|
An ice machine is a piece of restaurant equipment that any restaurateur as well as many other businesses cannot do without. In addition to restaurants, ice is used in bars, grocery stores, concession stands, medical labs, schools, hospitals and cafeterias. An ice machine must come in many different sizes to accommodate all of the different types of uses. Knowing your business is imperative in order to choose the proper size and configuration of available ice makers and ice bins for purchase. Ice making machines are typically rated by the pounds of production of ice within a 24 hour time period.
Flaked Ice Machine
 Flaked ice is composed of dry flakes which cool more quickly than other ice forms. Flaked ice molds to any shape for use in various types of displays. As it is easy to shape, flaked ice is a shape of ice that is used in many different settings. Many grocery stores use flaked ice for produce, seafood and meat displays. Restaurants, bars and cafeterias use this type of ice for salad bar displays, sodas and blended cocktails. Again with flaked ice being easy to shape and form, this type of ice is ideal for health care facility to use in therapeutic/patient care. Other available forms of ice shapes include cube, nugget and slab ice.
Air Cooled Ice Machine
The decision will also need to be made whether the ice making machine will be air-cooled or a water-cooled. An air-cooled machine is the most popular as it is the most cost effective in the long run as these units have no added water costs. With water restrictions in some parts of the country, the cost of using water is rising quickly. This will be something you want to calculate into your future plans and/or expenses with a water cooled machine. Another consideration to consider is that an air-cooled condenser needs to have some clearance on all air intake and discharge areas.
Water Cooled Ice Machine
 A water-cooled unit should only be considered if one or more of the following conditions exists where the machine will be installed:
1. The ambient air temperatures of more than 80F
2. The air contains a high level of contaminants such as grease
3. A lack of air circulation
With this being said, an example of a situation where a water-cooled or remote unit should be used would be to install the unit in a small room without air circulation. Another example would be in a small kitchen where the ice machine must be located near the cooking equipment and air temperatures are typically over 80F. Again, the tradeoff of using a water-cooled machine is that water consumption will be higher than it would be with a comparable air-cooled unit. For this reason an air-cooled unit should be selected unless conditions warrant the use of a water-cooled machine.
Ice Machine Sizing
Another important consideration is the production capacity of the unit. Proper selection in this regard can make or break the experience of your customers as well as your staff. Knowing your overall business and business levels will assist you in making a careful assessment, based on your individual business needs. The machine should be purchased understanding the ice consumption of the peak business times as well as being able to sustain any future growth of your business.
Find quality information on Golf Course Equipment, Restaurant Equipment, Golf Equipment, Full Swing Lessons, Golf Club Fitting, Putting Tips, Short Game, Mental Golf Game, Ladies Golf, Junior Golf, 19th Hole and VGS Houston Golf Academy. VGS Golf & Country Club Supply has customers in Washington DC, Fairfax, Virginia, NYC, New York, San Diego, California, LA, California, Atlanta, Georgia, Galveston, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, OKC, Oklahoma, Indy, Indianapolis, Orlando, Florida, Phoenix, Arizona, Chicago, Illinois, Boston, MA, Nashville, Tennessee, St. Louis, Missouri, Seattle, Washington, and Mobile, Alabama.
In addition, VGS Golf has free information on different pieces of restaurant equipment such as Bar Equipment, Commercial Freezer, Commercial Ice Machines, Commercial Refrigerator, Commercial Ovens, Concession Equipment, Kitchen Supplies, Prep Tables, Restaurant Furniture
|
