How do I choose the right ice shape?
Manitowoc ice machine offers the largest variety of ice shapes in the widest range of production capacities. When deciding which ice machine to choose, there are two major factors to consider: which ice shape you need and how much ice you require per day. When it comes to choosing the right shape of ice, not only it saves operators the hiccups, but it also ensures to preserve the quality of drinks you are making, and the presentation of your drinks (after a while!) In most situations, you could yourself a few hundred bucks to thousands by choosing the right type and knowing when to use them!
So, what do I need to determine to choose the right ice shape for my business?
Purposes
Is it for soft drinks, liquor, ice blended and smoothies, or simply to chill products on display?
Types of drinks
Now you have decided the purposes. Say, you’re looking for an ice machine for drinks, what type of drinks are you making? Are you looking for a soft ice cube that can be both easy to blend for smoothies, and also can be used for normal iced drinks? Are you looking for crunchy and chewable ice that fill up a cup of soft drinks? Or, are you looking for a clear and hard gourmet ice for a whiskey that lasts long without watering down your drinks?
Capacity
How much ice do you use per day? What type of outlet are you running? Is it a convenience store, a quick service restaurant, a cinema, a fine-dining, and whether it’s a 24 hours operation, or a regular operating hour? What are the drinks menus? Understanding the type of outlet, the menu, and the operating hour is vital in determining the capacity and the ice machine model that is best for your operation.
MANITOWOC ICE SHAPES
The different types of Manitowoc ice machine are made to fulfill various commercial ice shapes, and choosing the right ice shape for the right purpose can make a big difference for your business. Half-cube ice makers are Manitowoc’s best range: the most versatile and ready to use ice machines. Half cubes are great for most iced beverages and perfect if you are making ice blended, even if you don’t have any ice blended beverage in the menu yet!
Half Dice Ice
Hard, clear ice cube with unique “rhomboid” shape 3/8″ x 1-1/8″ x 7/8″ (0.95 x 2.86 x 2.22 cm) in dimension, 96 cubes per pound of ice, maximum cooling with nearly 100% ice to water ratio.
Dice Ice
Hard, clear ice cube with unique “rhomboid” shape 7/8” x 7/8” x 7/8” (2.22 x 2.22 x 2.22 cm) in dimension, 48 cubes per pound of ice, maximum cooling with nearly 100% ice to water ratio.
Regular Ice
Hard, clear ice cube with unique “rhomboid” shape 1-1/8” x 1-1/8” x 7/8” (2.86 x 2.86 x 2.22 cm) in dimension, 32 cubes per pound of ice, maximum cooling with nearly 100% ice to water ratio.
Gourmet Ice
Hard, clear, individual ice cube with unique octagon shape 1-3/8” x 1-3/8” (3.49 x 3.49 cm) in dimension, maximum cooling with nearly 100% ice to water ratio.
Nugget Ice
Easy to chew but hard enough to be dispensed without hand scooping, 3/8” (.95 cm) to 1/2” (1.27 cm) in width and length on average.
Flake Ice
Easy to chew but hard enough to be dispensed without hand scooping, 3/8” (.95 cm) to 1/2” (1.27 cm) in width and length on average.
Now that you know what is the right ice shape you need, what’s next?
- View Manitowoc models we have here
- What’s Your Ice Type? by Manitowoc
