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Commercial ice machines can be an asset to your business – they provide a consistent flow of cold, fresh ice for drinks, salad bars, food cases, etc. However, before you make this big investment, there are several things you need to consider, ranging from how much ice you will need daily to the type of ice the machine produces. Making careful choices now will ensure you have a more efficient operation and many happy customers.
What is a Commercial Ice Machine?
Commercial ice makers can produce large amounts of ice in short periods of time, as well as store the ice and keep it cool.
Benefits of a Commercial Ice Maker for Your Business
A commercial ice maker can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and you might be wondering if it’s something you really need. Here are some benefits to having a commercial ice maker in your business:
- Investment – Investing in a good ice machine can pay off in the long run. A good ice machine that’s well maintained should last many years.
- Improve Drink Taste – Ice dispensers have filters in them to provide the best-tasting ice possible. If the ice tastes great, the drinks will too.
- Other Uses – Ice machines aren’t just for bars and restaurants. They can be used for keeping food cool in shops, break rooms, child care centers, medical buildings, etc.
- Different Types: There are different types of commercial ice makers with different capabilities. Chances are you’ll find what you need for your business.
Best Commercial Ice Makers of 2022
We did a lot of searching through commercial ice machines on Amazon and rounded up our top picks. This list contains ice makers of different sizes, types, and features, so we hope it helps you in choosing the best ice machine for your business:
- Top Pick: VEVOR Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Commercial Ice Maker
- Runner Up: Manitowoc Air Cooled Undercounter Dice Cube Ice Machine
- Best Value: ADT Freestanding Ice Machine
VEVOR Commercial Ice Machine
Top Pick: Our pick for the best commercial ice maker is this model by Vevor. This commercial ice maker can produce 110-120 lbs of ice cubes per day, with an 8- 15 minute cycle time, and has a 33 lb capacity ice storage bin, ensuring you never run out of fresh ice.
This unit is made from stainless steel and food-grade PP material. Features include adjustable and removable feet, 2 water filters and a drainage pump, and an easy display where you can control the temperature, timer, ice thickness, etc. If you are a busy business with a big demand for ice, this ice machine may be the right one for you.
VEVOR Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Commercial Ice Maker
Manitowoc Air Cooled Undercounter Ice Machine
Runner Up: This ice machine by Manitowoc can produce a large amount of ice with a small footprint. It has a smaller size, allowing it to go neatly underneath a counter and a forward sliding bin for easy access and pop-out air filters for easy maintenance.
This ice maker has a 132 lb production capacity, and you can choose between full cubes, half cubes or regular dice cubes.
Manitowoc UDF0140A NEO 26″ Air Cooled Undercounter Dice Cube Ice Machine
ADT Freestanding Ice Machine
Best Value: This affordable ADT Freestanding Ice Machine allows for the use of either in-line or gallon-bottled water, which certainly comes in handy in cases where there is no in-line tap water near the ice maker. This machine can make up to 270 lbs of ice per day and has a storage capacity of 55 lbs.
An intuitive LCD screen allows you to adjust the time and thickness of the cubes and alerts the user when something is needed.
ADT Ice Machine Stainless Steel Under Counter Freestanding Ice Machine
Foster Commercial Ice Maker
If your business needs a lot of ice, check out the Foster Commercial Ice Maker. This quiet operating automatic modular ice machine produces up to 350 lbs. per day and has an ice bin that can hold up to 265 lbs.
It promises perfectly shaped and diced cubes and quiet operation. It has an air cooling system and a water filter and is backed by a 1-year warranty.
Commercial Ice Maker by Foster with 235 lb Storage Bin – Stainless Steel
Euhomy Commercial Ice Machine
This stainless steel ice machine by Euhomy fits a variety of spaces, including under the bar counter, in the food truck, or coffee shop. It produces 100 lbs of ice daily and has a 33 lb capacity storage bin.
An easy-to-operate LCD screen allows you to adjust the ice size, use the auto-clean function, and more. This ice machine is energy star certified.
Euhomy Commercial Under Counter Ice Maker Machine Stainless Steel
SYCEES Countertop 2-in-1 Ice Maker & Ice Shaver Machine
This multi-functional ice machine offers you the availability of making ice cubes and shaved crushed ice at the same time. It can produce 18 ice bullet cubes every 11 minutes for one operation cycle, making up to 44 lbs in 24 hrs. It can then shave those ice cubes in seconds.
A powerful compression cooling system allows this ice machine to have a quiet operation, and it is ETL certified.
SYCEES Countertop 2-in-1 Ice Maker & Ice Shaver Machine
Newair Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Another one of the smaller machines on our list, Newair’s nugget ice dispenser provides crunchy ice or shaved from your countertop. It is lightweight and portable, while still capable of making 44 lbs of nugget ice per day.
