Cold, Hard

Facts

Ice Machine Resources for when you are considering a new ice machine or thinking it's time to upgrade. We've got everything you could ever need to know before you consider buying an ice machine. From frequently asked questions, to installation considerations to pairing the perfect ice machine and ice out-put to your industry. If you’re looking for any ice machine resources, you're at the right place.

ice machine resources

Resources Ice Machine

Cube ice comes in full-size (1-inch cubes) or half-size (.5-inch cubes). Cube ice machines are generally the go-to choice for restaurants and foodservice establishments looking to chill beverages, kegs, coolers—or ice things down in any capacity—because cube ice lasts the longest.

Flake ice is the most specialized type of ice. Flake ice makers produce little crumbly flakes most often used in food display cases, food processing, or in healthcare applications because flake ice is chewable and provides a reduced choking hazard.

Pearl Ice® is Ice-O-Matic’s proprietary type of nugget ice. Nugget ice makers are becoming a more popular choice for restaurants, quick service establishments (like Sonic) and even within the home because consumers enjoy the unique shape, the fact that the small pieces pack tightly (more ice in each drink) and its chewability—so if your customers like to chew ice, Pearl Ice® is the way to go!

At Memphis Ice, we are the sole distributor of Ice-O-Matic in this region, meaning if you want Pearl Ice®, we’ve got you covered. Have questions about which type of ice is best for your business? We’ve been helping clients choose the right ice makers for 40 years. Give us a call.

This depends on a number of factors. Ice makers are rated on pounds of ice produced per day. We recommend planning for your busiest day/week/season so you’ll always have ice when you need it.

How many employees/patrons do you have? How many shifts? Are you filling cups or 15-gallon coolers? At Memphis Ice Co., we will ask the right questions to figure out your largest daily consumption and help you size your ice maker accordingly.

Of course, you don’t want to have an ice maker that’s drastically larger than your needs, but it’s always best to have some ice left in the storage bin. Why? Because it keeps new ice-cold, which puts less stress on the machine and increases longevity over an ice machine that is run empty every day.

We've laid out a few guidelines below for sizing your ice machine per industry and usage amount. Check that resource out by clicking on the 'Sizing' tab above or scrolling down!

So, what’s the right size for your business? Give us a call and with a quick conversation, we can help you assess the correct ice machine size for your needs.

The common misconception is: My machine is under warranty, so I won’t have to pay for any repairs. Unfortunately, this is not true.

These are manufacturer warranties that come straight from the manufacturer and generally cover defective or inoperable parts, and some labor and travel time. For example, you can see the warranties that Ice-O-Matic provides for their different ice machines.

At Memphis Ice Co., we know manufacturer warranties inside and out for all of the ice machines we sell. With competitive pricing and top-notch service, we can help with any issues that may arise. If your repair is not covered by the warranty, our field technicians will communicate up-front what the related charges will be. Don’t want to worry about paying for repairs, preventative maintenance, or additional service costs? Consider our ice machine rental program.

Since ice is a consumable product, it’s like making any other food—so yes, your ice machine needs to be cleaned regularly. In addition to keeping your ice sanitary, ice machine cleaning also extends the ice machine’s useful life, increases efficiency, and reduces wear and tear. For example, if the water or airflow system is restricted due to dust, dirt or buildup, the ice machine has to work harder in order to produce the same amount of ice as a clean machine. This may use more electricity, more water and take more time.

Most manufacturers recommend cleaning your ice machine at 6-month intervals, though some of our clients prefer to clean their machines quarterly or annually. At Memphis Ice, we do over 2000+ ice machine cleanings per year (on cube, flake, and Pearl Ice® machines)—which include a thorough cleaning of the inside to avoid mold and disassembling parts to clean them completely.

