively easier to use than other appliances. There is great significance in ensuring that the unit you intend to buy is simple to operate. This will enable you to benefit from consistent performance. For convenience purposes, choose an ice maker whose replacement parts are easily available. Such machines cannot be rendered obsolete once they break down.
Purchasing an ice machine is a long term decision. Being a big investment, it is important to consult widely. Seek the opinion of individuals who have the appliances at their business premises. This will help you purchase an exceptional machine that suits your needs, and that of your customers.