Types of ice cube makers and their uses

For foodservice Companies, an ice maker is one of the essential equipment of commercial restaurants and commercial kitchen also. The ice machines are easy to maintain and operate as well as most of the small ice cube makers come in cost-effective. If you are also planning to buy ice cube maker for your business then you should keep following key consideration in your mind:-

·         Type cooling system because it comes within an air-cooled and water-cooled option

·         Buy a reliable machine that will not cost you hefty repair bills

·         Consider the type of condenser that works with numbers of things

·         Pick the right size of a machine according to business need

·         Type of ice you want like crushed,  flakes or cubes

When you buy an ice maker machine, first you need to decide how much space you have to keep the machine.  Also, keep in mind that how much ice you will be required in summer and on weekends. A small overview of the things you should consider before buying an ice machine.

•                    It is good to choose pick over-production so that if your business grows in the future you don’t need to invest in buying another unit

•                    Consider the annual usage of ice

•                    Review the machine features to ensure it is capable of meeting your needs

•                    Choose them wisely because sometime you will need a large number of ices at a specific point

•                    Pick the right that perfectly fit on your available space

Next, the thing you need to consider is the kind of ice cubes required for your business. The ice maker produces different types of ice like flakes, cubes, and nuggets.  Choose the one that meets your business need.

1.                   Flakes – Flake ice makers can produce small and hard bits of ice while generating low production costs.  This type of machine is the perfect option for quick cooling of drinks and food.  The flake ice is used in blended cocktails, salad bars, meat, seafood, and even hospital use also.

2.                   Cubes: - The two sizes of ices i.e. half dice and whole dice can produce buy ice cube makers. You can check a spec sheet to know the cube size produce the ice machine. Cubed ice melts slowly and used for making the best beverages. Some of the drinks where ice cubes are extensively used like mixed drinks, cocktails, and carbonated drinks and also used for ice dispensing and salad bars.

3.                   Nuggets:-  Nuggets ice makers are ideal for cooling beverages because they produce chewable textured ice. This type of ice is used in carbonated drinks, blended drinks, salad bars, and hospital use.

Consider the cooling System- water cooling or air cooling

Air-cooled machines are mostly preferred as they are quite inexpensive, easy to install and operate well. Its system works well by using water temperature and air. But, it required more space to avoid the overheating problem. They are mainly considered by the food service industry due to its environment-friendly feature.

Water cooling machines are comparatively more expensive than air cooling as it consumes more water for cooling. But the water cooling machine doesn’t need much space as air cooling need and does not produce rapid heat in the room. If you have limited space then a water cooling machine is an ideal option for you.

The large machines are capable of producing tons of ice as more than 800lbs in every 24 hours. To minimize the heat of condenser exerts, it is good to mount it on the roof of a building. It performs well on the highly beneficial roof.

Other considerations for ice cube makers

•                    Pay attention to plumbing need-water line and a drain line

•                    Efficacy of energy consumption otherwise you will pay for hefty bills

•                    Don’t ignore the sanitation essentials and food safety

•                    Follow the maintenance required to ensure the long life validity of machine

•                    Should have standard features

Things you should avoid when buying ice cube makers

•                    Buying a machine that cannot produce enough ice to meet your requirements

•                    Incompatible to your plumbing system

•                    The wrong type of machine

•                    Buy a machine with the wrong condenser

•                    Neglecting the cleaning and maintenance of your machine

HorecaTraders- To buy best quality ice machines online

Are you looking for ice machines or ice cube makers then HorecaTraders can offer you the best quality machines in all sizes and shapes?  They are specialized in offering top quality ice machines for every occasion as per your need. They provide professional ice block machines for clubs, hotels, and restaurants as well as small machines for pubs around your home corner. Whether you are looking for Hoshizaki Ice Cube Makers or whirlpool ice machines, they are one of the trusted suppliers of providing durable and high-quality products.  Moreover, you can browse their website to buy top quality kitchen equipment and appliances at great prices

Things to consider when buying a commercial refrigerator and freezer

If you are in a hospitality business, then a commercial fridge is one of the important assets for you. Whether, it’s a cafe, restaurant or bar, commercial refrigerators are required to keep the food and drinks at the right temperature. When it comes to the food and beverage business, they have different fridge requirements as compared to residential fridges. Commercial kitchen needs to store huge amounts of meals and use several refrigerators for different storage and supply purpose. On the other hand, small cafes and bars need small commercial refrigerators and freezer, bottle coolers, bar fridges, ice machines, etc.