Want an ice maker that produces clean ice? Want to maximize your ice maker’s lifespan? Join our ice machine cleaning program, where you can sign up for quarterly, bi-annual or annual cleanings. It’s simple. We put you on a schedule, let you know when you’re due, remind you, and then come out. There is no contractual obligation and you get reduced flat-rate fees. Interested? Give us a call.

Resources Ice Machine

It depends. A filter not only improves the taste and odor of the ice, but also removes impurities (like limescale, carbon, and sediment) which may hinder the operation of your ice maker. To do the absolute best for your machine’s lifespan, it is recommended that you install a filter and change it every 6 months. But depending on your water quality, a filter is not absolutely necessary to have a clean, functioning ice machine. For example, here in the city of Memphis, we sit on a large aquifer and are lucky to have very high-quality water. So if you’re in Memphis, you might be able to get by without a filter. But if you’re in an area where the water quality is lower, a filter is necessary. Need guidance? We’re happy to help.

Ice Machine Resources

Resources Ice Machine

The commercial ice machine rental program is best suited for clients who 1) prefer a set monthly rate, 2) don’t want to have to worry about cleaning, maintenance or repair, 3) want the flexibility to size-up at any time and 4) want the peace-of-mind that everything is covered if your ice machine breaks (including ice delivery). We find that many of our rental clients are restaurants or food service providers for whom ice is a necessity, not a luxury. Some of our rental clients have only one ice machine (with no backup)—so they choose the security of the rental program because when there’s no backup, we’re your backup! Do you want a set monthly rate with no surprises? Like the flexibility of being able to size up to a larger ice maker if needed? Let’s talk about the ice machine rental program.

If you’re a member of our ice machine rental program, we’re going to do everything within our ability to keep you in-ice. For a set monthly rate (which depends on your setup), our comprehensive commercial ice machine rental program includes the machine/s sized and suited to your needs, installation, annual or bi-annual cleanings, and on-call repair of any service issues that may arise.

Our rental units receive priority service and weekend service as well as emergency ice delivery until your repair is completed. If your needs should increase, that’s all covered, too. We can change your capacity and install new equipment. Sizing up to larger equipment will increase your monthly rate—but we keep that cost at a minimum. For example, upgrading from a 500-pound ice machine to 1000 pounds will only increase your payment by around $2 per day.

We are happy to discuss the benefits and associated costs of each—and share what’s working best for others in your specific industry. In general, purchasing an ice machine can be the more financially-sound option (as long as your machine is running well)…but renting an ice machine comes with less risk, more flexibility, fewer surprises, priority repair, and ice delivery if needed. At Memphis Ice Co., we have been handling ice machine sales and rentals for nearly 40 years, with our top priority being happy customers. Let us present prices for both options and give you all the information necessary to make an informed decision.

Yes, we sell used ice machines. Our inventory varies based on what equipment we have recently refurbished—but generally includes machines from manufacturers like Ice-O-Matic, KitchenAid, Manitowoc, Scotsman, and Hoshizaki. We keep the inventory in our warehouse and it’s available on a first-come, first-served basis. The used ice machines are typically anywhere from 5 to 10 years old.

A general rule of thumb for used ice machines is that they will cost about 60% of what a new one costs, although this varies greatly based on the type and size of the machine. The warranty on used ice machines is 3 months on all parts and labor, and 6 months parts-only on the compressor and evaporator. Want to see if we have a used ice machine that will fit your needs? Give us a call.

Installation
Considerations

Utilities

• What are the voltage and amperage characteristics of the electrical outlet that will be used for this ice maker?

• Is there a floor drain within 6 feet (1.8 meters)?

• Is there a water source with water shutoff?

• Are the utilities within 6 feet (1.8 meters) of the ice-maker location?

Access

• Is there an outdoor condenser location above the ice maker?

• Is there easy roof access and penetration?

• Maximum pre-charged tubing line run considerations?

Space

• The ice maker, bin and water filter

• Airflow

NOTE: If the ice maker is tight on space consider a CIM unit, or a top-air discharge ICE unit.