A Guide to Ice Machine Accessories
Finding a machine that’ll produce enough ice is just one step in the process of building an efficient ice production system. It’s also important to provide the accessories your restaurant crew needs to maximize equipment performance. Here’s a list of some essential ice machine accessories you’ll want to keep on hand.
Making Your Ice Machine More Efficient
Ice scoops are by far the most important ice maker accessory. If you have an ice machine with a bin, you'll need an ice scoop on hand, as it’s against code to scoop ice directly from an ice bin with the cup you'll be serving it in.
It pays to take every precaution possible when it comes to protecting your patrons' health, so consider an ice scoop with guards that prevent hands from touching the ice during scooping. An ice scoop caddy is a sanitary way to store your ice scoop close to the bin, which is particularly important because most health codes prohibit scoops from being stored on top of or in the ice. A caddy can be mounted to the side of the bin, helping prevent germs from spreading to the ice from a user’s hand.
You may need a container other than your ice machine’s bin to hold fresh ice, especially if you plan to serve it in locations without an ice machine handy. A bar ice bin can hold anywhere from 14 to 200 pounds of ice, giving staff the ability to make and serve drinks quickly without running the ice machine.
This type of equipment is sometimes built with cold plate technology that keeps soda chilled as it's pumped to a soda gun mounted nearby. Some ice bins are equipped with room to hold liquor, wine, and mixers, keeping them chilled in the ice while still compliant with food codes. This equipment is available in free-standing and drop-in variations.
Free-standing ice bins are great for establishments with plenty of extra space. These units add storage without sacrificing counter space. Unlike a drop-in unit or bin/head combo, freestanding bins don’t require permanent installation, electricity, or plumbing connections for easy relocation.
If you need to maximize floor space, drop-in ice bins fit countertop cutouts without encroaching on the area underneath. Some drop-in configurations are built with a water station that enables staff to serve water and rinse glasses.
Sometimes staff must transport ice from one location to another, such as from a main bin to an auxiliary bin or from the kitchen to a bar. In these cases, an ice tote proves indispensable. Ice totes can transport as much as 6 gallons of ice, and many of these buckets are equipped with hangers that enable them to be attached to the sides of ice bins for easy filling. Ergonomic grips and handles reduce the chances of staff injury while handling these containers, and these totes are designed to prevent employee hands from contaminating the ice.
If you need to transport extra-large volumes of ice, consider purchasing an ice caddy. These mobile, wheeled bins are available in capacities from 75 to 240 pounds of ice and are useful for transporting ice to off-site events, outdoor bars, and large satellite bins.
Selling ice by the bag is another way to bring in extra profit, so convenience stores and foodservice operations can benefit from ice baggers that mount to the side of ice bins, providing a way for staff to quickly fill and tie bags of ice. Ice bags hold bulk ice in restaurants and other commercial businesses for on-site applications or individual sale.
Ice buckets can be easily transported through establishments and are popular for hotel rooms. These accessories let guests keep beverages cool in their rooms and are often used to chill bottles for room service.
Ice machines are susceptible to mold and fungus if they aren’t cleaned regularly, so operators can benefit from ice maker cleaners such as sanitizers, growth inhibitors, automatic cleaning systems, and other cleaning kits. Operators should only clean their ice machine according to the manufacturer’s guidelines with approved chemicals and devices.
Buying and installing ice maker parts can help extend the life of your machine, so various ice bin parts such as adjustable legs, drain pumps, and tubing kits are available. Companies also offer several parts ranging from thermostat kits and equipment stands to replacement bulbs for commercial ice machines. It’s important to note that parts from one manufacturer may not be compatible with ice machines from another manufacturer. Be sure to check product details and verify compatibility when purchasing parts and accessories for your equipment.
