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With the obvious exception of hot drinks, most of the time, beverages served at restaurants, bars, or cafes are best when taken cold. It is no wonder why many operators of such enterprisers will tell you that a refrigerator is a necessity in their premises.
However, while most refrigerators can make ice, they are not as efficient as dedicated ice makers. On any day, a professional ice maker delivers a larger volume of ice, higher output per hour, and more space for storing ice.
Are you looking for a new ice maker or thinking of replacing your faulty restaurant commercial ice maker? If yes, then the Maxx Ice MIM475HB is an excellent choice. After lengthy testing and research, this item proved to be the best when it comes to making ice. It can produce a whopping four hundred and seventy-five pounds of ice every day of the week. Therefore, you can always be sure of an abundant supply of ice to make your customer's cocktails, sodas, and teas cold to their liking on all business days.
To save you time and energy, this article provides reviews of the eight best ice makers available. This list is decisive as I made it after testing fourteen appliances and researching for over 72 hours. Moving on from that, this post also offers useful info on the different types of ice makers, advice on choosing the ideal appliance, usage tips, FAQs, and my final verdict.
Brand Name | Maxx Ice |
Item Weight | 247 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 30 x 24 x 59 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 475 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Certified to UL, NSF, and CSA commercial food grade standards |
Color | Silver |
Brand Name | Manitowoc |
Item Weight | 150 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 34 x 32 x 30 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 160 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Large storage bin |
Color | Silver/black |
Brand Name | hOmeLabs |
Item Weight | 63.7 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 15.7 x 17.6 x 31.4 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 143 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Adjusting ice thickness |
Color | Silver/black |
Brand Name | Smad |
Item Weight | 55 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 15.2 x 17.7 x 25.1 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 12 lbs |
Installation Type | Built-in/freestanding |
Special Features | Reversible door |
Color | Silver/black |
Brand Name | GRELE |
Item Weight | No information |
Product Dimensions | No information |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 84 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Automatic operations |
Color | Black |
Brand Name | Manitowoc |
Item Weight | No information |
Product Dimensions | 16 x 24 x 35 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 10 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Nugget style ice |
Color | Silver |
Brand Name | Hoshizaki |
Item Weight | No information |
Product Dimensions | 14 x 22 x 33 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 51 lb |
Installation Type | Built-in/freestanding |
Special Features | Approved for outdoor use |
Color | Silver |
Brand Name | Scotsman |
Item Weight | 90 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 23 x 15 x 33 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 84 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Power cord for quick installation |
Color | Silver/black |
Brand Name | PureWater Filters |
Item Weight | 1 pound |
Product Dimensions | 10.3 x 6.4 x 4 inches |
Life of Filter | 1500 gallons |
Installation Type | Direct inline kit |
Color | White |
Brand Name | Whirlpool |
Item Volume | 16 fl. oz. |
Although they perform a similar function and at times share some characteristics/ installation needs, ice makers fall into distinct classifications. Therefore, before you shop for one, here are the different types of these appliances you need to be aware of.
It is the most common type and distinct from the rest because it has both an ice maker and a storage unit. They are significantly larger when compared to regular consumer models and make more ice. These appliances can either be countertop or under-counter. For an entrepreneur, the good thing about acquiring such an ice cream maker machine for business is that it saves space by packing two functions in one appliance.
They make a large amount of ice and ought to be used with separate units for storing and dispensing of the ice. These appliances usually conform to twenty-two, thirty, and forty-eight-inch sizes. They are meant to be put over ice machine bins, ice dispensers, or beverage dispensers.
They can make and store ice at the same time. What distinguishes them from the rest is the fact that they can be put beneath a forty-inch counter. If you do not mind a lower capacity and instead prefer an item that can fit in a smaller space, then consider getting an under-counter commercial ice maker machine.
As the name suggests, these items can be put on countertops. They produce a large volume of ice daily and lack much storage. These appliances are most common in health care establishments and produce nugget-looking ice that's easier to chew by patients.
