We always turn to a café and eatery to enjoy refreshing drinks in the middle of a hard day of work. They also make sure that clean and fresh ice is made all through the day to delight their customers. Restaurants have different styles and configurations of ice makers to suit the icing needs of different drinks. Here are the best ice makers for restaurants that have been ruling the food and beverage industry.
Choosing the Best Ice Machine for Restaurants
A commercial ice maker machine is an important component of the foodservice chain. There is a wide assortment of freestanding, countertop, and under-counter, commercial ice machines, and cafes also own appliances depending on the different types of ice shapes they require for the items on their menu. Before choosing an ice appliance for the restaurant, it is important to check the following important aspects.
1. Ice shape: Ice makers are capable of chunking out ice in nugget shapes, bullet shapes, crescent shapes, cubes, rectangles, and even ice flakes. Choose them appropriately to meet the icing needs of the dishes on the menu.
2. Access: Choose appliances with an easy to access bin, as restaurant workers will not have much time to scoop out ice from the bin.
3. Insulation: Appliances with a layer of insulation will be able to maintain the ice frozen for a longer time than normal ice makers.
4. Control panel: An easy to read and operate control panel on the appliance, will help in controlling the ice cycle and knowing when to add water and remove ice as well.
5. Customer service: Choose a brand that has credible customer service for repairs and replacements, as commercial ice makers tend to work all day, nonstop.
What Are The Ice Makers for Restaurants?
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For small and medium restaurants, Euhomy IM-02, Manitowoc UDF0140A, and hOmeLabs freestanding ice maker will be perfect, whereas big restaurants can choose Vevor 110V, which will provide them a very large daily ice making capacity.
Check out: Best Ice Makers For Cocktails
Best Ice Machines for Restaurants
Ice makers are a must for any hospitality establishment. The following list of ice-making appliances is capable of producing clean, fresh, and frozen ice cubes all through the day. They are great for keeping the food chilled and preparing refreshing drinks for restaurants and cafes. The following are the top 10 best ice makers for restaurants.
#1. Euhomy IM-02 Commercial Ice Maker – Best Overall
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.5 |
| Easy to clean | 8.9 |
| Performance | 9.3 |
| Build quality | 8.8 |
| Noise level | 9.2 |
| Flavor | 9.2 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.9 |
| Value for money | 9.3 |
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This is an excellent large-scale ice maker machine for different types of restaurants, that gives the best ice for cafes and eateries. This commercial ice maker machine is capable of producing about 100 pounds of ice a day and it also comes with a storage compartment of 33 lbs. of ice. The machine also has an automatic overflow protection mechanism that prevents overflow and still is efficient to meet the ice needs of the entire restaurant all through the day.
What makes Euhomy different from other brands is that it is ETL certified and is meant for commercial use and large residences. This ice maker has a universal presence and is ideal for homes, indoor and outdoor kitchens, cafes, eateries, and small restaurants.
These appliances are equipped with a smart LCD panel that shows the temperature of the external environment and also adjusts the size of the ice cubes by altering the ice-making time. The control panel will help in solving complex problems of the appliance and will show the environmental temperature, ice making time, indicates when the machine is out of the water, etc.
The best feature of this huge ice machine is that it can clean automatically when the auto-clean function is chosen. Its powerful compressor makes sure that the machine completes ice-cycles without making much noise and disturbing the environment.
Read the complete review here: Euhomy Commercial Ice Maker Machine
What do we like about Euhomy IM-02?
- Comes with gravity drainage which is a small hose on the right side of the water tank.
- Its automatic cleaning function improves the life of the ice maker.
- Its energy efficiency certificate helps in saving utility bills.
- A long press on the timer button will clean the appliance in no time.
What do we don’t like about Euhomy IM-02?
- The machine should be kept idle and upright for at least 24 hours.
- The appliance is not for open restaurants and outdoor use.
In case you want an outdoor appliance: Best Ice Makers for Outdoor Kitchen
#2. Homelabs Freestanding Commercial Ice Maker – Runner Up
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.7 |
| Easy to clean | 8.9 |
| Performance | 9.3 |
| Build quality | 8.9 |
| Noise level | 8.9 |
| Flavor | 9.2 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.9 |
| Value for money | 9.4 |
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This is an ideal ice maker appliance with intense ice-making power. HomeLabs ice maker machine quietly and quickly produces ice for your fresh drinks and serves as one of the fast-acting and portable solutions to prepare to fast-forward ice. It serves as the best solution for poolside refreshments for cafes, restaurants, and eateries. This huge ice maker appliance is capable of producing about 99 pounds of ice in 24 hours and it can make 45 cubes of ice in one cycle, within 11 to 20 minutes. The appliance also has a large storage capacity of 29 lbs.
