Businesses in various industries can significantly benefit from having an ice maker. So, if you’ve decided to get one, then you most likely already understand how important it can be for the customer experience, and generally for your business. Yet, you don’t want to just rush into things and make a random purchase.
Instead, what you want to do is take time to find precisely the ice maker that could be best for you. When you click here, you’ll also realize that you have the option of leasing this machine instead of buying it, and that could also be a huge benefit, helping you save some money and providing you with access to this piece of equipment even if you don’t exactly have enough saved up right now to purchase it. Anyway, whether you’re buying or leasing, you will certainly want to get the best solution for you.
Well, when trying to make this choice, you will have to understand the difference between air-cooled and water-cooled ice makers. You’ve most likely heard about both of those options, but you may not be sure which one is right for you. So, what we are going to do right now is talk about both of those pieces of equipment respectively, letting you know of all the pros and cons, and thus hopefully helping you make up your mind and get what you want.
Air-Cooled Ice Makers
Let us start with air-cooled ice makers. How do these specifically work? It may all sound a bit odd to you in the beginning, but once you understand the principle behind them, you’ll realize that there is nothing unusual about the way they operate, and that this is the method of cooling used in most systems. Basically, they vents and fans to remove the actual heat from the refrigeration system, thus relying on ambient air to cool the components. They are quite a popular solution across numerous industries, and they tend to be more energy-efficient than their counterpart.
Another advantage of this particular piece of equipment lies in the fact that they use less water in the process. Furthermore, they are easier to install and they come with lower operating costs in the long run, especially in those regions that have high water prices. And, as mentioned, they tend to be more energy efficient in moderate climates.
Read about the science behind ice makers in general: https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/appliance-science-the-cool-physics-of-ice-makers/
Now, this particular machine does come with some cons as well. For starters, when the temperature is high, or if the area is poorly ventilated, their performance can decrease quite a lot. Then, since they require adequate airflow, finding the right area where to place it can be a bit challenging. And, apart from that, due to the fan operation, they can actually be noisy.
Water-Cooled Ice Makers
Water-cooled ice makers work on a slightly different principle. Basically, they use water to dissipate the heat from the actual refrigeration system. So, clearly, they require a consistent water supply in order to operate. Naturally, they tend to be more efficient in humid and hot environments.
Thus, one of the biggest benefits of these machines is that they are highly reliable in those hot, as well as humid environments. They can produce ice consistently regardless of the ambient temperature, which makes them suitable for pretty much all climates and all environments. Furthermore, they operate much more quietly than their air-cooled counterparts.
Of course, as you may have guessed it, the higher water use leads to increased operating costs, especially in those water-scarce regions.
Furthermore, the installation process can be a bit more complex, as well as more expensive, due to all the drainage and water supply requirements. Due to all of that, they may not be suitable for those areas with water restriction, or those that have water conservation policies in place.
How to Choose the Right One for You
So, now you know the difference between these two machines. What you want to do next, thus, is understand how to actually choose the right solution for your particular business. Whenever choosing an icemaker, you will definitely have to consider some important things in order to select the best one for you. What is it, thus, that you have to consider when choosing between these two options?
For one thing, you should think about your environment, so as to understand whether an air-cooled or a water-cooled ice maker could be more suitable for it. Then, calculate the operating costs, to understand what could be more cost-effective. Of course, remember to assess your ice production needs as well, and thus select the right size, and consider the noise levels if that is important to you. Finally, check the local regulations regarding water and energy consumption, as that could also dictate your choice.
