Choosing The Best Ice Machine for Your Business in 2024

KoolAire is owned by Manitowoc and makes very similar machines. The main difference is that they have less features than the Manitowoc machines, but often perform just as well and come at a lower price tag.

The KoolAire KYT0500A-161 features an air-cooled condenser and tool-free removable parts, which contribute to simple cleaning and repairs, and help this machine stand out out for its reliability and ease of maintenance. It produces up to 550 lbs. of half-cube ice daily, which is ideal for busy restaurants and bars that need to quickly chill customers’ beverages. It’s very important to note, however, that 24-hr. ice production rates can vary depending the ambient air and water temperatures in your business.

Many of our customers choose half cubes, but these machines are also available in full cube—which melt slower, but displace less liquid within the glass.

• Easy to troubleshoot
• Reliable performance
• Easy to clean
• Low component failure rate
• Half-cube means more displacement of liquid in glasses

• Setting ice thickness can be challenging
• Half-cubes melt quicker than some other types of ice

The “Quadzilla” is a giant, with a staggering 3,000 lbs. of daily ice output. This is ideal for businesses that need extremely high ice production capacity, such as large restaurants, hotels, or distribution centers. While its size means it has more components that can break, its track record still shows it to be very robust and reliable.

For this particular unit, water cooling helps the machine operate even in high temperatures and supports its massive ice production—which is often needed in large businesses like those described above. However, it’s important to note that some jurisdictions don’t allow businesses to use water-cooled ice machines and mandate machines that use less water, unless certain requirements are met. Check up on your local regulations before you invest in a water-cooled Quadzilla, or any water-cooled ice machine. There is also an air-cooled version of this unit available.

• Reliable track record
• High-quality construction
• Largest daily ice output among commercial ice makers in this class
• Full cubes melt slower

• More components means more chances of something failing. This machine has 4 TXVs, 4 HGVs, 4 curtain switches, etc. Hence the name!
• Although dice cubes melt slower, they displace less liquid within the glass than half-dice

This model delivers up to 960 lbs. of ice daily and has a surprisingly small footprint for that kind of production capacity. Most restaurants can meet their ice needs with it, and there’s an added benefit in that it produces fast-cooling half-cube ice. Together with easy maintenance and a low failure rate, these advantages make the KYT1000A ideal for medium-sized and smaller restaurants. There is also a version of this unit available that produces full-size cubes (with the same dimensions as Manitowoc’s dice ice).

• Easy to troubleshoot
• Reliable performance
• Easy to clean
• Low component failure rate
• Half cube ice allows restaurants and bars to use less liquid and more ice

• Setting ice thickness can be cumbersome
• Half cube tends to melt quicker due to its size, sometimes diluting beverages

While the SDT3000W is already featured as one of the most reliable ice makers, it’s also a star for large businesses. Few ice makers can produces this much ice with this size of a footprint in 24 hours, and few brands compete with Manitowoc when it comes to reliability. The Quadzilla will serve any business that needs to consistently produce vast quantities of ice.

• Best-in-class daily ice output
• Great reliability and high-quality construction

• Additional points of failure due to more internal components than smaller ice machines

The DB-200H features a stainless chain-driven and sprocket dispenser that reduces wear and breakdowns. While it’s not the most sleek design and the aesthetics haven’t changed much over the years, it’s a top pick for reliably serving cubed ice to customers and guests.

• Built like a tank: A simple, sturdy design that has stood the test of time
• Greater reliability thanks to a stainless steel manufacturing
• Practically unbreakable stainless agitator bar
• Stores 200 lbs. of ice, reducing time spent refilling the machine

• Not aesthetically pleasing to everyone
• Occasional solenoid failure
• Someone may accidentally throw away the removable drain grate and drain chute, which can result in the machine leaking water from the front
• The spout switch is in the wet zone and susceptible to condensation

The Scotsman HID525A-1 offers high-capacity nugget ice production of up to 500 pounds daily. The machine’s durable stainless steel construction, low maintenance, and greaseless bearings also give it great reliability. Finally, the ice maker features hands-free sensor operation that ensures sanitary ice dispensing, making it a top choice for hospitals and busy medical facilities where preventing contamination are crucial.

