Considerations When Choosing a Commercial Ice Machine...
There are a few things to consider when searching for the right ice machine.
- The type of ice you need
- The amount of ice you need
- The style of ice you need
Go through this page to get an idea of what you need for your business!
If you need any assistance feel free to give us a call and we'll walk you through everything!
Cubed Ice
Cubed ice is the most common type of ice and what we see most often out there. Cubes are great for mixed drinks, carbonated beverages, ice dispensing and banquet services. The small cube size works great to displace liquid inside the cup where the larger size cubes are ideal for water pitchers, ice chests and any application where time and high melt factors are present.
Nugget Ice
Nugget ice is soft, cylindrical and slow-melting: it is ideal for carbonated beverages, food displays, ice dispensing and therapeutic applications in the healthcare market. Each individual piece remains free-flowing at all times while helping drinks cool rapidly and maintain their flavor. It is also ideal for blending applications and is a favorite due to its soft, chew-able characteristics.
Flake Ice
This ice looks a lot like snow, has fast cooling power and has very low production costs. Flaked ice works great in blended cocktails and salad bars to produce, seafood and meat displays. Flake ice is the top choice for therapeutic use in healthcare facilities.
Large format Cocktail Ice
Specialty Large cubes used by the best mixologists and enjoyed by connoisseurs of fine beverages. These cubes have become very popular and are at least 25% larger than standard full (square) cubes. These cubes are now made by multiple manufacturers and machines are available in the modular and under-counter formats. We suggest standard full cube units for most applications while reserving these cocktail cubes for bars, restaurants, lounges and other venues where specialty premium cocktails are served.
How Much Ice Do You Need From Your Machine (Per Day)?
150 - 200 lbs per day - Under Counter Machines
- Physical Therapy Locations
- Small Coffee Shops
- Corporate Office Break Rooms
- Extra Ice Machine in Most Bars
200 - 500 lbs per day - 22" & 30" Modular Machines
- Small-to-Medium Bars
- Small-to-Medium Restaurants
- Contractors and Fleet-Based Businesses
600 - 2,000+ lbs per day - 220V Machine Required
- Large, High Demand Restaurants & Bars
- Hotel Banquet Facilities
- Any High Demand Application
If you're unsure about anything then give us a call or schedule a time when one of our Ajax representatives can call you!
What Style of Ice Machine Do You Need?
Under-Counter Cubers for Small Spaces
These under counter ice makers are ideal for small-space applications such as break rooms, bars, coffee shops and wait stations. Small self-contained cuber features a unique gourmet-style cube, while the larger cubers are available in half- or full-cube configurations. These units are all self-contained and produce up to 300 pounds of ice in a 24 hour period.
Stackable Modular Cubers, Nugget and Flaked Ice Units for Larger Production and Storage
These units come in a range of sizes; from a slim profile 22” size, a standard 30” or larger 48" wide design with ice machine capacity ranging from 320 pounds to up to 2000 pounds of ice production in a 24 hour period. Ice storage bins also come in 22” or 30” standard sizes to match to the size of the machine or larger storage bins can be added up to over 60 inches wide for extra storage capacity. Units are available as self-contained air cooled, with remote condensing units, or water cooled. Larger units require 220 volt power. You choose half- or full-cube, nugget or pellet style and flaked-ice.
Hotel Style Ice Machine Dispensers
These reliable, practical hotel ice machines are designed for carefree operation even in rugged, high-usage environments. These units are available in a slim profile 22” model or a wider 30” model for more storage space. Separate ice machine head sizes that are compatible with these ice dispensers run from 320 pounds to 920 pounds of ice in a 24 hour period.
Under Counter Machines
The under-counter is always self-contained and usually front breathing, (depending on the manufacturer). A couple nice things about these is that, although compact, they can produce a pretty decent amount of ice per day and they are really easy to scoop ice from. The front breathing feature means that it can be installed with equipment at both sides, (counter above etc) and will not over-heat. This type is available as a cuber, flaker or gourmet-style cuber.