These appliances eject both water and ice, side by side. They produce a smaller amount of ice and can be found in break rooms, offices, etc.
Apart from the type of ice you want (whether cube, half-cube, crescent, nugget, flake, or gourmet), there are other considerations ahead of purchasing an ice maker. Below are some extra things to have in mind before proceeding to buy this appliance.
Size and capacity: A premise with a small space will need a compact appliance to ensure that movement is not constricted. When it comes to capacity, acquiring a modular ice maker will prove to be a smart idea if you need more ice output and have adequate storage space.
Cost: It is always best to acquire an appliance that falls within your budget. Nonetheless, note that higher capacity, more functional, and fancier makers will be costlier than simple machines.
Speed: If you run a very busy premise, you want to acquire an appliance that has a high production rate. This way, you will have ice supply throughout to ensure that your customers enjoy their beverages.
Power: These appliances often require more voltage. So, you might want to liaise with an electrician before installing the same on your premises.
Condenser. Three different condensers exist, air-cooled, water-cooled, and remote. Air-cooled appliances are a favorite since they are more effective and cheaper to acquire. Water-cooled machines are an ideal choice if your enterprise is located in hot areas or where aeration is not adequate. Lastly, remote appliances are those that allow users to store the condensers outside the building, away from the ice machine. Such gadgets are often quite costly.
Accessories: Always ensure that you acquire an appliance with a water filter, storage bin, ice bags, among other accessories depending on your needs.
Drain: You need an item with proper drainage to prevent water from freezing in the appliance, thus ensuring that adequate operation is maintained.
Below are detailed commercial ice maker reviews. Go through them to find the best item for your enterprise.
Brand Name | Maxx Ice |
Item Weight | 247 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 30 x 24 x 59 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 475 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Certified to UL, NSF, and CSA commercial food grade standards |
Color | Silver |
If you are looking for an excellent commercial ice maker machine, then this is the one. It works well and produces the whole four, hundred and seventy-five pounds of ice specified by the manufacturer. When it comes to ice type, this appliance provides half-cubes with sizeable and uniform measurements. Whenever you use the product, the ice is ejected onto a stainless-steel bin that can hold up to four hundred and thirty pounds of ice.
Another notable aspect is the ice bin lid. This feature is insulated well-enough, ensuring that ice is kept frozen for lengthy durations. Best of all, this model satisfies all industry specifications, leading to UL, NSF, and CSA Commercial Food Grade certifications. All told, Maxx Ice is easily the best commercial ice maker brand thanks to this model.
Brand Name | Manitowoc |
Item Weight | 150 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 34 x 32 x 30 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 160 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Large storage bin |
Color | Silver/black |
The Neo is among the best restaurant ice machines today. It comes with a storage bin that can be moved easily by sliding, providing the user with faster access to the ice without the need to shift the whole appliance. Moreover, it boasts of integrating the latest technologies making it quite affordable to maintain. However, perhaps the capability that stands out is that it allows you to slow the appliance on those days when business is down or when you have closed shop.
Brand Name | hOmeLabs |
Item Weight | 63.7 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 15.7 x 17.6 x 31.4 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 143 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Adjusting ice thickness |
Color | Silver/black |
Are you looking for a high-performing freestanding ice maker? Then this product makes a great choice. It delivers exceptional ice creating power, producing one hundred and forty-three pounds of ice only during twenty-four hours. Moreover, this appliance can make sixty-six pieces of ice between eleven and twenty minutes. It is a stand-alone ice maker, meaning that you can put it at any place on your premises. Nonetheless, while doing this, ensure that there's a water outlet close to your appliance.
