In any supermarket where we go to make the purchase and have fresh products exposed to the customer, these will be surrounded by ice.
If you pay attention to it, you will notice that ice is always used, regardless of the supermarket chain, since it acknowledged as the best way to preserve products and keep them cold.
At ITV Ice Makers, together with the collaboration of some supermarket chains and main refrigeration installers, we have developed a wide and complete range of products that allows selecting the best possible solution to produce ice and have an appropriate ice storage tank.
The machines developed are mainly focused on these sectors:
- Small fish markets
- Supermarkets
- Hypermarkets
- Cash & Carry
Supermarket ice machines
Currently, at ITV we have two product ranges for these types of stores:
ICE QUEEN Range
This range of products produces wet granular ice. It has a higher percentage of humidity than other types of ice, which makes it perfect for:
- Supermarkets display cases
- Transportation from distribution centres of fish, fruits, and vegetables
- Multiple applications in the food industry.
Here you can find all the information related to the ICE QUEEN Range.
SCALA Range
This is the most common and most affordable option for cooling perishable foods.
Based on our experience, this is the preferred option for displaying fish in large, open-type shelves present in hypermarkets around the world.
Here you can find all the information related to the SCALA Range.
How to choose the right type of ice to display your fish products?
It is important to make the right choice, both with the type of ice and with the amount you need to supply all the shelves and ensure that the food stays fresh and in good condition.
To do this, at ITV Ice Makers we advise you to follow these 4 steps that will help you make your choice right.
1. Choose the type of ice
Granular ice
- Ice temperature (-1 / + 1ºC).
- 25% moisture content.
- Moistens the fish and keeps it fresh from the start.
- Very handy, versatile and stackable.
Flat flake ice
- Ice temperature (-5 / -7ºC).
- Subcooled and with relative humidity of 2%.
- Maintains a homogeneous shelf cooling for a longer time.
- The ice is spread evenly, and some flakes slide over each other.
2. Define which ice the business needs
It is essential to ask yourself these two questions and strive to answer as close to reality as possible:
- How many kilos do I need per day?
- How many kilos do I need to fill the display case in the morning?
3. Choosing the right tank for the occasion
The tank you choose must be able to contain at least the Kg of ice required for setting up the fish shop in the morning.
We recommend the tanks that have a cart, since they are better to distribute the ice with their baskets in an easy, fast and hygienic way.
4. Choose the ice production machines required for the supermarket ice needs
We have proved that, usually, 2 equal units are needed to cover 100% of the daily ice needs.
Even so, this decision must be consensual and always based on the needs of the establishment.
Benefits of making the right choice
The correct analysis and selection of equipment is a key point in the long term, for the stable benefit of the fish business unit.
To do this, choosing a reliable and properly maintained equipment can achieve significant improvement and savings in the following key aspects:
- Always ensure that there is ice in the supermarket fish aisles.
- Minimize the possibility of no ice in the event of an emergency.
- Improve the times of preparation of shelves and replacement of ice in the same.
- In terms of consumption, both energy and water.
- In the performance of the product on display.
- Avoid equipment stoppages and breakages, always ensuring a correct self-supply of the locations.
- Ensure an attractive presence of the display cases that contributes to a continuous increase in sales.
After all this information, you should be able to choose the best ice machine based on your needs.
Even so, if you still have doubts, we have a large team of commercial and technical experts who can advise you with the ideal options for your needs, as well as the advantages of installing an ITV Ice Makers machine in your shop.