The commercial ice machine is one of the most important pieces of restaurant equipment that you’ll use in your food service establishment. While there are several major issues to take into account when deciding what kind of machine you’ll need, you also need to think about the installation requirements. These can potentially affect the purchasing decisions about an ice machine.

First and foremost, you need to make sure you have the proper facilities to house an ice machine. There are three primary requirements: a cold water supply, a floor drain, and a power source. Almost all full kitchens have a water source that can be diverted to a commercial ice machine. However, make sure the kitchen is set up such that there is a drain within 6 feet of the water source you’ll be using. The distance requirement may change depending on your local building codes, but the standard is 6 feet. You’ll also want to verify that you comply with any potential regulations on the drain type in your region. Having an adequate power source is also an imperative. Before purchasing an ice machine, ask if a standard wall outlet will provide enough power or if the model type you’re interested in will need an additional power source.

Once you’ve insured that your kitchen has the proper power source, water supply, and a floor drain up to code, you need to make sure that you have enough room in your kitchen for the model that you are considering. Having just enough space for the machine and bin isn’t sufficient. Make sure that the ice machine is in an area where it will have some air flow, which helps keep it cool and working at it’s most efficient. It is also critical to put some space between your hot cooking equipment and your ice machine. While it may seem like a no-brainer, in tight kitchen spaces, more often than not, the ice machine gets pushed right next to all the cooking equipment. This will mean that your ice machine will have to work harder to make ice, using more energy and ultimately costing you more money. Lastly, remember to make sure the ice machine you want fits through your door before you buy it.