In common practice, bars choose full cube ice for cocktails and spirits, restaurants and quick service choose half cube for soft drinks and general use, and cafes and healthcare choose nugget ice for its soft, chewable texture. After the ice type, size the machine by daily output and bin size against your busiest day, both of which are listed on every ice machine page.
Full cube
Full cubes are the largest standard cube. In common practice they are chosen for cocktails, spirits served on the rocks and anywhere you want ice that lasts in the glass. In our range, the Coldline EIC270 is a 22 in. full cube machine listed at 270 lb a day with a 50 lb bin and air cooling.
Half cube
Half cubes are smaller, so more of them fit in a glass and they pack tighter around the drink. They are the usual choice for soft drink dispensers, iced tea and general restaurant use. The Coldline ICE280 is listed at 250 lb a day with an 80 lb bin in a freestanding design, and the undercounter Coldline ICE120 is listed at 120 lb a day with a 40 lb bin.
Nugget
Nugget ice is soft and chewable and soaks up the flavor of the drink. It is popular in cafes, smoothie and soda bars, and healthcare. The Coldline NU280 is a 26 in. nugget machine listed at 280 lb a day with a built-in 110 lb bin. For tight spaces, the Hoshizaki C-80BAK makes soft, chewable nugget ice in a unit under 15 in. wide with an integrated bin that holds up to 22 lbs.
Which one should you buy?
Common practice by type of business:
- Cocktail bars and restaurants with a full bar: full cube, sometimes with a second machine for half cube at the soda station.
- Quick service, pizza and family restaurants: half cube for the soda fountain.
- Cafes, juice and smoothie bars, and senior living: nugget.
- Mixed operations: one machine of the type you use most, sized for the whole day, or two smaller machines of different types.
Sizing the machine
Output is listed in pounds per 24 hours, and bin size in pounds stored. Size the output to your busiest day, not your average one, and make sure the bin holds enough for your peak hour. A machine that matches your daily total can still run out at 9 p.m. on a Saturday if the bin is too small. If you fill underbar ice bins from the machine, add their capacity into the plan.
Every product page lists the output, bin size, cooling type and the water and power connections. Check the spec sheet for the clearance and room conditions the rated output assumes, and compare them with the spot where the machine will sit.
Undercounter, freestanding or modular
- Undercounter machines sit under a counter or bar and include their own bin. Our smallest, the Hoshizaki AM-50BAK undercounter ice machine, is listed at up to 55 lb a day with a 22 lb bin.
- Freestanding machines, like the ICE280 and NU280, stand on their own with a bin built in.
- Modular heads, like the Westlake SK-529P listed at up to 500 lb in 24 hours, sit on a separate bin or dispenser, so you choose output and storage separately.
Compare all of them in our commercial ice machines, and see the bar pieces that store and serve the ice in our bar equipment.
Cleaning is the same for every type
All ice types need the same care. The FDA Food Code asks that ice makers and ice bins be cleaned at the manufacturer’s frequency, or often enough to prevent soil and mold (section 4-602.11). Follow the cleaning steps in your model’s manual. See how to clean and sanitize an ice machine. Your local health department has the final say on ice handling in your operation.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying by price per pound without checking the bin size.
- Choosing nugget ice for a cocktail program that needs slow-melting cubes, or the reverse.
- Putting an air-cooled machine in a hot, closed room without checking the spec sheet.
- Forgetting the drain and water filter in the installation plan.
What you get when you order
Freight to the 48 contiguous states is included in the price, with liftgate service on freight orders. Powered items such as ice machines have a 7 day return window, and lease-to-own financing is offered on items from 500 dollars. Coldline machines in this guide list a 5-year compressor and 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Which ice is best for cocktails?
Full cube is the common choice because the larger cubes last longer in the glass.
Which ice is best for soda?
Half cube is the usual choice for soft drink dispensers. Nugget is popular where guests like chewable ice.
What size ice machine do I need?
Size the daily output to your busiest day and the bin to your peak hour. Each product page lists both.
Is nugget ice the same as cubelet ice?
Makers use different names for small, soft ice. Check the product page for the ice type each machine makes.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
Coldline EIC270 22″ 270 lb. Commercial Full Cube Ice Machine (model EIC270)
- Brand: Coldline
- 50 lb. Bin Capacity
- Air Cooled Design
- High Ice Production
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Coldline ICE280 250 lb. Commercial Half Cube Ice Machine (model ICE280)
- Brand: Coldline
- 80 lb. Bin storage.
- 250 lb. Production daily.
- Freestanding installation design.
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Coldline NU280 26″ 280 lb. Nugget Ice Machine with 110 lb (model NU280)
- Brand: Coldline
- 280 lb. daily production
- Built-in 110 lb. bin
- Air-cooled, energy efficient
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Hoshizaki C-80BAK Undercounter Ice Machine (model C-80BAK)
- Brand: Hoshizaki
- Soft, chewable nugget ice
- Under 15 inches wide
- Integrated bin holds up to 22 lbs of ice
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.