In every modern bar, cafe or restaurant you can find an ice machine. It allows the production of large quantities of ice to cool drinks or showcase products. In addition, ice is actively used for therapeutic purposes - to treat bruises or bruises, so it can be purchased for home.
Types of ice
Cubic - A popular type in bars, restaurants and hotels. Due to its large surface, ice quickly cools drinks and slowly melts.
Scaly - similar to small slivers or chips and evenly cools dishes, so it is often used in salad bars and cafes. Also used for compresses in clinics and emergency rooms.
Granular - It is considered to be a favorite among visitors to cocktail and cafe. All because it is soft enough and easy to chew. Ice is ideal for juices, fruit smoothies and other drinks.
Hexagonal and Crescent used by owners of restaurants and cafes who want to add creativity. It cools drinks quickly enough.
What to look for
Consider what options are important when choosing an ice maker.
Air cooling
The air-cooled generator works on the principle of a fan or cooler. Air moves through the condenser through ventilation and ventilation holes.
The advantages of these models are that they are much cheaper than machines with a water or remote condenser. Spend much less water and are considered quite economical. The peculiarity of the technology is that it requires a lot of space for air movement. Do not forget to periodically clean the filters, otherwise the device will begin to overheat and emit unnecessary noise.
Water cooling
The principle of operation of such a generator — two water pipes. The first serves to generate ice and stretches to a special compartment. The second runs along the condenser and serves to drain the refrigerant.
Note that the technique does not depend on the ambient temperature. Another plus — low power consumption. Unlike the previous type, it works quite quietly. But the generator spends a large amount of water, respectively, and the costs will be impressive.
Performance
The place where they will be used depends on how much the generator can produce ice. The volume varies from a few kilograms to several tons. If your institution has a large flow of customers, pay attention to high-performance models. Typically, such ice makers have a capacious chamber or bin for storing unused product.
Water filter
A significant part of generator malfunctions depends on the purity and quality of the water. "Heavy" elements, minerals and various impurities accumulate over time inside the device and disrupt its operation. Substances in water can affect the smell and taste of the resulting ice, and degrade the performance of the equipment.
Of course, there are no standards that would require a water filter. But you should know that damage caused by low-quality water is not serviced under warranty. If the master discovers that the damage was due to bad water, the client will have to pay for the repair on his own.
Filter advantages:
- Elements dissolved in water, such as chlorine, impair the taste of ice. The filter will qualitatively clean water from harmful minerals and impurities.
- Contaminating minerals accumulate inside the equipment and reduce the power of the work. Filtration helps him work at full strength.
- Impurities can destroy the compressor and seal. As a result, this will lead to serious breakdowns and high repair costs. The filter prevents accumulation and stabilizes the operation of the device.
Water filters can be of different sizes, depending on the brand and power of the product.
Optional accessories
- Repository. A bunker or dispenser is simply necessary if the device does not work autonomously. Dispensers come in two types: desktop and floor. Most often they are used in public catering and hotels. The bunkers are made to store ice until it is used.
- Remote capacitor. If the generator is too noisy and the sound annoys visitors, a remote capacitor will save the situation. To use such a system, a refrigerant pipe is also required.
- Scoop. This accessory ensures that visitors get ice with a clean instrument.
How to choose an industrial ice machine
It is best to act according to this scheme:
- It is necessary to determine where and how the device will be used. Most often, ice is needed for drinks or laying out products in supermarkets and shopping centers.
- Next, you should choose the optimal size.
- Then you need to make a choice between water and air cooling. The first type will significantly reduce noise and is suitable even for hot climates. The second will help save money on water.
- You can order accessories. Buyers will definitely need a water filter, a hopper or a scoop. Each of the parts will simplify the use of the device.
Other species
Household and home
These devices are usually small and belong to the type of "jellied". They are ideal for home and do not require a connection to the water supply, just pour water inside. If you need a good home or bar ice machine, consider Gastrorag DB-09. It produces up to 10 kilograms of ice per day.
Characteristics:
- Dimensions — 30x45x30 cm.
- Installation — desktop.
- Cubes — finger-type.
- Capacity — 0.6 kg
- Performance — 10kg in 24 hours.
For the bath
In baths and saunas, ice makers are used both for wiping and cooling drinks. Devices are installed in the lobby, and sometimes in the steam room itself. Such a technique must necessarily have high-quality thermal insulation. She is from the popular models. — PROCONHEALTH Eis TOWER NAKED EU 22.