Here in this blog, we are sharing a few tips that you should consider when you are looking for a commercial fridge and freezer or sleek under counter refrigerator.

1.                   Right capacity

First, the most important thing is that your fridge should meet the prime requirements of your kitchen or shop. You should choose the unit having enough space to store the products required for your demanding service period. If you choose less capacity unit then you won’t able to cope up with the demand whereas a large capacity unit will lead to a high running cost for you. You must choose the right capacity of the fridge that works well with your specific requirements.

2.                   Size  and design

Next, you need to consider the right size of the unit that places well in your kitchen. For example, you should be clear whether you want an inbuilt freezer or one that has stand- alone. This is a case when you have limited space in your kitchen. You can also go with a glass door fridge that allows you to see the available supplies and stock you have. This is also good to display the products in front of the customers so they can easily review the goods you are selling. If your customers can see the fridge in your open kitchen then stainless fridges are a good option that offers a great look.

3.                   Automatic defrosting

When you are looking for a commercial fridge make sure they have an automatic defrost system. The build-up of ice in the commercial fridge will impact on their performance and efficiency as well as hamper its life validity. Automatic defrosting will save your time by removing the ice manually.

4.                   Energy-efficient and insulation

An energy-efficient fridge will save your money in the form of low power bills.  When your fridge is going to be used over a long period, an energy-efficient unit will prove beneficial as it lower running costs. Another part of fridge efficiency is its quality of insulation where polyurethane foam is an ideal option. It comes with excellent insulation properties and high compression strength with thermal conductivity. This will keep the drinks and food cool in the fridge for a long time while consuming less energy.

5.                   Correct climate rating

Your fridge should match with the immediate climate condition to keep your stock consistently cool. If you want to use the fridge on the cafe floor then a standard climate is an appropriate one. But, if it is going to be used in a busy commercial kitchen then a tropical class rating is needed.

6.                   Self-closing doors

When it comes to the commercial refrigerator, self-closing doors are must be needed. It is important especially if you are using your fridge for selling food and drink s then it will ensure that door will automatically close once the patrons have selected their product from the fridge.

7.                   Warranty

The commercial refrigerators of reputed brands come with warranty benefits that cover parts and labor coverage for certain years. These warranties are complemented by large experienced and certified technicians that help to get back your unit running quickly in case any mishap occurs in the future. You should check what each brand offer for warranty and service that helps you in choosing the right commercial refrigerator.

Nowadays, you can find many online stores that deal in commercial refrigerators and freezers. You should research well and approach the trusted online store like HorecaTraders that can offer you a wide range of commercial refrigerators with warranty benefits. It is one of the renowned suppliers of commercial equipment and appliances which has won the trust of its customers by offering high-quality products at great prices.

Different uses of small refrigerators and Mini Fridges

Small refrigerators and mini-fridges are one of the versatile appliances used by most costumers. These miniature refrigerators have an amazing ability of refrigeration and come in portable size which means you can use it for numbers of different settings. In this article, we are talking about different uses of mini-fridges as a bar fridge, camping fridges, and dorm room fridges.

Mini Fridge as a bar fridge

Homeowners who have a habit of entertaining guests, Small Refrigerators and Mini Fridges can work as a perfect serviceable mini bar fridge freezer. Whether you are hosting a party or a small gathering of visitors or family, you need to ensure the availability of cold drinks in the entertaining area of the home. Small fridges are an ideal option for hosting such small parties to make your parting entertaining by keeping your drinks cold. You can place your small fridges in the TV room or home theatre which is a great choice for television watchers. Making ice for drinks and chilling beers and soft drinks is great to work a bar fridge does and you can get this service with a portable fridge freezer also.

Small fridges as a camping fridge 

Campers, who want to add a pinch of luxury to their weekend camping gateways, can use small camping fridges. The camping trips are incomplete if there are no refreshing and chilling beverages. By adding mini-refrigerators and small fridges you can ensure the ample stock of refreshing cool drinks in your camping time.

