Manitowoc ice machines are no stranger to awards and recognition. So recent news that they were named Best in Class 2009 — for the ninth year in a row! — by Food Service Equipment & Supplies magazine should come as no surprise.

Based in a Wisconsin town of the same name, Manitowoc is known for being one of the world’s leading innovators and manufacturers of restaurant equipment. As an industry leader, Manitowoc is dedicated to producing high quality, durable ice machines that help reduce costs and emphasize food safety.

To dish out the awards each year, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine conducts a study in which they analyze over 1,000 surveys taken by their subscribers that asked for responses regarding quality of products, support, operator satisfaction and more. Once the results are in, the outstanding restaurant equipment manufacturers in each category is recognized with an award. Receiving one of these awards is certainly an honor.

For the last nine years, Manitowoc has been named Overall Best in Class for 2009 in the ice machine category. On the Manitowoc website, Mike Kachmer, president of the company, responds to the news of the award: “We are extremely proud that year after year Manitowoc Foodservice products are voted ‘Best in Class’ by foodservice professionals. As a global leader, we are committed to the development of energy and water conservation solutions and providing innovative products that continue to offer flexibility, efficiency, and food safety.”

Buy a Manitowoc Ice Machine

If you’re looking to buy a Manitowoc ice machine, you’ve got to get it at ShortOrder.com. We’re the leading online restaurant equipment dealer, and our Low Price Guarantee gives you the assurance that you’re getting your products for the lowest prices possible. Whether you need ice for your restaurant, bar, diner or home kitchen, we have a Manitowoc ice machine that will be just right for your needs. Start shopping!

There are a lot of different factors when deciding which of the ice machines is best for you. This Guide to Buying Ice Machines includes some helpful tips to ensure you make the best choice:

Ice machines are a critical component to the foodservice operator. They are expensive to buy, operate and maintain, but cheaper than buying ice by the bag!

Ice Machines: Sizing

The amount of ice used daily is rarely uniform. Consider the fact that you will use more ice in summer than winter and weekend usage is sure to be more than weekdays. Be sure you size your ice machine and bin to meet your peak usage needs.

Try not to base your decision solely on what your current ice machine does. Take into account the age and condition of your present equipment, as well as the surrounding air and water temperatures at your peak usage times. Production charts can be found on the spec sheets for each machine that will tell you 24-hour production under your particular conditions.

Ideally, your company is a growing one. Consider adding 20% to your current usage estimates to account for future business growth. Check out the sizing guide, to help guide you in your usage decision.

Ice Type

There are 3 types of ice: cubes, flakes and nuggets.

Cubers:

Cube machines usually come with two choices in size: Half Dice or Whole Dice. You can generally find the size of the cubes by looking on the spec sheet for the machine. These machines are the most popular, producing a hard cube that melts slowly and produces the best drink product.

Recommended for: Mixed Drinks, Carbonated Beverages, Ice Retailing, Salad Bars, Ice Dispensing

Flakers:

These machines produce small, hard bits of ice. They cool quickly and have a low production cost. Flakes mold to any shape and are great for salad bars, hospitals and limited specialty drinks.

Recommended for: Produce, Seafood, or Meat Displays, Blended Cocktails, Salad Bars, Hospitals

Nuggets:

Produces a softer, chewable texture ice that still provides a maximum cooling effect for drinks. In a dispenser, the ice will melt and stick together, so you need to be sure that the proper agitator kit is purchased.

Recommended for: Carbonated Beverages, Blended Beverages, Salad Bars, Produce Display, Hospitals.

Cooling Systems

Air-cooled machines are easy to install and cost less to purchase and operate. They are affected by air and incoming water temperature, and require more breathing room. The industry is turning to the more environmentally friendly, air cooled machine.

Water-cooled ice machines cost a bit more up front and are more difficult to install. While technically more efficient, are costly to operate due to high water costs, but because they put off less hot air, they will not raise the room temperature nor do they require as much breathing room. If space is an issue, you should consider the water-cooled machine, but make sure it does not violate any local water conservation laws.

Condenser

Remote systems are generally for larger ice machines, greater than 800 lbs per 24 hr. The condensing unit is usually mounted on the roof of the building to minimize the noise and heat put off. In general, the self contained unit is the way to go. It’s easier to install and is what you will find most places.

Operating Cost (major brands)

Manitowoc, Scotsman and Hoshizaki are leading popular manufacturers. The operating costs of electrical and water usage vary significantly between brands. Both Manitowoc and Scotsman ice machines utilize a system that efficiently minimizes water wasted and the cost to produce ice. The cost to operate a comparable Hoshizaki unit can be substantially higher than competing brands and is not recommended.

