Undercounter ice makers are the perfect way to keep your restaurant stocked with a large amount of high-quality ice every day. They quickly pay for themselves if used correctly, letting you take advantage of their one-time price in order to avoid buying ice over and over again. You'll also love the convenience of having fresh, clean ice cubes available for you and your customers - it's a part of restaurant management that's easily overlooked but is very important in order to tie your brand together. Here are some of the best undercounter ice makers we've seen so far this year.
1. Sunpentown IM-150US: $299, Amazon
A stainless steel door and black cabinet help make this ice maker an attractive and professional addition to your setup. Its ability to make up to 12 pounds of ice daily, and store 6 pounds of that ice, will leave you well-stocked for small to medium-sized crowds. It's one of the best entry-level ice makers available, with a wide variety of features and good design. You may want to consider replacing the plastic water supply tube, though.
2. Scotsman Brilliance: $2,999, Amazon
At the other end of the spectrum is the mighty Scotsman Brilliance, and with its 26 lbs of storage and 80 lbs of daily production, it leaves you well set up for any lunch or dinner rush. Customers love the speed and quality of the ice it makes, along with the excellent investment it provides. It's a bit pricier than some of the other models out there, but it's well worth the investment.
3. Orien FS-55IM: $1,159, Amazon
Looking for something between these two ends of the spectrum? The Orien can make a sizable 44 lbs of ice daily, leaving you with plenty to spare and well enough to keep even the most demanding crowds happy. It's ready to be used as a built-in or freestanding ice maker, which gives you a wider variety of choices when it comes to how you set up your bar, kitchen, or other prep space.
4. SPT IM-600US: $849, Amazon
The SPT provides a beautiful stainless steel cabinet and door and may be installed as a freestanding or built-in unit. It lets you make up to 50 lbs of ice daily and store up to 25 lbs of ice. It's more narrow than some of the other models, which might fit in better with different spaces and setups in your particular establishment.
5. Hoshizaki AM50BAE: $1,679, Amazon
This Hoshizaki model comes in at the upper end of the ice maker spectrum, giving you access to up to 55 lbs of ice created a day. Customers loved the design and setup of the device, calling it extremely easy to use and fit in with their existing prep space. They also enjoyed the relatively low amount of maintenance it required to keep running. Overall, most users felt it was a good investment and solid use of their company's money.
6. Manitowoc NEO: $1,781, Amazon
This Manitowoc model is one of the best-looking ice makers on the market, so if your prep space is visible to the public and requires a sleek, modern design, this might be the perfect device for you. Customers called the device fast, reliable, and quiet, helping maintain the best possible atmosphere for your space and providing 129 lbs of ice for daily use.
Last Thoughts
There are plenty of ice makers out there for daily use, and you'll find that the wide variety of models on the market give you plenty of options. Be sure to do your research and allow yourself some growing room. After all, it's fine if your ice maker is too big, but one without sufficient capacity for your needs won't work as well. Shop around and you'll be very satisfied with your new ice maker. Also, be sure to check out consumer reviews as well as the recommendations of peers in the field. If you buy the right ice maker for you and your business, you'll find yourself working with it for years to come, thanks to the flexibility and longevity of the 2016 models!