Under Counter, 26 inch
Summary
24 hour production: 150-200 lb @ 70/50, 110-155 lb @ 90/70
Dimensions: 26" W x 27.4" D x 33" H
Electrical
Base Electrical, Volts/Hz/Phase: 115/60/1
BTU Per Hour: 3,100 - 3,900
Max. Fuse Size: 15 amps
Circuit Wire: 2
Min. Circuit Ampacity: Cord
Energy & Water Usage
Energy: 11.5-9.7 kWh/100 lb
Water: 18.0 gallons/100 lb
Under Counter, 30 inch
Summary
24 hr production: 250 lb @ 70/50, 217 lb @ 90/70
Dimensions: 30" W x 30" D x 33" H
Electrical
Base Electrical, Volts/Hz/Phase: 115/60/1
BTU Per Hour: 5,200
Max Fuse Size: 15 amps
Circuit Wire: 2
Min. Circuit Ampacity: Cord
Energy & Water Usage
Energy: 8.5 kWh/100 lb
Water: 18 gallons/100 lb
Modular Machines
This type of ice machine actually comes in two parts. One is the actual ice maker (that sits on top) and the other is the storage bin that the ice maker sits on top of. What does that mean to you? It means that you can mix and match different size ice makers with different size storage bins. For example you could match a 1,000 lb. cuber with a 500 lb. storage bin. Or, you could mate a 500lb. ice maker with a 1,000 lb. or bigger storage bin. Usually, what dictates the sizing is “how” you use ice. Think about it in terms of how much the ice machine produces and how much ice the storage bin actually stores. That is a subject we will cover on a blog. So, essentially the ability to mix and match different size components is what is meant by “modular.” When you are in need of higher quantities of ice, either in storage or production consider the modular-type of unit. Modular ice machines produce all ice types including large format cube cocktail ice.
300 lb. 22" wide modular cuber, (up to 500 lbs)
Summary
- 24 hr production: 356 lb @ 70/50, 255 lb @ 90/70
- Dimensions: 22" W x 24" D x 23" H
- Shipping Carton: 25.5” W x 27.5” H x 28” D
- Shipping Weight: 145 lb
- Available Condenser Options: Air or water
Electrical
- Base electrical, Volts/Hz/Phase: 115/60/1
- BTU Per Hour: 5,200
- Max Fuse: 15 amps
- Circuit Wires: 2
- Min. Circuit Ampacity: 12.7
Energy & Water Usage
- Energy: 6.6 kWh/100 lb
Water: 19.0 gallons/100 lb
300 lb. 30" modular cuber, (up to 500 lbs)
Summary
- 24 hr production: 350 lb @ 70/50 280 lb @ 90/70
- Dimenions: 30” W x 24” D x 23” H
- Shipping Carton: 33.5” W x 24” D x 23” H
- Shipping Weight: 160 lb
- Available Condenser Options: Air or water
Electrical
- Base Electrical, Volts/Hz/Phase: 115/60/1
- BTU Per Hour: 5,200
- Max Fuse: 15 amps
- Circuit Wires: 2
- Min. Circuit Ampacity: 14.3
Energy & Water Usage
- Energy: 6.5 kWh/100 lb
- Water: 18.0 gallons/100 lb
48" Wide, 2000 lb Modular Cuber
Summary
- 24 hr Production: 500 lb @ 70/50, 365 lb @ 90/70
- Dimensions: 21.5" W x 24.38" D x 41.5" H
- Shipping Carton: 24.25" W x 27.13" D x 41.5" H
- Shipping Weight: 215 lb
- Available Condenser Options: Air and Water
- Storage Capacity: 40 lb
Electrical
- Base Electrical, Volts/Hz/Phase: 115/60/1
- Max. Fuse Size: 15 amps
- Total Load Amps: 9.0
Energy & Water Usage
- Energy: 5.5 kWh/100 lb
- Water: 12 gallons/100 lb
HID540 MERIDIAN
Summary
Energy & Water Usage
Electrical
HD22 Hotel Machine
Summary
Storage: 120 lbs
Dimensions: 22” W x 33.5” D x 47.25” H (add 6" height for legs)
Shipping Carton: 25” W x 37” D x 53” H
Shipping Weight: 199 lb
Electrical
Base Electrical, Volts/Hz/Phase: 115/60/1
BTU Per Hour: 7,900
Max. Fuse Size: 15 amps
Circuit Wires: 2
Min. Circuit Ampacity: 2.1
HD30 Hotel Machine
Summary
Storage Capacity: 180 lb
Dimensions: 30” W x 33.5” D x 47.25” H (add 6" in height for legs)
Shipping Carton: 33” W x 37” D x 53” H
Shipping Weight: 225 lb
Electrical
Base Electrical, Volts/Hz/Phase: 115/60/1
Max. Fuse Size: 15 amps
Circuit Wires: 2
Min. Circuit Ampacity: 2.1