Domestic – Commercial – Industrial
Ice Maker Size Guide
Recommendations to help choose the best ice maker size for your business
Ice Maker Size Guide
The right ice machine will make a big difference to operating any business. It’s an important decision to get right, as an ice machine that’s too small will leave you with no ice when you need it most, and one that’s too large will be inefficient and expensive to run.
You are usually the best judge of how much ice you need. Nobody knows your business like you do and every business is different. There are many variables that determine the best size ice maker for you including ice storage capacity, peak usage, holiday/seasonal patronage changes and projected business growth, just to name a few.
In our experience, here are some ice maker production sizes that we commonly recommend to businesses. Note that this ice maker size guide is a general guide only and individual requirements may vary. If you need assistance, call us to discuss your individual requirements. We’re here to help.
Ice Makers for Families
Ice Makers for Families
Beat the summer heat and keep everyone hydrated with a steady supply of ice! Ice makers are a family’s best friend, especially during those scorching days. For busy households, countertop ice makers are a convenient option. They’re compact, easy to use, and produce ice quickly, perfect for refilling pitchers of lemonade or keeping up with after-school drink demands.
For families who love to entertain, undercounter ice makers can be a lifesaver. While they take up some space, they produce a significant amount of ice, ensuring you’ll never run out. Plus, they offer a sleek, built-in look that complements your kitchen. Think about how much ice your family uses regularly to decide which option is best for you.
Ice Shapes: Bullet, Gourmet, Crescent, Half Dice, Dice
Ice Maker Size Guide: 20kg/day to 50kg/day
Ice Makers for Office Staff
Keeping your office staff cool and hydrated can boost morale and productivity. Consider a commercial ice maker to ensure everyone has easy access to refreshing cold beverages, so ice is always ready when needed, especially during busy mornings or afternoon slumps. Countertop ice makers are a space-saving option for smaller offices. They’re easy to use, offering a quick way to replenish water coolers or fill up individual glasses.
For larger offices with a higher demand for ice, undercounter ice machines installed directly into the break room water line are a great choice. These produce a significantly larger quantity of ice, ensuring there’s always enough to go around. They can even be connected directly to water dispensers for a seamless and convenient ice supply. Investing in an undercounter ice maker demonstrates your commitment to employee well-being and creates a more refreshing work environment.
Ice Shapes: Bullet, Gourmet, Crescent, Half Dice, Dice
Ice Maker Size Guide: 20kg/day to 80kg/day
Ice Makers for Office Staff
Ice Makers for Cafes
Ice Makers for Cafes
For cafes facing a constant demand for chilled drinks, a reliable ice maker is a crucial piece of equipment. Unlike domestic models, cafes require commercial ice machines that can churn out large quantities of ice quickly. Whether you prioritize full cube ice for iced coffees or flaked ice for blending frozen drinks, there’s a commercial ice maker that produces the perfect shape and size for your signature beverages. Many models boast air-cooled or water-cooled options to suit your ventilation setup, ensuring smooth operation even during peak hours.
Beyond production capacity and ice form, consider features that streamline cafe workflow. Look for ice machines with automatic shut-off functions to prevent overflowing bins, and antibacterial coatings that minimize the risk of contamination. Some models even offer programmable cleaning cycles for effortless maintenance, saving valuable time for your staff. By investing in a well-equipped commercial ice maker, you can guarantee a consistent supply of fresh ice, keeping your cafe drinks icy cold and your customers happy.
Ice Shapes: Bullet, Gourmet, Crescent, Half Dice, Dice, Flake
Ice Maker Size Guide: 40kg/day to 120kg/day
Ice Makers for Restaurants
In the fast-paced world of restaurants, a steady supply of ice is essential for maintaining efficiency and customer satisfaction. Unlike home ice makers, restaurants rely on high-capacity commercial ice machines that can churn out ice quickly and in bulk. These machines come in various configurations to suit different needs. Undercounter models utilize valuable floor space efficiently, while freestanding units offer larger production capacities for high-volume restaurants.
