What is a Commercial Ice Machine?

So you have decided to purchase an ice machine, whether for your home, garage, or restaurant, it's important to understand the distinction between a residential and commercial ice machine.  Sure, 100lb of ice per day sounds like a lot, but understand that ice does not go very far and a commercial ice machine is the only way to reach requirements for filling coolers and drinks.

Convenience store owners plan for 1lb of ice per customer that purchase one of their drinks of at least 32oz.  Many times, around here there are even fountain drinks that are 64 oz, so that's a whopping 2lb of ice per serving.  How many drinks do you want or need to sell?

Small restaurants even plan for up to 1.5lb of ice per person.  So, if you are pushing at least 50 customers per hour through your restaurant, that's a need of 400lb of ice per day based on an 8 hour day.  A Commercial ice machine is the only way to reach these demands.

Looking to add an ice machine to your garage or home, a commercial ice machine may still be what you need.  Residential ice machines typically do not have as long a warranty period, produce less ice, and contain much less storage capacities.  A commercial ice machine will come with industry leading warranties, service support, and provide higher capacities for production and storage.

Residential Ice Machine Brands

• Whilrpool
• Sub Zero

Commercial Ice Machine Brands

• Manitowoc
• Scotsman
• Hoshizaki
• Ice-o-Matic
• Corneilius