Beverage Equipment Broilers Commercial Blenders Commercial Mixers Commercial Ovens Commercial Ranges Countertop Food Warming Deep Fryers Food Bars & Buffets Food Prep Equipment Food Scales Griddles & Grills Holding Cabinets Ice Cream Makers NSF-Certified Restaurant Equipment Plumbing Supplies Restaurant Equipment Parts Steam Cooking Equipment Underbar Equipment Undercounter Dishwashers USA-Made Restaurant Equipment Ventilation & Climate Control Work Tables

Back Bar Coolers Bakery Display Cases Bottle Coolers Chest Freezers Deli Cases Glass Door Freezers Glass Door Merchandisers Ice Cream Freezers Open-Air Coolers Prep Tables Reach-in Freezers Refrigerated Display Cases Undercounter Freezers Undercounter Refrigerators Walk-in Freezers Walk-in Refrigerators Top Refrigerator Brands

Air-Cooled Ice Makers Countertop Ice Makers Cube Ice Makers Flake Ice Makers Gourmet Ice Makers Ice Bins Ice Maker Filters Ice Maker Parts & Accessories Nugget Ice Makers Remote-Cooled Ice Makers Water-Cooled Ice Makers Top Ice Makers Brands

Bartending Supplies Beverage Service Supplies Bussing Supplies Can & Bottle Openers Chafers & Chafing Dishes Cutting Boards Food Storage Containers Fruit & Vegetable Tools Gloves, Aprons, & Towels Hotel Pans & Food Pans Kitchen Brushes Kitchen Tools Thermometers & Timers Trays & Accessories Wait Service Supplies Wine Service Supplies

Baskets Coffee & Tea Cups Glassware Menu Covers & Guest Checks Plastic Drinkware Restaurant Bowls Restaurant Plates Serving Items Spice Mills & Shakers Table Decor & Accessories Table Linens Tabletop Organizers & Dispensers Types of Flatware

Baby Changing Station Chemicals & Water Testing Cleaning Chemicals Cleaning Supplies Dish Washing Chemicals Fly Traps & Insect Zappers Grease Traps Hand Dryers Janitorial Storage & Transport Safety Supplies & Equipment

Cocktail Tables Commercial Bar Stools Folding Tables Outdoor Restaurant Bar Stools Outdoor Restaurant Chairs Outdoor Restaurant Tables Restaurant Chairs Restaurant Dining Tables

Aluminum Foil & Containers Commercial Food Bags Deli Containers Disposable Cups Paper Products Paper Towels & Napkins Plastic Bags & Wraps Straws To-go Containers & Take-out Boxes

Can Racks Commercial Dolly & Hand Truck Commercial Safes Food Pan Carriers Insulated Beverage Dispensers Pan Racks Platform Trucks Polymer Shelving Pot Racks Portable Bars Utility Carts Wire Shelving

Asian Restaurant Supplies Break Room Equipment Catering Supplies Coffee Shop Equipment Convenience Store Equipment Deli Equipment Food Delivery Home Chef Hospitality & Hotel Supplies Ice Cream Supplies Mexican Restaurant Supplies Pizzeria Equipment Wedding Supplies

Ask an Expert | 800-541-8683

Bar Ice Machines

Bar ice makers provide a convenient second source of ice for your operation, which allows bartenders to avoid repeated trips to the kitchen, saving time and improving overall service.

Underbar Ice Machines: What You Need to Know

Ice makers for bars are a significant investment of capital and adding a second ice machine to your operation might seem like an unnecessary expenditure. However, giving your bartenders a dedicated ice source can save lots of labor otherwise spent walking to and from the kitchen to get fresh ice for customers. Bar ice makers are small, undercounter units that can produce significant amounts of ice, keeping up with the demands of a bar.

Choosing a new, small ice machine also presents an opportunity to have ice made specifically for premium drinks. Depending on your intention, you may want to consider top hat ice, full-cube ice, flake ice, or nugget ice, because pairing the right type of ice to a drink can improve its quality and perception. Undercounter ice machines can be air cooled or water cooled and their various sizes have different power requirements. We'll answer some common questions below to help you get the best possible unit for your business.

Common Questions About Bar Ice Machines

What makes an underbar ice machine different from a normal ice machine?

Bar ice makers perform the same function as full-size commercial ice machines but at a smaller scale and in smaller space. A full-size ice machine occupies too much space behind a bar, and these smaller units can fit underneath a countertop, providing functionality without eating up all your space. Underbar ice machines also have a few specific design features owing to their location – most of them vent out the front and all of their doors will open from the front, as this is the only accessible side of the machine.

Which ice type should I choose?

Half-cube ice is the most common type of ice, generally associated with soft drinks and water, so if you'll be serving mostly those drinks, half-cube ice is a solid choice. Full-cube ice is larger than half-cube ice and will last longer, though it doesn't cool off drinks as quickly. These larger pieces can present a different aesthetic and work better with high-cost drinks.

Frequently used with premium liquors, top hat ice, or gourmet ice, is the largest and longest-lasting form. These large pieces of ice displace the most liquid, saving you money on liquor portions over time. However, top hat and full-cube ice don't cool down drinks as quickly as half-cube and nugget ice do, so they aren't as good for rapidly served and consumed drinks, such as water and soda.

Nugget ice, or Sonic ice, is a favorite of many customers because its high air content makes it easily chewable. Consider the types of drinks you'll be serving alongside your customers' expectations and preference before choosing a new ice machine.

Should I get a water- or air-cooled bar ice machine?

Air-cooled units are by far the most common type of ice makers for bars. On an air-cooled unit, the compressor is located within the machine and takes in air to remove heat from the coolant. This heated air is then expelled into the room around the machine, which can be noisy and heat the area. Water-cooled ice makers use water to absorb heat from the coolant and then dispose of the water down the drain. Water-cooled machines don't exhaust the same amount of heat and noise back into the serving area, but the utility cost is significantly higher than air-cooled machines. Unless your business is on a recirculating water system, air cooled is the way to go.

Which style of door should I choose?

The doors on bar ice machines can either slide back into the machine or swing out into the aisle. If you choose a sliding door, the room occupied by the door and tracks reduces the total storage space of the ice machine. If the doors swing outward, they can obstruct the walkway and delay work. If your aisles are wide or you only have one server working at a time, then a door in the walkway won't matter. If you have many people moving around behind the counter, sliding doors would suit you best. Check the product specifications page for the machine you're considering to determine which style of door it has.