The compact size of this model makes it perfect for smaller store corners, health clubs, bars, or even your home.
Newair 44lb. Nugget Countertop Ice Maker with Self-Cleaning Function
Scotsman Undercounter Ice Maker
Scotsman ice machines produce gourmet ice using a self-contained, air-cooled condenser. It can produce 64 lbs of ice per day and has a compact design for placement in smaller areas.
This unit features a water quality sensor, user-friendly controls, and a gravity drain.
Scotsman CU50GA Undercounter Gourmet Ice Maker, Air Cooled 115V
Newair Portable Countertop Ice Maker
Newair uses proprietary Frozen Fall technology in its ice-making process, promising great-looking, great-tasting ice every time. It can produce up to 45 lbs of ice per day.
Versatile controls allow you to choose the thickness of the cube ice and the large viewing window makes it easy to check the ice production progress and capacity. This ice machine uses up to a gallon of bottled water.
Newair Portable Countertop Ice Maker with FrozenFall Technology
GSEICE Commercial Stainless Steel Ice Maker with Advanced Touch Screen
This ice machine is equipped with a large 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen which allows you to control the entire ice production process with the push of a button. It produces 60 pieces of ice at a time and 200 lbs of ice per day.
The built-in blue light displays the fresh ice and provides ambiance, and the EMBRACO brand compressor provides strong cooling, low noise, and low energy consumption.
GSEICE 304 Stainless Steel Ice Machine with Advanced Touch Screen, Food-Grade Materials
COSTWAY Split Commercial Modular Ice Machine
Costway’s modular ice machine has all the features to meet your ice demands. It can produce 353 lbs of ice per day and the storage capacity reaches 198 lbs.
This unit offers a low-noise compressor, user-friendly LCD control panel, and quick ice-making time. Unlike some modular ice machines, its split design allows you to save space by keeping the ice machine head on top of the storage bin. This machine also has ETL certification and automatic shutoff. It comes with ice scoops, a water supply pipe, a drain pipe, tape, and a water quick connector.
COSTWAY Split Ice Machine Full-Automatic Vertical Industrial Modular
Scotsman Meridian Nugget Ice & Water Dispenser
Machines with water dispensers can improve your customer experience by offering fresh ice water. Scotsman ice machines are quite expensive but can be a worthwhile investment and popular addition to your business or breakroom. This one can produce up to 500 lbs of ice in 24 hours.
This machine’s features include removable front panels and storage bin, specially designed contoured sides for enhanced breathability, and durable stainless steel evaporator and exterior panels. In addition, this unit boasts the industry’s smallest operational footprint relative to capacity.
Scotsman Meridian Nugget Ice & Water Dispenser Stainless Steel, 115-Volts, NSF
What to Look for When Buying Commercial Ice Machines
Choosing the right ice machine for your business can be quite challenging as there are a couple of things you need to consider, including the price, use, quality, and size of ice, energy efficiency, maintenance, and so much more. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind when looking for a commercial ice maker.
Size and Placement
Ice machines come in various sizes to fit nearly any installation point. Countertop or under-counter models can be placed out of the way if space is an issue. However, if you use large amounts of ice, you may consider a freestanding model, providing you have the space for it.
Water Source
Some machines require a constant water source; make sure to check the requirements of whatever machine you purchase.
Speed
Determining how much ice you need and how quickly is a huge factor when choosing ice makers. A busy food service business needs a machine with a quick ice-making time, while a smaller café can get by with a less powerful model.
Noise Level
Most commercial ice makers have components to help reduce the noise created during the ice-making process. However, it is important to note that some ice makers, especially larger units, can generate loud noise. Try and keep your ice machine away from dining or gathering areas.
Bin Capacity
This refers to the maximum amount of ice a machine can store at any time. Many ice makers can draw water as it melts from the ice hold to make new ice.
Use and Types of Ice
What will you use the ice maker for? Think about how much ice you will need to make, and what kind. Some machines make nugget-style ice, some cubed ice, etc.
Energy Consumption
Many commercial ice machines have an auto shutoff feature and other components to use less energy. Pay attention to the required voltage before purchasing a unit, and look for one with ETL certification.
How do you choose a commercial ice machine?
Choosing the best commercial ice maker means taking a good look at what your needs are and whether you expect growth in the near future. An ice machine may be a bit more than you need now, but as your business grows you may find your needs change.
How big of an ice machine do you need for a restaurant?
This depends on how much ice is typically used. A very busy restaurant that serves a lot of drinks will want a machine that can keep up with the demand.
How long does a commercial ice machine last?
A well-built, well-maintained commercial ice maker can last for many years. Look for units that are made from durable materials, and for ones that offer a warranty.
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