If you want to make a lot of ice in a short amount of time, commercial ice makers are for you. They’re created for use in businesses that need to eliminate the hassle and waste that comes with lugging large blocks of ice from the store. See our picks for the best commercial ice makers below!
Why Do You Need A Commercial Ice Maker
A commercial ice machine is a huge investment but it’s one that can pay for itself many times over in the long run. In fact, an ice machine can be one of the most important pieces of equipment you buy for your business.
It’s all about having enough ice on hand to keep up with your demands. If you can’t supply enough ice, you’re going to lose customers. A commercial ice maker allows you to produce more than enough ice to meet the demands of your business so that you can keep customers happy and get them what they want when they want it.
A commercial ice maker isn’t just a convenience; it’s a necessity for many businesses. Take a look at some of the benefits:
You’re in Control
When you own your own commercial ice maker, you have complete control over when, where, and how much ice is made. You’ll never have to worry about running out or paying huge fees for emergency deliveries again. You can be completely confident that there’s plenty of ice on hand to meet demand.
You’ll Save Money in the Long Run
If you’re paying for bagged or bulk ice you’re probably spending a lot more than you need to be for your supply. When you buy bagged or bulk ice you’re also paying for labor and overhead costs of maintaining the machines. Think of what you could save if you owned your own commercial ice maker.
You’ll Be Able to Serve More Customers at Once
Commercial ice makers are incredibly customizable so that you can choose the number and size of cubes available for each batch of ice. This means that more people can be served with just the machine. Some machines, such as the Geyser commercial ice maker, can even make crushed ice which works well for food processing applications.
You’ll Get Flexible on Size and Type of Ice
While bagged ice is the most common, you can choose to produce any type of ice for your business. You can make crushed, cubed or home-made ice with most machines. You don’t have to make all of your ice the same way either. Some machines allow the use of different types of bottles and pans to create a custom blend of recipe cubes or crushed ice.
You’ll Always Have Ice on Hand
Commercial ice machines are automatic so once they’re set up you don’t have to do anything to keep them running. They will run efficiently and produce ice at a regular rate without the need for you to refill or check anything. You can be confident that your machine will keep on producing until the optimum amount of ice has been made.
A commercial ice maker will almost undoubtedly be the best investment you ever make. The quality and dependability of these machines are second to none, and there are a number of different choices to choose from. Look through our list of commercial ice makers and find the right one for your needs. We’ll help you find the machine that’s just right for you, at a price you can afford.
A commercial ice maker will be a huge money saver for your business. They are built to last, and will work for you for years. If you choose a commercial ice maker from our list of the best machines, you can look forward to years of dependable ice production without fail.
5 Best Commercial Ice Makers Reviewed
#1 hOmeLabs Freestanding Commercial Ice Maker Machine
The hOmeLabs Freestanding Commercial Ice Maker Machine is strong, but doesn’t take up too much room. If you want to make ice fast and in bulk, this is the machine for you. It is well built, with a classic look and design.
The ice maker has a tank that holds 2 gallons of water. The unit makes approximately 99 lbs of clear cubes per day (this varies depending on how many people are using the machine). The cubes are made quickly and are very easy to remove.
If you love ice cubes, this is the machine for you. It will produce 99 lbs of ice cubes per day for at least a year.
The machine weighs 62.4 pounds and has 4.5 stars on Amazon. If you want to make ice fast and in bulk, this is the machine for you. It is well built, with a classic look and design that would be great in any home or business kitchen. This is a high-performance countertop model that will make clear ice cubes quickly and easily.
What we liked:
- The water tank holds 2 gallons of water, which is enough to make ice for a large party.
- The controls are very easy to use and have only two buttons, one for using the machine and one for making cubes extra thick. There are settings for both clear ice and crushed or shaved ice cubes.
- This is a commercial grade appliance that will last for years.
- It is a high-performance unit that will make clear ice cubes quickly and easily.
- The stainless steel body and plastic parts are very sturdy and well built.
- The machine makes clear ice cubes, which can be good or bad depending on what you are looking for.
#2 GILATI Commercial Ice Maker Machine
There are many ice makers on the market, but the GILATI Commercial Ice Maker Machine is a great commercial ice maker for home and family that not only makes a large amounts of ice for daily use but also provides timely reminders to avoid over flooding the bin. As a matter of fact, the LED panel is able to display information for fill level and ice type including cube size, making it convenient to use.
