There are many different types of ice to choose from for your business. But which is best? We'll break down the three main types to better help you decide.
On the surface, ice seems like a simple enough resource: it’s just frozen water. But for those in restaurants, hotels, churches, and backyard enthusiasts with the best outdoor bar on the block, there’s a lot more to ice than just, well, ice.
Reliability, taste, and texture are just a few of the important elements to help guide those in search of ice for their needs. These different varieties of ice can also serve various purposes beyond simply cooling your drinks.
But wait—why not bagged ice?
It’s true: bagged ice is convenient. However, it’s at the bottom of our ice barrel for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it can't always be dependable. In fact, it can be stale. Did you know that ice is actually considered a food? Just like a loaf of bread inevitably loses its light fluffiness over time, bagged ice can absorb foul odors and become putrid in taste.
Secondly, because bagged ice isn’t fresh, it melts more quickly. This often causes it to become stuck together with surrounding ice, making it far from ideal for events. If there’s one thing that’s for certain, it’s that the quality of your ice isn’t something you want to take a chance on—especially if you’re entertaining.
Luckily for you, there are different ice machines that come with a variety of ice cube shapes and purposes (besides the obvious). To see our catalog of these products, take a look at our selection here. In the meantime, we’ll share the ins and outs of some of our favorites.
1. Cube Ice
Cube ice is the old school classic, which is sometimes halved and referred to as half cube ice. Perfect for creating highballs and specialty cocktails, this type of ice is never going to take your drinks too far down a watered-down road they can’t return from.
In addition, block ice is a great option for your hard-to-reach and/or fickle plants. If you've ever wondered how floral specialists take care of their towering rows of orchids in the grocery store, chances are they simply dropped one of these into the pot and waited for the plant to flourish.
Interested in a cube ice machine? You can check out our great selection here.
2. Crushed Ice
Crushed ice can be your go-to for many things; from bruises to beverages, this soft ice is excellent for gentle compression on throbbing wounds and adding water to certain drinks, like mojitos.
The crystal-like texture and aesthetic of this ice also make it ideal for food displays and oyster plates. Next time you’re buying fish from your favorite market, pay attention to how your future seafood meal is presented—chances are, there’s an ice bed framing your selection underneath.
Ready to craft a beautiful display that calls for ice? We got you.
3. Pearl Ice
Last but certainly not least, we have the cult-classic pearl ice. Sometimes referred to as nugget ice, this soft and chewable ice has been made famous by everyone’s favorite drive-in fast-food restaurant, Sonic.
Because this ice soaks in the flavors of the drink it’s submerged in, it’s a crowd-pleaser for all folks who love eating their ice just as much as their meal. Kick your next backyard soiree up a notch by serving pearl ice perfections. We guarantee you won't regret it!
To get started, check out our pearl ice machines here.