How To Pick the Right Ice Machine for Your Establishment
There are a lot of things to consider in restaurant kitchen design and even more to consider in commercial kitchen equipment. Ice machines are typically a part of the equation. A restaurant equipment company can offer several different types and sizes of ice machines.
Having some basic understanding of what type and size of ice machine will best support your activity will help you to make an informed decision. Following these tips can help you decide which option is best.
Your Three Main Considerations
A restaurant equipment company will have three main options that you will have to choose from. Understanding what these options mean will help you to make the right choice:
- What type of ice do you want your machine to make? Cubed, crushed or shaved?
- What type of condenser do you want? Water cooled, a remote condenser, or air-cooled?
- How much ice will you use in a day?
A restaurant equipment company can explain your options in detail but it is always a good idea to have at least a basic understanding of all your kitchen equipment. For example, the different condenser options for your ice machine can affect energy efficiency and performance.
Your Footprint
Purchasing foodservice equipment like an ice maker that will serve your kitchen well, not only depends on basic knowledge of the above factors but also highly depends on the footprint of the equipment.
Your new ice maker can only be as large as the space you have available. The footprint of the ice maker (the floor space that it will take up) is another thing you will need to factor in.
How Do I Figure Out How Much Ice I Will Use in a 24 Hour Period?
There are a few rules of thumb when it comes to figuring out how much ice you should plan for each day. Here are some examples:
- For restaurants on average, it is about 2 pounds of ice each day.
- For bars it is about 3 pounds of ice per seat in the bar per day.
- Hospitals and other institutions can use about 10 pounds of ice per bed per day.
- School cafeterias can use about 1.5 pounds of ice per student and staff member.
Using the above estimates can help you to determine the amount of ice you will need for your business or organization.
A Reliable Restaurant Equipment Company Can Help
The right restaurant equipment company can help you to decide which ice machine is best for your operation. Be prepared to answer some questions about your needs, and don’t be afraid to ask questions, after all, they are the experts!
