The ice machine is one of the most important pieces of equipment in any restaurant or commercial kitchen. Whether it be for chilling beverages, packing around food, making smoothies and frozen drinks, or even soothing the wound when an employee burns his or her hand on the stove, ice serves a multitude of purposes in every foodservice establishment.
Schools are a big example of an institution with a non-restaurant commercial kitchen that would require an ice machine. However, buying ice machines for schools can be tricky, as the requirements are often very different from those of a typical restaurant. The first thing to consider when buying your ice machine is, like any other business, the size of your school. Larger schools will likely require larger capacity ice machines to meet demand throughout the day, especially if the cafeteria serves soft drinks or other beverages that require ice. For larger schools with limited kitchen floorspace, high capacity ice machines with multiple evaporators can be purchased to produce large amounts of ice in a relatively small area. Stackable ice machines are also available that allow you to double your ice output without taking up additional floor space. If existing floor space is already too cramped for a new ice machine, compact undercounter units are a great solution for keeping your ice supply out of the way.
The second thing to consider is where and how your ice will be used in your school. Will it be restricted to the kitchen, or are there other uses for the ice? Many schools operate on a relatively tight budget, and purchasing several separate ice machines for different applications may not fall within the bounds of financial constraints. For most applications, full or half cube ice is usually the most versatile type. However, if the budget allows for multiple machines, having several different types of ice at the ready may prove to be useful in different situations. Flake ice, for example, is excellent when used to soothe pulled muscles or bruises sustained by student athletes during sporting events or other activities, as the ice can be packed more closely around the injury. Flake ice is also ideal for making smoothies, frozen beverages, and snow cones, making it a useful addition to your school’s concessions stand.
Be sure to take a look at our Ice Machine Buying Guide!
In addition to the kitchen and concessions stand, faculty break rooms are another ideal location for the convenience of an ice machine. Many ice machine companies offer a line of small, undercounter ice machines that are designed for residential use, but would be the perfect addition to any school’s break room. The Scotsman Brilliance line and Hoshizaki AM Cubers are both great examples of these “hide-away” ice machines.
Even if your school does not serve soft drinks or beverages that require ice, there are still plenty of reasons to equip your institution with the reliability and convenience of a commercial ice maker. If this year’s budget allows for the purchase of an ice machine, be sure to take a look at our Ice Machine Buying Guide to determine what sorts of machines and storage bins will best fit your school’s needs.