Its freestanding design makes it easy to install in any place, be it home, restaurant or pantry. The only requirement is that there should be a water outlet near the unit and this ice appliance also features sleek, and rust-resistant stainless steel interiors and exteriors. The appliance also comes with a complete set of accessories, such as an ice scoop, water supply hose, water supply connectors, and a draining hose. This commercial appliance is ideal for large households and is ideal for restaurants, hotels, family parties, and large households. It has a comfortable water tank of 1.2L capacity and can hook directly to the water supply.
The appliance has to be connected to a potable water supply. It’s easy to use control panel that has LCD indicators and clear controls for displaying ice-making function. The ice-making function and the thickness of the ice cubes can be adjusted by making use of the + and the – buttons. The appliance is also equipped with an automatic cleaning function and before first use, it has to be cleaned and kept upright for the first 24 hours.
Read the complete review here: hOmeLabs Freestanding Commercial Ice Maker
What do we like about HomeLabs commercial ice maker?
- Efficiently produce large volumes of ice for the use of restaurants.
- The ice maker is ideal for home and business.
- Shipped with 9 feet water supply hose and connector.
What do we don’t like about HomeLabs commercial ice maker?
- It is approved only for indoor use.
- Noisy operation.
#3. Crownful Commercial Ice Maker Machine – Best Budget
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.2 |
| Easy to clean | 8.8 |
| Performance | 9.4 |
| Build quality | 8.8 |
| Noise level | 9.4 |
| Flavor | 9.1 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.9 |
| Value for money | 9.7 |
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This is an excellent commercial ice maker machine that is capable of producing about 100 pounds of ice in over 24 hours. The appliance has a storage capacity of 29 pounds and can be installed as a freestanding appliance in restaurants. This appliance is extremely efficient and features a powerful compressor. It is capable of making about 45 ice cubes in less than 11 to 20 minutes and is capable of forming about 100 lbs. of ice in 24 hours. The appliance forms fast ice in low noise and consumes less energy, ideal for use in restaurants.
The appliance offers several ice-making functions such as water shortage reminder, ice full reminder, options to adjust the size of the ice cubes, ice turn on, and shut down timing. It also comes with a complete set of accessories that includes the inlet pipe, water quick connection, drain pipe, and ice scoop. The appliance has a storage capacity of 29 lbs. and its ice scoop helps in retrieving the ice from the bin efficiently.
What do we like about Crownful commercial ice maker?
- Its freestanding design helps in its installation in any part of the restaurant.
- Its compact design is best for restaurants
- An intuitive control panel helps in controlling the ice processing cycles.
What do we don’t like about Crownful commercial ice maker?
- The formed ice cubes should be transferred into the freezer immediately
Check out: Best Commercial Ice Makers
#4. Manitowoc UDF0140A NEO 26” Undercounter Machine – Best for Bistro
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.7 |
| Easy to clean | 8.9 |
| Performance | 9.2 |
| Build quality | 8.9 |
| Noise level | 8.9 |
| Flavor | 9.1 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.9 |
| Value for money | 9.6 |
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This is an ideal ice maker appliance for restaurants with a huge requirement of ice but with compact space. It can be tucked in any tight space and its stainless steel cabinet will stay durable and rust-free for many years. its elegant looks and design will serve as a valuable addition to the restaurant as well. The appliance features forward sliding storage that offers users, easy access to all internal machine components. This ice cube machine is perfect for any restaurant, café, diner, commercial kitchen, and hotel. There are LED indicators that alert users to the status of the machine. There is also a delay button, that halts the ice production for 4, 12, and even 24 hours.
Its angled doors slide up and out of the way of the appliance for easy access to the ice cubes. The air filter of the machine is being designed for simple, tool-free removal for routine cleaning and maintenance of the appliance. This energy star certified appliance is capable of producing dice cubed ice that chills drinks without altering the flavor. The best feature of this appliance is that it fits comfortably on any underneath countertops, and will not disturb the people at work.
This is an excellent ice maker machine that makes up to 132 pounds of ice a day. It comprises an air-cooled, self-contained condenser. Apart from producing huge volumes of ice in a day, it also can store up to 90 pounds of ice in a day. The appliance produces 7” dice shaped ice cubes.
