Tips for Buying the Right Ice Machine

It is essential you choose the right ice machine for your commercial business the first time! The right type of ice machine depends on the industry you are in. Keep reading and refer to the charts below for tips on selecting the perfect machine for your business:

Food Service Industry
Fast Food: 8 oz. per 16 oz. cup
Restaurant: 1.8 lbs. per patron
Cocktail: 3 lbs. per patron
Salad Bar: 40 lbs. per cubic foot

Hotels/ Lodging
Guest Use: 5 lbs. per room
Cocktail: 3 lbs. per guest
Restaurant: 1.8 lbs. per patron
Catering: 1 lb. per guest

Healthcare Industry
Patients: 10 lbs. per bed
Cafeteria: 1 lb. per person

It is important you don't have too much or too little of ice. Either will potentially decrease profit. A good way to calculate just the right amount is to average the number of people you serve a day plus the amount you use in your kitchen.

Now that you know how much ice you will need each day, it is crucial to determine which ice is the best to select for your business:

Flaked Ice:

• Does not use as much energy as others to produce
• Is easier to configure and mold for things salad bars, meats or seafood displays
• Ideal for healthcare and childcare environments due to the fact that it reduces choking hazards
• Best used at: hospital and daycare cafeterias, salad bars, poultry, fish and blended drinks

Cubed Ice:

• Comes in whole/half pieces
• Has high density which makes it slower to melt and cool drinks faster
• Best used for: cocktails and beverages, ice dispenser machines and retail stores

Nugget Ice:

• Softer than cubed but more dense than flaked
• Tends to be a top choice by customers for beverages
• Can be used in product displays or salad bars

At East Coast Refrigeration we are here for all your ice machine and commercial refrigeration needs! We service Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, NYC and the entire Northeastern United States. Give us a call today at (631)249-4556. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube!