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Author Topic:   Ice Machine/Maker

Newtauk1 posted 08-23-2009 11:34 AM ET (US)
Can anyone suggest a quality Ice Machine for filling coolers for food and fishing? I am wondering if it would make sense to make my own ice rather then buying bags all the time making ice blocks in home containers. Are the $300.00 range ones practical?
example: http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/IM100.html?mv_pc=dt
WT posted 08-23-2009 01:14 PM ET (US)
I have friends that buy used/going out of business restaurant ice makers that they store at their homes. They use them for making ice to fill their coolers for tuna fishing.
Maybe try Craig's List for used restaurant equipment.
Warren
deepwater posted 08-23-2009 01:53 PM ET (US)
I guess if you needed 50lbs a week every week and maybe 1 or 2 others needed as much it would pay in the long run,,if your wanting your ice to last longer ,,Many stores sell dri ice,, 4oz of dri ice placed on top of a 100qt cooler full of the wet ice will freeze solid in about 1 hr
number9 posted 08-23-2009 05:59 PM ET (US)
"Make up to 35 lbs. of ice cubes per day
Stores up to 2.5lbs of ice at a time"
Empty it 14 times a day to get 35 lbs? Not very impressive.
Any ice coming out of an ice maker is just the freezing point and should be chilled to zero before use.
Bella con23 posted 08-23-2009 06:51 PM ET (US)
A good friend of mine has that ice-maker in his rental house in NC. I was not impressed with the output at all. Great for mixed drinks and filling a small cooler for the beach, but that's it.
I would go with Warren's idea and see if you can get a commercial unit second hand. We service all size ice-makers in the medical center I work in. The smaller units can churn out 200 lbs a day and you can shut them off during the off days.
Joe
Newtauk1 posted 08-23-2009 07:25 PM ET (US)
I think you get what you pay for. A used commercial one may be the way to go.
hauptjm posted 08-24-2009 10:55 AM ET (US)
A great source for commercial ice-makers are hotels/motels. Several friends have found them at very lowball prices when the motel remodels or sells and new owners come in. Apparently, they (hotel/motel) change their ice-makers out quite frequently. Some of these machines really crank out a lot of ice.
Newtauk1 posted 08-24-2009 11:04 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the great insight.
andygere posted 08-24-2009 08:37 PM ET (US)
Consider how much power you are going to buy to make your ice, and factor that into the net present value calculation. Although much more convenient, a home ice maker is probably a bad investment unless you really use a lot of ice.
Since I fish primarily on the weekends, I make ice using the built-in unit in my kitchen fridge. I empty the bin into a trash bag a few days ahead of a trip, and store it in the freezer next to the peas.
HAPPYJIM posted 08-24-2009 08:45 PM ET (US)
I fill 2 liter soft drink bottles and 1 gallon milk jugs and freeze them. Ice cold water to drink and keeps the fish and food cold.
pglein posted 08-25-2009 11:01 AM ET (US)
Boats are a bad investment too. The convenience of an ice maker would be a huge benefit that you can't necessarily put a dollar figure on. I have a friend who has one at their lake cabin. They only turn it own when they need it (like the night before going fishing, or when people are coming from out of town). It's relatively small and fits under the counter in the garage, but it churns out plenty of ice.
Newtauk1 posted 08-25-2009 11:44 AM ET (US)
I am think about the endless supply of frozen drinks for after boating evenings:)
Mumbo Jumbo posted 08-25-2009 12:37 PM ET (US)
Manitowoc 210 series commercial ice-maker.
Like several posters above have said, it is an investment similar to boat ownership. For those who live on the water, and have a boat at the dock, an ice machine insures that the ice is always there: an important factor for spur of the moment outings like those times when you look out the window and see that the Spanish Moss isn't moving, there is a super high tide cresting in an hour, and you know the Redfish will be tailing in your favorite flat.
hauptjm posted 08-25-2009 12:50 PM ET (US)
I should clarify regarding the cost factor in commercial machines, is that my friends fill 3 - 120+ quart igloos in two or three boats every Saturday and Sunday, plus ice drinks in smaller coolers for these same boats. I'm guessing they go through 200+ pounds of ice weekly. I find most folks that fish regularly in South Louisiana will run two machines almost daily. If they were occasionally fishing then it would not make sense.
Keep in mind, the folks I'm speaking of are NOT commercial/professional fisherman.
Scott Grey posted 08-26-2009 02:26 PM ET (US)
I have a 300lb. machine with a 275lb holding bin at my office that is a Scottsman, I think it was around $1,000-1,200 new. A great machine that I haven't had to put a dime into other than water and power for the last 4-5 years. We use it all summer and shut it off in the winter unless we need ice for a weekend in which we plug it in for a few hours and make 30-50 lbs of ice. I would think you could pick one up used for a great price. Once you have one you will wonder how you did it without one. The other thing thats nice is once it is full the machine shuts off and starts and runs maybe 20-30 minutes, 2 times a day. Our machine is in our wharehouse outside without air conditioning in the florida summer. I feel it's pretty good on electricity.
my 2 cents
Scott Grey posted 08-26-2009 02:29 PM ET (US)
Or find someone local (buddy) who has one to bum some ice as needed. That's what my friends do on friday afternoons!!
catadromous posted 08-26-2009 04:23 PM ET (US)
The commercial machine seems like the trick, but I have heard that in south Louisiana there are some fellas that do a conversion of a standard window air conditioner to make ice. I'm not sure houw it's done, but am trying to find out. I was told the ice forms in a pipe and is extruded in a slow but continual stream, breaking off as gravity insists. It sounds fascinating. The guy that makes them is in Grand Isle I think.
Newtauk1 posted 08-27-2009 12:41 AM ET (US)
I think a commercial one could be had for under $1000.00 used and is the the way to go.I guess I spend $200.00 a season on ice for boating. Add in a few BBQ's and the holidays and it really starts to make sense. I bet it may be a device that once you have you wonder why you waited so long. I do have two buddy's that fish harder than me and could use the ice. Perhaps I will work out a deal with them to offset the cost and supply them with ice.
199213 posted 08-27-2009 02:18 PM ET (US)
If I had the space and used a lot of ice I think I'd get an older standup freezer off craigslist. I see them for $0 to $150 all the time.
Get a bunch of cube trays and some wax coated 1/2 gallon wax coated cardboard juice containers with the tops cut off for ~3.5lb blocks. Plug it in and fill it 2-3 days before you go out and you should have a couple hundred of pounds of ice on hand.
an86carrera posted 08-28-2009 07:52 PM ET (US)
I just was given this:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/an86carrera/telescopes/IMG_0023. jpg
Makes 50lbs a day and stores 35lbs of perfectly clear ice.
I have wanted one since I can remember.
Vote for Pedro! That is the cabinet maker that gave it to me.
Len
myakka posted 08-29-2009 01:41 PM ET (US)
That looks like the one I just removed! Where did he get that?
Landlocked posted 08-31-2009 12:51 PM ET (US)
We've had a few of the consumer models here at work. Big problems with clogging of drain hoses, sticking of float switches and overflows - usually on the weekend when no one is around.
If I were considering one, I'd definately buy a commercial version and make sure the drain is properly plumbed.
Friends all have chest freezers and use old cottage cheese containers etc to make large blocks. Personally - I think it works better but it is a bit more work.
Ll.
Scott Grey posted 09-01-2009 08:50 AM ET (US)
I was reading in a fishing magazine that you can take small drinking water bottles and tie them all together around the neck using 3/16" nylon rope (like a fish stringer) and freeze them like that so you just grab the stringer(s) and toss it in the cooler or fish box. rinse them off when your done and refreeze, plus you have emergency drinking water as needed.
conch posted 09-01-2009 03:11 PM ET (US)
Ice machines (stand alone) are very handy however you must be careful to prevent contamination as that cool clear ice can make you and your family very very sick. Ice sold or served for human consumption has inspections associated with the machine and water source and a log must be maintained in many states.A machine turned on and off is most vulnerable, and never scoop with anything made of glass.
Cheers Chuck

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Author	Topic: Ice Machine/Maker
Newtauk1	posted 08-23-2009 11:34 AM ET (US) Can anyone suggest a quality Ice Machine for filling coolers for food and fishing? I am wondering if it would make sense to make my own ice rather then buying bags all the time making ice blocks in home containers. Are the $300.00 range ones practical? example: http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/IM100.html?mv_pc=dt
WT	posted 08-23-2009 01:14 PM ET (US) I have friends that buy used/going out of business restaurant ice makers that they store at their homes. They use them for making ice to fill their coolers for tuna fishing. Maybe try Craig's List for used restaurant equipment. Warren
deepwater	posted 08-23-2009 01:53 PM ET (US) I guess if you needed 50lbs a week every week and maybe 1 or 2 others needed as much it would pay in the long run,,if your wanting your ice to last longer ,,Many stores sell dri ice,, 4oz of dri ice placed on top of a 100qt cooler full of the wet ice will freeze solid in about 1 hr
number9	posted 08-23-2009 05:59 PM ET (US) "Make up to 35 lbs. of ice cubes per day Stores up to 2.5lbs of ice at a time" Empty it 14 times a day to get 35 lbs? Not very impressive. Any ice coming out of an ice maker is just the freezing point and should be chilled to zero before use.
Bella con23	posted 08-23-2009 06:51 PM ET (US) A good friend of mine has that ice-maker in his rental house in NC. I was not impressed with the output at all. Great for mixed drinks and filling a small cooler for the beach, but that's it. I would go with Warren's idea and see if you can get a commercial unit second hand. We service all size ice-makers in the medical center I work in. The smaller units can churn out 200 lbs a day and you can shut them off during the off days. Joe
Newtauk1	posted 08-23-2009 07:25 PM ET (US) I think you get what you pay for. A used commercial one may be the way to go.
hauptjm	posted 08-24-2009 10:55 AM ET (US) A great source for commercial ice-makers are hotels/motels. Several friends have found them at very lowball prices when the motel remodels or sells and new owners come in. Apparently, they (hotel/motel) change their ice-makers out quite frequently. Some of these machines really crank out a lot of ice.
Newtauk1	posted 08-24-2009 11:04 AM ET (US) Thanks for the great insight.
andygere	posted 08-24-2009 08:37 PM ET (US) Consider how much power you are going to buy to make your ice, and factor that into the net present value calculation. Although much more convenient, a home ice maker is probably a bad investment unless you really use a lot of ice. Since I fish primarily on the weekends, I make ice using the built-in unit in my kitchen fridge. I empty the bin into a trash bag a few days ahead of a trip, and store it in the freezer next to the peas.
HAPPYJIM	posted 08-24-2009 08:45 PM ET (US) I fill 2 liter soft drink bottles and 1 gallon milk jugs and freeze them. Ice cold water to drink and keeps the fish and food cold.
pglein	posted 08-25-2009 11:01 AM ET (US) Boats are a bad investment too. The convenience of an ice maker would be a huge benefit that you can't necessarily put a dollar figure on. I have a friend who has one at their lake cabin. They only turn it own when they need it (like the night before going fishing, or when people are coming from out of town). It's relatively small and fits under the counter in the garage, but it churns out plenty of ice.
Newtauk1	posted 08-25-2009 11:44 AM ET (US) I am think about the endless supply of frozen drinks for after boating evenings:)
Mumbo Jumbo	posted 08-25-2009 12:37 PM ET (US) Manitowoc 210 series commercial ice-maker. Like several posters above have said, it is an investment similar to boat ownership. For those who live on the water, and have a boat at the dock, an ice machine insures that the ice is always there: an important factor for spur of the moment outings like those times when you look out the window and see that the Spanish Moss isn't moving, there is a super high tide cresting in an hour, and you know the Redfish will be tailing in your favorite flat.
hauptjm	posted 08-25-2009 12:50 PM ET (US) I should clarify regarding the cost factor in commercial machines, is that my friends fill 3 - 120+ quart igloos in two or three boats every Saturday and Sunday, plus ice drinks in smaller coolers for these same boats. I'm guessing they go through 200+ pounds of ice weekly. I find most folks that fish regularly in South Louisiana will run two machines almost daily. If they were occasionally fishing then it would not make sense. Keep in mind, the folks I'm speaking of are NOT commercial/professional fisherman.