What do we like about Manitowoc UDFO140A NEO?
- The air-cooled condenser reduces the amount of water required for the operation of the machine.
- Easy to clean and maintain, with its pop-out air filter and removable bin.
- Can produce three shapes of ice such as full dice, full cube, and half dice cube.
What do we don’t like about Manitowoc UDFO140A NEO?
- It will make small volumes of ice when the temperature rises.
- Drains a lot of water after each ice cycle.
Must Check: Best Undercounter Ice Machines and Best Manitowoc Ice Makers.
#5. Vremi Commercial-Grade Ice Maker – Perfect for Cafes
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.6 |
| Easy to clean | 8.7 |
| Performance | 9.1 |
| Build quality | 8.8 |
| Noise level | 8.9 |
| Flavor | 8.9 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.8 |
| Value for money | 9.4 |
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This is a freestanding and automatic ice maker machine that is perfect for restaurants as it produces clear cube ice for fresh drinks and smoothies. It has an impressive ice making cycle, that chunks out 45 clear and hard cube-shaped ice cubes in one ice cycle that lasts for 11 to 20 minutes.
This is perhaps the best and a highly efficient ice maker for offices as it is capable of producing 99 pounds of ice in a day. There is also an automatic shut-off feature when the unit runs out of water. It can be a perfect addition for residences, small offices, coffee shops, and restaurants.
The machine is simple to install and use and does not require any complex installation process. This ice maker carries several intelligent features. It prevents overflowing and indicates the same with the help of warning lights. Its LCD panel has an interesting indication to detail the water level and ice-making functions of the appliance. There are controls to adjust the thickness of the ice cubes.
The machine also has an automatic cleaning function, that is delineated on the control panel. Being a commercial-grade ice maker, it comes with a complete set of accessories to start producing large volumes of ice pretty instantly.
Read the complete review here: Vremi Commercial Grade Ice Maker.
What do we like about Vremi commercial ice maker?
- Comes with the complete set of accessories
- Its water tank connects with the water supply inlet and there is no need to refill the tank with water every time.
- Its sleek and rust-resistant stainless steel body makes it ideal for restaurants and cafes.
What do we don’t like about Vremi commercial ice maker?
- Requires clear access to the waterline and draining unit in the restaurant.
Also Check: Best Clear Ice Makers
#6. Northair HZB-45 Commercial Ice Maker – Great Alternative
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 8.7 |
| Easy to clean | 8.8 |
| Performance | 9.1 |
| Build quality | 8.7 |
| Noise level | 9.2 |
| Flavor | 8.8 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.7 |
| Value for money | 9.4 |
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This is an excellent built-in ice maker that is made of stainless steel material. The total ice-making capacity of this ice maker is about 100 lbs. over 24 hours and it has a storage capacity of about 33 pounds. The appliance features a freestanding design and is great for bars, restaurants, coffee shops, etc., and comes with accessories such as an ice shovel and water hose. The ice maker is capable of producing about 800 cups of chilled drinks in a day and can make about 45 cubes of clear ice in one cycle. One ice-making cycle in this appliance lasts for about 12 to 18 minutes.
The ice maker appliance features multi-function automatic controls and it features a smart LCD panel that makes adding water, timer, cleaning, and ice full options, as easy as a cakewalk. It is possible to adjust the thickness of the ice cubes by pressing the + and the – buttons at its automatic timer. The appliance is equipped with a powerful 300w compressor and its water usage rate is about 99%. As this ice maker has a freestanding application, it can be widely used in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, bars, and even juice shops.
The appliance has an adjusting foot to keep the machine away from the ground and to protect it from water and humidity to some extent. The stainless steel construction of this appliance helps prevent rusting and also enhances the longevity of the ice maker. The appliance works great with purified water and the formed ice cubes should be transferred to the freezer as early as possible.
Read the complete review here: Northair Commercial Ice Maker.
What do we like about Northair HZB-45?
- An expert space-saving appliance with ample storage and powerful performance.
- Expert built-in stainless steel ice maker with a powerful compressor
- Energy-saving design with a built-in blue light
- Digital controls with self-cleaning function
What do we don’t like about Northair HZB-45?
- Requires the presence of a water outlet near the unit.
- The formed ice should be transferred to the freezer.
