Ice machine – why is ice important in gastronomy and other areas?

Temperature is very important when serving sparkling wine, food and drinks. This is also a very key factor in safe food storage. That’s why ice plays a key role in the kitchen and bar. But if it is hot outside, there is not enough space in the freezer and it does not bring the proper effect due to inefficiency, then where to get the right amount of ice? An ice maker is a device that can produce a large number of ice cubes.

Versions of this machine vary from home versions capable of making 20 kilograms of ice per day to commercial versions with 10 times more capacity. The block ice maker’s device for making ice is very simple and does not require special knowledge, as the process is highly automated. There are several types of ice cubes. Some of the ice maker models available at Bfteech make less clear ice, while others trade efficiency for product transparency. It should be noted that the species have different uses.

When enjoying Champagne, the transparency of the cubes is very important, but to preserve the cooling properties of Champagne, crushed ice or a transparent ice cube is enough. Therefore, it is worth choosing the type of ice maker that meets your individual needs. Absolutely every restaurant and bar needs a lot of ice during the summer months. Ice is necessary for preparing food and drinks. An ice generator was created to meet such requirements. It is characterized by extremely high efficiency and meets the highest requirements. Even though the inconvenience was great, meeting the great needs was important.

Available cooling methods

The working principle of an ice maker is not always the same, it can be divided into water cooling and air cooling, what is the key difference between them? Water cooling: characterized by high efficiency and complete independence from external temperature. Works very efficiently and does not take up much space. However, the key disadvantage is that such a device requires a constant connection to water. Ice generators of this type are very sensitive to minor malfunctions, so it is necessary to use special water filters, which can sometimes become a certain problem. Air Cooling: An alternative to water cooling is air cooling. Ice generators of this type are more mobile because they do not need constant contact with water. Another key advantage is that it is not economical to use water filters.

However, due to a different method of operation, they require more space. They can also be sensitive to high temperatures, so extreme temperatures can affect their performance. For this reason, it is advisable to use it in places that are not exposed to a sudden increase in temperature, for example, in rooms with air conditioning.

What are ice generators for?

The ice maker can be used just about anywhere, from a beverage bar to filling an ice bucket for your bottle of Champagne when you host a variety of entertaining events. The only key limitation here is the overall power of the particular model you choose. It should be noted that ice makers almost always have a more or less obvious use. No bar can do without ice anymore. The same goes for restaurants.

How to clean the ice maker?

Cleaning an ice maker is not much different from cleaning any other kitchen appliance. There are several points for regular inspection of air and water cooling systems. It is necessary to monitor the purity of the water from which ice is made. Lack of transparency not only causes health problems but can also damage the device. The interior must be cleaned regularly with special means to prevent the growth of bacteria. But the cleaning does not end there. Water-cooled ice generator filters must be cleaned regularly. Filters are used to remove contaminants before they enter the device. Frequent maintenance can greatly extend the life of your ice maker. For air-cooled models, the air filter must be cleaned regularly. You need to do this quite often, but the frequency depends on the dustiness of the room. In dry, dusty rooms, this should be done more often than in clean spaces.

Water can be used to cool the condenser of the ice maker. Air-cooled ice makers use less electricity, but they require good ventilation to operate optimally. Do not place these models in a close hot place. Water-cooled ice makers solve these problems, but their use increases operating costs. Bfteech has models that make different shapes of ice, in many of these models you can easily adjust the size of the ice cubes. The most popular shapes in the industry are cubes, hollow cones, and solid cones (gourmet ice). The quality of the produced ice largely depends on the water supply and maintenance of the ice
maker. For the ice maker to function properly, it is necessary to regularly clean and disinfect the ice maker, as well as to use effective, high-quality filters.

These are general rules. Depending on the features available and the appearance of the control panel, each model may operate slightly differently. The ice makers that are featured at Bfteech usually allow you to choose the size of the ice cubes, such as large or small, as well as a cube, sphere, cylinder, etc. You can choose different ice-making formats. A good device should signal the end of the production process with light or sound. The advanced gourmet ice maker also offers additional key ice-crushing options so you can make cocktails like daiquiris and mojitos.

Ice maker options

The mentioned equipment is not necessary for hospitality, but if you are interested in commercial ice maker machines for a cafe or bar, it is worth thinking about its purchase. At this stage, we come to the important question of what key parameters an ice machine should have for it to work in a restaurant, bar, nightclub, coffee shop, or at home. In general, the equipment must meet the requirements of the installation. That is why, for example, the efficiency of an ice machine for a small cafe differs from the efficiency of an ice machine that is designed to work in a large hotel restaurant.

What other important values should you pay attention to when choosing a certain model of an ice generator? The capacity of the water tank directly depends on the efficiency of the device. For example, a small device with a daily capacity of 12 kilograms of water can be equipped with a tank that allows the production of one kilogram of finished products during a certain period.

Cycle time is also important, especially for household models. The cycle of a typical ice machine for making ice takes 10-30 minutes. Industrial enterprises produce ice until the tank is full. Ice machines in restaurants and hotels must have an ECO function, which automatically turns off the power after the end of the operation. Although energy saving is important, you can optimize the device settings for low-temperature products. As with all electrical appliances, performance is important. It’s all about performance, so it’s always worth paying attention to. For domestic models of kitchens, 130-170 W are required, and for large ones – 220-360 W.

Key requirements that an ice generator must meet

As we all know, the performance of the devices should meet the needs of the user. Even if you have a small cafe or bar, always remember that customers buy more soft drinks during the summer season than at any other time of the year. Today, every entrepreneur chooses something from the wide range of ice machines presented at Bftech. Here you will find models that are ideal for use in small pizzerias, large bars, and nightclubs. However, choosing a model capable of producing hundreds of kilograms of ice per hour does not mean that a small ice maker cannot work efficiently. It can be perfectly tried as an addition if the design of the restaurant allows it. A professional ice maker should follow a simple process. However, it is not just an easy-to-read control panel and LED or liquid crystal display. It is important to get water from a stable source.

Supplying water from the water supply system is a more reliable option. Such models are ideal for places with a large number of guests. Like any other kitchen appliance, an ice maker must be built for long service life. Therefore, the parts of these devices are mainly made of stainless steel. The material is resistant to corrosion, mechanical damage (scratches, dents, etc.). Stainless steel makes it much easier to keep the kitchen clean.