Brand Name | Smad |
Item Weight | 55 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 15.2 x 17.7 x 25.1 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 12 lbs |
Installation Type | Built-in/freestanding |
Special Features | Reversible door |
Color | Silver/black |
This fifty-five-pound commercial ice machine boasts of high efficiency and durability. There is an excellent LED lighting that illuminates the interior section to allow you to see the interior of your appliance whenever it is dark, t. It is a notably small commercial ice machine, though, delivering twelve pounds of ice daily and storing six. But even with that said, this appliance is quite advanced, with automatic shutting when the ice container is filled. You can quickly attach the provided tube to a water source and create crescent ice fast.
Brand Name | GRELE |
Item Weight | No information |
Product Dimensions | No information |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 84 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Automatic operations |
Color | Black |
If you are looking for a durable, automatic, and advanced appliance for making ice, then you need to acquire the GRELE. This product can make up to eighty-four pounds of ice in twenty-four hours. When it comes to storage, it can comfortably hold almost nine pounds of ice at any given instant. With this item, you can make bullet ice cubes for your customers automatically since once the ice container is emptied, the device starts making a new batch of ice.
Brand Name | Manitowoc |
Item Weight | No information |
Product Dimensions | 16 x 24 x 35 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 10 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Nugget style ice |
Color | Silver |
For a 2-in-1 ice maker, you can choose this ice maker plus water dispenser from Manitowoc. It is a beautiful stainless-steel machine that comes in a metallic color. Built to sit on countertops, this ice maker is quite compact and doesn't take up much space.
This machine is excellent for high-consumption commercial uses as it can produce 315lb in a day. It also provides ice in the nugget style. After the ice is created, it can be stored at a steady cold temperature within the built-in 10-pound storage bin. That means that you or your staff don't need to wait around for ice to be produced.
Since this machine can stand on its own, set up is almost zero. It is also straightforward to use. There are three buttons on the front side of the machine for ice, water, and water with ice. Each has a symbol for easy identification. All these qualities make the Manitowoc CNF-0201A-L best commercial nugget ice machine around.
Brand Name | Hoshizaki |
Item Weight | No information |
Product Dimensions | 14 x 22 x 33 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 51 lb |
Installation Type | Built-in/freestanding |
Special Features | Approved for outdoor use |
Color | Silver |
What if you want a decent ice machine that you can use outdoors? This commercial under counter ice maker from Hoshizaki can be used in a variety of indoor spaces, including your kitchen, office, or restaurant. However, the one thing that is unique about it is that you can take it outdoors as well.
When used indoors, it is ideally fitted under the counter. The unique air circulation design, which includes a front vent, eliminates the need to accommodate for side or rear ventilation. Thus, you can fit the machine in tight spaces. As long as you can connect it to a power supply, this machine will produce and keep ice-cold during your outdoor functions.
Hoshizaki compact commercial ice maker produces ice cubes in the Top Hat style, a harder form that lasts longer and does not clump together in the storage bin. With this maker, you can get about 51 pounds of ice every day. The storage bin built inside this commercial outdoor ice machine holds around 22 pounds of ice at any given time. Lastly, the water circuit is easy to remove and clean.
Brand Name | Scotsman |
Item Weight | 90 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 23 x 15 x 33 inches |
Capacity(24 hrs) | 84 lb |
Installation Type | Freestanding |
Special Features | Power cord for quick installation |
Color | Silver/black |
Another under the counter favorite when talking about commercial ice makers is this stylish stand-alone machine manufactured by Scotsman. From its durable stainless-steel design to its chewable ice nuggets, everything about this product makes it the best sonic ice machine in the market.
This machine is about 23″ long and 28″ high, with a width of 15″. So, you can accommodate it in most under the counter spaces. It's freestanding, with four stable legs raised a couple of inches off the ground. It features ventilation spaces at the front and sides for ample air circulation. Since it is a commercial-grade machine, you can expect to get as much as 84 pounds of ice a day, storing 24 pounds at a time.
