How much space do you need for an ice machine?
At least 1 ft of space on all sides (including the ceiling) is suggested, but more is even better. We’ve serviced over 10,000 ice machines across the country. No matter the challenge, we know exactly how to keep your ice machine running smoothly.
How to choose a commercial ice machine?
Choosing a commercial ice machine is not as easy as it looks. The size of the machine, ice type, and daily production are just some of the factors to consider. When choosing an ice machine, you also need to factor in the care. Commercial ice machines require preventive maintenance, cleaning, and repairs to keep them performing in top shape.
What is the best temperature for an ice machine?
The temperature around your ice machine is important to maintain when operating an air cooled model. Air cooled ice machines operate best in 70-degree air temperatures. As the temperature rises, ice machines must work harder to freeze a batch of ice.
What are the requirements for installing a commercial ice maker?
Make sure your business can accommodate the commercial ice maker you plan to install. There are four main installation requirements: drainage, electricity, water, and space. We’ve provided a pre-installation checklist that details all the requirements commercial ice machines need to run.
What should an ice maker be set at?
The best temperature for an ice maker is between 70 degrees, air and 50 degrees, water. By this, we mean that the air surrounding the ice maker is ideally 70 degrees. The water within the ice maker should be 50 degrees.
How do I adjust the fill level on my ice maker?
0:442:43Ice Maker Troubleshooting and Adjusting - Cube Size - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to want to adjust the head of the screw. Towards. The negative side so you want lessMoreYou're going to want to adjust the head of the screw. Towards. The negative side so you want less fill time. So how you would do that is basically just tighten down the screw.
Should ice maker Bar be up or down?
If the wire arm of your ice maker is in the up position, this signifies to the ice maker that the ice storage bucket is full and turns the ice maker off. If you would like your ice maker to continue making ice, the arm lever should be in the down position.
How much ice should an ice maker make?
The ice maker should produce 2 to 3 pounds of ice per 24 hours, depending on usage. The ice bin should hold about 4 pounds of ice. If this is not happening, the water filter may be clogged or overdue for replacement.
Why does my ice maker make small ice cubes?
Small or shattered ice cubes in the ice bucket are caused by low water pressure. This occurs when the ice maker doesn't get enough water before it freezes and dumps ice into the bucket. The minimum required water pressure for the fridge is 20 psi.
Why is my ice maker making blocks of ice?
What is an Ice Maker Freeze Up? Ice makers freeze up when ice can't release off the evaporator plate. As water continues to flow over the stuck ice, it continues to form to the point where it becomes a massive block of ice.
Where should I put my ice maker?
If you plan on owning an ice machine, one of our biggest recommendations is to install it in a room with temperature control. Without it, your ice machine's production rate will rise and fall with the indoor temperature.
Where should I put my ice maker in my kitchen?
Keep the machine close to cold water. Above all, ice machine placement shouldn't hinder employee productivity. Take a bartender as an example. The machine should be close to her taps and bottles. She shouldn't have to run to the kitchen every time she mixes a drink.
Can I leave my ice maker on all the time?
You need to leave it plugged in and running all the time if you want ice. If the unit is powered off the ice will melt and the water will return to the reservoir. This is just like your refrigerator or freezer in that it needs to be on all the time.
How many pounds of ice do I need?
Consider your guest count. We recommend planning between 1 and 2 pounds of ice per person, based on the type of event and your need for the ice, serving vs cooling.
How many pounds of ice do you need for a bar?
Approximate Daily UseHotel5 lbs. Per guestHospital10 lbs. Per patientRestaurant1.5 lbs. Per customerBar/Cocktail3 lbs. Per customerCafeteria1 lb. Per customer3 more rows
How is ice machine capacity calculated?
The basic formula is weight x 1440/cycle time. The 1440 is the minutes in 24 hours. With our data above we get the following: 4.50 x 1440 = 6480. Then 6480/15 = 432.
How many amps does an ice machine need?
Generally, ice machines that fall between 800-1200 lbs of ice a day require a 20- amp, 220v outlet. Ice machines that produce over 1200 lbs of ice a day typically require a 30-amp, 220v outlet. There are many other 220v outlets, and different brands of ice machines may use different 220v setups. You’ll have to check the type ...
How much more expensive is a 3 phase ice maker?
3-phase ice makers are typically a few hundred dollars more expensive than single-phase models. 3-phase ice machines need a dedicated circuit, with 3 hots legs and 1 ground. Note that a single-phase outlet can’t meet the needs of a 3-phase ice machine’s electrical usage, because you’re missed the extra hot leg to run.
How many hots does a 220V outlet have?
For instance, 220v outlets come in three-wire and four-wire setups. Three-wire setups have two hots and one ground. Four-wire setups have two hots, one neutral, and one ground. 220v outlets also come in 20-amp and 30-amp outputs.
What is a 3 phase ice maker?
3-phase ice makers are only compatible with businesses that have a 3-phase electrical setup in their building. Typically, larger ice machines come in a 3-phase version to accommodate businesses wired for 3-phase. These setups also make for a slightly more energy-efficient ice maker. 3-phase ice makers are typically a few hundred dollars more ...
Do you need an outlet for an ice machine?
One other thing you’ll need to provide is an outlet that has the proper voltage to meet your ice machine’s electrical usage. An ice machine’s power consumption differs between models. Most smaller machines require less voltage than a larger ice machine. Let’s discuss the different ice machine electrical requirements you’ll need to provide ...
Can you put an ice machine on a GFCI outlet?
Manufacturers like Hoshizaki recommend you never install your ice machine on a GFCI outlet.
