Under counter type lce machine Buyer's Guide
In the pursuit of high quality of life, people not only pursue a more convenient lifestyle, but also pay great attention to aesthetics. Therefore, Under counter type lce machines are becoming more and more popular. They not only meet people’s demand for ice cubes, but also do not affect the appearance due to their large size.
1.What is a Under counter type lce machine?
The Under counter type lce machine is also called an under-counter ice maker. Its biggest feature is that it can be hidden in the cabinet as needed and will not take up a lot of kitchen space. Let’s take a look at its features:
Invisible installation : The main body of the machine is installed inside the cabinet, blending in with the cabinet, but can perform all the functions required of an ice maker.
Free up space : It will not take up other floor space in the kitchen. Because it is hidden, it will make the kitchen look more spacious.
Professional ice making : This is its basic feature, which can produce different types of ice and different outputs of ice as needed, depending on the model we choose.
Advanced options : Some customized improvements can be made, such as installing an ice and water dispenser on the door panel, which can realize the multiple functions of ice making and ice water production.
2.the installation environment requirements for embedded ice makers ?
The installation environment requirements for embedded ice makers are higher than those for other types of ice makers, so before purchasing, you need to confirm whether the current environment meets the installation requirements.
Installation space : The installation space is the most important factor to determine whether a Under counter type lce machine model can be placed.
Hole size : Confirm whether some basic hole requirements such as water inlet can be made according to the instructions.
Internal Space : In addition to being able to accommodate an ice maker, the kitchen also needs some space for heat dissipation and proper air circulation. Detailed dimensions are provided in the manual of each Under counter type lce machine, or you can consult pre-sales customer service.
Bottom ventilation : Many machines require space for heat dissipation, and also require space for air intake at the very bottom, which is also something we need to consider.
Load-bearing capacity : It is important to ensure that the installed cabinet can withstand the tens of kilograms of the machine and that no problems will occur in the cabinet due to this weight.
Make sure the bottom plate of the floor cabinet can bear the weight of the machine (usually dozens of kilograms).
Reliable water and electricity connections:
Water source: The installation environment should be connected to a stable water source and the location should not be too far away from the machine.
Drainage: The importance of drainage also needs to be considered to ensure smooth drainage and not affect the normal operation of the machine.
Power supply: It can be connected to a stable power source, preferably an independent power socket, and the location of the socket should preferably be considered inside the cabinet.
Professional installation: Generally, the installation of embedded ice makers is carried out by professional after-sales service personnel, who can ensure:
The cabinets are modified according to the space required by the model;
The water and electricity connections are normal to ensure safety and stability;
The machine is placed in a proper position and the heat dissipation and drainage channels are smooth;
The door panels are installed in standard manner and are easy to operate.
3.Ice production standards for embedded ice makers and factors affecting ice production
3.1 Classification standards for ice production
Ice production is the core factor to consider when evaluating an ice maker. Embedded ice makers have very strong capabilities in this area and can basically meet the needs of different ice quantities.
- Household grade : The daily ice production is generally 10-30kg, which is mainly suitable for household applications to meet the needs of family gatherings and daily coffee, cold drinks and small amounts of freshness.
- Light commercial grade : The machine generally produces 30-100kg of ice per day and is mainly used in small restaurants, cafes, convenience stores and other scenarios. It is mainly used to ensure the production of 50-200 cups of drinks or the preservation of food ingredients per day.
Applicable scenarios : small restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, and home kitchen extensions (such as open bars).
Typical requirements : Supporting the production of 50–200 cups of beverages or food preservation per day.
- Mid-commercial level: Machines with a daily ice output of 100-300 kg are mainly used in hotels, bars, medium-sized restaurants and other scenarios, mainly for fresh food preservation and cold drinks.
- Professional commercial grade : machines with a daily output of 300-800 kg are mainly used in large restaurants, hotels, fast food chains, fresh supermarket ice counters , etc., mainly to solve the problem of continuous ice supply during peak hours, support fresh food display, and large-scale beverage production
3.2 What are the main factors that affect the ice production of ice makers
Daily ice production : ice production is the core indicator of an ice maker. The daily output of commercial embedded ice makers is generally 30-800KG, but we need to consider multiple factors when choosing:
Usage scenarios : Coffee bars, small restaurants, convenience stores, etc. are more suitable for small 50-100KG ice making machines; medium-sized restaurants, bars, hotel catering departments, etc. are more suitable for 100-300KG ice making machines; chain central kitchens, large banquet halls, fresh supermarkets, etc. require 300-600KG ice making machines.
Single ice making time : Generally, the ice making time is from tens of minutes to one hour. The ice making amount of each time will be different for models with different ice production.
Ice storage capacity : The built-in ice storage box generally matches the ice production capacity. Models with higher ice production capacity will also have larger ice storage boxes.
Ice type : Most Under counter type lce machines produce cube ice and block ice, which are usually used in beverages.
Continuous ice supply capability : Under the premise of ensuring sufficient water supply, the system can automatically replenish ice as long as the ice in the ice storage box is taken out.
4.Main market scenarios for embedded ice makers
Embedded ice makers are increasingly popular in commercial services due to their advantages of space saving, easy operation and high aesthetics. Here are some of the main application areas:
4.1 Catering Services
- Boutique coffee/tea bar: A small embedded machine is very necessary for this environment. It can save space, not make a lot of noise, and can output ice stably.