Now you know what the best ice makers are, here's a look at two related products you can purchase alongside them:
Brand Name | PureWater Filters |
Item Weight | 1 pound |
Product Dimensions | 10.3 x 6.4 x 4 inches |
Life of Filter | 1500 gallons |
Installation Type | Direct inline kit |
Color | White |
If you want crystal clear and better-tasting ice cubes, consider installing a water filter for your ice maker. Most ice machine brands recommend filtering water before it is frozen into ice. The Inline Water filter kit is arguably the best filtering equipment in the market. It reduces the taste and smell of chlorine to give you improved quality water. It works well with most refrigerators, ice makers, and water dispensers. The filter itself will clean about 1500 gallons of water for you before needing a replacement.
Brand Name | Whirlpool |
Item Volume | 16 fl. oz. |
You will need to clean your ice machine once in a while to keep it running smoothly, regardless of the brand you pick. This ice machine cleaner, which is manufactured by Whirlpool, is your best bet for removing deposits and grime that collect in your machine over time. You can use it on the storage bin as well as other areas where dirt accumulates. To apply, turn off your machine and remove the ice from the storage bin. Then, add the cleaner into the water pan and dilute it with water. Finally, activate the clean cycle in your machine.
Every machine works differently. Before anything else, go through the instruction manual to understand how to install and use your ice maker. Make sure your ice maker is connected to a water and power inlet before you start making ice. And ensure it is also connected to a drain. As soon as it is powered on, water will flow to the ice tray, and cubes will start to form. Then, once solid, they are released into the storage bin to await collection or to dispense. Remember, an ice maker is quite different from an ice cream maker. You can learn more about the latter by going through commercial soft serve ice cream machine reviews.
Do you have some questions concerning ice maker machines commercial? These answers might help:
The duration your machine lasts will depend on how often you use it and whether it is well maintained. All in all, expect it to function at its best from 5- 10 years.
The amount of electricity used depends on the brand and model of the ice maker you pick, its production, and whether it's energy-efficient. This information is usually listed in the individual product specifications.
To select the right size, consider where and how much you intend to use the machine. A 50lb or less machine would work well at home, office, hotel room, or small establishment. But for large restaurants, hotels, and events, you would need an ice maker with much higher productivity and storage space. A good rule of thumb is to estimate 1-1.5lb per customer/ person.
It is recommended that you clean your machine every 3-6 months. However, you can clean it more frequently based on how much you use it, where you place the machine, and the condition of the water you are using.
Yes. Ice that has stayed for too long can become contaminated with disease-causing bacteria and thereby make you sick.
Ice vending machines can go for anything from $20,000 to $150,000. The price will, of course, depend on the brand, size of the machine, and the features it packs up.
Your ice maker will take about 90 minutes to complete a full cycle of ice making. However, different ice makers have different productivity levels.
Shaved ice makers usually produce fluffy and soft ice from cubes or larger blocks of ice. These machines can range from basic options, which use a manual hand mechanism to electric ice shavers. There are lots of brands available for you to compare and find the best commercial shaved ice machine. Note that an ice shaver is quite different from the typical ice maker in design and functionality.
These eight recommendations of commercial ice makers are the best in the market today. You can find an ideal choice depending on how much ice you intend to make in a day, where you want to use your machine, and your budget. The best commercial ice machine on this list is the Maxx Ice MIM475HB. It produces a whopping 475lbs of cubes daily, stores about 430lbs comfortably, self-cleans, and is energy efficient. However, alternatives are depending on whether you are looking for something cheaper, more compact, or outdoor use. So, what's your experience with ice-making machines? Have you used any of the listed products? Give your thoughts or recommendation down below.
Image Credits - Amazon.com, Photo Stocks.
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Yvonne Ferguson is a culinary enthusiast and dedicated cooking tech reviewer. She’s constantly looking for the most up-to-date products and information to share with IceMakersHub readers. Yvonne enjoys making family-friendly recipes while sharing tips on choosing handy appliances for a healthy life.
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