Mini fridges as a dorm fridge

College students mostly struggling in their new life away from home where a mini dorm fridge can be work as a great option for them. These small refrigerators and mini fridges can perfectly place in tight confines of the average dorm room. They can use these small dorm fridges to store food and drinks in their room as well as prepared meals which save their money. It enables us to eat better food options and avoid weight gain by preparing food that is healthy and free from fat-filled alternatives.

Types of small refrigerators and mini fridges 

If you are seeking small refrigerators and mini fridges then you can buy them online from any trusted stores. Let’s have a look at types of small fridges:-

1.      Mini Fridge 

These tiny fridges are suitable for holding a few items such as drinks bottles and available in different colors and sizes. They are very light-weighted and portable so that you can easily carry them. It is a suitable option for traveling to keep drinks and food cool.

2.      Tabletop fridges

As its name suggests, this appliance would place on the table or kitchen top. It is also a small compact fridge work as a normal fridge but comes in considerably less size. As per the model, it has enough space in which you can store a few bottles such as wines, cold drinks, etc. You can also use it for storing eggs and dairy products like butter or margarine. It comes with two or more compartments to store ready meals, poultry, and other food products. It’s an ideal option for a single person or student who lives their own.

3.      Under counter fridge 

You can place these fridges under the kitchen worktop. They are larger than a tabletop fridge and come on average half size of a regular fridge. These fridges have numbers of shelves for storing food items, vegetables, and fruit along with bottle shelves. They are comparatively expensive than tabletop fridges but have a bigger size. It can be used for a small family or single person living alone.  

You can find these small refrigerators and mini fridges in the high street or shopping malls. Apart from this, you can even purchase them on the internet from a reliable store like HorecaTraders. They provide you numerous varieties of fridges and refrigerators in different models and sizes as per your needs. 

Useful maintenance tips for commercial refrigerators

A commercial refrigerator is one of the key requirements for cooling all beverages and ingredients perfectly. This is a reason it’s important to ensure the proper working of the unit by ensuring its regular maintenance services. So what steps you should follow regularly? How you can increase the life of the unit? In this article, we are sharing a few tips to keep your unit smoothly running.

•         Keep the interior and exterior clean

You should schedule the thorough cleaning of your refrigeration unit on a weekly or biweekly basis. Before start cleaning, remove all the items of the refrigerator and place them in another unit or temporary cooler. You can use a soft brush or scrub to clean the shelves and also warm water or vinegar for surface cleaning. If there is a possibility of removing the drawers and shelving then also soak them for a while and rinse for cleaning.

When it comes to the exterior part of the unit, it should be regularly cleaned daily. For this, you need proper solutions and materials used for cleaning the stainless steel exterior. Don’t use abrasive scrubbers or sponges or any type of chlorine cleanser otherwise it can damage the unit’s exterior. You can use a washcloth or soft brush for cleaning. However, a combination of vinegar or detergent with warm water is a suitable option for routine maintenance. You can also use baking soda paste for removing grease or baked-on food.

•         Cleanliness of Condenser coil

When it comes to commercial refrigerator & freezer maintenance, you should pay attention to the routine cleanliness of the condenser coil. Manufacturers recommended for condenser coil cleaning once every three months as well as you can find specific cleaning tips on many manuals also. If the condenser coil is not clean then it will cause overheating of the unit and make it difficult to maintain temperature which leads to component failure.

 The coil is placed near to the unit condenser. Always switch off the unit before cleaning the coil and use a stiff bristle brush to remove the dust. You can use a strong vacuum or compressor for removing the left remnants.

•         Clean area by the evaporator coil

Evaporator coils play a key role in the commercial refrigerator and located by the evaporator fan. It is responsible for heat absorption when the warm air passes through the refrigeration system and keeps the unit interior cool. You need to keep the surrounding area of coil clean and clear and avoid cramming the interior with a lot of items. 

This can block the airflow by the vents and cause the coil to freeze that water leaks and rise in cabinet temperature.

•         Check gaskets regularly

The door gaskets are another highly essential part of any commercial refrigeration unit. If there is any split or crack in the gasket then it will prevent the door from sealing shut as a result cool air comes out from the fridge interior. You should quickly replace the gasket from a trusted manufacturer in case of broken. If the gasket is properly working then don’t forget the routine cleaning of the gasket to prevent it from any damage. The process should be done regularly especially if the unit is in a commercial kitchen.