Characteristics:
- Dimensions — 53x57x54 cm.
- Installation — recessed.
- Performance — about 120 kg in 24 hours.
- Features — Built-in Stand By mode.
Dry ice generators
Dry granular ice is necessary for cleaning auto parts and equipment. Also suitable for cooling certain foods. The models are compact enough and allow you to clean yourself.
The company enjoys the success of buyers of such devices. Karcher.
Liquid ice generators
One of the innovative technologies that allows the production of a gel-like substance from salted (sea) water and microcrystals of ice. This system allows you to save products without spoilage and thermal burns.
Model Overview
Convito ZB-26
Description:
Convito ZB-26 is suitable for the production of ice at home. Maximum amount of product development — 26 kg per day. The equipment requires additional connection to the water supply and sewerage. The model is suitable for both home and bar or a small cafe. If you do not know how to connect the generator to the water supply, it is better to contact the master or the service center of the equipment.
Parameters:
- Dimensions — 40x54x67 cm.
- Performance — up to 26 kg in 24 hours.
- Cooling — airborne.
- Power — 0.2 kW
Cost: about 42 thousand rubles.
FROST ICE MAKER VA-8383
Description:
This device is suitable for home or mini diner. The main advantages— high performance. The generator is equipped with an electronic control and a timer with automatic shutdown. Of features — an audible alarm that alerts you to a low water level in the tank.
Parameters:
- Dimensions — 36x24x32 cm.
- Performance — up to 12 kg in 24 hours.
- Cooling — airborne.
- Power — 0.12 kW.
- Features: microprocessor, Stan By mode, timer.
Cost: about 15 thousand rubles.
Brema split 350
Description:
Brema equipment can be called really high quality. The case is made of durable stainless steel. The Brema generator is enough for the needs of a large restaurant or shopping center.
Parameters:
- Dimensions — 49x58x70 cm.
- Performance — up to 400 kg in 24 hours.
- Cooling — airborne.
- Power — 0.18 kW.
- Features: scaly form of ice floes.
Cost: about 300 thousand rubles.
Scotsman MAR 56 AS
Description:
Another model of industrial equipment. It also has a high level of performance. All plastic elements are protected from bacteria by AglON technology.
Parameters:
- Dimensions — 90x81x112 cm.
- Performance — from 380 to 426 kg in 24 hours.
- Cooling — airborne.
- Power — 2 kW
- Features: protection against bacteria.
Cost: about 600 thousand rubles.
ICEMATIC E21 W
Description:
High-quality equipment for the home, small shop or bar. Body material — stainless steel of the highest quality. There is a function of automatic cleaning of the capacitor. An electronic control panel allows you to control the operation of the equipment.
Parameters:
- Dimensions — 34x54x52 cm.
- Performance — up to 21 kg in 24 hours.
- Cooling — water.
- Power — 0.22 kW.
- Features: frontal ventilation, bunker filling alarm.
Cost: about 61 thousand rubles.
In addition to the manufacturers presented, different types of ice machines can be found on the brands Hoshizaki, Cooleq, Simag, Maja, Hurakan, Apach and Eqta.
If you need a small amount of ice cubes, you can update the refrigerator and purchase equipment with built-in ICE MAKER. Such models can be found at Electrolux, Samsung, Bosch or Liebherr. The Liebher model is popular ECBN 6156. Bosch boasts a fridge KAN58A45.
Important! You can find out how the equipment works or how to configure the functions in the instruction manual that comes with the kit.
Reviews
Elizabeth, Krasnodar
I bought Frost Ice Maker VA-8383 — only he saves in the heat. The house is now always cold drinks for themselves and for guests. There is a setting for automatic shutdown. This is very convenient, because you do not always remember that you need to disable something. I am glad that there are such portable devices on sale. We can say that the technology is fully justified in its price.
Andrey, Chelyabinsk
I decided to please myself with new technology — ice maker. I searched and chose for a long time Caso Ice master Pro. Of the pros — There is a quick freeze mode and auto shut off setting. After two months of use, it began to turn on from the third attempt. I had to be taken to a service center, fortunately, a 24-month warranty. Corrected, so far it works fine. In principle, a good thing, only it is a little expensive for its capabilities. It was possible to take a refrigerator with such a function a little more expensive.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that the ice maker — a specific thing. If you do not have a cafe or bar, then you can really refuse such a purchase. In any case, now you have learned the basic characteristics and the principle of operation of such devices. Buy or not — it's up to you.