subject: How To Choose The Right Ice Machine For Your Business [print this page] What style of ice machine do you want? It might sound like a simple question but the answer has many implications not withstanding the most important implication is the type of icemaker you actually purchase. There are four main types of ice style you can create and each of these styles is produced by a specific icemaker for that style of ice. The four main ice styles are classic cubes, gourmet cubes, nugget ice and flake ice. Hence, there are three types of ice machines or icemakers you can purchase for your operation. Cube Ice Makers, Nugget Ice Machines and Flake Ice Machines.
Classic cube ice is used in mixed drinks, in ice displays, in carbonated drinks, in ice retailing and ice dispensing. Classic cube ice is the most common and widely used ice style.
Gourmet cube ice is used in bars, upmarket restaurants and catering or banquet centres. Gourmet ice cubes are attractive, stand out and tend to melt less quickly than classic ice cubes and are quicker to scoop.
Nugget ice is used in carbonated drinks, mixer cocktails, salad bars, food displays and also for medical or therapeutic uses in sport. Nugget ice popular with the general public as it a softer ice and can be chewed and is also slow melting. Nugget ice stays colder for longer periods of time whilst allowing drinks to maintain their flavour.
Flake ice is typically used in salad, vegetable and fruit food displays, Meat and Seafood displays, mixed cocktail drinks, salad bars and in medical and therapeutic uses in sport. Flake ice or dry flakes tend to cool down more quickly than the other ice styles and generally have lower production costs. Flake ice can also be moulded into any shape.
Some ice machines need the separate purchase of a storage bin attached with bin top. There are cube ice machines that combine the ice machine with a storage bin in a single unit. So you'll need to consult with an expert commercial wholesaler or retailer on the right advice for your situation. Once you have decided on the correct ice style to produce for your specific situation or the multiple types of ice styles for a venue with varied outputs your need to decide on the size of the machine you will need. The best way to go about doing this prior to speaking with a vendor is to work through a checklist and do your homework first.
Make a list of the areas where your ice is going to be used such as beverage dispensing, food displays and so on. Then consider the temperatures and the ventilation in these areas that will effect the ice production. Add to your consideration the peak periods that you will require ice that will be different in the various aspects of your venue. Then you can provide these details to your supplier who can calculate the output you will require and therefore recommend the ideal machine for your needs.
