When looking for an ice machine for your business, it’s crucial to research everything from ice bins to ice dispensers and ice baggers. You get what you pay for, so focus on more than just the lowest price.
Several other aspects are to consider, including capacity, warranties, cutting-edge features, and more. An Ice Maker Depot may be the perfect place to look.
Ice Maker Depot offers the finest deals on commercial ice makers and ice machines for businesses no matter where you are in the US. Find the most affordable ice maker to suit your needs.
Ice Maker Types
Given the number of ice makers available today, it’s easier to recommend the finest one if you know the specifics of your situation.
Each one may be ideal for you and will primarily rely on your work sector. In case you were unaware, there are various types you can choose from to suit different environments.
Undercounter Ice Makers
Undercounter ice producers have a small footprint and may accommodate a range of functions by combining the ice-producing unit and storage bin. They are ice makers that have been reduced to freezers.
Countertop Ice Makers
They are little devices that produce ice, which you may keep in your refrigerator at home or a mini-fridge at your bar. Simply plug one in, fill it with water, and watch as ice forms.
It allows you to have ice on hand to chill beverages, fill a cooler, or serve as a bartender. Additionally, ice aficionados can purchase a machine that produces their preferred ice shape, such as bullet ice, huge ice cubes, or nugget ice in the manner of Sonic.
Commercial Ice Makers
Automatic commercial ice makers (ACIMs) may produce and harvest ice in addition to having a way to store and distribute it.
A business institution that uses a commercial ice machine or maker to artificially produce ice for customer use, like hotels, restaurants, or convenience stores. In simple terms, these are equipped for making ice in batches or continuously.
Industrial Ice Makers
Thanks to its stainless steel structure, high-quality output, and ability to produce ice with various thicknesses and patterns, an industrial ice maker functions almost exactly like any other ice maker and can handle everything you can throw at it.
Industrial ice makers are created for use in food production, chemical processing, wholesale and retail food, and industrial catering. These tools increase your revenue and make daily operations easier.
Hotel Ice Dispensers
The hospitality sector loves hotel ice dispensers because they provide customers access to ice without needing workers. An ice maker is necessary for making drinks and preparing meals in hotel bars, restaurants, and kitchens.
Which Is The Best For You?
The best-rated ice makers will have a good cost, use, output, and design ratings. For this reason, comparing prices and client satisfaction levels when shopping around is crucial. When looking at ice makers for your company, consider the following characteristics:
Some of these factors may be more crucial for your company than others. For example, a silent operation may not be necessary for a busy bar owner in a noisy atmosphere; a quiet operation is essential to a tiny office or nursing home. Additionally, you need to suit the type of business with the equipment you choose.
Ice Production and Storage Capacity
Finding out how much ice you require comes after choosing a type of ice maker and a type of ice. You must accomplish this while considering two separate factors: the machine’s storage capacity and the speed at which ice is produced.
The output rate of an ice maker will matter more if you utilize a lot of ice often than the size of its ice bucket. Look for models with a large storage capacity if you purchase an ice maker to have enough for cocktail parties or to fill coolers for sporadic outings.
Drainage
Most ice makers don’t waste energy by maintaining a freezing temperature in their storage bins. The ice keeps these insulated boxes cool, not the lack of it. However, part of the ice will melt over time.
As a result, ice producers that are freestanding, under-counter, or outside need a drainage pipe to get rid of the melted ice. On the other hand, portable and countertop devices often recycle the melted, new ice into the machine to be refrozen.
Gravity drains and drain pumps are the two drainage alternatives. Gravity drains may be a good option if you want to put your ice maker close to a drain. However, even in that case, gravity drains are only practical if your drain is lower than the ice maker.
Therefore, picking a model with a drain pump makes sense. Even though some gravity drains in ice makers allow you to buy a drain pump separately, getting a model with a built-in pump is usually more straightforward.
Water Filters
Consider putting an in-line water filter alongside a clear ice maker if you want the purest ice possible before the water is transformed into new ice. The filters aid in cleaning it of silt and other impurities.
By doing this, you may enhance the ice’s flavour and aroma. Contaminants are already eliminated during the freezing process to create clear ice; therefore, adding a filter to the mixture is frequently unnecessary. Additionally, only a tiny percentage of ice producers include built-in filters; the great majority still need to.
Energy Efficiency
Icing is a laborious process, and ice makers, thus, frequently consume a lot of energy. Look for ice makers that are ENERGY STAR certified to save your utility costs. These devices will use a lot less electricity than the competitors, saving you money and reducing your influence on the environment.
Style / Design
It’s time to think about the aesthetics of your new ice maker now that the available options have been made. The majority of models come in finishes like those on typical kitchen equipment.
So anticipate seeing alternatives in stainless steel, white, and black. Panel-ready units let you install a customizable front panel to fit the style of the surrounding cabinets for a more distinctive appearance.
In a brief
The first step in selecting an ice maker is determining where to place it. By doing this, you may choose which kind of ice maker will function best in your area. Freestanding versions are a fantastic all-around option because they can be positioned anyplace.
However, a countertop or portable ice maker could be the better option if you’re trying to save room. Choosing a machine that can generate and store enough ice for your needs.
Pay closer attention to ice production statistics if you want a consistent supply of ice every day. People who frequently utilise a lot of ice for special events must pay more attention to the ice maker’s storage capacity.