Scott Grey	posted 08-26-2009 02:26 PM ET (US) I have a 300lb. machine with a 275lb holding bin at my office that is a Scottsman, I think it was around $1,000-1,200 new. A great machine that I haven't had to put a dime into other than water and power for the last 4-5 years. We use it all summer and shut it off in the winter unless we need ice for a weekend in which we plug it in for a few hours and make 30-50 lbs of ice. I would think you could pick one up used for a great price. Once you have one you will wonder how you did it without one. The other thing thats nice is once it is full the machine shuts off and starts and runs maybe 20-30 minutes, 2 times a day. Our machine is in our wharehouse outside without air conditioning in the florida summer. I feel it's pretty good on electricity. my 2 cents
Scott Grey	posted 08-26-2009 02:29 PM ET (US) Or find someone local (buddy) who has one to bum some ice as needed. That's what my friends do on friday afternoons!!
catadromous	posted 08-26-2009 04:23 PM ET (US) The commercial machine seems like the trick, but I have heard that in south Louisiana there are some fellas that do a conversion of a standard window air conditioner to make ice. I'm not sure houw it's done, but am trying to find out. I was told the ice forms in a pipe and is extruded in a slow but continual stream, breaking off as gravity insists. It sounds fascinating. The guy that makes them is in Grand Isle I think.
Newtauk1	posted 08-27-2009 12:41 AM ET (US) I think a commercial one could be had for under $1000.00 used and is the the way to go.I guess I spend $200.00 a season on ice for boating. Add in a few BBQ's and the holidays and it really starts to make sense. I bet it may be a device that once you have you wonder why you waited so long. I do have two buddy's that fish harder than me and could use the ice. Perhaps I will work out a deal with them to offset the cost and supply them with ice.
199213	posted 08-27-2009 02:18 PM ET (US) If I had the space and used a lot of ice I think I'd get an older standup freezer off craigslist. I see them for $0 to $150 all the time. Get a bunch of cube trays and some wax coated 1/2 gallon wax coated cardboard juice containers with the tops cut off for ~3.5lb blocks. Plug it in and fill it 2-3 days before you go out and you should have a couple hundred of pounds of ice on hand.
an86carrera	posted 08-28-2009 07:52 PM ET (US) I just was given this: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/an86carrera/telescopes/IMG_0023. jpg Makes 50lbs a day and stores 35lbs of perfectly clear ice. I have wanted one since I can remember. Vote for Pedro! That is the cabinet maker that gave it to me. Len
myakka	posted 08-29-2009 01:41 PM ET (US) That looks like the one I just removed! Where did he get that?
Landlocked	posted 08-31-2009 12:51 PM ET (US) We've had a few of the consumer models here at work. Big problems with clogging of drain hoses, sticking of float switches and overflows - usually on the weekend when no one is around. If I were considering one, I'd definately buy a commercial version and make sure the drain is properly plumbed. Friends all have chest freezers and use old cottage cheese containers etc to make large blocks. Personally - I think it works better but it is a bit more work. Ll.
Scott Grey	posted 09-01-2009 08:50 AM ET (US) I was reading in a fishing magazine that you can take small drinking water bottles and tie them all together around the neck using 3/16" nylon rope (like a fish stringer) and freeze them like that so you just grab the stringer(s) and toss it in the cooler or fish box. rinse them off when your done and refreeze, plus you have emergency drinking water as needed.
conch	posted 09-01-2009 03:11 PM ET (US) Ice machines (stand alone) are very handy however you must be careful to prevent contamination as that cool clear ice can make you and your family very very sick. Ice sold or served for human consumption has inspections associated with the machine and water source and a log must be maintained in many states.A machine turned on and off is most vulnerable, and never scoop with anything made of glass. Cheers Chuck