Lavender-infused cocktails, Croatian truffles, flatbread, bite-size desserts — and now it seems the latest in trendy food is… ice. Believe it or not, ice is considered a food by many frozen-water connoisseurs. According to a recent article in the New York Times, some people are so into ice as a food that they purchase commercial ice machines for their homes.

Ice: The Latest in Trendy Food

Call them obsessed, call them “ice snobs” — either way, one thing is for sure: ice is the latest trendy food. And one thing pointed out in the New York Times article is that ice can actually improve the quality of a drink. Besides that, ice can complement the kind of drink it’s cooling, whether it’s cube ice in a mixed drink or fragmented ice for soda.

Commercial Ice Machines in the Home

So why buy a commercial ice machine for your own home? Well, there are a few reasons. One is that some believe ice made in home refrigerators winds up tasting like the smells inside the freezer. Another reason is that some complain home refrigerator-made ice does not cool drinks well and melts too fast. Worse, still, is large, crescent-shaped ice some refrigerators produce — it takes up too much room and typically hits you in the face as you sip. Having ice with a great texture and shape is something ice connoisseurs just have to have.

Buying a Commercial Ice Machine

If you’re serious about ice as a food, consider buying a commercial ice machine. ShortOrder carries Manitowoc ice machines, which are well-known for their quality and reliability. Manitowoc ice machines at ShortOrder can produce nugget ice, flake ice, half size cubes and more. Even if you don’t own a restaurant or bar, it doesn’t mean you can’t have your very own commercial ice machine.

Manitowoc fans will be happy to hear that a Manitowoc blog has launched at ShortOrder.com. Now, when you come to browse our restaurant and commercial kitchen equipment, you’ll be able to read the latest about Manitowoc products, including Manitowoc ice machines. Check out the Manitowoc blog is at manitowoc.shortorder.com.

Manitowoc and ShortOrder are Cookin’

Manitowoc and Short Order are cookin’ — take a look at the Manitowoc commercial kitchen equipment ShortOrder offers, and stay informed about the latest products and news at the Manitowoc blog. The recipient of many Editor’s Choice awards from ShortOrder, Manitowoc ice machines and other equipment are the industry standard for a reason. And ShortOrder is proud to carry Manitowoc restaurant equipment.

Manitowoc: A History of Success

Not only does Manitowoc make great commercial kitchen equipment, but they’re also a great company. Based in Wisconsin, Manitowoc started in 1964. The company is all about designing and manufacturing outstanding restaurant equipment. Customers have come to know and trust the Manitowoc name.

Knowing that customers would appreciate saving money on operating costs, Manitowoc takes care to make restaurant equipment that performs efficiently. Besides that, Manitowoc also keeps in mind while designing and manufacturing the importance of food safety. Every step of the way, Manitowoc is concerned about their customers.

Manitowoc Blog Features New Products, Other News

Manitowoc has a reputation for being one of the best in the restaurant industry, a name that people can trust. So it’s only fitting that ShortOrder has a blog dedicated to Manitowoc, where customers can stay informed about the company. Expect news regarding Manitowoc, including new Manitowoc products soon to be released. And another great way to stay informed about what’s going in the industry is to read ShortOrder’s restaurant equipment blog. ShortOrder is proud to provide helpful information, including the Manitowoc Blog, to restaurant owners and kitchen equipment buyers.

Beverage-Air Refrigerator Resource Launched

Beverage-Air refrigerator buyers will now be able to learn more about their refrigerators - and get some great information - just by stopping by ShortOrder.com. Beverage-Air products now have their own informative blog on the restaurant equipment website that will inform restaurant equipment buyers how to enjoy their Beverage-Air refrigerator and get the most out of it for years and years to come. The Beverage-Air refrigerator blog is at beverageair.shortorder.com.

Beverage-Air and ShortOrder Keep Cool Together

Beverage-Air and ShortOrder.com have had a long and wonderful relationship and the blog is a sign of ShortOrder’s commitment to this top restaurant refrigerator manufacturer. ShortOrder.com has been carrying the refrigerator manufacturer’s products for years and considers Beverage-Air to be one of the restaurant equipment buyer’s first choices for efficient, low-maintenance cold food storage.

Beverage-Air Means Quality

Beverage-Air, the largest supplier of commercial refrigeration, was founded in 1944 by Herman Buffington in the small town of Spartanburg, South Carolina. The headquarters still exists in Spartanburg and is where all the state-of-the-art designs created by Beverage-Air are researched and designed.

Beverage-Air is best known for its reach-in merchandiser coolers, freezers, refrigerators and self-contained beer dispensing units. However, Beverage-Air is quickly becoming the leader in pizza and food preparation units, school milk coolers, and deli and floral display units.

Beverage-Air’s vision is “to be the global preferred supplier of quality equipment to the foodservice, beverage and related industries by being pro-active and innovative employees who are measured by our customers’ satisfaction, our company’s reputation and profitability.”

Beverage-Air Refrigerator Blog Just Tip of Iceberg

ShortOrder is very excited to be adding the Beverage-Air refrigerator blog to the information that ShortOrder already provides to restaurant owners and their equipment buyers. From the Buyer’s Guides on everything from steamers to ice machines to the “What’s Cookin’?” newsletter and restaurant equipment blog that keeps you up-to-date on the restaurant industry, ShortOrder.com has got all your bases covered.