•         Keep the unit dry

If you find any liquid accumulates on the surface or shelving of the unit then wipe it up immediately. The excess accumulation of moisture can lead your refrigerator or freezer to freeze up over time. Therefore you need to clean the spills immediately as well as also check for moisture build-up once in a week.

•         Pay attention to Air Filters

Grease and dust come in the kitchen from fryers and griddles also create a hassle on your commercial fridge’s air filters. Due to the large build-up, air will not properly ventilate from the unit therefore routine cleaning important for it. You can use a shop vacuum and degreasing solution to remove dust or loose debris as well as eliminate any thick grease also. The excess accumulation of dust and grease can damage the air filter.

•         Clean drain pans and tubes

A large commercial refrigerator & freezer attract a huge amount of sludge and slime that leads your unit to freeze up. You need to check the drain pan and any tubing where frequent build-up is occurring. If your drain pain overflows with sludge or moisture then you will experience the pungent odor through your kitchen. So, clean the plan at least once in a month by using a vinegar solution and warm water.

These are some maintenance tips that you should follow to keep your commercial refrigerators clean and efficient. If you are looking for any type of hygiene supplies for the commercial kitchen then you can buy them online from reliable store HorecaTraders. It is one of the trusted stores which provide a complete range of commercial kitchen supplies and equipment. Whether you are looking for Small Refrigerators and Mini Fridges, Ice Machines, or hygiene supplies like detergent, air fresheners, cleaning, or janitorial supplies, HorecaTraders is a one-stop solution to accomplish all your supplies.

Useful tips for choosing the right display and bakery fridges

Do you want to start your cafe or restaurant business? If yes, then you need a bakery fridge to display the fresh menu for a long period of time. Although these fridges will cost you a little expensive but brings good profit margins for your business. People love to have cakes and bakery items and when you display them attractively it will bring a positive effect on business. Showing your menu nicely in the display fridge will attract the customers to buy them.

Cake/bakery fridges are important appliances for bakeries, cafes, and other food outlets. They have a different temperature range from regular fridges because cakes required to be kept in specific temperature and humidity levels to make them fresh and delicious. This will play a significant role in increasing your business sales.

It works well in maintaining the texture and flavor of cake when you stored it in the refrigerator. All the cakes should be required to store in the fridge. The temperature and humidity level are two things which negatively impact on the cake if they are not properly set.

Understand the difference between display fridge and bakery fridge

Food display is required in the bakery to showcasing and preserving the baked items. The bakery uses mainly two types of displays which include bakery display and dry food displays.

What is the display fridge?

This is used as a marketing tool by merchandisers to display their baked goods to the customers. These fridges come with open or glassed front design so that customers can easily see the baked goods. They are large and have multi-shelved so that bakeries can display a variety of items in it.

What is a bakery display fridge?

These display fridges are chilled and cool. They are utilized for storing pastries, cakes, and other desserts. They have the ability to store, displaying, and refrigerating the perishable baked goods. Bakery fridges will also have the same temperature control options just like dry good display but they have differences in the humidity.

The perishable baked goods are needed to be stored in the bakery fridge because they are vulnerable to increase water weight, oxidization, and even mold. Bakery fridges have less moisture as compared to dry display showcase and capable of controlling the humidity level to make the sweets desserts and pastries soft and moist.

Consider your needs 

When it comes to buying bakery fridges, first you need to think about your need for which exactly you want a display fridge. You must need it to keep the food item cold but you should be clear whether you also want to keep other bits and pieces in it or just want for display purpose only. Apart from cake, if you want to store some other items in it like butter or prepared ingredients then you should look for a display cabinet with an additional fridge underneath. This will enable you to display these items also alongside cakes.

Tips to search new cake display fridge

There are different ways to search for cake or bakery display fridge and the internet is one of them. On the internet, you can find information about different brands of bakeryfridges & freezers available in the market with different models, prices, features, and other benefits. Once you decide the supplier to whom you want to buy a specific type of cake display fridge, you should clarify some questions:-

• You should ask them do they have sample model which you can come and see

• How much time they would take to deliver the product?

• What are the payment options?

• Do your appliances have warranties?

• Ask questions regarding the service and maintenance department?

