Ice Maker Buying Guide
Find the best commercial ice maker for your business with our comprehensive buying guide. Compare types, production capacities, and must-have features. This page aims at helping you learn how to choose the right and best fit ice maker for your needs.
Factors to consider for Commercial Ice Machines
When selecting a commercial ice maker, several factors should be considered to ensure it meets your business’s needs.
- Types of Ice maker: Undercounter, Modular or Countertop, Ice dispensers, and Storage bin
- Ice Shapes: Cube, Crescent, Flake, Nugget, Gourmet, Bullet
- Production capacity: Commercial Ice machines produce ice from about 10 kg to about 1000kg depending on models and brands
- Warranty and after service
Poluar Ice Maker Types
Compact and designed to fit under countertops, perfect for small bars, cafes, and break rooms. This type of commercial ice makers is the most popular choice for the majority of food service businesses in Australia.
- Best for: Small cafes, bars, or food trucks
- Production: 20 kg to 150 kg per day
- Installation: Compact, fits under counters. Most of times, you need a qualified plumber to install it due to warranty related matters and safety regulations
Produce large amounts of ice and are typically mounted on top of ice storage bins. Suitable for high-volume needs like hotels, restaurants, and bars. If you are looking for an ice machine that needs to produce more than 150kg or more daily, you should look from modular ice machine ranges.
- Best for: High-demand businesses (restaurants, bars, hotels)
- Production: 100 kg to 1000+ kg per day
- Installation: Sits on top of a separate ice bin
Common in healthcare and office settings, these machines dispense ice directly into cups.
This type of ice maker is not so popular in the commercial equipment industry as this kind of ice maker can be available cheaper from household market.
- Best for: Self-service stations, healthcare, and offices & small takeaway shops
- Production: 10 kg to 20 kg per day
- Installation: Small, sits on a counter
- Best for: Hotels, hospitals, convenience stores
- Production: 50 kg to 300 kg per day
- Installation: Push-button or sensor operation for easy dispensing
Poluar Ice Types
- Full Cube (Dice Ice): Ideal for cocktails, spirits, and soft drinks. It melts slowly, keeping drinks cold longer without diluting them quickly.
- Half Cube (Half Dice Ice): Smaller than full cubes, it cools drinks quickly and is often used in fast food restaurants and convenience stores.
Nugget Ice, also known as”Chewable Ice,” is a type of ice that is small, soft, and chewable. Nugget Ice is a popular and versatile ice type that is ideal for use in a variety of commercial settings. Its soft texture, ability to absorb flavours, and high-yield production. while its energy efficiency and slow-melting rate make it a cost-effective and durable option.
Crescent-shaped ice that melts slowly and doesn’t stick together, making it perfect for dispensing machines and bagging applications.
- Produces more ice per cycle with low energy consumption and resistance to descaling acids.
- Widely used for QSR environments and presentation of fresh produce.
Small, thin, and soft, making it ideal for food displays, seafood counters, and medical applications. It molds easily around items, keeping them cool and fresh.
Its ability to reduce waste and energy usage makes it a cost-effective and eco-friendly option for commercial settings, while its therapeutic benefits make it a popular choice in healthcare settings.
Key Features to Consider
Ice Production Capacity
- Choose a machine that meets your peak demand.
- Calculate daily ice usage based on your business needs.
Storage Capacity
- If ice demand fluctuates, get a machine with a large storage bin.
- Consider pairing a modular unit with a separate ice bin.
Water vs. Air-Cooled Machines
- Air-cooled: Energy-efficient, cheaper to run, but requires good ventilation.
- Water-cooled: Works better in hot environments but uses more water.
Drainage Requirements
- Most ice machines need a floor drain. If unavailable, choose a unit with a built-in drain pump.
Energy Efficiency
- Look for energy-efficient models to reduce power and water consumption.
- ENERGY STAR® certified machines help lower utility bills.
Ease of Maintenance & Cleaning
- Choose models with self-cleaning functions or antimicrobial components.
- Regular descaling and filter changes extend machine life.
Choosing the Right Size
- Small businesses: 20-150 kg/day
- Medium businesses: 150-500 kg/day
- Large businesses: 500+ kg/day
Tip: Always opt for a slightly higher capacity to cover peak demand.
Daily Ice Production Capacity
Consider your daily ice needs and choose a machine that can meet or exceed this demand. Ice production is usually measured in kg per 24 hours.
Ice Machine for daily production between 20 and 180 kgs
Ice Machine for daily production between 180 and 400 kgs
Ice Machine for daily production over 500 kgs
Warranty and After Service
Warranty terms and conditions vary with brands and models that you choose
Hoshizaki: 3 years warranty part and labour and 5 years on compressor and condensing units
Bromic Simag: 1 year labour, 3 years parts warranty
Ice-O-Matic: 3 years part and labour
Manitowoc: 2 years part and labour
