There is an important debate going on regarding what kind of ice making machine we must choose. On one side, we have undercounter ice making machines, which demand an in-situ installation, and on the other, the portable ones. The big question in this debate is which one is the best option to use at home and work.
At ITV Ice Makers, we want our readers to understand all the options they have to satisfy their ice needs. We are a leading company that creates ice making machines that produce high-quality ice, providing adequate solutions to business in hostelry and catering with important needs of ice in different formats, also helping healthcare institutions and domestic setups.
In the following lines, we will discuss the different implications regarding ice making machines of both types, undercounter and portable, especially when we take it to a more practical field.
Production and Storage Capacities
The first main difference that we found between an undercounter and a portable ice making machine is about their ice production and storage capacities. It’s obvious that the first option has a higher production capacity and consequently, for storing and using it when needed.
The storage capacity in an undercounter ice making machine is such that produced ice cubes remain in great conditions while the machine continues to be operative. This is especially important for high-demand environments.
The portable ice making machine is limited in this sense, producing smaller quantities and being unable to store them for too long before compromising its quality.
Mobility and Installation
As the name suggests it, the portable ice making machine offers a superior mobility, being possible to use it wherever the user requires it and with the minimum limitations. Complex installations aren’t required, and its dimensions are always significantly more compact and comfortable in comparison with undercounter models. It can be taken to a location and make it work in just a few minutes.
On the other side, the undercounter ice making machine is inconvenient and heavy, this due to its obvious technical capacities. Installation is a must, so changing its location at will is not possible and it is necessary to have the intervention of an expert to make it work in the first use.
Convenience in Use
The convenience in use between an undercounter and a portable ice making machine is incomparable because they have quite different concepts and definitions of the word “convenience”. The undercounter machine, as we mentioned before, has a higher production capacity and its way to use is very simple and straightforward, always ready.
This means that it applies better to users with high demands of ice. Therefore, undercounter ice making machines are the very best option for restaurants, bars, hotels, aesthetic centers, clinics, and hospitals. This massive convenience comes from the fact that the machine operates with a direct water input coming from the network, which maintains its constant functioning.
Now, if the user only needs ice occasionally or in small quantities, or the space isn’t big enough for installation, the portable alternative may be the best option to choose. Of course, manually pouring water in it will be necessary.
Use at Work and the Office
The required performance in the commercial environment when it comes to ice production is higher in comparison with the one needed at home. This translates into different models depending on the final application.
When it comes to a crushed or frappe ice making machine for a restaurant or hotel, the portable solution doesn’t apply due to the low performance it provides. At the end of the day, the differences between these machines are many but still, deciding will be simple. Identify your needs, at home or work, and choose whatever comes best.