Industrial vs Commercial Ice Machines: Which one is right for your business? - Memphis Ice

Industrial or commercial—what’s the difference? In the world of ice machines, the difference is actually pretty significant. When you’re looking to buy an industrial ice machine, buying a commercial ice machine instead simply won’t cut it—and vice versa. Even though both types of machines produce more ice than the average kitchen ice machine, there are key differences that set them apart. 

To make sure you’re looking for the ice machine you need, let’s clear up a few definitions. Then, once we’ve explained the differences between industrial and commercial ice machines, we’ll figure out which one is the best fit for your business. 

Let’s dive right in!

Industrial ice machines supply ice on a truly massive scale. A typical industrial ice machine produces anywhere from 3,000 lbs to 60,000 lbs of ice per 24 hours. Industries like food processing, fishing, construction, and chemical production need industrial ice machines for day-to-day operations. Ice flakes or chips are typically used in industrial settings, and industrial ice machines usually run continuously to keep up with such high demand. 

Industrial ice machines are engineered to optimize energy consumption, operate quietly, and limit the amount of water waste. Because of their large size, they require special energy power sources to keep a steady ice production level. 

Commercial ice machines produce a variety of ice types on a large scale. They’re usually used in hospitality, healthcare, and foodservice spaces like restaurants, bars, hotels, gyms, hospitals, and physical therapy clinics. There is a wide variance of production capacity in commercial ice machines. You’ll find ice makers for bars and restaurants that produce anywhere from 70 lbs to 1,000 lbs of ice per day, depending on size and water supply. 

Commercial ice makers make ice in all shapes and sizes. Ice cubes, pebble ice, bullet ice, ice nuggets, restaurant ice, gourmet ice—these machines do it all. Even though industrial ice machines may be used in larger facilities, the market for commercial ice machines is much larger.

Related: How Is Ice Made Commercially? How A Dedicated Ice Machine Is Different From Your Home Ice Maker

If you’re a retail, foodservice, or hospitality business, a commercial ice machine is exactly what you need. With the right equipment and installation location, you’ll have a steady supply of ice to make your guests happy.

Related: What Type of Ice is Best for Your Business Brand?

Choosing the best ice machine for your business or restaurant can take a lot of research and industry knowledge. We chip away at this topic in another blog post found here. In that post, we make it easy to choose the best professional ice machine for your specific business by listing the criteria you’ll need to know to find the best appliance. 

When you’re buying a commercial ice machine, it’s also important to know the best type of ice for your needs. Ice shape plays an important role in the drinks you serve, and the type of restaurant or bar you have. 

For businesses and organizations both in and outside of the foodservice industry, we outline the best commercial ice machines below:

Buying commercial kitchen equipment can be a big investment. The right commercial ice machine, refrigeration unit, and freezer is important to the success of your business—so how do you choose the right one?

A full service distributor will offer the best advice for the equipment you need. At Memphis Ice Machine Company, our experts can help you answer questions like “how much ice do I need?”, “what size ice machine should I buy?”, “where should I install my ice machine?” and much more. If you have any questions about refrigeration equipment, we’re your cool-headed guide. We can even help you determine if renting an ice machine is the best choice for your business. 

When you’re ready to find commercial ice machines in Memphis, Tennessee, you can click the links below to find the commercial kitchen equipment you need. 

• Cube Ice Machines
• Flake Ice Machines
• Pearl Ice Machines
• Small Office Ice Machines

At Memphis Ice Machine Company, we do more than supply you with an ice machine. We’re here to build a relationship with you and your business so that you never have to worry about ice again. 

From ice machine service and repair to preventative maintenance, our expert technicians will keep your commercial appliances up and running so your business can operate smoothly. Schedule a call today to learn how Memphis Ice can help grow your business!