THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SHOPPING FOR COMMERCIAL ICE MACHINE.

Whether you need a dishwasher or an ice machine, you’ll want to spend your money wisely. This will involve sourcing your equipment from reputable and experienced dealers and retailers. At the same time, you wouldn’t want to spend money on something that does not offer convenience or durability. People who run commercial kitchens often have a great idea of the dishes they want to offer and their target audience. But their knowledge about commercial cooking and refrigeration appliances may not be quite as comprehensive. Relying heavily on the knowledge of the retailer makes it even more important to purchase all the appliances you need from a knowledgeable retailer.

Each appliance in a commercial kitchen has its own features and merits. When shopping for these appliances, you will need to consider certain specific aspects of the product.

When shopping for these machines, pay attention to:

Types of Ice You Require:

Different ice machines produce different kinds of ice. Ascertain which kind of ice you require e.g. flake, gourmet, nugget, cubes etc. Then, narrow down your range of options to the machines that make the ice you need.

Energy Efficiency:

Whenever you purchase commercial equipment such as a commercial fridge, you will consider its energy efficiency. This is because energy efficient machines will utilise power effectively. Thus, you will get an appliance that offers the desired levels of power. At the same time, you won’t need to worry about your power bills. Ice machines consume more energy for producing ice as opposed to storing it. So, purchase a unit with a large storage capacity. In addition, purchase units with Energy Star seals to ensure that the product is energy efficient.

Compressor:

Air-cooled compressors use less water. In addition, they are affordable and energy efficient too. But these ice machines will be noisy. They will produce some exhaust fumes as well. To mitigate this, you will need an air-conditioning system in the kitchen. Remote-cooled condensers will be separate from the ice unit. Therefore, the installation costs of these machines will be higher. But they will not be as noisy as the air-cooled or water-cooled units. In contrast, water-cooled condensers will increase your consumption of water. People typically use them in places that have higher temperatures. This is because air-cooled compressors won’t work as well in these areas.

Water Filter:

It’s best to purchase a machine that features a water filter. These filters will eliminate contaminants from reaching the system. These minerals could considerably change the flavour of your beverages. Also, proper water filters could help you save on your energy costs. This is because these filters eliminate minerals and other contaminants at the outset. As such, they can prevent the build-up of sediment and mineral deposits, which could reduce the performance of the machine. Thus, the machine would be able to continue performing at

optimum levels.

Size and Capacity:

You wouldn’t purchase commercial food processors having the wrong size or capacity. This would only be counterproductive. Similarly, assess the amount of ice you want to store vis-à-vis the amount of space available in the kitchen. For large volumes of ice, opt for modular ice machines.

Speed:

Ice makers with high production rates will produce new ice faster. As such, you will be able to keep up with the required supply levels easily. This is particularly true when the time is important i.e., at peak times. Check the specifications to ascertain the volume of ice the machines can produce within 24 hours before making your purchase.