Ice Maker Types: Choosing the Best Machine for Your Needs

Head and bin combos (also known as the upright ice machine) are ideal ice maker types for establishments that require a substantial amount of ice daily. These units consist of a separate ice machine head and a storage bin. The ice machine head, responsible for producing ice, sits atop or alongside the storage bin, which holds and dispenses the ice.

They are capable of producing between a few hundred to over 1,000 pounds of ice per day. The bin capacity can range from 80 to 800 pounds, ensuring you have a large reserve of ice ready for peak times. This combination is well-suited for businesses with high ice demands, such as large restaurants, busy bars, and event venues.

For applications where ice needs to be dispensed directly into cups, pitchers, or buckets without manual scooping, an ice dispenser is the ideal choice. Dispensers offer a convenient and hygienic method for serving ice, making them suitable for self-service areas.

Drawbacks: They can be slower than manually scooping ice, involve additional mechanical components, and come with higher initial costs and maintenance needs. Because of these factors, ice dispensers are less common as back-of-house solutions, though they are useful in drive-thru settings where employees need to quickly fill customer orders.

Smaller ice dispensers combine an ice machine with a bin and dispenser in one unit, while larger setups consist of separate modular components: an ice machine head, a dispenser, and a bin. There are also standalone dispensers that require manual filling from a separate ice source.

Undercounter ice machines are compact and fit neatly under countertops, making them perfect for smaller bars, cafes, and service areas where space is limited. These units combine the ice machine and storage bin, producing between 50 and 300 pounds of ice daily with bin capacities ranging from a few dozen to over 200 pounds.

They are available in different ice types, including nugget and gourmet cubes, and are well-suited for quick access to ice in high-traffic areas.

Modular ice machines are heavy-duty units designed for high-volume ice production. These ice maker types, commonly available in 22″, 30″, and 48″ widths, are typically mounted on top of ice bins, ice dispensers, or soda dispensers.

They produce a significant amount of ice, ranging from 250 lbs. to over 1,000 lbs. per day, making them ideal for busy kitchens and high-demand environments. Modular ice machines can produce a variety of ice types, including full cubes, half cubes, nugget ice, flake ice, and gourmet ice. However, since these machines focus solely on ice production and do not store ice, it’s essential to pair them with an appropriate storage bin to keep the ice in a clean and accessible state. The combination of a modular ice machine and a dedicated ice bin ensures a steady supply of ice while maintaining its quality and hygiene.