Once you get the answers to these questions you can see and decide from available models to purchase the one. The bakery fridges made of stainless steel to use them for commercial purposes. Stainless steel is a very strong and durable material that makes these fridges ideal options for commercial use. These fridges come with a glass door so that customers can easily view the different types of displayed varieties of cake. The glass door can be either flat glass or curved glass and sometimes equipped with double-layered which enhances the visual beauty of the items as well as make the fridge more energy efficient.

Additional Features      

There are many features that need to be considered when you are planning to buy display and cake fridges. Frost-freezers are the ideal option to save you from the work defrosting the freezer at regular intervals. They are capable of preventing the freezer from icing up.

Some models come with auto fast freeze feature which plats significant role when the freezer temperature gets too high. It will automatically work and turn off the freezer.

If you are also seeking bakery fridges & freezers or display showcase then you can buy them online from trusted stores like HorecaTraders. This is one of the reliable stores which have been engaged in providing a wide range of commercial appliances and equipment at great prices. You can browse their online store and place your order to get the best quality product with warranty benefits.

Things you should know when buying small refrigerators and Mini Fridges

When it comes to small refrigerators and mini-fridges you will find the wide range of compact refrigerator options from which you can choose the one. They are used for different purposes like in the bar, workout area, etc. Some of the key benefits of using these compact refrigerators include:-

•        Compact and portable- They are compact and portable so you can place them in your guest rooms, bedrooms or even in the car to store cold drinks and beverages

•        Easy to use:-  They are available in small sizes so you can place them in different rooms in a multi-story home. In this way, you don’t need to come back to your kitchen in the night for snacks, water, or cold drinks.

•        Versatility:- Whether it’s about a one-room studio apartment or hotel room with less space, you can easily place these refrigerators without any hassle. These refrigerators are the perfect option for those homes where space is less to serve the cooling efficiency.

•        Outdoor spaces:- You can place them in outdoor spaces like patios. It will prove useful for such areas.

•        Office use:- It can be used in office spaces and conference rooms for storing snacks, cold drinks, ice-creams, etc.

•        Cars and vehicles:- These mini refrigerators required less energy and can be easily fixed in cars and vehicles. They are generally fixed in the back seat of the car so that you can enjoy snacks and drinks during long trips. Nowadays, most of the modern SUVs are equipped with refrigerators in it.

Tips for choosing the right Small Refrigerators and Mini Fridges

If you are planning to buy the one then you should know about the mini-refrigerators styles so that you can pick the right one as per your cooling needs.

1.    Style Options

Mini refrigerators come in either a stand-alone unit or one designed built into cabinetry. All the styles are not designed for the same purpose so you need to be clear with your needs and what you exactly want in your fridge like for storing perishable foods, cool beverages, or freeze.

2.    Refrigerator

This is a standard category in all refrigerator used for both food and beverages but has no included freezer. These mini-fridges come with adjustable thermostats and divided into three adjustable interior shelves and doors. This variety of fridges is beneficial for storing drinks only and comes with an average size of 3-6 cubic feet. You can easily store tall items like 2-liter in it.

3.    Refrigerator with freezer

This type of refrigerator comes in the same size as a standard compact fridge but they have freezer space either with a small shelf inside the refrigerator or separated with its door. If you don’t need to too much amount quantity ice then shelf-style freezer is the ideal choice for you. But, with a distinct freezer with a door, you will get more storage space and better cooling options.

4.    Beverage centers

These models are designed only for storing drinks and beverages. You can’t store perishable foods because they don’t have that much efficiency for this purpose. This model can be placed in your kitchen, home bar, or game room. You can store several cans in these fridges like the regular mini-fridges.

These are some varieties of small refrigerators and mini-fridges so you can choose the right one as per your need. You should consider the amount of space available in your kitchen that helps you in selecting the right size of the model.  Apart from this, you have ample of color choices so you can choose the one as per your choice. Like black color will work well in adding four stars in the décor of all types of offices and homes. Next, you should pay attention to the materials used for constructing the model. Stainless steel refrigerators provide the chic appearance but plastic fridges are considered as one of the reliable variety. Choose the refrigerator which is energy efficient and help in reducing your electric bills.

You should always purchase the top brands of refrigerators manufactured by a leading company and provide quality assurance of the products. You can buy these products online from trusted stores like HorecaTraders at highly attractive prices. It is always good to choose the product within your budget from trusted stores only because they provide quality products with warranty benefits.

