Creating A Business That Works

Posted on: 27 August 2021

If you serve drinks in your store or restaurant, you'll probably need an ice machine. You may even need ice to keep certain foods cold while they're on a buffet or in a display cabinet. When you go through a lot of ice each day, a commercial ice machine is well worth the investment. Here are some tips for choosing the right ice maker for your needs.

Buy According To Pounds Produced Per Day

Ice machines are measured by pounds of ice they produce and pounds of ice they can store. If you buy bags of nice now, add up the number of bags you buy and how much the bags weigh to get an idea of how much ice you go through daily. An ice machine salesperson can help you choose the size you need based on the number of customers you expect each day or the size of your salad bar.

Even if you just serve drinks in a small shop, you may be surprised at how much ice you need and how big of a machine you should buy.

Consider How The Machine Is Installed

You can buy a free-standing ice machine or one that's built into your counter space so it is out of the way. A free-standing machine might be larger and the most appropriate if you own a restaurant or other business that uses a lot of ice. If you don't need a lot of ice made every day, a machine that doesn't take up floor space is worth considering, especially if your shop is small and you don't have room to spare.

Also, decide if you need a dispenser. If customers fill their own ice, you'll want a machine that has an ice dispenser for sanitary reasons. Some of these make ice while others have to be filled with ice from a separate ice maker. Depending on your needs, your employees may serve ice by using a dispenser or an ice scoop. If you need employees to use a dispenser in a busy restaurant, look for a compatible dispenser and ice maker so you can stack the two machines and take up minimal space.

Choose The Type Of Ice You Want

Different ice machines make different sizes and shapes of ice. The different sizes melt at a different rate and some are appropriate for soft drinks while others might be better for mixed drinks or for keeping food cool while it's on display. You'll probably want ice that's slow to melt for your drinks so the drinks don't get watered down too fast. Discuss your needs with an ice machine salesperson so you buy the machine that makes the shape of ice that's best for your customers and for your shop.