Beyond capacity, consider features that optimize restaurant operations. Automatic shutoff functions prevent overflowing bins and wasted water, while durable construction ensures long-lasting performance in demanding environments. Look for models with programmable cleaning cycles to minimize downtime and maintain food safety standards. Investing in a reliable commercial ice machine guarantees a consistent supply of fresh ice for all your needs, from refreshing beverages to keeping seafood displays chilled. This ensures smooth operations, happy customers, and a successful restaurant.
Ice Shapes: Bullet, Gourmet, Crescent, Half Dice, Dice, Flake
Ice Maker Size Guide: 50kg/day to 150kg/day
Ice Makers for Restaurants
Ice Makers for Bars
Ice Makers for Bars
The clinking of ice cubes in a chilled cocktail is a symphony to any bartender’s ears. But for bars to keep the drinks flowing smoothly, reliable commercial ice makers are a must. Unlike domestic models, these workhorses prioritize rapid production of high-quality ice, ensuring there’s always enough to chill drinks without long waits. When it comes to ice type, bars often benefit from variety. Full cube ice is perfect for classic cocktails, while crescent ice offers a beautiful presentation and chills quickly. Some advanced models even dispense ice spheres for the ultimate in visual appeal.
Beyond ice production, functionality is key for busy bars. Undercounter ice machines and self-contained models maximize limited floor space, and are ideal as a local back up for larger machines in back of house. Look for features that streamline bartenders’ workflow, such as antimicrobial coatings to minimize the risk of contamination. Investing in a commercially rated ice machine with the right features guarantees a constant supply of fresh, clean ice, keeping your drinks perfectly chilled and your customers coming back for more.
Ice Shapes: Gourmet, Crescent, Half Dice, Dice, Regular, Large, Flake, Round, XXL
Ice Maker Size Guide: 50kg/day to 250kg/day
Ice Makers for Niteclubs
In the pulsing heart of a nightclub, where drinks flow freely and bodies move constantly, a reliable ice maker is the unsung hero. Unlike residential models, nightclubs require heavy-duty commercial ice machines built to withstand 24/7 operation. These machines churn out massive quantities of ice, ensuring a steady flow for mixed drinks, fountain sodas, and even keeping ice buckets brimming. Many models offer multiple ice types, from full cube for classic cocktails to flaked ice for high-volume mixed drinks.
Nightclubs prioritize not just ice production, but also features that minimize downtime and maintenance. Look for models with automatic shutoff and cleaning cycles to prevent overflows and keep ice production running smoothly, even during peak hours. Additionally, durable stainless steel construction ensures these machines can handle the bumps and spills that come with a busy nightclub atmosphere. By investing in a robust commercial ice maker, nightclubs guarantee a consistent supply of fresh ice, keeping drinks refreshingly cold and the party going all night long.
Ice Shapes: Gourmet, Crescent, Half Dice, Dice, Regular, Large, Flake, Round, XXL
Ice Maker Size Guide: 150kg/day to 500kg/day
Ice Makers for Niteclubs
Ice Makers for Construction
Ice Makers for Construction
On a scorching construction site, keeping workers cool and hydrated is paramount. While bottled water is essential, ice makers can be a game-changer. These rugged machines are specifically designed to withstand the harsh conditions of construction projects. They allow for easy placement on site and continued operation in demanding environments. Commercial ice makers offer fast ice production, ensuring a steady supply of ice for refilling water coolers, creating refreshing cold drinks, or even icing down first-aid kits.
For larger construction projects with a higher demand for ice, ice dispensers are the way to go. These hygenic units can be permanently installed on-site, often housed in secure containers adjacent to water chillers, creating hydration stations. They dispense significant quantities of ice daily, keeping up with the hydration needs of a large crew. By investing in a reliable industrial ice maker, construction companies ensure worker well-being, improve productivity, and keep projects running smoothly.
