Ice machine is one of the equipment that is required pretty much in every foodservice business. As there are so many different styles and configurations available in the ice machines, it becomes a little bit difficult to choose the best ice maker that suits the needs of your business. When it comes to purchasing an ice maker for your business, there are a lot of things that you should consider before making the purchase. The model you choose needs to be perfect and should fulfill your business's requirements.
Here's the guide that can help you choose the best commercial ice maker for your business.
- Capacity and size:
You definitely need a lot of space to store ice in bulk. You need to figure out the right amount of ice that needed to be store on daily basis. If you are running a business that requires a large quantity of ice on daily basis, then you should go with a typical modular ice machine. On the other hand, countertop and under-counter self-contained machines usually take up less space but these machines are incapable of producing enough as per your needs. Figuring out the perfect size and right capacity is one of the important things that you need to consider while purchasing a commercial ice maker.
- Cost:
No matter how big a cafeteria or restaurant is, nobody wants to spend a limitless budget over an ice maker. At the end of the day, you need an ice maker that fits effortlessly in an affordable price range. There are several factors that can affect the cost of your ice machine. Models that make ice flakes and other fancier types of ice usually cost more when compared with the standard models. If you want a model with a higher capacity and production rate, then you have to pay a little bit more than usual. Air-cooled models will cost you less compared to other models. So, make sure to choose air-cooled ice machines instead of water-cooled ones.
- Higher production rate:
As the owner of a cafeteria or restaurant, you must invest your money in buying an ice maker that ensures you a high production rate. Such kind of an ice maker helps you produce ice faster. This way, you can keep up the required supply levels during busy working hours.
- Power and water source:
An adequate amount of power is required to maintain the temperatures so that the process of water freezing can take place easily. Before installing the ice maker, make sure to talk to an electrician to know the level of voltage required by your ice maker because some models go beyond the voltage offered by your power source. To get the best out of your commercial ice machine, you need to hook it up to a good water source. It should be capable of delivering the required quantity of water to the machine. It would be better if you hire a plumber and work with him to ensure the proper installation of your commercial ice machine.