What is Ice-O-Matic's Pearl Ice?
Amid the popularity surrounding nugget ice, Ice-O-Matic stands out with its patented Pearl Ice®. According to Ice-O-Matic, Pearl Ice is soft, long lasting, and chewable, characteristics which – similarly to traditional nugget ice – makes this ice ideal for iced and blended drinks alike.
In addition to appealing to people who enjoy chewing ice, Pearl Ice can cool beverages faster and keep them cold longer while retaining the drink's flavor rather than watering them down. These machines also tend to demand less water and energy than other types of ice machines, saving you money in the long term. Stainless steel parts and cabinet construction helps extend this line's lifespan, and the AgION antimicrobial compound helps slow the growth of bacteria between cleanings, leading to a more sanitary end product. Pearl Ice machines come in three configurations: full-size, undercounter, and countertop units.
Full-size Pearl Ice Machines
Full-sized Pearl Ice machines, available either as a complete unit or separate heads and storage bins, are the most suitable choice for fast-paced operations like busy restaurants or convenience stores. Although these models demand more space, they turn out larger batches of ice, as much as 2,225 pounds per day depending on the machine.
These large units feature SystemSafe load monitoring, which initiates a safe shutdown of the machine if too large of a workload is detected on the unit's gearbox, helping you avoid additional maintenance costs. A water sensor ensures Pearl Ice machines are supplied with adequate water supply to continue producing the expected volume of ice.
Undercounter Pearl Ice Machines
If you're looking for a more compact Pearl Ice maker, Ice-O-Matic also offers an undercounter Pearl Ice maker. Though this design produces less ice than full-sized units – only up to 85 pounds per day – its compact construction makes it an appealing option for many smaller or slower-paced establishments.
In addition to being visually discreet, Ice-O-Matic's undercounter Pearl Ice machine emits less noise than larger units, which is particularly useful if you're looking to install an ice maker in a quiet environment like an office, school, or break room.
Countertop Pearl Ice Machines
The most compact Pearl Ice machines are the countertop units. Despite their small footprint, these models can produce 273 pounds of ice per day, with a quick recovery time that leads to a production of around 11 pounds each hour. In addition to Pearl Ice, the countertop units also dispense water. Like the undercounter units, these operate quietly as to not disturb employees in a break room or students in a school.
Countertop Pearl Ice makers feature a touch-free dispensing mechanism and a plastic ice chute that can be removed for cleaning, to ensure the unit continues to put out sanitary ice. Ice-O-Matic also states these models feature a lighted keypad for simple ice or water activation and a spacious sink to accommodate large cups and containers.
