There are many ice makers on the market, but Chicago business owners demand the very best. The best ice machine manufacturers produce reliable equipment that keeps up with customer demand. There are many ice maker brands on the market, and the Ice Machine Experts at Automatic Icemakers are here to let you know what to look for in an ice machine brand.

Who are the Major Ice Machine Manufacturers in the Business?

The major brands of commercial ice equipment include Hoshizaki, Manitowoc, Follet, and Scotsman. All of these ice machine manufacturers specialize in reliable, energy efficient equipment for Chicago businesses.

Chicago business owners know they need a reliable ice machines. Customers need ice and if something goes wrong with the ice machine, it can hurt their business until the machine is fixed.

Energy-efficiency not only benefits the environment, but it can increase your bottom line as well. Energy Star ice makers use 15% less electricity and 10% less water to produce a batch of ice than other models. More energy savings means lower utility bills – and more money in your pocket.

It’s also important to note that each of the major ice machine manufacturers specialize in different areas.

For example, Follet specializes in storage and dispensing systems like commercial ice bins and ice bagging machines. Hoshizaki and Manitowoc are the leading names in energy-efficient commercial ice makers. They produce machines with a wide range of ice cube shapes designed for a multitude of business needs.

At Automatic Icemakers, we deal specifically with Manitowoc and Hoshizaki ice machines for their reliability and wide selection of options. Here’s some of the reasons we partner with these top ice machine brands.

Hoshizaki America

Hoshizaki America has been producing some of the best refrigeration equipment for decades. Their KM-series ice machines are their most popular. These models produce their famous crescent ice. These crystal clear, slow melting cubes also help to reduce costs. The cubes’ rounded shape allows liquid to cascade gently into drinkware, limiting splashes and spills.

Hoshizaki ice makers use a unique evaporator plate design that produces cubes individually. This helps to make sure ice won’t clump together in the bin. Traditional ice machine evaporators can cause ice to “bridge” which requires breaking the ice apart with a scoop. Hoshizaki’s evaporator plate design is available on all their KM-series ice machines as well as their IM-series including the IM-200 and IM-500 square ice machines.

Automatic Icemakers has a full line of Hoshizaki commercial ice machines for any sized Chicago business. They come in a range of ice types and sizes to meet your business needs. We have machines that produce between 300-1800 lbs. of ice a day.

Manitowoc Ice

Manitowoc is one of the top ice machine manufacturers in the industry. Many Manitowoc ice makers are Energy Star rated, so Chicago businesses can save money on utilities.

Manitowoc designs their ice machines so many the major components are easily accessible from the front of the unit. This makes maintenance and cleaning much easier, which helps speed up service calls.

Regardless which ice machine manufacturer built your ice machine, routine cleaning and maintenance are a necessity if you want to guarantee performance of the machine, regardless of brand. Many ice machine technicians in Chicago charge by the hour, so the quicker the service, the lower the bill.

Manitowoc NXT ice machines have entered the digital age with touchscreen technology and downloadable information. These models help alert users to potential issues, keeps track your ice supply, and displays contact information to help you find the nearest Manitowoc ice machine service provider.

No Matter the Ice Machine Brand, Routine Service is Key.

There are many great industrial ice machine manufacturers out there. Many of the top brands produce reliable ice machines – but they won’t stay reliable without routine service. Without preventative maintenance and cleanings, the performance of your ice machine will suffer – and can lead to expensive repairs if the trend continues.

Deep cleanings are also important to keep machines efficient and keep ice safe from germs. You should schedule a cleaning from a professional ice machine technician at least twice per year. Your employees should perform light surface cleaning on the ice maker and ice bin every few days. These cleanings are important to prevent cross-contamination from frequent use.

We Supply and Service Equipment from the Leading Ice Machine Manufacturers

At Automatic Icemakers, we’ve been working with Chicago businesses for over 60 years. You can buy an ice machine and bin from our full lineup of ice equipment.

We’ve partnered with Hoshizaki and Manitowoc exclusively because their ice machines are durable, reliable, and energy efficient. We offer a great selection of countertop ice machines or countertop ice dispensers, as well as large ice makers and small commercial ice machines.

We understand that maintaining an ice machine yourself can be a hassle. That’s why our all-inclusive ice machine leasing service is a smart choice for Chicago business owners who want to ensure the performance of their ice equipment.

Need help choosing the best brand of ice maker for your business? Give our Ice machine Experts a call and they’ll help you choose the best commercial ice machine for your Chicago business.