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Ice machines are generally sold by the number of pounds they produce in a 24-hour production cycle.
For instance, if an ice machine is rated for 500 lbs per 24 hours, the machine will make approximately
500lbs with an ambient air temperature of 70°F and incoming water of 50°F. If the unit is located in an
area where it is warmer, it will produce slightly less ice per day due to the warmer water used to draw
the heat from the condenser.
A good rule of thumb is to have 15 to 20% MORE ice for your daily needs than what you think you’ll need.
This can beneficial in case of a power outage, higher ambient temperatures in the summer months or
a sudden busy rush of business.
Keep in mind that the ice machine will make ice to fill the attached bin. The bin is typically half the size
of the capacity that the machine will make each day which means that the bin will fill 2x per day when
the ice is continually being removed for service. Aside from the ice that melts and is refilled by the
machine, if you don’t remove ice, the machine won’t make more. Therefore, appropriate sizing of both
the machine and the bin is important.
Recommended Ice Machine Sizes for Food Service Establishments
Ice Machine Capacity Per 24 hours
Establishment Type
Recommended Ice Machine Size (lbs/day)
Restaurant
500-800
Bar
300-500
Café
250-400
Deli
400-600
Bakery
200-350
Fast Food
600-1200
Cocktail Bar
450-750
Hotel (per room)
5-10
Hospital Cafeteria
150-300
School Cafeteria
150-300
Convenience Store
300-500
It’s important to note that these recommendations are general guidelines. The actual size needed may
vary based on specific factors such as:
1. Customer volume
2. Peak hours and seasonal fluctuations
3. Types of beverages served
4. Additional ice needs (e.g., salad bars, seafood displays)
5. Ambient temperature and water temperature
6. Future growth projections
Contact a RED Dealer to determine the ice machine that meets your needs.