Where is the condenser coil located on an ice maker?
If the unit you choose is what is referred to as a "remote" unit, that means the condenser coil or entire condensing unit is located away from the ice maker, usually on the rooftop or outside in a breezeway. This changes the requirements regarding the ventilation as now your future commercial ice maker will be breathing away from where the actual machine is located. You still need service access around the machine but now you do not need to be as concerned about the ventilation around the machine. Access is still required for service though!
How often do ice cubes go through a purge cycle?
Commercial ice machines will have some type of "purge cycle" where the ice machine dumps a pretty significant amount of water (1/2 -5 gallons or so) every so often. Cubers will usually go through this purge cycle after each batch of ice made (every 10 - 45 minutes approximately). Under most circumstances the health departments of most municipalities require a floor sink for drainage. See local codes for more info. Also the floor sink should be within a "reasonable" distance away because the water draining is dictated by the laws of gravity and requires a certain amount of "fall" for every foot of horizontal drain line. Be sure to check and make sure the drain line doesn't have to cross a hallway or the like, because you can only go down with the drain, not up, unless you use a water pump and we do NOT typically recommend these!! Why? Because if they fail, you'll end up with a flood in your business!!! No Bueno!!
What temperature should a freezer be?
Invest in a thermometer: The FDA standard dictates keeping your freezer at 0˚ Fahrenheit or lower. Pick up an inexpensive refrigerator/freezer thermometers for some cheap insurance that all is well.
How to prevent freezer burn?
Limit air exposure. This will help prevent freezer burn. If you’re freezing items in bags, remove as much as possible before sealing. If possible, double wrap items by first wrapping in plastic or aluminum foil and then placing in a a freezer-safe container. Don’t refreeze anything that was thawed once.
How long can you freeze whole grain?
Almost every grain can be frozen in its uncooked state – even flour! The Oldways Whole Grains Council, a consortium of bakers and whole grain manufacturers, say the freezer life of uncooked grains is about six months.
Can you freeze meat in a vacuum?
Vacuum-packed items are also ideal for freezing. Meat in freezer-safe paper right from the butcher can be covered with a second layer of aluminum foil. Products packaged on styrofoam plates covered in plastic wrap are okay but should be used in about a month. Times noted below in months are for optimal flavor.
How Much Ice Do I Need Each Day?
When choosing the best commercial ice machine for your business, it’s better to estimate more ice than you need, than to end up running out of ice.
High Traffic Days
Keep in mind, an average estimate of the amount of ice you need will cover most days, but it won’t be adequate for your busiest days.
Where Do I Use the Most Ice?
Now that you have a closer estimate, you need to consider other areas you use ice in your business. Many businesses use ice for a lot of reasons, not just for beverages.
How to Pick the Best Commercial Ice Machine Size
Once you have an approximate estimate, it’s time to pick the right ice maker and bin. First, it’s important to know how they work.
The Art of Sizing an Ice Machine
To demonstrate the difficulty in sizing an ice machine, let’s look at an example.
Go Big or Go Home
Remember having more ice than you need is better than not having enough. One misstep in sizing an ice machine can cost you if you’re not careful. If you buy a small ice maker that doesn’t fit your needs, you could find yourself purchasing additional ice, or needing a bigger unit later.
What are the factors to consider when choosing an ice machine?
The size of the machine, ice type, and daily production are just some of the factors to consider. When choosing an ice machine, you also need to factor in the care. Commercial ice machines require preventive maintenance, cleaning, and repairs to keep them performing in top shape.
How many ice machines can you put on top of each other?
Stackable ice machines allow you to install 2-3 units on top of one another, to double or triple your daily ice production. These machines still require you to purchase an additional ice storage bin or dispenser to store the ice. Stackable units can be great option for high-volume businesses that don’t have a lot of extra room to fit two ice makers. Keep in mind, multiple stackable ice makers are much harder to service than a single large ice maker.
What is an ice maker?
Countertop ice makers are designed to fit on top of a counter for self-serve use. Countertop ice makers either produce their own ice or require an ice machine installed on top. Ice production ranges between 500-800 lbs. of ice a day. These are particularly popular in office breakrooms and healthcare clinics. They don’t take up a lot of space and reduce the chance accidental contamination for your ice supply.
Why do ice machines use fans?
These systems use a fan to help cool condenser coils and emit hot air into the surrounding environment. Air cooled ice machines need plenty of space for hot air to escape into the environment. This is the most cost-effective and common condenser system you'll find on commercial ice machines.
How does crescent ice work?
Crescent ice limits spills and splashes by allowing liquid to cascade over cubes and gently into glassware. Studies show that crescent ice can save up to 15% on your drink yield.
How much ice does an undercounter ice maker make?
They produce between 50-350 lbs. of ice a day. They are particularly popular behind bars, so bartenders have access to ice without having to grab additional ice from the kitchen. Undercounter ice makers come with built-in storage, so you do not need to purchase an additional ice storage bin or dispenser.
What are commercial ice dispensers?
Commercial ice dispensers are popular in a number of industries. Hotels use standup dispensers so guests can fill buckets of ice for their rooms. Office break rooms and wait rooms use dispensers so staff and visitors can fill drinks with ice without assistance from additional staff.
Ice Calculator for Every Industry's Needs
The Iceologists at Easy Ice created an ice calculator with a list of typical ice needs for specific industries. If you’re wondering what size ice machine you need, you’re not alone. The amount of ice each industry needs is different, so our calculator helps you determine how much ice per person you’ll need.
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