A Deep Dive into Commercial Ice Makers: Find the Right Ice Type and Equipment for Your Business
May 27,2025 | Mojgar
Whether you're opening a café, running a busy restaurant, managing a hotel, or building a specialty beverage brand, a reliable and efficient ice supply is key to smooth operations and customer satisfaction. But with so many commercial ice makers and ice types on the market, how do you choose the right one?
Choosing the wrong ice type or machine can lead to higher costs, inefficiencies, and even unhappy customers. This guide will walk you through the most common types of commercial ice, their key features, and how to match them to your business needs—so you can make the best choice for your unique operation.
When you need a mainstream, reliable, and cost-effective cube ice solution, Mojgar is your trusted partner—helping you keep your business running smoothly.
Why Ice Type Matters More Than You Think
Ice is more than just frozen water—it’s an essential part of your product and customer experience. Here’s why choosing the right type matters:
- Beverage Quality: The right ice preserves flavor, keeps drinks cold, and enhances visual appeal. The wrong ice can dilute flavors too quickly or feel “off” in the mouth.
- Cooling Efficiency: Different shapes melt at different rates. Faster-melting ice cools quickly but may water down drinks; slower-melting ice keeps drinks cold longer.
- Cup Displacement and Cost: Certain ice types fill cups more efficiently, helping control beverage costs and reduce waste.
- Customer Preference: Many customers have a clear favorite—whether it’s chewable nugget ice or clear, elegant gourmet cubes.
Bottom line: Knowing your customer expectations and your operational needs is the first step toward choosing the right ice—and the right equipment.
Types of Commercial Ice and Their Best Uses
Cube Ice (Full Dice & Half Dice)
The All-Purpose Workhorse for Most Businesses
- Characteristics: Hard, slow-melting cubes—Full Dice (7/8" x 7/8"), Half Dice (3/8" x 7/8").
- Advantages: Versatile, long-lasting, ideal for most drinks.
- Best for: Restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels, convenience stores, and bagged ice sales.
- Mojgar’s Expertise:
- At Mojgar, we focus on delivering efficient, reliable cube ice solutions—the most practical and cost-effective choice for the majority of food service businesses.
- Our Mojgar 450 lbs commercial ice maker is a top choice for restaurants and hotels, with features like:
- High daily output (up to 450 lbs)
- Air-cooled system for easy installation
- Energy efficiency and simple maintenance
- If your business needs cube ice, Mojgar is your best choice.
Nugget Ice (Pellet / Chewable Ice)
The “Good Ice” Customers Love to Chew
- Characteristics: Soft, chewable, small pellets.
- Advantages: It absorbs drink flavor, is easy to chew, excellent cup displacement.
- Best for: Fast-food chains, soda fountains, specialty drinks, healthcare facilities.
- Recommended Brands:
- Scotsman Prodigy Plus N0622A: 600 lbs/day, great for QSRs and convenience stores.
- Hoshizaki F-801MAJ: 690 lbs/day, known for reliability and consistent nugget size.
Nugget ice is a customer favorite for its texture, but it’s not the best fit for all businesses. If chewable ice is a must, these brands are strong options to explore.
Flake Ice
Soft, Fast-Cooling Ice for Displays and Preservation
- Characteristics: Thin, irregular flakes; soft and moldable.
- Advantages: Rapid cooling, excellent surface contact, ideal for delicate items.
- Best for: Supermarkets (seafood, produce), salad bars, restaurant prep areas, labs, medical cooling.
- Recommended Brands:
- Manitowoc RF-1278C: 1100 lbs/day, excellent for large-scale food displays.
- Scotsman F1522A: 1600 lbs/day, reliable for continuous use.
If your business needs to keep products looking fresh and chilled, flake ice is the go-to option.
Gourmet Ice (Clear / Top Hat Ice)
For Premium Drinks and a Touch of Class
- Characteristics: Crystal-clear, dense ice in unique shapes (octagon, sphere).
- Advantages: Slow melting, enhances drink aesthetics, perfect for premium cocktails and spirits.
- Best for: High-end bars, fine dining, whiskey service, and events.
- Recommended Brands:
- Brema CB425A: 100 lbs/day, elegant ice for boutique bars.
- Kold-Draft GB Series: Known for ultra-clear, slow-melting cubes.
For venues that want to impress, gourmet ice is a standout detail that elevates the experience.
How to Choose the Right Ice Maker: 6 Key Factors
- Production Capacity
- Estimate your busiest days and peak hours. Plan for a little extra—better to have more ice than not enough!
- Mojgar Insight: We’ll help you assess the right capacity based on your customer volume and ice usage patterns.
- Storage Bin Size
- Your bin should hold enough to handle peak demand without constant machine cycling.
- Available Space & Installation
- Measure carefully. Consider ventilation, drainage, power, and water supply.
- Mojgar Tip: Our ice makers are designed for easy installation and compact footprints.
- Cooling Type
- Air-cooled (Mojgar’s specialty): Energy-efficient, low water use, easy setup.
- Water-cooled: For tight, hot spaces—but uses more water.
- Remote condenser: Quieter indoors, more complex install.
- Cleaning & Maintenance
- Easy-to-clean machines save time and ensure ice hygiene.
- Mojgar Feature: Removable panels and simple access make maintenance a breeze.
- Energy Efficiency & Long-Term Cost
- Look beyond the purchase price—consider energy use, durability, and service costs.
- Mojgar Commitment: Our designs focus on efficiency and reliability, helping lower your total cost of ownership.
Mojgar: Your Partner for Reliable Cube Ice Solutions
At Mojgar, we specialize in high-performance cube ice machines—because that’s what most businesses need.
- Fast, consistent ice production: Up to 450 lbs/day.
- Energy-efficient designs: Lower your operating costs.
- Durable and easy to maintain: Built to last, with minimal downtime.
- Expert support: We’ll guide you through every step, from selection to installation.
If you want an ice maker that works as hard as you do, Mojgar is the smart choice.
Let’s Keep Your Business Cool, Efficient, and Customer-Focused
Whether you need cube ice for drinks, nugget ice for that signature texture, flake ice for displays, or gourmet ice for upscale cocktails—the right ice and the right machine matter.
For most restaurants, cafes, and hotels, cube ice is the perfect fit—and Mojgar is here to deliver it reliably, efficiently, and affordably.
Browse Mojgar’s commercial ice maker lineup or contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you find the ideal solution to keep your business cool, your customers happy, and your operations running smoothly.
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