#7. ADT Commercial Ice Maker Machine – Good Choice for Restaurants
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.2 |
| Easy to clean | 8.8 |
| Performance | 9.1 |
| Build quality | 8.8 |
| Noise level | 8.9 |
| Flavor | 8.9 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.9 |
| Value for money | 9.1 |
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This commercial ice machine features a stainless steel body and is capable of producing about 100 pounds of ice in a day. The ice maker also has a storage capacity of 33 pounds. The ice maker machine also features an automatic overflow prevention system and its ice sensor will also stop when the ice bin is full. The appliance also features an intuitive LCD control panel and is one of the best choices of automatic commercial ice makers for restaurants, cafes, and eateries. Its Intuitive indicator panel will also light up when the bin is full and when service is required.
This is a freestanding ice maker machine that can be kept anywhere in the restaurant. It is also equipped with a complete set of accessories, which includes the drainpipe, ice shovel, and water supply pipe. Though it is a freestanding appliance, it can also be used for a built-in setup. it makes use of a standard electrical current and requires a water supply and drain by gravity. The appliance is made of stainless steel cabinet and an easy access door. This door is capable of sliding up and out of the way.
Being a highly efficient and low noise appliance, it offers a comfortable environment to enjoy high-quality and highly efficient ice cubes. This commercial-grade ice maker works great for bars, hotels, restaurants, homes, grocery stores, etc. The appliance also features a self-contained and compact design and is approved both for residential and commercial use. The ice maker has to be kept upright for at least 24 hours before first-time use.
What do we like about the ADT commercial ice maker?
- The timer can be long pressed for more than 5 seconds to enter the cleaning program.
- Its microcrystalline foam technology keeps ice cubes at a low temperature for a long time.
- Its powerful compressor renders an efficient refrigeration capability.
- Adjusting feet keeps it away from the ground for easy cleaning.
What do we don’t like about the ADT commercial ice maker?
- It is important to drain the water once a day by pulling the hose to the right of the water tank.
- Ice cubes cannot stay frozen for a long time and should be ported to the freezer.
#8. Vevor 110V 110-120LBS Ice Maker – Alternative for Mid Range Restaurants
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.1 |
| Easy to clean | 8.7 |
| Performance | 9.1 |
| Build quality | 8.7 |
| Noise level | 9.2 |
| Flavor | 8.9 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.8 |
| Value for money | 8.9 |
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This is an excellent commercial ice maker for restaurants and is capable of producing about 110 to 120 pounds of ice cubes in over 24 hours. It features a storage bin of 33 pounds, which is great for holding large volumes of ice at a time for use in restaurants. The appliance features a complete heavy-duty stainless steel construction and forms clear ice cubes for drinks and to chill down food items. It comes equipped with a scoop, water filter, and a connection hose.
The powerful compressor of this ice maker helps in the rapid ice maker process and each of its ice-making cycles takes about 8 to 15 minutes. Thus, this appliance is capable of producing about 120 pounds of ice in 24 hours. As it is equipped with a water filter, it is capable of forming crystal clear and hard ice cubes that are chewable and cloudless. Its six-layer cyclopentane foal layer helps isolate the external heat effectively and helps with better insulation, to prevent the ice cubes from melting.
This premium quality ice maker is different from other ice makers and it features heavy-duty brushed stainless steel, rendering it a luxurious appearance. It also enhances its sturdiness, longevity, and durability. The interiors of this appliance are equipped with a food-grade PP injection liner with a thickness of 2.5 mm, which renders an excellent impact resistance and sturdiness. Its high-end water pump helps in the stable operation of the appliance.
What do we like about the Vevor 110V 110-120LBS ice machine?
- Excellent ice maker for restaurants, bars, and coffee shops
- Built-in blue light strings make it convenient to observe the ice cubes.
- Auto clean ice making function with thickness adjustment
- Expert automatic LED panel that shows functions of the appliance.
What do we don’t like about the Vevor 110V 110-120LBS ice machine?
- Requires specific under counter gravity drainage system.
#9. Vevor 110V 550LBS Commercial Ice Maker – Best Large Capacity
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 9.1 |
| Easy to clean | 8.7 |
| Performance | 9.2 |
| Build quality | 8.8 |
| Noise level | 8.9 |
| Flavor | 9.1 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.6 |
| Value for money | 9.1 |
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This is an excellent ice maker that is capable of producing about 550 lbs. of ice in over 24 hours. The appliance also has a large storage capacity of about 350 lbs. Large hotels and restaurants can make use of this ice maker and it is also ETL certified. The appliance forms clear cubes that melt evenly and cool drinks efficiently. The appliance features a 950W SECOP compressor that helps with the rapid ice-making process. Its 14 * 13 ice tray is capable of forming about 182 clear ice cubes in one cycle that lasts for about 8 to 15 minutes.
