What Sized Ice Machine Should You Buy For Your Needs?

Choosing the right ice machine for your business is critical for smooth operations and keeping customers happy. Whether you run a restaurant, hotel, or convenience store, having the right-sized ice machine and storage bin can prevent unnecessary downtime, reduce costs, and ensure you always have the ice you need. Fugh refrigeration has been offering commercial refrigeration services for installation, repair and maintenance of ice machines and more for 70 years.

Before choosing the right size, it’s essential to understand how ice machines and storage bins work together.

The ice machine creates ice at a specific production rate, usually measured in pounds of ice produced daily, and features an off switch that measures the amount of ice in the bin, preventing overflows or freeze-ups. Factors like water temperature, ambient air temperature, and machine capacity determine this production rate.

Ice Storage Bin: The storage bin holds the ice produced by the machine until it is ready to be used. Storage bins are typically measured in pounds of ice they can hold at any given time.

A commercial ice machine that produces more ice than the bin can hold may waste energy, while an undersized machine may not produce enough ice during peak times. Ensuring the appropriate production and storage capacity will maximize efficiency and performance.

To choose the right-sized ice machine and storage bin, you’ll need to consider the following factors:

Industry-Specific Ice Needs: Different businesses have different ice requirements. For example:

Restaurants: Estimate 1.5 to 2 pounds of ice per customer.

Hotels/Motels: Around 5 pounds of ice per guest room.

Convenience Stores: If you have a soda fountain, estimate 3 pounds of ice per 10 cups served.

Peak Demand Periods: Account for busy times when ice demand spikes. A machine that works well during slow times may struggle to keep up during peak hours. It’s always better to slightly overestimate your needs than to fall short.

Other Uses for Ice: If you use ice in different areas, such as a wait station or to prep food, you may need more capacity than if it was only used for drinks.

Climate Conditions: Ambient air and water temperatures can affect ice production. If your business operates in a warmer environment, consider a higher-capacity machine.

Facility Requirements: Before installing an ice machine, you need to determine if your facility is equipped for one. You will need:

If you’re unsure how to calculate your ice needs, our team at Fugh Refrigeration can help you determine the best solution for your business.

Choosing an ice bin that is the wrong size for the ice machine can lead to significant operational issues. If the bin is too small, the ice machine won’t be able to produce to its full potential because the machine will shut off once the bin is full, disrupting the production cycle and resulting in ice shortages during peak demand.

Conversely, if the bin is too large, it can lead to inefficient use of the ice machine. The ice sits unused for extended periods, melting and increasing water runoff, which wastes energy and resources.

A poorly matched bin size can also impact workflow by occupying unnecessary space or requiring frequent monitoring. Ensuring the ice bin is appropriately sized for the ice machine is crucial for maintaining efficiency, preventing waste, and providing a consistent ice supply.

Read about more common issues with ice machines on our blog!

At Fugh Refrigeration, we’ve been a premier resource for commercial refrigeration and HVAC services in the Greater Pittsburgh area since 1950. Our expert technicians specialize in all segments of the HVAC/R industry, including ice machines for restaurants, hotels, company cafeterias, and convenience stores.

Decades of Experience: With over 70 years in business, we’ve seen it all and can service any make or model of ice machine.

Expert Technicians: Our highly trained team ensures fast, reliable repairs and maintenance to keep your ice machine running smoothly.

Customer-Focused Service: We understand the unique needs of businesses in the Pittsburgh area and work to minimize downtime and disruptions.

If your ice machine needs repairs or you’d like advice on choosing the perfect system, we’re here to help.

Want to learn more about our selection of commercial ice machines or need repairs? Contact us today! Our team at Fugh Refrigeration is ready to help you find the right solution for your business needs.