Ice makers can cut a significant expense from your restaurant, food truck, or other prep area. With the wide variety of products available, though, it can be tough to pick out which one is the best for your business. Each one has different advantages and different target audiences. The investment, both in the ice maker itself as well as picking out the most effective one for your business, is well worth it because an ice maker can easily pay for itself if used correctly. Let's take a look at some of the best new ice makers that 2016 has to offer.
1. Hoshizaki KM260BAH: $2,400, Amazon
This stainless steel, built-in icemaker is a lean, attractively designed machine that is more than able to meet the ice needs of most service establishments. With 100 lbs of storage capacity and a whopping 268 lbs of ice produced every 24 hours, you're setting yourself up for success with the Hoshizaki since the more ice you have available for any size of crowd, the better.
2. Hoshizaki KM101BAH: $1,740, Amazon
Coming in slightly cheaper than the previous model, this ice maker from Hoshizaki offers the user 53 lbs of storage capacity and a highly efficient 23 gallons of water to 100 lbs of ice conversion rate. This is perfect for the up and coming food service business or those with lower ice needs, as it provides the convenience of having your own ice maker along with the lower entry cost and modern design of an efficiently manufactured machine.
3. Hoshizaki AM50BAE: $1,679, Amazon
This model of Hoshizaki offers 22 lbs of storage and full size crescent cubes, which last longer in customer's drinks compared to other more easily crushed cubes. This means less of a need for ice for your customers than other ice makers can provide. Since it offers quick production and plentiful storage space, high demand isn't much of an issue for this powerful (and aesthetically pleasing) stainless steel ice maker.
4. Whynter UIM-155: $337, Amazon
The Whynter comes in at a much lower price than the previous Hoshizaki models, enabling younger establishments to get their foot in the door of ice-making convenience. With a 12 lb per 24 hour production capacity, as well as 6 lbs of storage space, you'll be able to keep up with the demands of your customers or your prep work on a budget, which makes this model's cost-effective design extremely useful. Users love the value and noise level of the Whynter, calling it an excellent buy at any price, so it's a no-brainer for anyone looking to buy their first or second ice maker.
5. Koldfront: $729, Amazon
Sleek and stylish, this ice maker will easily fit into the existing space in your establishment. It's a bit more expensive than the Whynter, but customers love the amount of ice it makes as well as the speed of production. When you're working in a fast-paced, high-demand environment, you need the best and most effective ice maker you can get, and the Koldfront makes a name for itself with its one of a kind styling, high rate of production, and relatively low price, all of which keep it a step ahead of the competition. Keep an eye on this brand and its development process in the future.
Last Thoughts
If you're wondering which ice maker is perfect for you, you'd do well to shop around and do your research, but hopefully you've got a better idea of where to start with this information. We're focused on helping you pick out the best ice maker for your needs, and we're well aware that the requirements of every eating establishment - in terms of budget, style, quantity, noise, and so on - are very different from one another. Do your research and pick out the best choice for your establishment. If you do, you'll get years out of your new ice maker. Don't settle for anything less than the best when it comes to picking out the perfect ice maker for you and your eating establishment. If you're new to the world of ice makers and the benefits they provide, you'll soon wonder how you ever managed without their convenience and efficiency.