Short Order | What’s Cookin’

Ice machines work all year

Even restaurant equipment buyers don’t usually think of shopping for ice machines in the heart of winter. But the fact is that a typical foodservice or culinary operation never stops leaning on its ice machines. Even in cold weather, customers need ice in their drinks and cooks need ice to cool ingredients and make specialty items like homemade ice cream and smoothies.

If your ice machine is clanking, whining, or worse yet, producing slimy ice, now is the time to shop for a new icemaker. Your ice machine may still be working every day, but it won’t be under the constant strain that a blistering summer brings. That makes it easier to replace or maintain.

Is your ice machine a slimer?

Ice machine slime is a common problem, but other than the visceral image that it evokes, not everybody knows what ice machine slime is all about. Still, restauranteurs should know ice machine slime and its causes — it’s a health hazard. Ice machine slime is a mold or fungus that prospers due to bacteria on moist ice machine surfaces that aren’t regularly cleaned. It starts out pinkish but can decorate your ice machine in a variety of disgusting colors. We’ll write more about ice machine slime later. A slimy, ailing ice machine may be a good candidate to be sold on the used restaurant equipment market and replaced with a better model.

If you’re in the market for a new ice machine, we have a few handy recommendations. First, check out our ice machines buying guide. Second, think about buying one of these brand name ice machines. Like many things in the kitchen, you get what you pay for.

Manitowoc ice machines

Units like the Manitowoc SY-0324A ice machine — a ShortOrder.com editor’s choice — are always popular with cooks and chefs no matter what the season. Known for their reliability, Manitowoc ice machines can put on the freeze, and this particular unit delivers with 325 pounds of half-dice sized cube style ice per 24 hours. Manitowoc ice machines are America’s #1 selling ice machine.

Hoshizaki ice machines

Another option is to buy a Hoshizaki ice machine. Sleek and visually impressive, icemakers like the Hoshizaki ice machine KM320-MAH are sure to tickle the eyes of your kitchen staff. However, our editors feel like Manitowoc and Scotsman ice machines may give you more value for your money.

Scotsman ice machines

Icemakers like the Scotsman ice machine C0522SA-32A tend to use less water and electricity than units like the Hoshizaki KM320 ice machine. Scotsman ice machines have a solid reputation, and the C0522SA ice machine is no exception. A head-only unit, this “Prodigy” cuber exceeds California energy efficiency regulations and uses clear indicator lights to show you when to perform maintenance, making it easy to catch ice machine slime before a customer does.

It’s winter time, but don’t forget about your ice machine. A little forward thinking now may save you some cold sweats when the summer rush hits your restaurant.