Kansas and Missouri Restaurant and Bar Ice Maker Guide
Having the right ice machine in a restaurant or bar can make or break a business. Before choosing a machine, you need to consider what size you need, the type of ice and the daily production yield that meets your needs. It’s also important that your location meets the proper installation requirements so that your ice machine is set up for success. We’ve put together this helpful guide to take the stress out of finding the right restaurant or bar ice maker for your Kansas or Missouri business. .
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What Kind of Ice Machine Do I Need for My Bar or Restaurant?
The type of business that you run in Kansas or Missouri will help determine what type of ice machine is best. Fast-casual and self-serve dining establishments may look into an ice dispenser for its convenience. Popular Kansas City barbeque joints and busy sports bars might need larger, high volume ice machine that can even keep up with larger crowds. Regardless of what your needs are, there’s an ice machine out there that’s right for you.
Full-Service Restaurants
If you need a large amount of ice on hand to serve customers, then you need a high-capacity ice machine and a large ice bin. Modular ice machines are the best choice for full-service restaurants because they come in a wide range of sizes. These types of machines require an ice bin or a dispenser to store the ice until it’s ready to use. We have restaurant ice machines that range from 500-1900 lbs of ice a day.
Learn More About the Different Types of Restaurant Ice Machines
Quick Service Restaurants
Commercial ice dispensers provide an easy way for quick-serve restaurants and fast-casual businesses to let customers serve themselves. Without the need for staff to serve ice, customers don’t have to wait and your employees can focus their time back on the job at hand. Ice dispensers are also the easiest way to ensure that your ice supply is staying safe and sanitary. Although some dispenser units can produce ice themselves, most will need a modular ice machine installed on top. These systems give users more sizing options.
Bars and Cocktail LoungesIf you’re interested small ice makers for bars and you don’t have space to waste, consider an undercounter ice machine. Measuring under 40” tall, these ice makers can fit in smaller spaces that traditional ice machines can’t. Front-to-front ventilation allows them to run properly in tight spaces without the risk of overheating. Bartenders won’t have to run back and forth for ice as it’ll be conveniently placed under the bar for them. This helps them complete service quickly while still maintaining focus on customers.
What's the Best Type of Ice for Bars and Restaurants
Each ice shape provides a different business need. Choosing the right type of ice can help to elevate your drinks, display food, or even save you money on product loss.
How to find the Right Size Restaurant or Bar Ice Maker
You need to consider how much ice you go through in a day at your restaurant or bar in order to figure out what sized ice machine you’ll need. Not only does this include ice used in beverages, but the ice used in food prep, bar service and other stations as well. If you need help estimating your average usage, check out our handy Ice Machine Estimator. Here are a few factors to consider when determining your daily usage:
Daily Ice Usage
Your daily ice usage is the total amount of ice your business goes through in a day. It’s important to consider all potential needs like bar carts and beer tubs, especially in high-volume restaurants and sports bars in Kansas City. Also, keep in mind ice machines only produce small batches at a time. It takes an ice machine a full day to produce its complete ice production cycle. Since it takes a 600-lb ice machine 24-hours to produce 600 lbs. of ice, you need to ensure that the ice machine you choose is large enough to leave you with extra ice in the bin between cycles.
What Type of Ice Machine Condenser Do I Need?
An ice machine condenser is the most vital refrigeration component, keeping your ice machine running well. Condensers help remove heat from inside the ice machine so that it can easily freeze new batches of ice. If an ice machine overheats, you’ll be left with a low supply and unhappy customers. There are three common types of ice machine condensers.
Air Cooled Ice Machines
Air cooled condensers remove heat from ice machines through a fan. The fan pushes the hot air out of the machine and into the space around it. In order for hot air to escape, there needs to be plenty of space and ventilation. When hot air can’t circulate and re-enters the ice machine, it can cause it to overheat. This style of condenser is often a popular choice among restaurants and bars because it’s the most cost-effective solution.
Ice Maker Installation Requirements for Restaurants and Bars
Before you install an ice machine, you need to make sure your restaurant or bar can accommodate the model you choose. Ice machines have specific electric, water, drainage, and space needs. Check out our pre-installation checklist to see detailed requirements that restaurants and bars need to meet. Here are four general requirements that will need to be met for your restaurant or bar ice maker:
Drainage
Most kitchens in restaurants and bars already have floor drains that are perfect for ice machines. The ice that melts in your storage bin will need somewhere to go. Other machines, like countertop units, may require alternative drainage setups. Whatever model you choose, you’ll need to provide an air gap to install the ice machine. This a small space between the ice bin drain and wherever you decide to flush the water.For specific gap requirements, check your local laws.
Electrical
Two voltages are commonly used for restaurant or bar ice maker. Smaller units only require 115v while larger ice machines need 220v. If you don’t have the correct outlet for the ice machine you need, you may need to call an electrician before installation.
Water
Proper water flow ensures your ice production rate is consistent and the ice cubes are solid. Most restaurant ice machines require 3-5 gallons of water a minute but check your model for specific requirements. If your water flow isn’t fast enough for an ice machine, you will need to call a plumber to take a look at your water lines.
Space
Air cooled ice machines need enough space to release heat into the environment where it can dissipate. Ice machines work best in 70-degree temperatures. If heat can’t escape from the machine, it will reenter your restaurant ice maker and lower your ice production rate. Ice machines have to work harder in high-heat conditions, which will eventually lead to costly breakdowns. We recommend providing one foot of space on each side of the unit
We’ve serviced ice machines across Kansas and Missouri. No matter the challenge, we know exactly how to keep your ice machine running smoothly. Our pre-installation checklist shows you what you need to provide to install an ice machine in your business. If you have a challenging environment, give us a call and we'll help you find a solution.
