But how do you pick the best sized storage bin for your commercial ice machines? We’ve put together this helpful guide to help you understand the relationship between ice machines and bin size so that you can find the perfect combination for your business.
Understanding the Relationship Between Ice Machine & Ice Bin
The size of the ice machine and production capacity, combined with the bin’s storage capacity, will depend heavily on the quantity of ice you need daily. In other words, if your business needs more than 300 kg of ice daily, you’ll need a commercial ice flaker or two commercial ice machines to meet demand. And then there’s the storage bin that needs to be big enough to hold the required amount of ice.
The capacity of a commercial ice maker can range from 50 kg up to 650 kg or more per day. The size of the ice bin will vary depending on what your business needs.
Ensuring you have the right combination of commercial ice makers and ice storage bin is essential for meeting demand and minimising waste. That’s why research is vital before committing to a specific size.
Choosing the Correct Size Commercial Ice Machine
Choose an ice machine with high significance placed on production capacity. The ice machine must produce enough ice to meet demands during the busiest periods, taking into account seasonal events, for example, Christmas, New Year's Eve and Mother’s day, as well as daily and weekly busiest times.
Depending on your type of business you may have ice requirements in multiple areas. While bars may only need ice for drinks and cocktails or to chill wine bottles or Champagne at the table in ice buckets, restaurants may also additionally need ice for specific cooking techniques in the kitchen. Supermarkets with specialised fish counters, fishmongers or mobile fish vans will need varying amounts of ice for the correct storage of fresh fish.
As a general rule it is better to overestimate slightly and have more ice than required than not enough.
For more information on choosing the perfect sized equipment for your business take a look at our helpful commercial ice machine buying guide.
Once you’ve chosen the right commercial ice maker for your business, you can consider the modular ice bin alongside it. Once again, choosing a model with enough capacity for your needs is essential. Ice bins have an adjustable shut-off switch that triggers when it reaches a specific capacity, usually around 80%.
A mound typically forms as the ice doesn’t fall into bins evenly. When the tip reaches a certain level, ice production stops. Ice storage bins are well insulated but not refrigerated, so they require proper insulation to keep your stock fresh, uncontaminated and in good form.
Consider features such as sliding or hinged lids that allow easy access without exposing the entire bin.
What Size Ice Bin Should I Buy?
To ensure you choose the right sized bin for your commercial ice maker, it’s essential to consider both the production capacity of your ice machine and the amount of ice needed at any one time. If you have a large commercial flaker or multiple commercial ice makers, you will probably need a larger storage bin than businesses with smaller machines.
⦁ Consider the size of the storage bin that’s right for your commercial ice maker. The bin size will depend on the quantity of ice needed daily. While integral ice machines have a specific bin capacity built in as standard, modular ice machines will have varying capacity options. The size of the storage capacity required will depend on how much ice is needed from the bin at one time, how often you will require the said amount and the length of time the ice machine takes to refill the bin.
⦁ Consider additional features that could help improve efficiencies, such as floor-mounted bin models or self-contained units with built-in bins. Also take into account how well the bin is insulated and look for easy to clean and hygienic linings. Additionally, many commercial ice makers come with a hard-water treatment system that can help reduce maintenance costs and improve the machine’s performance.
⦁ Make sure bins are easy to access so that your staff can quickly replenish the supply of ice when needed.
With this points in mind, there are plenty of high performance options to choose from such as the Hoshizaki KMD-210AB-HC Modular Ice Machine, to guarantee that all your requirements are catered for.
Buying Ice Machines & Storage Bins - Top Tips
At FFD Commercial Refrigeration, we have many years of experience helping customers find the right size commercial ice makers and storage bins for their business needs. As a result, we’ve put together some top tips to help you make a suitable choice:
⦁ Ensure that your machine has adequate production capacity to meet customer demands.
⦁ Calculate the storage bin size relating to how much ice is required at one time and how long the ice machine will take to replenish the bin.
⦁ Consider features such as adjustable shut-off switches, insulation and easy-access lids.
⦁ Choose a model with adequate capacity for your business needs - make sure it’s not too big or too small and fits the allocated space.
⦁ Remember, ice machines require plumbing to produce ice, and a waste water outlet is required to filter out melted ice/water from the storage bin. Therefore, adequate space must be allowed for installation.
⦁ Check the machine has sufficient bin capacity to meet production levels and customer demand.
⦁ Research maintenance requirements and how often you should be cleaning your ice macine - most ice machines require regular cleaning daily or weekly.
⦁ Ambient air temperatures around the equipment combined with the water feed temperature will affect production capacity. Higher temperatures may lead to slower production and can also lead to ice melting more quickly in the bin.
Finally, always look out for good warranties and after-sales services when selecting a commercial ice machine, commercial ice flakers or a modular ice machine.
Ice Machine and Ice Flaker Recommendations
We’re here to help you decide about buying commercial ice makers and storage bins for your business. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced sales team today.
We are delighted to assist you in finding the perfect commercial ice machines and storage bins for your business. Shop online today at FFD - we’ve got the ideal solution for you.
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