Ice, Ice Baby – Why Are There So Many Different Types of Ice?

Ice is like origami paper.

Okay not really, but it can be made into many different shapes and forms. Each shape has a purpose and is ideal for specific needs due to size, melting time, etc. All commercial ice machine brands manufacturer cube, nugget and flake style ice, but some have patented forms too.

Cube Ice Makers

Whether you need 100 lbs or 2,000 lbs of ice, you can certainly find a cuber that will fit your needs. There are two types of cube ice machines: undercounters and modular cuber heads. Undercounters are perfect for back bars, convenience stores, motels, or really anywhere with critical, but minimal ice needs. Modular cuber heads require an ice bin or an ice dispenser to store the ice. These are commonly used in restaurants, resorts and healthcare facilities. Cubers make the following ice forms:

Full Cube

Full Dice, Medium Cube

Square (approximately 1” x 1” x 1”) cubes that cool drinks quickly due to their large surface area. Food Service establishments, bars, and hotels feel this style is perfect for their business because it gives drinks and cocktails visual appeal and melts slowly.

Half Cube

Half Dice, Small Cube

Half as big as a full cube and shaped like a pat of butter or Starburst candy, this shape fits tightly in glasses leaving less room for liquid which can keep costs down on high markup drinks. The half cube is commonly used in restaurants with self-serve fountain drink dispensers. It dispensers easily with infrequent clogging leaving little room for unexpected maintenance.

Crescent Ice

Hoshizaki is famous for their crescent ice form which looks like a half moon: one side is rounded while the other is flat. This shape resists clumping and catches your eye as it sits in cocktails. Similar to the half cube, this form is ideal for self-service beverage stations.

Gourmet Ice

Top-Hat Ice, Clear Ice, Octagon Ice

Large, slow-melting ice form are ideal for classy mixed drinks. This type of ice measures approximately 1” x 1 1/8” x 1 ¼” and shaped similar to a Rolo chocolate. This cube is crystal clear and comprised entirely of water due to its unique freezing process – the air is completely eliminated during the freezing process making it an elegant touch to beverages. Gourmet ice is ideal for catering, banquet halls, resorts and full service bars looking for a “wow” factor to add to cocktails.

Flakers

Flake Ice

Shaved Ice, Crushed Ice

This ice form resembles small chips of ice and comes in an array of sizes. It is soft and slow melting and versatile for ice displays and healthcare facilities. Seafood markets often use flake ice for displays to avoid spoilage, and hospitals find it necessary for beverages because it is chewable. Therapeutic establishments say it’s ideal for treating injuries because it can be easily molded over wounds.

Nugget Ice Makers

Nugget Ice

Sonic Ice, Pearl Ice, Cubelet Ice, Chewblett Ice, Pellet Ice

Named for its small, soft, and unique cylindrical shape, this enjoyable ice form is perfect for fountain beverages, smoothies, blended cocktails, salad bars and heathcare facilities. Sonic is famous for using this ice type, but it is becoming more and more popular in fast casual food service establishments.

Types of Ice by Brand
Scotsman	Medium Dice	Small Dice		Gourmet Ice	Flake Ice	Nugget Ice
Ice-O-Matic	Full Cube	Half Cube			Flake Ice	Pearl Ice
Manitowoc	Full Dice	Half Dice			Flake Ice	Nugget Ice
Hoshizaki			Crescent Ice	Top-Hat Ice	Flake Ice	Cubelet Ice

 

And here’s a great home recipe for making ice – just make sure you follow instructions exactly (and read the comments for recommendations).