• Easy to take apart and service
• Improved greaseless, maintenance-free sealed bearing design

• Drip tray drain clogs if users frequently dump cup contents in

The Scotsman HID312A-1 Meridian is similar to the HID525A-1, except it’s smaller, a little easier on your budget, and produces 260 lbs. of nugget ice daily. It features touch-free dispensing for improved hygiene, while its antimicrobial protection helps prevent bacterial growth. Removable components such as the storage bin and air filter facilitate easy maintenance and help keep ice easy at your office.

• Same greaseless, low-maintenance, easy-to-service design features as the HID5252A-1.

• Just like the higher production model, drip tray is at risk of clogging if users dump contents into the tray too often

The Hoshizaki DM-200B is similar to the DB-200H, but it has a more squat design, with greater width and lower height. It can store and dispense up to 200 lbs. of cubed ice and carries over Hoshizaki’s rugged, stainless steel interior construction that translates into easy maintenance. If lots of workers need lots of ice, this is a great option.

• Simple, rugged design
• Extremely durable and resilient stainless steel components

• Water dispenses very fast, sometimes splashing
• Black spout on front panel sometimes comes out of place
• Users dumping their cups’ contents will clog up the drain pan

The Manitowoc IRT0900A-261 stands out for its impressive production capacity of 870 lbs. of ice per day. This model has an efficient air-cooled condenser and a stainless-steel finish that resists smudges and fingerprints, which contributes to a sleek appearance. In all, it’s another excellent ice maker for high-volume establishments.

• Easy to clean
• Reliable evaporator

• The ice isn’t actually cube-shaped, but rhomboid with a hollow backside
• The dimple in the back of the rhomboid-shaped ice cube can cause splashing if not careful

This model delivers up to 960 lbs. of half cube ice daily, suitable for medium-sized restaurants and up. Thanks to easy-to-remove components, maintenance is straightforward, and this machine has a consistently low failure rate. When your busy restaurant can’t spare time on finicky ice machines, the KYT1000A is a fantastic option for reliable half-cube production. This line from Koolaire also features full cubes for businesses who would prefer that to half cubes.

• Rarely fails and easy to troubleshoot when issues arise
• Easy to clean and service
• Good for quickly cooling water and other refreshing drinks

• Unintuitive ice thickness settings
• Can dilute flavored drinks due to fast melt speed

The Hoshizaki KM-1301SAJ has an impressive daily production capacity of up to 1,365 lbs. of crescent ice cubes. This air-cooled, self-contained model is designed to handle high-volume demands, making it perfect for busy restaurants, hotels, and catering services. A durable stainless-steel exterior and an efficient evaporator design consistently produce crystal-clear, crescent-shaped ice cubes. This model also features energy-saving harvesting process to improve your environmental footprint and reduce your bills.

• Hardest, clearest, and slowest-melting cube in the industry

• Some component quality issues have come up in recent years

The Hoshizaki IM-500SAB can produce up to 489 lbs. of square cube ice daily. Thanks to its solid ice output, stainless steel frame, and high ease of cleaning, it’s suitable for most small-to-medium-sized establishments. If you have an eye toward growth with limited floor space, this is an excellent choice because of its compact, stackable design. When the time comes for you to scale, you can buy a second IM-500SAB and place it right on top. (Note: stacking units needs to be approached carefully and involve professional installation to avoid issues.)

• Stainless steel frame
• Reliable ice production
• Easy to clean

• Stacking capability can make it difficult to service
• Complicated sequence of operation can also make servicing difficult

The Hoshizaki F-1002MAJ can keep up with a wide range of commercial needs, producing up to 1,016 lbs. of flake ice per day. The stainless-steel evaporator barrel and carbon-impregnated bearings provide superior durability, but routine maintenance is especially important to prevent any issues from arising.

• Stainless steel evaporator barrel
• Carbon-impregnated bearings are durable
• Good gear motors
• Suitable for food preservation in logistics and the service sector

• Without regular maintenance, more susceptible to failures resulting from wear and tear

The Hoshizaki F-801MAJ-C produces up to 592 lbs. of cubelet ice (Hoshizaki’s brand name for nugget ice) each day. Like other nugget ice machines, the ice it produces is ideal for flavored drinks and hydration & injury management in healthcare settings. On top of these benefits, the F-801MAJ-C has enhanced longevity and reliability thanks to its stainless-steel evaporator barrel. This machine works just like Hoshizaki’s flake ice machines, but has an extra step at the end that compresses the flake ice and then cuts them into nuggets.

