Commercial ice machines are invaluable kitchen equipment that produce, store, display, and dispense ice. Ice keeps drinks cool and food cold and fresh. That’s why commercial ice machines are essential for food service, catering, and hospitality businesses.

How to Choose the Best Commercial Ice Machines

Your business type, space size, and ice production needs will determine the best ice machine for you. When choosing an industrial ice machine, you’ll encounter a wide variety of features and types. Here are some key considerations to avoid making this already complex task even more daunting.

Condensers Types

Water-cooled condensers

Water-cooled condensers are also self-contained systems. Instead of using air, they pump water through the refrigerant lines to cool the unit. Fresh water cools the refrigerant lines and exhausts the hot air, ensuring that the unit remains cooler. If the ambient temperature is higher and there are more pollutants in the air, the ice-making capacity of an air-cooled commercial ice machine will decrease. In this case, a water-cooled condenser may be a more reasonable choice.

Water-cooled condensers are the most efficient system when used in conjunction with a cooling tower. Because fresh water is usually cooler than the ambient air, water-cooled restaurant ice machines are more efficient at making ice. You don’t have to worry about space requirements when installing. And they also use less electricity. However, without a cooling tower, the system requires a constant supply of clean water, which can increase your water bill. The water pumped into the unit needs to be filtered to avoid damage to the refrigerant coils in the system.

Air-cooled condensers

Air-cooled condensers are the most common self-contained refrigeration unit. Air-cooled systems draw in cool air with the help of a built-in fan and blow it out through a grille. The forced air then reaches the refrigerant coils, cooling the unit. To ensure smooth fresh air intake and circulation, air-cooled commercial ice machines must be installed with space around the unit.

Commercial ice machines that use air cooling are less expensive and easier to install. No additional wiring or plumbing is required for installation. This results in lower costs and less labor. Since they use ambient air to cool the unit, they use less electricity. On the other hand, the fans can sometimes be noisy when they are running. However, given the typically noisy nature of foodservice establishments, this noise is barely audible or uncomfortable. Air-cooled condensers also dissipate heat, which raises the ambient temperature, which in turn may reduce ice-making performance.

Remote condensers are also air-cooled. However, the condenser is installed in a separate location away from the commercial ice machine and is connected to the ice machine via additional wires.

Remote condensers offer the cost-effectiveness of air-cooled condensers without the uncomfortable noise and elevated ambient temperatures. It eliminates the heat and noise that air-cooled industrial ice machines generate. However, installing a remote condenser requires additional wires and wiring. Therefore, assembly and maintenance are more labor-intensive and costly.

Five types of ice produced by commercial ice machines

Each type of ice has a different ice-to-water ratio that affects the dilution of your drink.

Full cube ice is larger in size and melts much more slowly, so it helps preserve the flavor of your drink. They also enhance the visual effect of your drink. So, if you need ice that lasts longer for soft drinks or cocktails, full cube ice is a good choice.

Half-cube ice is the most common type because it works in almost every foodservice business. It also works well in ice packs and in ice dispensers. If ice cube shape isn’t your primary concern, a commercial ice machine that produces half-cube ice is the way to go.

Cube ice is soft and small enough to chew. It absorbs the flavor of the drink, so it can be eaten as a crunchy snack. If you serve frozen cocktails, soft drinks, or iced coffee, invest in a cube ice machine.

Flake ice is a great choice for displaying meat and seafood in convenience stores or food buffets.

Fine ice has the densest cubes, melts slowly, and is the largest of all ice cubes. It has a refreshing appearance and is perfect for displaying premium drinks.

Sizing a Commercial Ice Machine

Accurately estimating the amount of ice your industrial ice machine will produce depends on how much ice your customers or guests will need, which can vary depending on the type of business. For example, the average amount of ice used per customer in a restaurant is about 1.5 pounds, while in cocktail bars and lounges, it’s about 3 pounds per customer.

Even though these numbers are just rough estimates, they do show that the demand for ice varies greatly from industry to industry. Your location may have unique needs due to fluctuations in customer traffic. Therefore, you may not want to rely solely on these average numbers. You can make more accurate predictions by recording your business volume during normal and peak hours. In addition, you may need a restaurant ice machine to preserve food.

When choosing the most suitable commercial ice machine, it is wise to calculate the exact ratio of ice production to storage capacity. If your storage capacity is less than your ice production capacity, you may end up with unhappy customers. A general rule of thumb is to choose an industrial ice machine with a storage capacity of about two-thirds of its ice production capacity. This way, you can avoid overproduction during high traffic periods and be able to handle sudden demand during peak hours. Excess ice stored in storage can melt, causing bacteria to grow and making cleaning more difficult.

Types of Commercial Ice Machines

Commercial ice machines are available in countertop, undercounter, and floor-standing models.

Commercial ice hoppers are storage devices that can hold up to several thousand pounds of ice. They are made of very durable materials that maintain temperature well, keeping the ice frozen.

Commercial ice machines can consistently produce fresh, clean ice in different shapes. They are modular in design and can be used with ice hoppers to meet the changing ice needs of your business.

Commercial ice machines with ice hoppers save space by integrating ice making and ice storage into one unit. You can choose between different ice production and ice hopper storage capacities.

Ice dispensers are commercial ice machines that combine multiple functions into one. They can make, store, and dispense ice or water without human contact, minimizing the risk of contamination.

Commercial ice crushers are small countertop devices that use blades to break ice into smaller pieces, giving your guests a more personalized taste. Most models can also be used as an ice shaver or crushed ice blender to make your service even more sophisticated.

Ready to upgrade your kitchen with a high-performance ice machine? Explore our full range of commercial ice makers at Grace. Find the perfect model tailored to your business needs today.