Food and Restaurant

Restaurant Supply

The typical self-contained ice machine produces ice from water fed through an exterior supply line. A pump within the ice machine pours water over the ice tray to create cube ice or a cylinder within the flake ice machine, freezing the water a layer at a time by an interior coolant system. There are two types of coolant systems, water-cooled or air-cooled. The ice machine loosens the ice on the tray or cylinder by a heating coil. The ice is then dumped into a collection bin that includes a sliding or lift door for straightforward access. In a flake ice machine, a crusher is used to break the ice before it is deposited into the storage bin. The size of the flake is decided by the crusher. Some crushers make fine flakes, and others turn out larger nugget sized ice. A drain in the bin separates water away from standing ice.

Buying a commercial ice machine is a sizable expense  so you will need to ensure you’re buying one that should make enough to supply your requirements without wasting energy on one that supplies too much. Consider the following factors when choosing your commercial ice machine

First, you’ll need to decide what kind of ice you will want, cubed or flake.Cubed ice is quite often used for beverages. It melts slower than the other types and tends to fill a glass, which could be a saving if you’re serving a scotch on the rocks. Flake or nugget is ideal for chilling salad bars, packing fresh fish/chicken or seafood displays.

Ascertain the amount of ice you’ll need.  After all, the primary ingredient of ice tea is ice. Running out of ice on a hot summer day with a restaurant full of thirsty customers is not a crowd pleaser. Although, you don’t need to serve your customers in an igloo due to an over stock of ice.  Think about acquiring a stackable machine that can grow with you as your enterprise does, but do not be too conservative, it is 2  to three times more expensive to produce a pound of ice than it is to store it!

Ice machines cool the refrigeration compressor/condenser systems by using either air or water.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Air cooled machines are the least expensive and easy to install, but they generate lots of noise and can heat up a room in a short time with warm exhaust air.  A water cooled model is efficient and quiet, and simple to install. However, if water prices in the area are high, you’re operating cost will be too.

Just how much space do I need? Measure twice, purchase once.  It is always best to be 100% sure of the space you have available before purchasing your ice machine.

By: claudialillie

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