Get complete information about refrigerated beverage dispensers

Serving a cool and refreshing taste of lemonade to your guests on a hot summer day is one of the best ways to increase sales at your convenience store, concession stand, and other food services. By using refrigerated chilled beverage dispenser you can easily make the cool and refreshing drinks without wasting your time.  There are different varieties of refrigerated beverage dispensers where you need to right one that works well with your prime need.  In this article, we provide you complete information about these units so you can invest in the best one that worth your money.

What is a refrigerated Beverage Dispenser?

This cooling unit uses for refrigeration process that keeps the drinking products at an ideal temperature. They are capable of holding and dispensing pre-made drinks such as mixed drinks, fruit juice, tea, or lemonade. These units come in standard width i.e. 22, 32, 44, and 60. By introducing a refrigerated beverage dispenser in your business you can increase your sales and boost the profit margins. They are versatile units through which you can make a wide range of drinks including carbonated, dairy, or alcoholic but it depends on the model you choose. You need to check local regulation if you are buying it for serving drinks with dairy or alcohol.

Carbonated Beverage Dispenser

Carbonated beverage dispensers or fountain dispensers are completely different than traditional ice tea or lemonade dispensers. These units come with a valve or nozzle to add different flavors with 6-12 valves standard size. Rather than providing an already mixed beverage, fountain dispensers mix water and add flavoring syrup at the time of dispensing. The water will get carbonated as per the proper water-to-flavor ratio.

How refrigerated dispensers work?

The beverage dispensers contain a few key components that help the unit for its proper function. These components are the hopper, base, agitator, and handle. Let’s have a brief explanation of each component-

•        Hopper- It is also called bowl where the product is housed.  Some units come with multiple hoppers so you can offer different flavors of drinks to the customers.

•        Agitator:- This will work with stir rod and help in mixing the product. In the absence of agitator, your drink is at the risk of separating or becoming too thick that spoils the consistency and flavor of the drink.

•        Base:- It controls the entire refrigeration system to keep your beverage chilled. It also used for preventing essential mechanical components like motor, condenser, or evaporator from tempering and exposure.

•        Handle:- It is used for dispensing the product and comes with either be push or pull handle.

Tips for choosing Refrigerated Beverage dispenser

When it comes to chilled beverage dispensers, you need to pay attention on where and how the unit will be used. First, you need to consider space where you will put it, flavor accommodation and if you are looking for an ice-cooled unit then how much ice you will need to have on hand. Ice-cooled unites are used for back-of-house operations whereas refrigerated dispensers are ideal options for front-of-house use at coffee shops, concession stands, carnivals, and delis.

Next, you need to determine the type of dispenser you required and decide the model to purchase. If you are not sure which model is right for you then ask these questions to yourself?

•        How many flavors you want to offers?

•        What is your target audience?

•        Will you have a stall to monitor and refill as necessary?

If you want to serve different varieties of 2 -3 drinks then large units with multiple hoppers are right for you. In case you don’t have extra manpower then you should consider carbonate dispenser which doesn’t require a frequent refill.

Tips for cleaning and maintaining refrigerated beverage dispenser

It is important to properly clean and maintain the unit to extend its life. If you don’t care for it then you will at risk of sacrificing the quality and taste of the product. Here we have listed the tips to properly clean the beverage dispense to enjoy its benefits. You should also read the manufacturers guidelines when you buy any model.

•        You should remove and soak nozzle and diffuser in warm soapy water

•        End of the day; wipe down all exterior surfaces of the unit by using soap and water to eliminate any build-up.  Don’t use harsh chemicals for cleaning which contain high chlorine because it can rust the unit

•        Keep the drip tray clean by using soap and water when it is needed

•        Remove coagulation on the valves annually

•        Wash and sanitize the beverage or ice hopper and chutes every month

•        Use food-grade lubricates “O” rings as required.

Hope, this information helps you to understand these chilled beverage dispensers. If you are also looking for any type of cooling appliances like ice machines, Refrigerated Cabinets, etc. for your food establishment or restaurant then you can buy them online from trusted online stores and save your money by getting deals. For example, at HorecaTraders you will find an exclusive range of commercial kitchen equipment and appliances at great prices with warranty benefits.