Ice Shapes: Crescent, Half Dice, Dice, Regular
Ice Maker Size Guide: 150kg/day to 500kg/day
Ice Makers for Mine Sites
Mine sites present unique challenges when it comes to keeping workers cool and hydrated. This is where ice machines become crucial for mine safety and worker well-being. These heavy-duty machines are built to withstand the harsh underground environment, resilient to extreme temperatures, dust, and potential moisture. They offer exceptional production capacity, ensuring a steady supply of ice for refilling water coolers, personal hydration packs, and even ice packs to combat heat stress.
Beyond ice production, functionality is paramount for mine sites. Look for ice machines with corrosion-resistant exteriors that can handle the demanding environment. Automatic shutoff and cleaning cycles are essential to prevent overflows and maintain efficient operation, even with limited on-site maintenance personnel. Some models even offer remote monitoring capabilities, allowing for real-time ice production data and troubleshooting from the surface. Investing in a reliable industrial ice maker for mine sites ensures a consistent supply of clean ice, keeping workers cool and hydrated, and promoting a safer, more productive work environment.
Ice Shapes: Crescent, Half Dice, Dice, Regular
Ice Maker Size Guide: 150kg/day to 500kg/day
Ice Makers for Mine Sites
Ice Makers for Seafood
Ice Makers for Seafood
Preserving the freshness and quality of seafood is paramount, and that’s where specialized ice machines come into play. Unlike regular ice makers, these machines produce flake ice. Flake ice is soft, crushable, and conforms easily to the contours of fish, maximizing surface area for efficient cooling. This minimizes temperature fluctuations and slows down bacterial growth, ensuring your seafood stays fresher for longer. Commercial flake ice machines come in various production capacities, catering to small fish markets or large-scale processing facilities.
Besides flake ice, some seafood-specific ice machines offer additional features for optimal preservation. Look for models with antimicrobial coatings that inhibit bacterial growth on the machine’s surfaces. Salt water flake ice makers are also popular choices for certain niche uses. By investing in a specialized ice machine, seafood businesses can ensure their products stay fresher longer, minimizing waste, maximizing profits, and offering customers the highest quality seafood.
Ice Shapes: Flake
Ice Maker Size Guide: 500kg/day to 5,000kg/day
Ice Makers for Food Processing
Maintaining consistent temperatures is critical for food processing safety and quality. That’s where industrial ice machines become an essential tool. Unlike regular ice makers, these workhorses are designed for heavy-duty performance, churning out massive quantities of ice quickly and efficiently. This ensures a steady supply for various applications, from rapidly chilling freshly caught fish to maintaining ideal temperatures during meat processing. Various models offer multiple ice types, including flake, half dice and dice cube, allowing processors to choose the most suitable form for each specific need. Additionally, some machines boast remote air-cooled or water-cooled options to best suit the facility’s ventilation setup.
Beyond production capacity and ice variety, durability and sanitation are paramount in a food processing environment. Look for ice machines constructed with high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials that can withstand frequent cleaning and disinfection cycles. Automatic shutoff and cleaning features are essential to prevent overflows and maintain optimal hygiene standards. Investing in a reliable industrial ice maker ensures a consistent supply of clean ice, keeping food processing operations running smoothly and efficiently, while prioritizing food safety from start to finish.
Ice Shapes: Half Dice, Dice, Flake
Ice Maker Size Guide: 750kg/day to 10,000kg/day
Ice Makers for Food Processing
Types of Ice
There are many different types of ice. Ice cubes can vary greatly in shape and size, which in turn affects their longevity and optimal use. So what makes one ice type more suitable than the next? Use our ice maker size guide to learn more about the different ice types and their uses here.
Still confused? With an ice machine specialist here to assist at every stage, we can assess all factors impacting on your needs. Best Ice Machines has the knowledge, skills and experience to help you choose the right ice maker size for your business. Contact us or call us now on 1300 237 842 for help.
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