When it comes to running a food or beverage business, every detail matters, and that includes the type of ice and the commercial ice maker you use. The right kind of ice can enhance your customers' experience, improve the quality of your drinks and food, and even impact your costs. Whether you own a restaurant, bar, healthcare facility, or grocery store, picking the best type of ice for your business is key.
Gourmet Cube: The Classy Choice
If your business is all about high-end service, like in an upscale bar or a fine dining restaurant, gourmet ice cubes are perfect. These large, crystal-clear cubes melt slowly, keeping drinks cold without watering them down too quickly. Plus, they look great in the glass, adding a touch of sophistication to your presentation.
Best For:
Upscale Bars
Fine Dining Restaurants
Hotels and Catering
Full Cube: All-Around Versatility
Full cube ice, also known as dice ice, is solid, square, and versatile. It melts slowly, which makes it great for a wide range of drinks whether you're serving soft drinks, iced tea, or cocktails, full cubes cool drinks efficiently without making them too watery. Additionally, several Icetro dispenser models efficiently serve both full cube ice and water, making them a convenient self service solution.
Best For:
Restaurants and Bars
Hotel Ice Makers
Catering and Banquet Halls
Half Cube: Quick Cooling for Fast Service
In fast-paced environments where every second counts, half cube ice is a great option. These smaller cubes melt faster, cooling drinks more quickly. This makes them especially useful in fast food restaurants, quick-service spots, and convenience stores where customers expect their drinks to be cold and ready to go.
Best For:
Quick-Service Restaurants
Fast Food Chains
Convenience Stores
Healthcare Facilities
Nugget Ice: Soft and Chewable
Nugget ice, also known as “chewable ice,” is popular for its soft, easy-to-chew texture. It’s a favorite in healthcare settings, quick-service restaurants, hotels, and cafes. A nugget ice maker is also great for blended drinks and smoothies because the ice blends well and gives drinks a consistent texture.
Icetro America offers nugget ice and water dispensers, perfect for self-service areas in places like hotels. They also have undercounter ice makers, ideal for those who prefer a more discreet and space-saving option for their ice machine.
Best For:
Healthcare Facilities
Quick-Service Restaurants
Hotel Ice Makers
Cafes and Smoothie Bars
Flake Ice: Perfect for Displays
Flake ice consists of small, thin pieces that easily mold around items, making it ideal for displays. If your business showcases fresh seafood, produce, or other chilled items, flake ice is the way to go. It’s also used in hospitals for icing injuries and in some bars for specialty cocktails.
Best For:
Grocery Stores and Markets
Seafood Restaurants
Healthcare Facilities
Specialty Cocktail Bars
How to Make the Right Choice
Choosing the best type of ice for your business depends on what you need. Think about:
Type of Beverages: Are you serving premium cocktails, soft drinks, or smoothies?
Customer Preferences: Do your customers like chewable ice or slower-melting options?
Service Speed: How fast do you need to cool drinks in a busy setting?
Product Display: Do you need ice to showcase seafood or other perishable items?
Understanding the unique qualities of each ice type can help you make a smart decision that improves your service and keeps your customers happy.
Calculating Your Daily Ice Needs
Once you’ve picked the best type of ice, it’s time to figure out how much you need each day. Different businesses have different ice production requirements. For instance, restaurants typically need about 1.5 pounds of ice per guest, hotels might require up to 5 pounds per guest, and cocktail bars usually go through around 3 pounds per person. Check out our table below for a quick guide or go to our ice production calculator to get a more accurate estimate for your business needs.
Estimating your daily ice needs based on how many customers you serve will help you choose an ice maker that can keep up with demand, even during peak hours. It’ll also guide you in picking the right type of ice for your operations and what your customers like.
At Rocky Mountains Distributing, we offer a wide range of Icetro ice machines that are tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. Contact us today to find the perfect Icetro ice maker for your establishment and make sure your customers always get the best ice.