When it comes to ice making, there is no one-fits-all ice machine. Although there are many types of ice maker, each type caters to specific purposes. Ice also comes in different shapes and sizes, ideal for particular applications.
Some ice machines don’t have ice bins. They also vary depending on production rates and ice condenser units. To choose the best ice machine for your business or office, consider all these factors.
Different Types of Ice Machines
Whether you’re interested in a commercial ice machine for sale or lease, analyze different options based on your needs to narrow down your choices. Each kind has unique features, production rates, benefits, and disadvantages. Here is an in-depth guide of different types of ice makers:
1. Modular Ice Machines
Modular ice machines are the most common type of ice dispensing machine. They come in a wide range of sizes and produce large amounts of ice ranging from 250 pounds to over 1,000 pounds per day. Some modular ice machines also produce different types of ice such as whole ice cubes or half cube ice. Modular machines can meet the needs of fast-food chains, diners, school or college cafeterias, restaurants, hotels, and movie theaters.
If you don’t have enough space in your restaurant, you can find slender modular ice machines for sale designed to fit in narrow spaces. But these units are taller than other designs. For businesses with low ceilings, look for compact commercial ice makers.
Another option is to buy stackable appliance, which allows you to stack machines on top of one another. They are cheaper than large ones. You can buy a stackable ice machine that meets your current needs. Then, stack up with new units as your business grows.
Pros of modular ice machines
- High production rates. These appliances deliver more ice than other types of ice makers. You can find a modular ice machine for sale to your needs regardless of the size of your business.
- As your business grows, you can replace your bin with a larger ice bin to scale up your ice storage capacity.
- You can hook up your modular machine to ice dispensers, bins, or beverage machines. Customizing your ice machine for different settings and applications can save you money.
Cons of modular ice machines
- Additional costs. These machines don’t have built-in ice storage. You’ll need to buy a seperate ice bin or ice invest in a separate unit like a dispenser, the ice bin, don’t come with ice storage. To increase returns from your investment, choose ice bins wisely.
- Cleaning challenges. Stacking up units makes it difficult to service the bottom unit. You’ll need to deinstall your stackable modular ice dispenser to reach and clean vital components of each machine.
- Modular machines are large commercial ice makers and require more space. Poor ventilation due to congestion can increase the heat and damage of these commercial ice machines.
- Complex installation. You may need technical assistance to connect your modular ice machine and the ice bin. Some designs require special electrical hookups to install.
2. Self-Contained Ice Machines
Self-contained ice machines come with a built-in ice maker and ice bin. They can fit in tight spaces with limited height, thanks to their compact and low-profile design. Undercounter ice machines produce 75-500 pounds of ice per day and come at different sizes and prices.
You can find a self-contained ice machine for sale that fits your budget and meets your business’s evolving needs. They are ideal for bars, small restaurants, coffee shops, and cafés. Undercounter machines and bartenders are a match made in heaven.
Pros of self-contained undercounter ice makers
- Compact design. To save space, find undercounter ice makers for sale that is below 41 inches in height. These compact machines can reduce congestion behind the counter.
- Efficient cooling. These machine use front-in, front-out airflow systems. You can push your undercounter ice maker to the wall and maximize available space without undermining cooling efficiency.
- Save time. Unlike modular machines, undercounter ice machines do not require users to scoop the ice. It refills automatically throughout the day, which eliminates time wastage.
- Easy to use. These designs come with an easy-to-use plug-and-play design.
Cons of self-contained undercounter ice makers
- Limited production. Significant spikes in the number of customers can overwhelm ice machines with low production rates.
- Un-scalable. You cannot swap bins to increase ice storage capacity.
- Poor maintenance. Dust and dirt accumulate quickly under the counter. If you do not clean your machine regularly, dust can lower its efficiency and lifespan. Moving these appliance under the counter for thorough cleaning and maintenance is a challenge.
- When choosing an undercounter ice machine, analyze production rates versus your needs to ice shortages and delays in your business.
3. Countertop Ice Makers
Countertop ice machines are self-serve units that sit on tables and countertops. The best commercial ice makers with bins can produce 50-400 pounds of ice per day. They are suitable for small cafés, coffee shops, and healthcare facilities. Some countertop ice machines for business dispense ice into your glassware or cup.
These types of ice makers are known as countertop ice dispensers or ice machine condensing units and offer easy access to ice. Different types of freestanding models have specific ice production rates. Consider these factors to choose the best machine for your business.
Pros of countertop ice makers
- Self-serve. These machines take out the hassle of scooping and serving ice. Self-serve saves time and cut costs since you don’t need to hire ice attendant for guests.
- Easy to use. The best commercial ice makers of this type are user-friendly and give you easy access to ice. You get ice into your glass with the push of a button.
- Small commercial ice machines are ideal for businesses with limited space.
- These types of ice makers are highly portable and efficient in different use cases. If you’re an event organizer, you can move your machine quickly between venues.
- Some models dispense ice and water, ideal for party venues. If you need an ice maker for home use, find a countertop ice machine for sale with a low production rate.
Cons of countertop types of ice makers
- Low production. Bars and hotels experience spikes in traffic, which can overwhelm small ice dispensers and dispensers with low production rates.
- Capacity issues. You may need to buy several ice dispensers during hot summers to meet your customers’ demand for ice.
How to Choose the Right Ice Maker for your Business
Choosing between different types of ice makers may seem daunting if you don’t have a plan. So, how do you pick the best ice machine for your business?
1. Select the ideal condenser unit
Ice dispensers use three types of condensing units, air-cooled, water-cooled, and remote-cooled ice machines. Air-cooled condensers use airflow, while water-cooled units require a consistent flow of cool water. You can buy a commercial ice maker with an air-cooled unit if your kitchen is spacious and ventilated enough to provide cool fresh air.
Remote-cooled units operate from a separate room. Analyze the requirements of each option and choose one that meets your needs.
2. Choose the ideal types of ice to meet your needs
There are five types of ice cubes with different shapes and sizes, which cater to specific applications. Half and full ice cubes cool down drinks without watering them down while shaved ice and nugget ice is perfect for frozen drinks. Consider dispensers for your restaurant, bar, or catering business. If you serve cocktails, find the best commercial ice makers that produce gourmet ice.
Dispensers with two types of ice cubes are suitable for restaurants that serve beverages. Analyze different models of machines to ensure you choose the best appliance for your business.
3. Analyze ice yield per day
The size of your ice maker determines the amount of ice it can produce per day. Full-size models are ideal for restaurants. Determine how much ice you need per day, and then analyze 24-hour yields to pick the best ice machine for business. The best ice maker should produce slightly more ice than your business needs to avoid shortages.
4. Consider ice bin size and tech
If you’re looking to buy a modular ice maker for your business, you’ll need a perfectly sized ice bin for storage. When choosing ice bins, determine how much ice you need per day. Then, pick an ice bin that holds 15-20% more than your daily usage to provide a buffer for peak hours. Don’t buy an oversized ice storage bin. It leads to melting, overflow, or stagnation of old ice.
Conclusion
Understanding all these various options can help you choose the best machine for your business. Your business’s ice consumption will determine the best dispenser for you. If you need 1000 pounds of ice per day, consider buying the modular model. You can buy a countertop ice maker for your café.
As a bartender, look for a self-contained dispenser for sale. Analyze condenser units used by various models. Don’t forget to check ice maker sizes, types of ice cubes, and bins. To choose the best ice maker, focus on your unique needs.