• Stainless steel evaporator barrel
• Carbon-impregnated bearings are durable
• Good gear motors

• More susceptible to failures related to wear and tear without routine maintenance

The Hoshizaki IM-50BAA-Q is a compact undercounter ice maker that produces up to 50 lbs. of sphere-shaped ice daily. It’s currently the only commercial ice machine capable of creating this unique ice shape, and it’s a favorite for high-end bars and restaurants since it improves the presentation of spirits and offers steady cooling with minimal melting. The main drawback is that producing sphere ice calls for complex engineering, and the machine produces ice slowly and has somewhat common mechanical issues.

• The only commercial ice machine with sphere-shaped ice currently in production

• Can run into performance issues
• Takes a long time to make and harvest ice
• Spheres melt unless stored in the freezer soon after they are produced

The KDT0500A is a modular ice machine by Koolaire that’s similar to the KYT1000A, with similar ease of troubleshooting and reliability. However, it’s smaller and produces up to 550 lbs. of full ice cubes daily, which makes it more suitable for small and medium-sized establishments. This unit is also available in the half-cube configuration previously mentioned (KYT0500A).

• Easy clean and troubleshoot
• Reliable design with a low failure rate

• Setting ice thickness is troublesome

The KoolAire KYF0250-161 is an efficient and reliable undercounter ice maker that produces up to 250 pounds of ice daily. It’s a reliable, respected design with high ease of use and steady ice output. However, it can be somewhat difficult to service when issues do arise.

• Simple, time-tested design with proven reliability and high ease of use

• More difficult to service than its Manitowoc NEO counterpart

Manitowoc’s UYF0310A is a versatile undercounter model that produces up to 290 lbs. of ice daily. It’s one of the most user-friendly models on the market, with intuitive controls and a removable storage bin for cleaning and servicing. This model is a great fit for bars and smaller restaurants where room—particularly counter space—is limited, and compact size and reliable ice production are key priorities.

• Very service-friendly due to removable bin

• More prone to water leaks due to gasket on back
• Water condensate tray sometimes leaks
• Occasional touchpad (user interface) failure

The Hoshizaki KM-1601SRJZ excels in high-volume settings, producing up to 1,650 lbs. of crescent ice daily. The remote-cooled condenser offers greater energy efficiency and allows for heat output to be relocated away from the ice making head, while the machine is highly reliable overall. There can be some difficulties when it comes to service and cleaning, but it’s nonetheless a top choice for large hotels and restaurants.

• Less labor-intensive to troubleshoot
• Reliable compressor
• Remote condenser allows much more flexibility

• Remote condenser must be installed professionally
• Evaporators can have issues
• Hard to clean
• Water circuit has many parts, making it difficult to service and clean
• The technical literature is sometimes out of date

The Scotsman HID312A-1 Meridian, featured earlier as one of the best ice machines for offices, is also suitable for any user-facing ice dispensing role. Antimicrobial features, touch-free dispensing, and simplified maintenance make it great for producing up to 260 lbs. of ice per day.

• Newer machines have enhanced reliability and long service lives
• Easy to service take apart and service, greaseless and maintenance free bearing design

• Customers dumping cups’ contents in the drip tray can result in frequent clogs and leaks

If the HID312A doesn’t produce enough ice to meet your needs, try the Hoshizaki DCM-500BAH. It produces up to 618 lbs. of nugget ice per day. It combines ice and water dispensing in one unit, making it perfect for self-serve areas in restaurants and healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the DCM-500BAH has built-in antimicrobial protection and a CleanCycle24™ system, which purges impurities every 12 hours

• Stainless steel evaporator barrel
• Durable carbon-impregnated bearings
• Good gear motors

• On/Off switch is located under the front cover apron and can be switched off accidentally when wiping it down
• Regular preventative maintenance especially important to avoid mechanical issues