The GILATI Commercial Ice Maker Machine has an automatic cleaning function which makes maintenance pretty straightforward with minimal fuss. The machine comes with a storage bin, which will ensure that the ice-making process runs smoothly. The GILATI Commercial Ice Maker Machine is built with a sturdy frame and equipped with an ice scoop as well.
The GILATI Commercial Ice Maker Machine has a 1 year warranty.
What we liked:
- It is easy to use.
- Comes with a storage bin.
- Has an automatic cleaning feature.
- Affordable price.
#3 Euhomy Commercial Ice Maker Machine
The ice maker is designed to make ice cubes that are of professional or restaurant quality. Instead of having to scoop out the ice from a bin, this ice maker allows you to control the size and shape of the ice you want. You can make full cube-shaped cubes or half-size cubes, as well as full-size squares if you want.
This is a 4.5-star rated product that has over 2000 reviews. It is considered one of the best commercial ice makers in the Pacific Northwest and works perfectly for commercial use.
The Euhomy Commercial Ice Maker Machine comes with cool and unique features like a built-in drain grate to prevent water spills and a compressor system to make your ice quickly. Keeping the ice maker at the right temperature is especially important because you don’t want to have to wait forever for your ice.
This commercial ice maker is designed with a built-in thermostat that will tell you exactly when it is time to add water, and once the water has been added the machine will keep up with making your ice just as it should be.
The well-constructed build of the Euhomy Commercial Ice Maker Machine makes it something you will have forever. You won’t have to worry about it breaking down on you, and the design will let you keep up with its smart features. This ice maker machine is very much worth the price as it comes with a two year warranty which is something not all ice makers come with.
There has been some mention that the ice cubes don’t always fall into the waiting bucket and may be stacked up in front of it while they are being made. This can be inconvenient when trying to make a bunch of ice fast. Be sure to keep an eye on it and if you notice it stopping or slowing down, it may be because the water has been running over and needs to be drained.
Overall, this is a great ice maker machine that will be perfect for commercial use. It is highly rated on Amazon and has a very good rating with over 2000 reviews. If you are looking for the best undercounter ice machine for your commercial establishment, this may just be the one you’ve been looking for.
What we liked:
- Stainless steel interior and exterior
- This model comes with 5 pre-programmed ice cube sizes and a 24-hour timer
- The ice machine has an electronic thermostat to maintain the right temperature for making ice
#4 VEVOR 110V Commercial Ice Maker
VEVOR 110V Commercial Ice Maker comes with a host of features, many of which are professional in nature and will perform their tasks while others are very basic but innately necessary. The water filter is one of the more notable features, as it makes sure that you have only the cleanest water available for your ice machines.
It’s a great way to keep it running without the worry of the machine being filled with bad water. The company also made sure that you didn’t have to go out and buy extra filters, as they are included with the product. That is a fantastic way to stock up on ice in the long run!
As this is a commercial grade ice machine, it can make up to 110 pounds of ice per day (which is significantly more than what most models will produce). This is a lot on your hands, so one of the first things that you should do is make sure that you have enough space available for it to work. Sure, you could probably make more than 110 pounds of ice per day with this machine, but it would be nice to not be working while it’s churning out ice.
I know that I certainly wouldn’t purchase anything less than a commercial grade machine if I were making ice in my home and wanted to produce the very best quality product possible. I also would like to note that this machine is designed specifically to produce large amounts of ice, not much else. That’s obvious when you compare it with other machines that only make around 12 pounds of ice.
The extra space will make a huge difference in your ability to keep the machine going for a long time without having to work (as you could always get fresh ice after your machine has run out of it). So if you’re looking for an entry-level commercial grade ice maker, this is the perfect product for you.
It offers a lot of options but is also considered extremely simple. There are no bells and whistles that might interfere with your ice machine’s performance, and there are no extra features that you will miss while using it. It’s just a solid ice maker that doesn’t need to hide anything under a lot of unnecessary functions to make it look more impressive.
What we liked:
- The ice machine is heavy duty and made to be used many times.
- There is a water filter included, which allows for clean water.
- Comes with an automatic cleaning function, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning it yourself!
