How do you make 4,500 pounds of ice in a day, and what would a business do with that much ice? At a working fish market in Lake Mary, Florida, every pound goes onto fresh fish. Watch the video, then see how this industrial ice machine for seafood markets keeps fish fresh and whether this size fits your market, fish house or processing plant.
What is the best industrial ice machine for a seafood market?
A vertical tube industrial ice machine that makes hard cracked ice is the best fit for a seafood market. Arctic-Temp® machines make hard cracked ice, not pebbled ice. The pieces are firm and irregular, so they layer around fish, chill it quickly and protect the body of the fish.
That is why so many seafood markets, fish suppliers and processors choose a vertical tube ice machine as their commercial ice machine, and why it works as an ice machine for seafood processing at any scale. For a deeper comparison, read flake vs cracked ice for seafood freshness.
How does an industrial ice machine make 4,500 lbs of ice a day?
An Arctic-Temp® machine freezes water on double-walled vertical tube evaporators, inside and outside the tube. Water recirculates over the tubes, so the machine uses 100% of the evaporator surface. A freeze cycle runs about 5 to 7 minutes. Hot gas defrost then releases the ice, and a crusher cracks it into irregular pieces. Nothing in the freezing zone moves, so there are no augers, gears or seals to wear out there.
The machine in the video is a 4,500 lbs industrial ice machine, the Arctic-Temp® 750. It makes 4,500 lbs (2,041 kg) of ice in 24 hours, about 2.25 tons.
| Spec | 750 SM-L |
|---|---|
| Ice per 24 hours | 4,500 lbs (2,041 kg), about 2.25 tons |
| Ice type | Hard cracked ice |
| Configuration | Skid-mounted: ice machine and condensing unit on one skid |
| Compressor | 7-1/2 HP Copeland® Discus |
| Skid base (L × W × H) | 72” × 52” × 60” |
| Approximate weight | 1,100 lbs |
| Refrigerant | R-404A |
| Warranty | 1 year parts, 5 years evaporator tubes |
See the full model page for the 750 SM-L industrial ice machine.
Why is cracked ice better than pebbled ice for fish?
A cracked ice machine keeps the integrity of the fish. As the video explains, hard cracked ice preserves the body of the fish, is great for layering fish and does not damage it, so the product stays firm and fresh. Pebbled ice is softer and does not give the same protection.
What size ice machine does a seafood market need?
Size the machine for your busiest days, not your average day. Add up the fish you pack daily, allow for growth, and choose the capacity that covers peak volume. Arctic-Temp® offers four capacities of industrial ice machines:
- 500 series: 2,500 lbs per day
- 750 series: 4,500 lbs per day
- 1000 series: 6,500 lbs per day
- 1500 series: 10,000 lbs per day
Our guide to choosing the right-sized ice maker walks through the math.
Skid-mounted or remote: which ice machine fits your site?
Skid-mounted ice machines (model numbers with SM-L and SM-B) put the ice machine and condensing unit on a single skid, which suits a compact footprint. Remote units (AR-L and RCU) let you install the ice machine indoors or outside and place the condensing unit wherever is most convenient. It works like a home HVAC system: the condenser sits outside while the air handler stays inside. Both are suitable for outdoor use.
Why buy from a U.S. industrial ice machine manufacturer?
Holiday Ice, Inc. is both the ice machine manufacturer and the ice machine supplier. It builds Arctic-Temp® machines in Longwood, Florida. Every machine is factory assembled, charged and tested. Replacement parts are stocked for all models, and free technical support comes from skilled refrigeration professionals. Equipment is backed by a one-year parts warranty and a five-year warranty on evaporator tubes. Holiday Ice ships worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
How much ice does a 750 industrial ice machine make?
The Arctic-Temp® 750 makes 4,500 lbs (2,041 kg) of hard cracked ice in 24 hours, about 2.25 tons.
What type of ice does an Arctic-Temp® industrial ice machine make?
It makes hard cracked ice. Water freezes on both sides of double-walled vertical tubes, hot gas defrost releases the ice, and a crusher breaks it into firm, irregular pieces.
Is cracked ice better than pebbled ice for packing fish?
Seafood operations choose hard cracked ice because it layers well around fish, preserves the body of the fish and keeps it fresh without damaging it.
Can an industrial ice machine be installed outdoors?
Yes. Arctic-Temp® machines are suitable for outdoor use. Skid-mounted models suit roof or custom bunker mounting, and remote models let you place the condensing unit outside.
How fast does an industrial ice machine make ice?
A vertical tube freeze cycle runs about 5 to 7 minutes, and the machine cycles continuously until the bin is full. A mechanical bin control then stops it.
Where can I buy an industrial ice machine for a seafood market?
Request a quote from Holiday Ice, Inc., a U.S. ice machine manufacturer and supplier in Longwood, Florida. Pricing depends on model, voltage, options, shipping and installation, so every quote is built for your site.
Get an industrial ice machine quote
Tell us how much ice you use, where the machine will go and how many days a week it runs. Holiday Ice, Inc. will size it with you and send an ice machine quote. Prefer to talk? Call (800) 362-3243.
More for seafood buyers: ice machines for seafood processing and our ice machine FAQs.