Reliability

Manitowoc and Scotsman ice machines are the most reliable in the market place. Available service reports rate both highly.

Ice Machines: Other Considerations

Dimensions: Before ordering, measure doors, hallways and installation space to be sure your new ice machine will fit – allowing for 5 to 8 inches of clearance above, behind and on both sides.

Connections: Electrical and water connections and the floor drain must be within 6 feet of the ice machine. Most machines are offered in a variety of voltages to meet your requirements, be sure you order the correct voltage. All connections must meet local, state and national codes.

Plumbing Requirements: Ice machines must be connected to a cold water supply and have separate drain lines for the machine and the bin.

Buying a Manitowoc ice machine means you’re getting the industry standard. Tough, dependable, efficient — those are all qualities of a Manitowoc ice machine. If you’re a restaurant owner, bar owner or commercial kitchen owner in need of ice for cooling, food prep or just drinks, a Manitowoc ice machine will help you get the job done.

Manitowoc Ice Machine: Where’d They Get That Name?

So you’re thinking about getting a Manitowoc ice machine — or maybe you already have one — and you have a pretty important question: Just how’d they get that name? Tough to get right on a first try, the  name is pronounced “man-ih-tah-wuk,” and it comes from the city in Wisconsin. The Manitowoc ice machine company is actually based in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, which is on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manitowoc River.

Started in 1964, the company has always been dedicated to putting out quality products that help reduce operating costs and emphasize food safety.

Manitowoc Ice Machine: Ideal for Commercial Kitchens

A Manitowoc ice machine is ideal for commercial kitchens, including restaurants and bars. When customers demand cold drinks to be ice cold, there’s no other option. A reliable Manitowoc ice machine is the way to go.

And the company realizes that not all restaurants, bars and commercial kitchens need the same Manitowoc ice machine. So that’s why they’ve made different models that produce different types and amounts of ice. For example, a bakery may only need a Manitowoc Ice Machine QM-45A. This unit produces 95 pounds of dice-sized ice cubes every 24 hours. On the other hand, a bar may need a Manitowoc ice machine that can produce much more ice. Something like the Manitowoc Ice Machine SD-1402A.

Buy a Manitowoc Ice Machine

Buy a Manitowoc ice machine for your restaurant, bar or commercial kitchen, and you’ll be getting a quality product that you can rely on. Users love the energy efficiency, sanitation, serviceability and low noise levels of a Manitowoc ice machine.

Get the lowest price at ShortOrder.com when you buy a Manitowoc ice machine. It’s all thanks to our Low Price Guarantee, which gives you the peace of mind that you’re getting your restaurant equipment for the lowest price out there.

Ice Machine Slime Is An Important Maintenance Issue

Ice machine owners may be getting slimed without knowing it.

Ice machine slime is more than a funny-sounding phrase that evokes fond memories of watching Bill Murray in Ghostbusters at the matinee. For restaurant equipment owners, ice machine slime is a real health hazard that can run a kitchen afoul of the health inspector and possibly shut down a thriving foodservice business.

The Gory Details on Ice Machine Slime

Ice machine slime is such a prevalent hazard that muckraking Houston newsman Marvin Zindler made the sentence “Slime in the ice machine!” a household phrase along the Texas coastline. Ice machine slime isn’t deadly to healthy adults, but still, it can be harmful. It also has a distinctive taste and smell, and can be visually disgusting to your customers. Here’s what the City of Houston says:

It is a type of mold or fungus that accumulates from bacterial growth on surfaces that are constantly exposed to clinging water droplets and warm temperatures. Water residuals may be present on these surfaces due to machine construction or the presence of scouring utensils such as steel wool or scouring pads. If the residuals are left exposed and not wiped clean or the machine is not sanitized regularly, you will then see bacteria and mold growths in the moist, cool environment of your ice machine. Most times, slime will take on a pinkish tone; if left untreated, the pink will turn to red, green, brown and even black ropes of slime hanging from the freezer panels inside the machine after a while. Pretty picture, isn’t it?

Green and pink ropes of slime hanging in your ice machine and dropping in customers’ drinks… it may not be fatal, but it could soon be sending your once-healthy clients to the lab for some health tests.

The Ice Machine Slime Answer

If for example you’ve got ice machine slime in your favorite Manitowoc ice machine model SD-0852A, how do you handle the problem?

The Houston health inspectors recommend using quarternary ammonium (QAC), which kills the mold/fungus and also inhibits additional growth for a period of time after the slime has been removed. This chemical won’t react with the stainless steel of your SD-0852A, and it’s also handy for keeping slime out of other restaurant equipment like your soda machine or the nozzles and hoses of your direct draw systems.

For other ice machine buying tips and maintenance advice, check out our ice machine buyers guide!

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.