#5 Kismile Commercial Ice Maker Machine
Ice making efficiency and convenience are features that come standard with the Kismile ice maker. Blending style and function to hit the mark on convenience, this machine is an all-purpose workhorse. With a built-in, commercial grade compressor and an easy to use interface–this ice cube maker is perfect for any food service operation, even for larger operations where compact design is necessary.
We found the Kismile Ice Machine to be easy to setup and use, with a number of convenient features. Not only does it make clear ice cubes, but it can produce a maximum of 265 pounds of ice in just 24 hours. The machine has a built-in water filter, ensuring that all ice cubes are made from the purest water without getting any nasty contaminants from your tap water.
Like any commercial ice maker, this one is designed to operate efficiently and quietly. The machine’s thermoelectric cooling system is incredibly compact, ensuring that it won’t take up much space at all. This model from Kismile is truly suitable for any household or commercial setting. It can be used in a variety of situations, from bars to restaurants to hotels.
The only complaint we heard was that the machine does not change its ice production speed based on the time of day.
What we liked:
- Efficient and quiet operation.
- This ice cube maker can produce 265 pounds of ice in 24 hours without ever having to refill the reservoir.
- Built-in water filter to ensure that ice cubes are made using the purest water possible.
Features To Look For In A Commercial Ice Maker
There are numerous choices of ice makers to choose from and they do not always come with the same features. Knowing what features you need can help you narrow down your choices.
There is a wide range of commercial ice makers available. They can make various shapes of ice, different sizes, different amounts, and are manufactured by many companies. So how do you know which one is right for you?
Here are some things to consider when choosing an ice maker for your business:
Ice Size And Shape
What size and shape of ice cubes do you need? There are three main types of ice cubes: nugget, flake, and cube. The type of machine you need will depend on the type of customers you have. For example, if your restaurant has a bar where cocktails are served, the best choice would be nugget or flake ice so that drinks will stay cold without diluting them.
Production Capacity
How much ice does your establishment need daily? Most restaurants use anywhere from 200-600 pounds per day depending on their needs. If you run a bar that serves alcoholic drinks, your needs will increase significantly due to the fact that cocktails require more cubes than non-alcoholic beverages like sodas or tea.
Some models offer accommodation for a number of different sizes of ice dices. For bars and restaurants, you want to get a model that can hold at least 500 pounds of ice cubes. If you plan to serve alcoholic beverages, then make sure there is enough capacity for the number of drinks you will be making.
Ice Storage And Storage Duration
The amount of ice your establishment uses daily must be considered when choosing which model to buy. If your business only uses 30-50 pounds of ice, then you do not need a huge storage bin for it. Make sure that the bin can hold at least about 10 hours worth of your normal use.
Efficiency
The most energy efficient ice makers use around 5000 BTU’s per bag of ice produced. This means that they use less energy and leave more money in your pocket when they are operating properly.
Cost
Figure out the total cost of your ice making needs. Compare the cost of each unit based on your ice usage and how much you need for each day. How much does it cost you every time you go to the supermarket to buy bags of ice? You may find that an ice maker can actually save you money in the long run.
FAQs
How long does a commercial ice machine last?
This depends on a few factors. One is how often you use it. The more you use it, the faster it wears out. Another is which model you buy. Some models are built to last for years, while others are not as durable. A third factor is how well you maintain your equipment. If you make sure to perform preventive maintenance, keep your ice maker clean, and change out the water filter regularly, your machine will last longer than if you do not take care of it. Most commercial ice makers have an average life expectancy of 10-15 years.
How much does a commercial ice machine cost?
There are many factors that affect the cost of a commercial ice machine. The size of the unit and its capacity will impact the price tag, as will the features and brand name. You can expect to pay at least $1,000 for a new commercial ice maker, but most cost between $2,000-$5,000+.
How do you size a commercial ice maker?
The best way to size your commercial ice maker is by taking inventory of how much ice you go through at the busiest times of the day or week and planning accordingly. This helps ensure your ice maker has the capacity to meet peak demand, which is important because it prevents customers from having to wait for their beverages or food items to be served cold.
Conclusion
Commercial ice makers are a necessity in a busy restaurant or an extremely busy party. It’s the kind of appliance that you can place in your kitchen without taking a lot of space. With the help of an ice maker, you will be able to serve your customers well so they will keep coming back to your restaurant or bar and recommend other people to go there as well. You should definitely look for the best commercial ice maker to buy as it is going to be worth your every single dollar spent.
