Ice Machines

Commercial Ice Machine Buying Guide

The commercial ice machine is used in most business areas and should be reliable as well as produce appealing consistent results. Therefore. In this commercial ice machine buying guide, we will offer information to help you select the perfect commercial ice machine.

Size and types of ice

You have to ascertain why you need the ice. Are you innovating your business so that customers may self-serve the ice or do you require higher quality ice to improve the value of the high-end cocktails?

The most preferred ice types made by the commercial machines include cube, bullet, spray, and flake. Each of them has unique merits in business areas. In case you add ice to drinks, ensure you choose a machine that makes the cubes fit properly and look appealing inside a glass.

-Cube ice: this could be the most preferred ice and used in beverages because they take longer to melt when compared to bullet or flake ice. They have different sizes, but generally suits drinks in pubs, restaurants or pubs.

-Flaked ice: it is perfect for ensuring chilled displays remain cool. It also prevents food like fish from getting the freezer burn,
since the ice acts as cool bed, shaping itself on the deli trays and containers.

-Bullet ice: it could be used in all the above applications and is produced faster than the cubes, but melts faster than the cubes since they are made rapidly. It is sometimes called “chewable ice” since it blends easily and is softer.

-Spray ice: it is considered to be the highest quality ice and is ideal for occasions or high-end banqueting. Spray Ice is crystal clear and melts the slowest as compared to the other types of office.

Positioning

This is an important decision when choosing which ice appliance is good for you. Ice melts no matter the type, therefore choosing a location that is easily accessible is crucial to avoid wastage and save the transportation time. You should ensure that the ice machine is close to electricity and water supply.

Water or Air cooled?

A lot of commercial ice machines are either water or air cooled. This implies to the way the compressor gets cooled therefore, you should ascertain how the machine is effective in high ambient temperatures. Air cooled machines are cheaper than the water cooled ones. However, the water-cooled ice machines offer more flexibility when positioning.

How much ice?

It is vital to determine the amount of ice that your business needs in the busy times to ensure your customers do not lack it. Ensure your estimation permits growth.

Other considerations

Just like the preparation of food, among the time-consuming duties in a business or at home are cleaning. Therefore, you should consider how long it takes to clean the commercial ice appliance. Ensuring cleanliness of the machine will improve the ice quality and the lifespan of the appliance. Some of the ice machines contain self-cleaning cycles to save on time, others feature anti-microbial coatings in storage places and ice production. In any case, make sure you check the unit’s exterior and the detachable parts to determine how long the cleaning will take.