- High-end restaurants: For the restaurant’s fresh sashimi plating and salad preservation, an efficient and stable embedded ice maker is required, which can also save kitchen space.
- Bar cocktail area: The bar is an environment that requires a large amount of ice. The embedded ice maker can not only be installed invisible on the bar, but also can continuously and stably produce the ice type and amount required by the bar.
4.2 Retail Display Space
- Boutique fresh food supermarket: For salmon, lobster, etc., choose snowflake ice to ensure a humid environment of 0℃ . Icicles are also needed to decorate the seafood tower. The embedded ice maker can be installed invisible under the shelf, which is very convenient.
- Flower shops: Crushed ice can be used to prolong the flowering period, and ice cubes can be used as an emergency treatment for bouquets that are about to wither. For flower shops, a small Under counter type lce machine is their ideal choice.
4.3 Medical Center
- Medical beauty institutions: For ice compresses on post-operative skin, our embedded ice maker can also be used to make the raw materials for ice compresses.
- Rehabilitation center: Ice cubes are used in athletes’ ice packs and low-temperature therapy bags. Most rehabilitation centers are mobile, so embedded ice makers are the most perfect.
4.4 Office Leisure
- Office tea room: Making ice regularly to make raw materials for whiskey is a very good lifestyle, and the use of Under counter type lce machines will also be considered here.
- Hotel lounge: It is necessary to provide 24-hour uninterrupted ice supply to provide basic protection for guests , and embedded installation is also the first installation method considered.
5.Maintenance standards for embedded ice makers
There are many application scenarios for embedded ice makers, but we also need to pay attention to the daily maintenance and upkeep of the machine during use. Below we explain the maintenance standards in detail.
5.1 Daily Maintenance
- Maintenance time standard: daily maintenance or maintenance required every time it is used;
- Clean the ice dispenser/baffle: Use a soft cloth to wipe the area around the ice dispenser to remove ice debris and water stains.
- Check the appearance and smell of the ice: observe whether the shape of the ice has changed, whether there are foreign objects or impurities, and whether the ice has an odor. If any of the above conditions are found, they must be checked in time;
- Environmental check: Make sure the environment around the machine is well ventilated and whether it is blocked by debris.
5.2 Weekly Maintenance
- Clean the ice storage box: completely empty the ice and water stains in the ice storage box, clean the inner wall and bottom of the ice storage box with detergent, then rinse it with clean water, dry it and put it back into the machine;
- Wipe the external surface: Wipe the door panel outside the machine at least once a week to keep the panel clean and sanitary.
5.3 Monthly Maintenance
Under normal use of the machine, we need to do a small basic cleaning and maintenance once a month.
- Preparation for cleaning: Empty the ice storage box;
- Run one-button start: Currently, most ice machines have a one-button cleaning function. We can run the one-button cleaning function according to the instructions, add detergent to the designated water tank and detergent locations, and run the rinse cycle several times after the cleaning is completed to ensure that the machine is thoroughly cleaned;
- Manual cleaning: For machines without automatic cleaning programs, we may need to manually clean the machine. We need to remove the ice storage box, sink cover, filter and other parts according to the operating instructions, use a soft brush and detergent to clean them, and dry them after cleaning.
- Check drainage: Regularly check whether the water inlet pipe and the drain pipe connected to the machine are connected properly, especially whether the water quality of the water inlet pipe is guaranteed to be clean.
5.4 Filter system maintenance
Replace the filter element regularly: We need to replace the filter element regularly to ensure the water quality is clean and hygienic. Usually we replace it every 3-6 months, which needs to be decided based on the specific usage and water quality.
5.5 Quarterly or Annual Maintenance
For quarterly or annual maintenance, we usually need to invite professional technicians to come to perform comprehensive maintenance.
Basic parts inspection: It is necessary to check the refrigerant pressure, compressor operation, electrical connection, water connection and sealing;
Clean the condenser coil: For embedded machines, the heat dissipation environment is relatively limited, and the coil is more prone to dust accumulation. We need to use special tools to clean it to ensure normal heat dissipation of the machine;
Calibrate the sensor: The water level sensor can check whether the water is full or not. We need to calibrate the sensitivity of the sensor.
Check the drain pump: Check whether the drain pump is working properly;
Other inspection items: For other inspection items, refer to the operating instructions.
6.What should I pay attention to when purchasing a Under counter type lce machine?
Based on the above introduction to embedded ice makers, what should we pay attention to when purchasing embedded ice makers?
Space adaptability: Embedded ice makers have high requirements for installation space, and sufficient heat dissipation space needs to be reserved to ensure air circulation;
Ice-making capacity and ice type: The core assessment of an ice machine is still its ice production. However, the standard ice production given by the machine can generally only reach 70% in actual conditions. In addition, we also need to consider the application scenarios of the ice type. Different ice types are suitable for different application scenarios.
Health and safety: We need a machine with UV sterilization and automatic cleaning to ensure that the bacterial flora in the ice does not exceed the standard. We also need to use NSF-certified filter elements to ensure that the scale is not too high.
Installation and reliability: The compatibility of water and electricity is also a factor we need to consider, whether the voltage can meet the requirements, and whether the brand and failure rate of the compressor are within the normal range.
Long-term costs: Finally, we consider whether the cost and output of purchasing the machine are worth the investment, including the cost of subsequent machine maintenance and filter replacement.
