Questions To Ask When Purchasing A Commercial Ice Machine

Purchasing an ice machine made it easy!

So you have decided to open your very own sandwich or bakery, restaurant or coffee shop.  You have purchased all your refrigerated display cases, prep table, freezers and walk in coolers, but you haven't had a chance to think about your ice needs!  We have come up with a list of questions, and have included some answers, to help you make this purchase easier.

Lets begin....

  • How much ice will I need daily?
  • What type of ice do I need?
  • What brand of ice maker is the best?
  • Do I need a bin? Is this a separate purchase?
  • Do I need a water and ice dispenser?
  • Do I need a special electrical source?
  • Are there environmentally friendly options?
  • What other parts might I need?
  • What other questions should I be asking?

Are you ready for the answers?

Even though there are many questions to consider when purchasing an ice machine, we have short listed some of the most important questions and answers below to get you started!

1: HOW MUCH ICE WILL I NEED DAILY?

Ok lets assume a few things:

1.5 to 2 pounds of ice per person – Assume 2 pounds of ice per person you serve or expect to serve. That covers drinks and any ice needs for the kitchen.

We recommend the Hoshizaki KM-515MAH.  This machine will produce just the right amount of crescent cubed ice for your establishment.

2: WHAT TYPE OF ICE DO I NEED?

Did you know that there are many types of ice to choose from? Not all ice machines make the same type of ice. As a result, it’s important to determine what type of ice is required when buying an ice machine. Hoshizaki makes five types of ice including crescent ice cubes, top-hat ice cubes, gourmet ice cubes, flaked ice cubes and nugget ice cubes. Visit our Blog to find out more about different types of ice. Or contact us to discuss!

3: WHAT BRAND OF ICE MAKER IS THE BEST?

Well...we may be biased but we recommend Hoshizaki ice machine.  We know you have choices and there are many factors to consider when deciding on a brand. You may want to purchase all of your equipment together, or you may need a machine with good warranty, easy to service or change a water filter.  These are just some of the things to consider when choosing a brand.

Click here to read 9 reasons why to buy a Hoshizaki!

4: DO I NEED A BIN?

Yes!  Where else are you going to store your ice?  When you purchase machine KM-515MAH we recommend you also purchase the  Hoshizaki B-300 Ice Storage Bin.

5: TAKING CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

We are all accountable to Mother Nature these days and taking care of our environment is important so we better start acting like it. We proudly supply the top rated and recognized ENERGY STAR product from Hoshizaki.  In the near future governments around the world soon will be instituting laws that demand all of our household appliances and commercial food service equipment be energy efficient.


But there are more questions...

We know there are many questions when purchasing an Ice Machine and if you are a first-time buyer , we recommend calling an expert to discuss your exact requirements for industrial ice machine sales Call Matt at 252 661 2700!