Welcome to Appliances Online's comprehensive buying guide for ice makers. As Australia's trusted retailer for kitchen appliances, we understand the importance of choosing the right ice maker for your needs. Whether for a bustling commercial setting or convenient home use, our guide is here to help you make an informed decision.
Why do you need an ice maker?
Watery cocktails. Lukewarm sodas. Tepid champagne.
These are enough to water down your bar or cafe’s reputation or put a damper on your backyard BBQ. These disasters can be avoided with the right ice maker. An ice cube maker gives your home, office, or business a dedicated appliance for a reliable supply of high-quality ice. No more needing to refill the ice cube tray.
Having a fridge with an ice dispenser is great for day-to-day use, but when it comes to entertaining, you don’t want to be left standing around the refrigerator waiting for it to finish making the next batch of icy cold nuggets.
Compared to conventional ways of creating ice, or purchasing bagged ice, there are numerous benefits to owning a self contained ice maker.
Availability
Transporting bags of ice is no easy feat and making ice the conventional way can be inefficient. Having an ample ice supply allows your business to run smoothly. If you’re investing in a home ice maker, you can entertain without having to lose your cool when your ice supply runs out.
Paired with an ice storage bin, you can store large amounts of ice in a safe, cool, and hygienic fashion without needing to send the kids on an ice run to the local servo.
Capacity and size
Ice maker machines are engineered to do one thing: make ice. With a dedicated ice maker, a relatively large amount of ice can be produced in a short period of time. Some models can produce hundreds of ice cube pieces in as little as 20 minutes!
This is accentuated in commercial ice makers, where having large volumes of ice on hand is not only beneficial, but necessary. While an increased capacity often results in an increased size, some under counter ice makers have been designed to reside under countertops, freeing up space for other equipment.
Consider the ice production capacity that suits your needs. For home use, a smaller capacity may suffice, whereas commercial settings may require a higher output. The physical size of the ice maker is also crucial - ensure it fits in your designated space.
Construction
Ice makers are made with durable stainless steel, ensuring they last longer and stay hygienic. The key parts, like the freezing evaporator, efficient condenser, and ice bin, all benefit from stainless steel's toughness. This not only guarantees durability but also gives ice makers a sleek, modern look.
Quality of ice
Almost all drinks at a bar or event will be served with ice, so it’s essential that your ice is of a high standard. Even if you use premium ingredients to make your cocktails, low-quality ice can easily ruin any concoction. Ice machines are able to produce premium ice to complement the finest cocktails.
Hygiene
Producing ice in an ordinary freezer where other items are stored increases the likelihood of contamination. Ice makers are designed to provide a sanitary environment to ensure your ice is clean and pure.
Types of ice maker
There are particular models that can make specific shapes to create a perfect match for any drink. From crescent to the classic cube and sphere, different ice types have varying melt rates, sizes, and surface areas to meet different needs.
- Cube ice makers: Ideal for general use, these produce standard cube-shaped ice. The classic ice cube shape is the one we are most familiar with. But not all ice cubes are created equal. Smaller ice cubes are ideal for carbonated drinks and cocktails that require rapid cooling and melting. They also work well for blended beverages. Larger ice cubes elegantly complement poured-over cocktails and spirits. These also melt slowly, allowing the drinker to relish their drink’s flavour and aroma.
- Crescent ice makers: Producing half-moon shaped ice that melts more slowly in drinks, crescent ice is perfect for soft drinks and cocktails. Slower dilution is ideal for spirits, as it prevents drinks from turning watery too quickly. The shape prevents ice from bridging, so it’s easier to handle, and you won’t have to spend time breaking it. Additionally, the exquisite crescent shape creates eye-catching cocktail presentations to impress your guests and patrons.
- Ice flakers: Excellent for healthcare and food display, flakers create soft, moldable flake ice. Flaked ice has a higher water content compared to other ice types. Flaked ice is easy to arrange on a flat surface, making it ideal for chilling seafood or cold meats at a buffet, party, or restaurant. You can also use ice flakes outside the kitchen and put them in ice packs for joint pain. Due to its higher melting rate, it is suitable for drinks that work well with rapid dilution, such as cocktails that include pureed or syrupy ingredients.
- Ball ice makers: Craft large, slow-melting ice, great for premium beverages and minimal dilution. Ideal for drinks on the rocks, ball ice melts slowly to prevent watered-down drinks. This helps to prevent the ice from diluting your favourite spirits or cocktails too quickly. Compared to an ice cube, spherical ice exposes less of the surface area. However, the volume is the same and therefore the ice melts at a slower rate. The sculptural quality of spherical ice allows you to concoct more captivating cocktails.
- Gourmet ice makers: Gourmet ice is very hard and crystal-clear. This is the ideal option to add to a premium cocktail. Due to the purity of the ice, this ice type improves the taste of your drinks to ensure flavours are not diluted or tainted.
- Hollow / bullet ice makers: Hollow or bullet ice is cylindrical in shape with a rounded tip. This shape is hollow in the middle to enable rapid melting and cooling. This shape allows the ice to melt evenly and quickly thanks to the large surface area. This is an excellent option for carbonated and mixed drinks.
Features to consider
- Ice production rate: Look for a model that meets your daily ice usage requirements.
- Storage bin: A hygienic and cool area to store ice is essential. Ensure the bin size aligns with your ice production needs.
- Water filtration system: Some models come with built-in filters for better tasting and cleaner ice.
- Energy efficiency: An energy-efficient model will save on electricity bills and is better for the environment.
- Noise level: Particularly for home use, a quieter machine is preferable.
Maintenance and cleaning
Whether you have a domestic or commercial ice machine, regular cleaning and maintenance are crucial for its longevity and optimal performance. Consider models with easy-to-clean features and accessible parts.
Choosing the right ice maker requires considering your space, capacity needs, and the type of ice required. At Appliances Online, we are committed to helping you find an ice maker that meets your specific needs with our extensive range and expert advice. We stock a wide range of models from market leader Hoshizaki, which provides 3 year warranties with its machines, as well as Airflo and Icematic.
Appliances Online's legendary FREE delivery delivers Australia-wide to 95% of the population, and we can usually get your new outdoor fridge or wine fridge to you by the next day (Mon-Fri) as long as it's in stock. Plus, we now offer paid Same Day Delivery in NSW, QLD, and VIC metro areas if you order before 12pm Mon-Fri. If you have any questions, just call our friendly customer service team 24/7 on 1300 000 500, or message us via the chat icon at the bottom right of your screen.