Modular or Self-Contained ice machines

Restaurant Equipment and Supplies Thousands of Products. Thousands of Answers.

Save Up To 10% on Catering Supplies All Month Long!

Commercial Ice Machine Buying Guide

1. What is the right ice machine for my business?
2. How do I choose the right size machine?
3. Air Cooled vs. Water Cooled
4. Modular or Self-Contained ice machines
5. What to consider when installing your machine

Modular Ice Machine
Ice produced by the machine falls into the attached bin.

Storage Bin
The storage bin catches the ice as it falls from the machine.

Modular Ice Machines

A modular ice machine require the additional purchase of a seperate storage bin. Larger businesses often require modular ice machines, which have higher average ice yields than their self-contained counterparts.

Selecting the Right Storage Bin

When selected a bin make sure it will hold enough ice to meet or exceed your daily needs. You will need a bin that is at least large enough for the daily production capability of your ice machine. There might be more than one bin that is compatible with your ice machine.

Storage Bin Selection Tips:

If you run out of ice during the busiest part of the day, your bin is definitely too small.
If your bin is always full, and you notice a lot of melting, your bin is definitely too large.
The perfect bin will supply enough ice during your busy times, with little ice lost to melting.
Bins are available in different shapes and sizes to fit a variety of different kitchens.

Self-Contained Machine
The ice machine and storage bin are contained within a single unit.

Self-Contained Ice Machines

If you need less ice, or have space constraints, consider a self-contained machine. Self-contained ice machines combine the ice machine with a storage bin – all in a single unit. Many of these machines fit under most 40” counters, making them popular choices for small bars or cafes.

FoodServiceWarehouse.com was founded in June 2006 to provide businesses with a wide selection of high-quality restaurant equipment and restaurant supplies from the world’s best-known brands. They have since become an industry-wide leader, empowering customers to make their own businesses more successful. The site offers a wide range of articles, research materials and products for the conscientious foodservice operator.