The appliance is equipped with a premium water filter that is capable of forming crystal clear and hard ice cubes. The ice cubes are cloudless and chewable and serve as a value-added addition for restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels. Its heavy-duty brushed stainless steel body offers it a luxurious appearance and also contributes to its longevity, sturdiness, and durability. The interiors of this appliance are made of a food-grade PP injection liner that has a thickness of 2.5 mm, this renders the classic impact resistance and sturdiness to the appliance.
Its six-sided cyclopentane foam layer helps isolate external heat, thus preventing the ice cubes from melting for about 5 to 7 years. Its easy touch LCD panel helps in monitoring the appliance continuously for reliable ice making. The appliance has a one-button cleaning function that cleans all trays and pipes and also makes sure that the ice cubes are free from odor and clean.
What do we like about the Vevor 110V 550LBS ice machine?
- Possible to adjust the thickness of the ice cubes easily
- There is a 6-inch leg leveler that keeps the appliance off the ground, protecting it from water and humidity.
- The appliance comes with a complete set of accessories.
- A freestanding appliance that comes installed easily.
What do we don’t like about the Vevor 110V 550LBS ice machine?
- Requires gravity wastewater drainage
- Ships as two parts.
#10. Vevor 110V 265LBS Commercial Ice Maker – Alternative Large Capacity
| Features | Rating |
| Easy to use | 8.9 |
| Easy to clean | 8.8 |
| Performance | 9.1 |
| Build quality | 8.7 |
| Noise level | 8.9 |
| Flavor | 9.1 |
| Energy efficiency | 8.9 |
| Value for money | 8.7 |
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This is an excellent ice maker with a capacity of 265 pounds. The ice maker is capable of producing such a large volume of ice in over 24 hours and has an ice storage capacity of 77 lbs. This is a commercial-grade ice maker to be used in restaurants and is approved by the ETL. The appliance forms clear ice cubes and features an advanced LCD panel, high-quality compressor, electric water drain system, water filter, and pump. The 510W SECOP compressor of this ice maker helps in the rapid ice-making process and its 5 *18 ice tray is capable of forming about 90 clear ice cubes in about 8 to 15 minutes.
The ice maker is equipped with a premium water filter, that helps in the formation of crystal clear hard ice cubes that are cloudless and are chewable. The appliance has an efficient storage capacity to be used in restaurants. The Vevor ice maker is built with a brushed stainless steel body that renders it a luxurious appeal and also contributes to its sturdiness, durability, and longevity. The interior of this appliance is composed of a food-grade PP injection liner that has a thickness of 3 mm with excellent sturdiness and strong impact resistance. The appliance also features a six-sided cyclopentane foam layer that helps isolate external heat, thus preventing ice cubes from melting for about 5 to 7 hours.
The appliance has an easy touch LCD panel that shows the diagnostics clearly and also helps with a reliable ice-making process. Its one-button cleaning function helps in cleaning all the trays and pipes and makes sure that the ice cubes that are formed are clean and free of odor. It is also possible to adjust the thickness of the ice cubes, in three different variants. The bottom of the appliance is at least two inches off the bottom, to keep it away from water and moisture.
Read the complete review here: VEVOR 110V Commercial Ice Maker
What do we like about the Vevor 110V 265LBS ice machine?
- Freestanding, built-in, or under-counter installation.
- Built-in blue light strips, help clear observation of ice cubes
- Lifetime technical service support with a two-year warranty
- Comes with an electric water drain pump.
What do we don’t like about the Vevor 110V 265LBS ice machine?
- The appliance doesn’t refrigerate the ice cubes
- Forms very soft ice.
Must check: Best Ice Makers in the Market
Bottom Line
A dependable ice machine is an integral part of any food service operation. Having a high-quality ice maker is mandatory to enhance the satisfaction of the customer visiting the restaurant. We hope our guide offers a glimpse of the best appliance that every restaurant should consider to escalate the taste and value of their dishes to great levels.
It’s so difficult to choose the right restaurant ice maker with so many options around. Since my ice needs are high, I am buying Vevor with a large capacity just as you recommended.
Vevor is a good choice for big restaurants Harvey. Hope it will fulfill your ice-making needs and will help you grow your restaurant.