If you have been looking to outfit your business with an ice machine, you may find that finding the appliance that is right for you, to be not as straightforward as you thought. Different businesses in varying industries have needs that are subject to their capacity, budget, storage space and technical know-how; which can make selecting the machine to best suit the needs of your establishment a complicated ordeal.
So, to help you make a decision that will benefit your business, here is a little information on the three different types of compressors associated with ice machines; each with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages that could determine their usefulness to your business.
Air-cooled Ice Machines
Machines that run-on air cooled compressors are some of the most popular in the ice business. This is partly due to their compact design and economic usage which makes them a liable and affordable option for restaurant and bar owners with minimal ice capacity requirements.
However, these types of appliances are often not well suited to kitchen environments which already suffer high temperature levels. Air-cooled ice machines use vents and fans to pull in nearby air and disperse it around the condenser coils which heat during the machines operation. This air is then dispersed into the surrounding areas, resulting in increased room temperatures.
This may in turn, raise your air conditioning costs, negating the savings on power consumption by the ice machine, should it not suit your environment. A well-designed appliance, however, that has an energy star rating, is generally energy efficient enough to still save you on power costs during their operation.
Water-cooled Ice Machines
Water-cooled condensers are generally a more logical solution for high temperature areas, since it uses the transfer and drainage of water to keep your condensers cooled. This water is passed through the coils (and is kept separate from that which is being used to create the ice) and is then drained, meaning none of the heat will escape into the already hot, commercial kitchen.
While heating and noise may not be a problem with these types of condensers, one should remember that they use a staggering amount of water on a monthly basis, making them a far more expensive solution in the long run.
Remote Condensers
Remote condensers are typically situated separately from the ice tray so that it can be kept in another location. This is useful for eliminating heat and noise, especially in cases where more than one machine is running (which can all be run off of one system in some cases).
Though while they are effective, quiet and don’t fill your spaces with heat, there are some drawbacks. The purchase of separate parts means that your initial investment is generally quite high, and they are costlier to install. Also, the use of refrigerant lines to connect ice trays to the condenser, generally leaves more of a need for maintenance and repairs.
Call us now for more Information
If you would like to find out more information on selecting the right type of condenser for your business, feel free to contact a consultant from Scotsman’s Ice Machines South Africa, where you can find information, advice and pricing.
