An ice machine is one of the most important equipment that a food service business can have. There are multiple options for ice machines in the market, which makes it difficult to choose the right one for your needs. However, it is not that hard to determine the kind of commercial ice machine you need. Knowing your ice usage needs is the key to understanding the kind of machine you should choose. Given below are two of the most important factors to consider before buying an ice machine.
The capacity of the ice machine
The first thing that you need to consider is the amount of ice that the ice makerswill have to produce on a daily basis based on your usual ice requirements. Suppose you serve 200 meals each day, and you require 1.5 lbs. of ice for each meal. So, you will require 300 lbs. of ice every day.
Add twenty percent to that for extra production because you need to stay prepared for the additional needs. So, your daily needs stand at around 360 lbs. Now, consider the times of the day when you need the most ice, and you will get an idea of the size of the ice machine you need.
The shape of the ice required
You also need to decide on the shape you want the ice machine to produce, and your choices are:
Cubed ice: It is generally used by bars, restaurants, and bagging. You must have seen these cubes mixed in the beverages and drinks you order at the restaurants. These cubes cool down quickly and melt slower than other kinds of ice. Thus, it helps to cut down consumer consumption.
Nugget ice: Nugget shapes have gained popularity in recent years because of the chewable appeal. It melts slowly and is mainly the kind of ice used by the healthcare industry. You might have seen these in salad bars, smoothies, blended cocktails, and other beverages.
Flaked ice: Though the healthcare industry uses flaked ice, its popular usage is food presentation. The small flakes of ice tend to cool down easily and can be molded to any shape. The places where chilled food needs to get displayed for the customers tend to use this kind of ice. Smoothies and blended drinks usually have this kind of ice. You might also see this kind at buffets, meat, and fish markets.
Hopefully, it will get easier than before for you to choose the right kind of ice machine. It is important to consider the quality of the machine as well, besides the two factors mentioned over here. So, go ahead and start looking at your options in the market.