Common Questions About Ice Machines
What size ice maker do I need?
Choosing the perfect size ice maker is really very important. You must choose a bin that has enough capacity that can hold somewhat more than the amount of ice you typically use in 24 hours. Normally a 10-20% capacity buffer is quite enough to make sure that the bin is big enough.
What type of ice do ice machines make?
Ice machines can make different kinds of ice for you to choose from:
- “Shaved” or “Flake” ice
- “Nugget” also known as: “Pearl”, “Cubelets”, “Soft Ice”, or “Sonic Ice”
- Half Cube ice
- Full Cube ice
- “Gourmet” or “Top Hat” ice
Do ice machines cool the ice they produce?
The simple answer would be no they do not cool the ice that they produce. Refrigeration technology is basically used only to initially produce the ice. It ice is then dropped into a non-refrigerated storage container which is called an ice storage bin for future use. Whereas larger modular ice makers are sometimes installed on top of walk-in cool rooms, in which the ice maker drops ice into a storage area that is in the cool room
What is the lifespan of an ice maker?
On average a standard commercial ice machine has a life span of 4-5 years, with proper and regular cleaning as well as maintenance would give your machine as much as 10 plus years of ice production. Nevertheless, you can always explore many other ways to extend your machine’s life span here. It all depends on the quality of the ice maker that is purchased and the type of uses it has experienced, a commercial ice maker should last between 10 to 15 years if taken care of properly.
Do ice makers need a drain?
Commercial ice equipment uses a lot of water, so as a result, any leftover water from the ice-making process will have to be drained out of your kitchen or restaurant. It all depends on their configuration, a usual ice maker can have anywhere between one to four drains. The easiest way to drain the excess water would be with a floor drain, but if that is not an option for your location, you can also drain a pump. Some commercial ice machines can be ordered that have built-in drain pumps.
How much does a commercial ice machine cost?
An ice machine producing around 200 pounds of ice a day may cost as little as $1.5K. A larger ice machine producing around 1900 pounds of ice a day may cost up to $10K. Used and/or refurbished machines can cost as low as $900 to $1K. Modular ice machines with bins included may cost around $3K to $8K (based on their size). Self-contained machines can cost around $1.5 to $5K.
Do ice makers use a lot of water?
Commercial, air-cooled machines do not require too much water. They normally use 15 to around 25 gallons of water for a hundred pounds of ice cubes or flakes, based on the ice quality. Older water-cooled models may use from 90 to 193 gallons for the same amount of ice.
Are ice machines a good investment?
Provided you make informed decisions, investing in an ice-making machine can be profitable in terms of making a passive income. It can be just as lucrative as sole businesses, or an additional income supplement after you retire. Irrespective of your arrangement, it is still crucial to determine the income you can expect to make from your investment.
What are the best commercial ice machines for sale?
The best machines on the market include:
1- The Scotsman C0322SA-1 Prodigy Plus – This model generates 350 pounds of ice per day with less water and energy than most other models.
2- Manitowoc UDF0140A NEO 26-Inch Air Cooled Undercounter Machine IR1890N – This model can generate 132 pounds of half, full, or regular ice cubes a day.
3- NewAir AI-215SS 50 Lbs Portable Countertop Machine – The NewAir machine produces 50 pounds of bullet ice per day. It also features an in-built water reservoir with a twenty-four-cup capacity.
How are commercial ice makers different than residential ones?
Commercial ice makers usually have evaporators built-in. The ice they create is purer, tastes significantly better, and melts significantly slower.
How often should ice machine filters be changed?
Ice machine filters should be changed every six months (in case more people use the machine). If fewer people use the machine, once a year is also enough.
How often should commercial ice makers be cleaned?
Your commercial ice maker must be cleaned every six months. Based on the type of machine you are using as well as your location, you may have to deep clean it every three months.
