There are many different icemakers for sale in Australia today that are suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial use. Ice machines can be a significant and long term investment, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. Here are six essential questions that you should ask before buying an ice maker.
What will you use the ice for?
Ice is ice right? Wrong. There are many different types of ice, all suited to different uses. Cooling drinks, food storage or display, medical purposes. etc. This will determine the type of ice and shape most suited to your intended use.
What type of ice does it make?
Most ice makers are designed to produce only one type of ice. Depending on the model, the ice could be half cube, full cube, large cube, gourmet, crescent, chewblet, nugget or flake. Check the ice maker specifications in our ice machine shop. Half-cube ice is considered one of the the most versatile type of ice, making half cube ice makers very popular. It is best suited to Post-Mix beverages, cocktails, blended drinks, dispensed ice and bagged ice. When serving or displaying seafood such as prawns, crab or oysters, a flake ice machine would be more suitable for you.
How much ice will it produce?
Knowing your ice usage is a fundamental step in determining the correct ice maker for your needs. Small ice makers that produce between 20 to 35kg per day of ice may be fine for parties and general home or office use, however larger capacity machines will be required for commercial businesses.
How much ice will it store?
You may not use much ice for an extended period, then need a lot of ice in a short time. If so then an ice maker with a smaller capacity and a larger ice storage bin may be a suitable solution. Matching the storage capacity of an ice bin to your usage can help ensure that you don’t run out of ice when you need it.
What size is the ice machine?
Make sure you have plenty of room to install the ice machine where you want it. Measure the installation area and make sure your new ice machine will fit. Don’t forget to leave a space around the ice maker to allow good air circulation. Many ice machines will require this clearance gap to operate efficiently and avoid breakdowns.
Are the correct services installed?
All commercial ice makers require three essential services close to the machine. Power, water and drainage.
- Power supply for many ice machines will be 230 volt single phase 10 amp. This means that a standard power point will do the job, just don’t overload the power circuit. Larger ice machines may have larger power supply needs.
- Water supply means a cold water tap. Consider a water filter to protect your investment.
- Lastly, drainage. Water does’t run up hill, so a floor level drain line connected to the appropriate grey or black water mains is a must. Ice machines can produce a lot of water from overflows and melted ice, so draining into a bucket just won’t do.
Remember to check the specifications of the machine you intend to purchase and make sure to contact a licenced trades-person to have these services installed if they are not within one meter of the intended installation location. See our online store for specifications on a wide range of ice machines or visit our FAQ section for more information.
