Canada's Definitive Commercial Refrigeration, Ice & Beverage Equipment Buying Guide

94

Flake

Gourmet Ice – Top Hat, Sphere

Nugget, Pellet & Cubelet

Small, irregular shaped pieces, Flake ice is popular for display ice for seafood displays,

salad bars, and produce displays - both in the grocery sector and with any catering or

banqueting display. These units can be interchanged with nugget ice in a healthcare

setting due to the easy chewability, and can also be used for blended beverages like

Nugget, Pellet and Cubelet.

Gourmet cubes come in a variety of sizes from large squares (covered above) to large

spheres to the more common “top hat” design. This harder, long lasting ice provides an

elevated look of drinks & avoids diluting top-shelf liquor with a slow melt. Traditionally,

restaurants & bars have made gourmet ice in silicone ice trays. This process is labour-

intensive and can transfer odours from the freezer to the cube.

Nugget, Pellet or Cubelet Ice (all interchangeable terms) is very popular in the medical

sector as this is often used for chewing to keep patients hydrated. They are also popular

in blended cocktails like margaritas and daiquiris.

Small Cube/Half Size (7/8 x 7/8 x 3/8”): perfect for QSR, beverage dispensing & blending applications

as they avoid strain on blenders.

Medium Cube/Full Size (7/8 x 7/8 x 7/8”): perfect for cocktails and hotel dispensers including ice

bagging. Both are great for mixed drinks, carbonated drinks, iced coffees and ice dispensing in a

variety of forms. Both appear to make the glass appear fuller and more appealing to the customers.

Large/Gourmet Cubes (1-1/8”x 1-1/8”x1-1/8”): traditionally been made by hand in silicone molds at

high-end cocktail bars, manufacturers have taken notice & now have available options. These are

perfect for high end cocktail bars or signature drinks to really show off the drink and reduce the

dilution with a slow melting cube.

Square Cube

Cubed Ice are the most popular option on the market in the commercial ice machine category and

come in a variety of sizes to suite a variety of needs.