Restaurant and Bar Ice Maker Cleaning and Sanitation
To prevent mold and slime growth in your ice maker, it’s important that you clean and sanitize the unit regularly. Having a professional clean your ice machine allows even internal components to be free of contaminants. If mold and slime are left unchecked, you could be facing a health violation., When internal components aren’t cleaned regularly, scale buildup can cause damages and expensive repairs.
Regular Cleanings
By cleaning regularly you’re reducing the chances of your ice machine getting contaminated. Even if the ice itself is clean, accidental contamination poses a risk every time someone uses the ice machine. If your commercial ice equipment is dirty, mold and slime will feed off the particles becoming a major problem.
Mold and Slime
Mold and slime feed off the yeast in the air and love to grow in damp, dark places - like your ice machine. Mold and slime aren’t necessarily a danger to your customers, but if a health inspector sees it, you’ll be given a citation.
Don't Forget About Ice Bin Cleaning
Ice bins are one of the most common places you'll find mold and slime. It's also where ice is stored. Your ice supply can easily become contaminated by mold and slime if you don’t clean your ice bin regularly. Not only is this unsanitary, but your customers will be very upset.
What Are the Factors That Affect Restaurant or Bar Ice Machine Production?
Ice machines are sensitive to their environments and there are some factors that can affect overall ice production. They cause your ice machine to work harder, leading to premature breakdowns and part replacements. Make sure to keep an eye out for these factors:
Air Temperatures
A hot kitchen is one of the worst places for an air cooled commercial ice machine. With an ideal air temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, an ice machine drops in function as a kitchen or backroom gets hotter. Try your best to install your ice machine in a temperature-controlled environment that’s separate from high-heat appliances to get better batches of ice.
Ventilation
Along with proper air temperatures, you also need to provide adequate ventilation. Space can be tight in many downtown restaurants, which can cause the area around ice machines to become crowded. If anything is blocking the vents, the hot air will recirculate back into your ice machine. Keeping the space around your ice machine clear is important to prevent over-heating and lowered production rates.
Water Temperatures
Water is the most essential factor in ice machine production. Without enough water, your ice machine will not be able to produce ice. If the water is the wrong temperature, your machine has to work much harder to freeze it. Ice machines require a water temperature around 50 degrees Fahrenheit in order to consistently produce ice.
Water Condition
Water harbors all kinds of contaminants that are perfectly safe for human consumption but can harm your ice machine. Water with high mineral content (aka hard water) eventually leads to scale, a hard rock-like substance that can block water filters and cling to vital ice machine components.
Cleanliness
A dirty ice machine is less effective than a clean one. Kitchens kick up a lot of grease and yeast into the air, which can get stuck to vital ice machine parts, making it harder for the machine to cool down. When these components are covered in dirt, the ice machine has to work harder to produce a batch of ice. When your ice machine always has to work harder to produce ice, it’ll wear out faster. It’s recommended that you schedule two professional ice machine cleanings a year.
How Much Does a Restaurant or Bar Ice Machine Cost?
Ice machines best suited for bars and restaurants start at $1,500 and can be as expensive as $10,000 depending on the size. With modular and stackable ice machines, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to factor in the cost of an ice bin or dispenser as well. Many business owners don’t consider the less obvious cost associated with owning an ice machine. Here are some common hidden expenses that can arise:
Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is necessary for your ice machine to make ice reliably. At the time of a visit, a technician can check that everything is working properly. They can also catch any potential problems early which saves you from expensive repairs. Manufacturers recommend at least two visits per year, with each visit costing around $300.
Water Filters
A water filter prevents particles from damaging your ice machine and keep internal components protected. On average, filters need to be replaced every few months since they can become clogged. If your water filter is clogged, it will decrease your production and give you smaller ice cubes. Ice machine water filter prices range from $15-$100 based on the brand. Challenging environments with hard water may need to consider additional filtration methods.
Breakdowns
Ice machine repairs vary in price depending on how bad the damage is. For smaller repairs, you may only be charged a few hundred dollars. While complicated repairs could cost you thousands. These are a few common repairs and their estimated costs:
- Hot Gas Valve Replacement - $600
- Expansion Valve - $600
- Compressor Repair - $1500
- Evaporator Repair - $2500
Keep in mind, if an ice machine is down for repairs, it’s likely not going to produce ice. If it’s a long repair, you’ll have to buy ice retail or from a delivery service.
All-Inclusive Restaurant and Bar Ice Maker Program
Ice Masters' commercial ice equipment rental program goes beyond a traditional ice machine lease. With our program, you’ll receive 2 preventative maintenance visits per year, cleanings and repairs for one low monthly cost. In challenging environments like bakeries and breweries, we provide extra maintenance to keep the ice machine in top shape. We know restaurants and bars throughout Kansas and Missouri don’t have time to waste on a broken-down ice machine, which is why we provide you with 24-hour customer support. We also keep track of your maintenance visits for you to make service even easier and if your ice machine is ever down, we’ll even give you backup ice free of charge!
If you’re finding it hard to choose the right ice maker for your restaurant or bar, call one of our experts today! They have years of experience with all kinds of restaurants and bar ice machines throughout Kansas and Missouri.
Our team of Ice Machine Experts is ready to help you choose the perfect restaurant ice machine for your business.
