Information To Help You Choose The Right Commercial Ice Machine For Your Needs

People are in need of a commercial ice machine for a wide array of reasons. While some families will place a machine in a garage or basement, it is most commonly found in the hospitality industry such as a restaurant, hotel, resort or country club. Whether you are a business owner or someone looking for such a machine, there are some things you need to know when selecting the proper unit for your needs.
Many do not realize there are different types of commercial ice machines to choose from. The options available include a modular ice machine and ice bin, self contained ice machine, and an under the counter ice machine.
A lot of people are familiar with a modular ice machine and ice bin. It is important to note these are two separate units as one is used to make the ice and the other simply stores the ice. Some confuse it as one unit as the two typically are stacked on top of each other.
The next option to consider with a commercial ice machine is a self contained unit. Unlike the modular ice machine and ice bin, this is a singe unit that has the ice maker and ice bin built together. The reason this is often less preferred by most is because it has less capacity compared to that of a modular unit.
The final option to look into is an under the counter ice machine. As the name signifies, the overall unit is compact enough to fit under the counter. These machines are ideal for a small bar or home as it has a rather low capacity and is perfect for a small area.
Now that you understand what your options are as far as quantity and space requirements go, the next thing to look at is the shape of ice cubes you want. While this may seem like a rather minute facet to consider, there are different shapes that are ideal for certain situations. The shapes you will be able to choose from include diced cubes, contour cubes, nuggets and flakes.
A commercial ice machine that produces diced ice is considered to be "regular" ice, which is the shape most are used to. This is what you will find in carbonated beverages, mixed drinks, ice displays, ice dispensers, and banquet services.
Contour cube is also ideal for carbonated beverages, mixed drinks, ice displays and ice dispensing. The benefit of these ice cubes is that it will reduce splashes because the shape encourages the liquid to flow over easily.
Lastly, nugget ice is ideal for blended cocktails, bar fountain drinks, salad bars and therapeutic needs. Because the ice melts rather slowly, it will cool a drink much faster without forming any foam.
When shopping for a commercial ice machine there are several things you want to take into consideration. Everything from the unit as a whole to the ice shape should be looked at to make sure you get exactly what you desire.