Everything You Need to Know About Your Hospital Ice Maker

Healthcare facilities need reliable, high volumes of ice production to meet medical needs. But more than that, they need to be able to produce specialized types like nugget ice at scale. Nugget ice is a must for local cooling and relief for fevers and injuries, but it's also ideal for young and elderly patients with sensitive teeth. In all, it's vital that hospitals choose the right commercial ice machine for their unique needs.

To help you choose the best ice machine for your healthcare facility, we’ve put together this handy guide to answer all your hospital ice maker questions.

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What Types of Hospital Ice Makers Are There?

Hospital ice machines come in different shapes and sizes to meet specific needs. The type of hospital ice maker or ice dispenser you choose can help you to make things easier for your staff while meeting patients’ needs.

Below are some of the most common types of ice makers for healthcare needs:

Modular ice machines require a bin for ice storage. They dispense ice directly into an ice storage bin, where staff can scoop ice out into glassware and other containers. These are popular machines in facilities that use a lot of ice, like cafeterias. The size of these hospital ice makers range from 50-3000 lbs. of ice a day. The types of ice that modular ice makers will produce vary, so it’s doable to get a modular machine that makes specialty ice like flake or nugget ice.

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Stackable ice machines allow you to install 2-3 units on top of one another, to double or triple your daily ice production. These machines still require you to purchase an additional ice storage bin or dispenser to store the ice. Stackable units can be great options for high-volume businesses that don’t have a lot of extra room to fit two ice makers. Keep in mind, multiple stackable ice makers are much harder to service than a single large ice maker—so be sure regular maintenance is performed by a technician with experience specific to ice machines.

It’s important to note, however, that there is only one series of ice machines that Easy Ice recommends stacking—the Hoshizaki IM-500SAB. This model only produces square ice cubes, so if you’re looking for flake or nugget ice, a different option may be better. Our experts are always here to help if you need assistance making specialty ice machines work in your environment.

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What Are the Best Hospital Ice Types?

Hospital ice chips (sometimes referred to as nugget ice or flake ice) were designed with healthcare in mind. These types of ice are soft and chewable for patients who have a hard time swallowing liquid. A hospital ice chip maker also creates moldable ice that makes it easy to ice injuries without cutting through plastic bags.

How Much Ice Do I Need for My Hospital?

You want the best medical ice machine that delivers enough ice for all your patients. Whether you’re looking for a modular ice maker or a hospital ice dispenser, there are a few factors you should consider when choosing your hospital ice machine.

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What Type of Ice Machine Condenser Do I Need?

Your ice machine condenser helps to cool refrigerant and emit heat away from the ice machine so it can run smoothly. There are three main types of ice machine condensers—air cooled, water cooled, and remote.

The most common and cost-effective condensing unit for commercial ice makers. These systems use a fan to help cool condenser coils and emit hot air into the surrounding environment. Air cooled ice machines need plenty of space for hot air to escape into the environment. This is the most cost-effective and common condenser system you'll find on commercial ice machines.

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Remote condenser ice machines are similar to an air cooled condenser except the condenser unit is installed away from the ice machine, usually outdoors or in a large space with plenty of ventilation. Remote cooled ice machines ensure heat stays out of your business. They are also quieter than air cooled ice machines, since the fan is located away from the unit.

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How Much Does a Hospital Ice Machine Cost?

The average hospital patient requires 10 lbs. of ice a day. Generally, hospitals choose smaller dispenser models on each floor to meet their patients’ ice needs. Cafeterias may require a larger ice machine, depending on how many visitors and staff they serve in a day. Smaller ice machines cost around $1,500, while larger ice machines can cost close to $10,000. If you’re purchasing a modular ice machine for your cafeteria, you’ll also need to buy an ice storage bin to store the ice. Beyond the retail price of the ice making machine, there are also hidden costs to take into account.

Maintenance and cleaning are vital to a healthcare facility because they help ensure your ice machine is producing clean ice. Cleaning gets rid of mold, slime, or microorganisms that may harm patients with weakened immune systems. Preventive maintenance keeps the ice machine in working order. Routine maintenance also allows technicians to identify potential issues that may require expensive repairs if they are not fixed. Manufacturers suggest 2 preventive maintenance visits a year. They also suggest 2 cleanings per year, which run around $250 per visit.

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Water filters protect your ice machine from particles and sediment that can cause damage to the unit. Depending on the filter’s rating, they will require replacing roughly every six months. Clogged water filters will reduce your water flow and cause your machine to produce smaller, malformed ice cubes. Ice machine water filter prices range between $15-$100 depending on the brand. Ice machines in challenging water environments will likely require additional water filtration methods along with a standard sediment filter.

Avoid Expensive Ice Machine Repairs

Repair costs depend on how severe the damage is, and which component may need replacing. Generally, repairs cost between a few hundred dollars or a few thousand. Here are some examples of common ice machine repairs and their estimated costs:

Hot Gas Valve Replacement: $600
Expansion Valve: $600
Compressor Repair: $1,500
Evaporator Repair: $2,500

If repairs take too long, it may force you to buy extra ice at retail costs. A 20 lb. bag of ice costs about $4.50.

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Managed Hospital Ice Machines: Maintenance and More

Choosing the right nugget ice maker is more complex than you'd think, and maintaining flawless operation can be challenging too. That's why you should turn to the Ice Experts and embrace our managed ice machine rental program.

We go beyond simply leasing ice makers. Instead, we offer our expertise in finding the right model for your needs and offer emergency support and repairs at one affordable price. Our rental program comes with routine maintenance to prevent accidents and breakdowns, but if your machine ever does break down we'll be there to fix it. On top of that, we have the logistics in place to provide a steady flow of ice while your machine is down.

You're not just renting hospital ice machines; you're getting the peace of mind only the Ice Experts can provide.

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a hospital ice maker, and we're here to help! Our team of ice machine experts can guide you through the decision-making process and answer any questions you have.

Reach out today to learn more about what we can offer you.

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