Ice machines are sized by how many pounds of ice they can make in 24 hours, from about 55 lb a day for a small undercounter unit to 1,000 lb a day for a large freestanding machine. Pick the size from your busiest day of ice use, then check that the storage bin holds enough to get you through your peak hours, because the machine refills slowly while the rush drains the bin quickly.
How ice machine sizes are rated
The pounds per day figure on a product page is production over 24 hours under standard test conditions. Two things change what you actually get:
- Room temperature. Our product pages note that production drops in hot rooms.
- Incoming water temperature. Warm water in summer also lowers output.
So a machine rated at 300 lb a day will make less than that in a hot kitchen in July. Treat the rating as a ceiling, not a promise, and leave headroom if the machine will sit near ovens or in a room without air conditioning.
The second number that matters is bin capacity: how much ice the machine stores. Production tells you how fast it refills; the bin tells you how much you can pull at once.
Ice machine sizes we carry
| Size | Model | Production | Bin | Notes from the product page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 100 lb | Hoshizaki AM-50BAK-ADDS | 55 lb per day | 22 lb | 14 7/8 in. wide, ADA height, top hat ice, 115 V |
| Under 100 lb | Hoshizaki KM-81BAK | 78 lb per day | See page | 17 3/4 in. wide, ADA height, crescent cubes, air cooled |
| Under 100 lb | Coldline ICE80 | 80 lb per day | 33 lb | Undercounter, half cube, filter included, auto clean cycle |
| 100 to 300 lb | Coldline ICE180 | 180 lb per day | 80 lb | Half cube, 115 V, 451 W, filter included |
| 100 to 300 lb | Coldline ICE300 | 300 lb per day | 80 lb | 26 in. wide, half cube, 115 V, 8.6 A |
| 300 to 700 lb | Westlake SK-329 | 350 lb per day | 308 lb | 22 W x 33.9 D x 68.7 H in., R290 |
| 300 to 700 lb | Westlake SK-729 | 700 lb per day | 440 lb | 29.9 W x 33.9 D x 68.7 H in., full cube |
| 1,000 lb | Westlake SK-1029 | 1,000 lb per day | 440 lb | 29.9 W x 33.9 D x 75.6 H in. |
Coldline also lists an ICE120 (120 lb a day, 40 lb bin), and Westlake an SK-529 (500 lb a day, 440 lb bin), which fill the gaps in the table. See all sizes in commercial ice machines.
How to estimate the size you need
There is no single formula that fits every operation, so the most reliable way is to measure what you use now:
- Track ice on your busiest day. If you buy bagged ice, count the bags. If you already have a machine, note how often the bin runs empty and when.
- List every use. Drinks at the bar and counter, iced tea and soda, blended drinks, ice for seafood or salad bar display, and ice baths for cooling food all draw from the same bin.
- Find your peak window. A bar may pull most of its ice between 8 PM and midnight; a lunch spot between 11 AM and 2 PM. The bin has to cover that window, because production during those few hours is only a fraction of the daily rating.
- Allow for heat. If the machine will sit in a warm room, choose a size above your measured use.
If you are opening and have no history, base it on the uses you plan and ask us to compare two sizes. Growing into a larger machine is usually easier than living with a bin that runs dry every Friday.
Undercounter, freestanding or bin and head
- Undercounter units such as the ICE80 and the Hoshizaki models fit under a bar or counter and suit cafes, small bars and offices. The ADA height Hoshizaki units fit under a standard counter.
- Freestanding self-contained units such as the ICE180, ICE300 and the Westlake SK series stand on the floor with the bin built in. The SK-329 is 22 in. wide, so it fits a narrow space while still storing 308 lb.
- Modular heads on a separate bin are the usual choice for the largest operations. See modular vs undercounter ice machines for the trade-offs.
At the bar, many operators move ice from the machine into a drop-in bar ice chest at the station, so the bartender is not walking to the machine during service.
Utilities and installation
- Water line and drain. Every ice machine needs both. The FDA Food Code does not allow a direct connection between the sewer and a drain from equipment that holds food or ice; the drain has to discharge through an air gap or other approved indirect connection (section 5-402.11). A plumber should install it.
- Power. The smaller Coldline units run on 115 V; the ICE300 page lists 8.6 A with a NEMA 5-15P plug.
- Clearance. Air cooled machines need room around the vents, as each product page notes. For hot rooms, read about air, water and remote condensers.
Keeping production up
Ice is food under the Food Code, and ice machines have to be cleaned at the frequency the manufacturer sets (section 4-602.11). Scale on the evaporator also slows production, so a machine that is not cleaned makes less ice. Our guide on how to clean and sanitize an ice machine covers the steps. Your local health department has the final say on ice machine placement and drains.
Frequently asked questions
What size ice machine does a small bar need?
It depends on your busiest night, not your seat count. Many small bars start with an undercounter unit in the 80 to 180 lb range and add a larger machine when the bin runs empty during peak hours. Measure your current ice use to decide.
Is a bigger bin or more production better?
You need both in balance. A large bin carries you through a rush; higher production refills it before the next one. A bar with one short peak can lean on bin size; a restaurant using ice all day needs production.
Why does my ice machine make less than its rating?
Hot rooms, warm incoming water, a dirty condenser or scale on the evaporator all lower output. Our ice machine buying guide covers placement and care.
What to buy
Compare every model in commercial ice machines. Freight with liftgate delivery to the 48 contiguous states is included in the price, powered equipment such as ice machines has a 7-day return window from delivery, and lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items from 500 dollars. Call +1-877-558-2253 with your busiest day’s ice use and we will help you choose a size.
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 ICE80 80 lb. Undercounter Half Cube Ice Machine (model ICE80)
- Brand: Coldline
- 33 lb. Bin Storage
- Air Cooled Design
- Digital Control Display
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Hoshizaki KM-81BAK 17 Undercounter Ice Machine | 78 lbs/day, Air Cooled, ADA (model KM-81BAK)
- Brand: Hoshizaki
- Crescent cube ice that stacks tight in a glass and splashes less when poured over.
- Up to 78 lb of ice per day in a 17 3/4 in. wide cabinet.
- ADA height.
Coldline ICE180 180 lb. Commercial Half Cube Ice Machine (model ICE180)
- Brand: Coldline
- 80 lb. Bin for ice.
- Air cooled.
- 180 lb. Daily output.
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Coldline ICE300 300 lb. Commercial Half Cube Ice Machine (model ICE300)
- Brand: Coldline
- 80 lb. Bin, Air Cooled
- Stainless Steel Exterior
- Auto clean cycle
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Westlake SK-329 Commercial Ice Machine, Full Cube Ice Maker Machine 350 lbs Ice with 308lbs Storage Capacity (model SK-329)
- Brand: Westlake
- Up to 350 lb of ice per day.
- Built-in bin holds 308 lb.
- R290 refrigerant.
- Warranty: 6-Year Compressor / 2-Year Parts & Labor
Westlake SK-729 Commercial Ice Machine: 700 lb per Day (model SK-729)
- Brand: Westlake
- Up to 700 lb of cube ice per day.
- Built-in bin holds 440 lb.
- R290 refrigerant.
- Warranty: 6-Year Compressor / 2-Year Parts & Labor
Westlake SK-1029 Commercial Ice Machine: 1,000 lb per Day (model SK-1029)
- Brand: Westlake
- Up to 1,000 lb of cube ice per day.
- Built-in bin holds 440 lb.
- R290 refrigerant.
- Warranty: 6-Year Compressor / 2-Year Parts & Labor
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.