When it comes to choosing an ice maker for your domestic or commercial needs, you need to be very careful. The quality and type of ice cubes depend on the type of icemaker.
Over a period of time, this machine has gained a lot of popularity. You will find it in every pub, bar, club, hotel, restaurant, gym as well as a healthcare facility.
With this machine, you don’t have to wait for the ice to set. All you need to do is open the door and scoop out some ice. This machine ensures that you never run out of ice.
However, you cannot just use any type of ice or icemaker for your business. Ice falls under the category of food. So you need to make sure it meets all the requirements. It should be clean and hygienic, or else you will lose your license.
Because of this reason, you need to carefully choose an icemaker. There are several factors you need to consider in order to make the right purchase decision.
If you don’t know how to choose an ice maker, we can help you. Follow this guide to choose the best ice machine in the market.
How to Choose an Icemaker?
If you are planning to buy a new ice maker for your home or business, make sure you consider all these factors and compare the best ice machines in the market. It will help you to make the right purchase decision.
Type of Ice Machine:
The first thing you need to check is the type of ice maker. There are many different styles and designs of ice makers available in the market. If you want a small compact ice maker, you can choose a modular ice machine. It can easily fit into your kitchen. Another type is an under-counter icemaker. It is not too bulky. You can keep it under the kitchen counter. You can also choose icemaker and dispenser or countertop icemaker. These are some of the types of ice machines. You can choose any of these types as per the storage space in your home or bar kitchen.
Size:
Another thing you need to check is the size of the machine. It is one of the most important factors. You need to know how much amount of ice you will on a daily basis. It will help you to determine the size of the machine. You need to check the ice requirements on the busiest day as well as during the slack period. It is wise to go with a big size machine so that you don’t run of ice. Purchasing ice from an external source can become an expense. So you need to make sure it is the right size machine as per your business needs.
Type of Ice:
While this factor might not seem important, it actually plays a vital role—the type of ice you use in your machine matters a lot. Nowadays, people have become very particular about the drink they are having. There are some people who prefer a particular type of ice. So you need to make sure the ice maker is able to produce that type of ice. The most common type of ice is cube ice. Then there is flake ice, full cube, half cube, nugget ice, gourmet ice, etc. Choose an icemaker that suits your ice-type requirements.
Storage Capacity:
You also need to check the storage capacity of the icemaker. There are some icemakers that can produce ice quickly but have less storage capacity. In this case, you need to remove the ice from the machine and store it in another place. If you don’t want to undergo this hassle, you can choose an icemaker with a decent storage capacity. This way, you can easily store and produce ice.
Production Rate:
Before you purchase an icemaker, make sure you check the production rate. It is the rate at which the machine produces ice. There are some machines which are slow. They take more time to produce ice compared to other machines. If your ice requirement is more, you need to choose a faster machine. It will help you to replenish ice quickly before you fall short of it.
Cost:
Icemakers can be quite expensive, especially if you are planning to purchase one for commercial use. It can cost anywhere from around $300 to $5000. So you need to make sure it falls under your budget. The best time to purchase the machine is during a sale. You can also shortlist a few machines and compare them to make the right decision. If you want a machine will extra features, you need to have a higher budget. If you have a limited budget, you can choose any ordinary machine.
Condenser:
You also need to check the condenser type. The most common ice machine uses a fan with a condenser. However, you can also check the other models. There is an air-cooled condenser, water-cooled condenser as well as remote cooled condenser. Each one has its own pros and cons. But it is better to choose an air-cooled condenser system in an icemaker.
Drain Options:
Apart from all the factors, you need to check the drain options as well. There are two options with ice machines. You can either choose gravity drain or drain pumps. If the drain is near the machine, a gravity drain is best. But if it is far, then you need to use drain pumps.
Water Filter:
If you are purchasing a new icemaker, it should have an inbuilt water filtration system. It will help the machine to filter the water before it turns into ice. It removes all the impurities from the water.
Energy Efficiently:
Apart from these factors, the machine should be energy efficient as well. It will help you to save a lot on power bills, especially if you are using it for commercial purposes.
Warranty:
You also need to check the warranty on the machine. Choose an icemaker with a longer warranty period. It will help you to avoid any unnecessary repairs.
These are the factors you need to consider before you purchase an ice maker. Make sure you check the color and design of the machine as well.
