Restaurants and hotels must have commercial ice makers to produce clean, fresh, and frozen ice throughout the day. The Atosa ice machine equipment ensures that you can keep foods chilled during transit or make refreshing drinks. With its state-of-the-art ice making technology, the Atosa ice machine is perfect for busy restaurants and hotels.
Restaurants and hotels must have commercial ice makers to produce clean, fresh, and frozen ice throughout the day. The Atosa ice machine equipment ensures that you can keep foods chilled during transit or make refreshing drinks. With its efficient design, this machine produces up to 800 pounds of ice per hour. So whether you're in need of a large quantity of ice for your establishment or just need a few cups for your drink, the Atosa ice machine is perfect for your restaurant or bar.
When considering the purchase of an ice machine, it is important to assess both the quantity of ice required and the specific locations where it will be needed. If there are multiple areas, such as the garde manger area, bar, and wait stations, it may be more practical to have several smaller machines placed strategically, rather than relying on a single, larger unit that requires the transportation of ice across different areas.
ce-making machines are essentially refrigeration units that utilize a pump to circulate water from a tank. This water then flows through the tubing to a freezing assembly, where it is transformed into a solid sheet of ice. To convert the ice into cubes, the frozen sheet is either crushed or pushed through a screen. The size and shape of the ice cubes depend on the type of screen used. Once the ice is crushed or cubed, it is automatically deposited into a storage bin. If the bin reaches its maximum capacity, a sensor within the machine will halt the ice-making process until there is space to create and store more ice. Given that the majority of the ice maker's components come into direct contact with water, it is crucial that these parts are constructed using materials that are resistant to rust.
The capacity of an ice maker is determined by the amount of ice it can produce within a 24-hour period. However, various factors can affect the output and quality of the ice produced by the machine.
The ideal temperature for incoming water is 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer water will result in the machine working harder. For room temperature, the ideal is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the machine is being installed in an environment where the ambient temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, it is advisable to consider a unit with a water-cooled condenser to compensate for hot, humid, or grease-laden air. The minimum water pressure required is 20 pounds per square inch (psi), while the recommended pressure is between 45 and 55 psi. Anything above 80 psi can cause malfunctions. If the water quality is hard, it will slow down the machine's performance and usually requires some form of pretreatment before entering the machine. The water with fewer minerals and chemicals will freeze more quickly and firmly, and it will melt at a slower rate. Therefore, filtration is generally recommended.
When reviewing the manufacturers' claims, it is important to pay close attention to the conditions under which they were tested. Typically, these claims are based on ideal circumstances such as a water temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit and an air temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is worth noting that a 10-degree increase in air temperature can result in a 10 percent decrease in daily ice output. Additionally, it is advisable to examine the water and energy usage data provided by the manufacturer. This information can vary significantly, with water consumption ranging from 15 to 27 gallons per 100 pounds of ice and electricity usage ranging from 5 to 10 kilowatts.
Regardless of the positioning of the ice maker, it requires access to both cold water and a drainage system. Of utmost importance is the presence of a 1-inch gap between the ice maker's drain line and the nearest floor drain. This precautionary measure is essential in order to prevent the possibility of contaminated water flowing back into the ice bin.
Proper plumbing is a requirement from the local health department wherever you choose to install the ice maker. It is also recommended to have a recessed floor beneath the unit to prevent accidents caused by spilled ice melting on the floor. An effective solution is to incorporate an inlet chiller with the ice machine. This chiller, similar in size to a household fire extinguisher, collects the water that would typically be discharged into the drain. Instead, the water is recirculated through copper coils in a chamber containing fresh water. The cold outgoing water cools the coils and the incoming water, resulting in faster ice production. The inlet chiller, which is energy-free and has no moving parts, can reduce electricity consumption by up to 30% and increase the ice maker's capacity by 50%.
Just like there are different machine capacities, there are also varying sizes of storage bins. Many operators opt for a combination ice maker and storage bin, ensuring that they never run out by increasing the total capacity by an additional 20 percent. Experts in ergonomics also advise against bins with a depth exceeding 16 or 18 inches, as these are difficult for employees to reach when scooping from the bottom. It is recommended to search for storage compartments equipped with volume sensors, as this feature automatically stops production when the bin is full. Opening the bin and having ice tumble out every time is simply a waste.
One crucial factor to consider is the duration of each icemaking cycle. Ideally, the entire freezing-harvesting-ejection process should not exceed 15 to 20 minutes for the ice cubes to reach the storage bin, assuming normal conditions.
When it comes to banquet situations where glasses need to be set out in advance, large cubes or full cubes are the better choice as they melt more slowly. However, they may appear less filling in some glasses and can be cumbersome. On the other hand, smaller half cubes are preferred in bar settings because they fit better into most glasses and allow for a more aesthetically pleasing presentation.
The appropriate shape of your glassware and the type of service you offer will depend on your clientele. Additionally, you may need crushed ice or flaked ice. You can purchase an ice maker that produces crushed ice or one that makes ice cubes and then crushes them when necessary using a special canister. Crushed ice has a faster cooling effect compared to ice cubes and is ideal for salad bars or fresh-seafood displays. On the other hand, a flaked ice machine, also known as a flaker, produces soft, snow-like beads of ice that are primarily used for keeping items cold, such as fresh fish, bottled wine, or food in salad bars.
According to Foodservice Equipment and Supplies magazine, the amount of ice needed for your business depends on the type of establishment. For quick-service restaurants, it is recommended to estimate 0.9 pounds of ice per customer. Full-service restaurants should estimate 1.7 pounds of ice per customer, while cocktail lounges should estimate 3.0 pounds of ice per customer.
For the majority of businesses, the quantity of ice required will vary on a daily and seasonal basis. During the summer months, you might need more ice compared to the winter season. Additionally, there may be higher demand for ice during peak meal times or on weekends compared to weekdays. Therefore, it is recommended to estimate your ice requirements and select an ice machine and storage bin that can accommodate approximately 20 to 25 percent more than your estimate. It is every restaurateur's worst nightmare to run out of ice on a busy night, so most of them opt to purchase the largest ice machine that can fit their space. However, a more prudent approach would be to calculate your specific ice needs and invest in a machine that is suitable for your requirements. Calculate the amount of ice needed for an entire week.
It can be assumed that each meal served will necessitate approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds of ice. Divide this quantity by seven, and then multiply the outcome by 1.2 to obtain an estimate of the total ice usage for one week.
The average daily usage will determine the final total. It is important to keep in mind that making ice is two to three times more costly than storing it. Therefore, it is advisable not to compromise on the size of the ice-holding bin. Opt for an ice machine that has a bin capable of storing double the amount of ice it can produce within 24 hours. Although you may not require this larger bin capacity every day, it is a more economical choice compared to having the ice machine running continuously.
All food service operations need ice, and the simplest way to meet that need is to have a ice-making machine that freezes and stores ice automatically. You need to determine how much ice your pizzeria will need before you buy a ice machine. The rule of thumb for your ice needs is the following: 1.) Figure 1 to 1.5 pounds of ice for every meal. 2.) Divide the figure by seven. 3.) Multiply the result by 12. The final total will be your average daily ice usage. The quick service pizza restaurant would want 5 ounces for 10 ounce drink, 8 ounces for a 12-16 ounce drink, and 12 ounces for a 18-24 ounce drink.