Manitowoc Earnings Break Records

The Manitowoc Company earlier this month reported record-breaking first quarter net sales and earnings per share. Manitowoc’s first quarter net sales reached $1.1 billion, a 44 percent increase from 2006’s fourth quarter. And 2007’s fourth quarter net earnings per diluted share ($0.76) more than doubled 2006’s fourth quarter net earnings per diluted share ($0.35). Manitowoc ice machines reported earnings per diluted share for 2007, at $2.64, represents a 100 percent increase from 2006.

Manitowoc President and CEO Glen E. Tellock expressed in a press release early this month his confidence that Manitowoc’s 2008 report will reflect 2007’s successes. Manitowoc’s Foodservice Group was a strong contributor to its 2007 fiscal record-breaking. Manitowoc Foodservice Group’s “new-product pipeline has helped drive improved top-line performance and increased operating leverage” in 2007, said Tellock.

Manitowoc Ice Machines Are a Good Buy in the Foodservice Industry

Even though the foodservice industry has recently undergone strains on capital spending, Manitowoc ice machines still remain a good buy. Due to the Manitowoc Company’s persistence with advanced energy-saving designs, Manitowoc ice machines save more energy for its customers than any of its competitors. These strengths have increased Manitowoc revenue and margins throughout all quarters in 2007.

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.

Manitowoc ice machines are as reliable as the seasons

Manitowoc ice machine weather has arrived. But it never left. As fall embraces us, bringing with it the chilly prospect of winter, we at Shortorder.com are still happy to have Manitowoc ice machines in our diverse selection of restaurant equipment. You see, the weather may be turning cooler, but diners and bar patrons still need ice in their drinks to give them the proper zing. Manitowoc ice machines are all-season restaurant equipment.

Manitowoc ice machines also are recognized for their all-season reliability. In fact, in November 2006, America’s #1 selling ice machine was again chosen as “Overall Best in Class” in the ice machines category by the readers of the restaurant equipment publication Foodservice Equipment & Supplies. This wasn’t the first time, either. Manitowoc ice machines have won this award for six years running. The award, chosen based on the votes of restaurant equipment buyers, dealers, and distributors, recognizes the excellence in quality, service, and support that are synonymous with the phrase “Manitowoc ice machine.”

For example, take the Manitowoc ice machine model SD-0452A. A Short Order editors choice, this stainless-steel-clad Manitowoc ice machine earns points for low operating costs, ease of maintenance, and superb reliability. The Manitowoc ice machine model SD-0452A just sits in your restaurant, bar, or kitchen, punching out 450 pounds of cube-style ice every day, rain or shine, and looking good doing it.

If you’re thinking of an ice machine for your establishment, take a peek at our ice machine buyer’s guide, a straightforward document that will help you narrow down your choices and make an ice machine buying decision that fits your needs. And don’t forget - every Manitowoc ice machine you buy at Shortorder.com comes with free onsite setup.

Ice machines are a critical component to the foodservice operator. They are expensive to buy, operate and maintain, but also a necessity. What do you need to know before diving in to this big purchase? Some considerations would be:

• type of ice machine
• operating costs
• reliability
• size
• water or air cooled
• remote or self contained refrigeration

All are important factors in your buying decision. Let’s see if we can make sense of a couple of these options.

There are two types of ice machines to choose from. Cubers are by far the most popular. A hard cube melts slowly and produces the best drink product. You can choose from full or half size cubes. Another option would be the flaker ice machine. It produces soft nuggets, or flakes, of ice. This is a great option for salad bars, hospitals and limited specialty drinks.

You’ll also want to consider operating costs before you make your purchase. Some of the the most popular brands are Manitowoc, Scotsman and Hoshizaki. The operating cost of electrical and water usage vary significantly between brands. Both Manitowoc and Scotsman utilize a system that efficiently minimizes water wasted and the cost of production. The operating cost of a comparable Hoshizaki unit can be substantially higher than competing brands. Do your research before you buy.

Reliability and size are also important factors. Available service reports rate both Manitowoc and Scotsman machines highly. Make sure you are getting a quality machine with a good warranty. Remember to buy a machine with adequate production and a bin large enough to hold your highest demand. Consider the environment your machine will be in as well. Manufacturers rate production at optimum conditions, and they will produce less ice in a warmer environment with warmer water. Buying ice because you under estimated your needs is very expensive!

There are usually two considerations for the machine cooling system. Water cooling systems are generally more expensive in daily operating costs. They are necessary for remote refrigeration where there is a great distance between the machine and the condenser. They can be worse for the environment because they produce more waste water and in general, the industry is turning to air cooled units. The one exception to that rule would be if your machine will be in an area with very little air circulation. The lack of circulation requires a water cooled unit. An air cooled unit produces less waste and has a lower daily operating cost and most ideal for self contained units.

Finally, consider if you need remote or self contained refrigeration. Remote systems are for generally larger machines over 800 lbs. In this case, the condensing unit is usually mounted on the roof of the building to minimize the noise and heat put off. Self contained units house the condensing unit inside the machine. They are easier to maintain and access in the case of repairs.

This is just a quick rundown of the many options available for the ice machine. I hope it helps get you started in the right direction picking the right product for you!