Pros and Cons of Owning an Ice Machine for Your Business

Whether you’re opening up your own bar, café, or restaurant, you have lots of decisions to make about the long-term assets and equipment you need. After all, choosing the right equipment for its needs will make the difference between an unsuccessful business versus a successful one. It also means though that you may be feeling under pressure to make the right choices. Some are fortunately obvious, but other you probably haven’t even considered.

This is where commercial ice machines apply. While we do service them at Rep-Air and are more than happy to, you may be wondering if getting one for your business is even worth the trouble. To help you out, here are the pros and cons of owning a commercial ice machine for your new business.

Pro: You’ll always have ice

Everyone knows that ice has its real benefits, no matter what kind of establishment you run. At times it’s a necessary ingredient in mixed drinks and cocktails, as well as smoothies and iced versions of coffee and tea. Icy beverages are definitely a hit in the summer since it’s one of the busiest seasons of the year for most restaurants and bars (we all need to stay cool and hydrated, after all). Ice even has its use if someone gets hurt such as hurting their head by accident, making for good, immediate ice packs to alleviate the pain and headache.

Con: You may always have too much or too large ice

Having large ice can be a pro and a con, because large ice cubes than normal is a sign that something is wrong. Having too much ice, in addition, can also be a hindrance if it’s not ordered often enough by your customers (some people do ask for no ice in their water or other drinks). If your restaurant serves more hot drinks than icy ones, having an ice machine on hand may not be the best choice because then you’re guaranteed to have way too much ice.

Pro: Ice is fresh and appetizing

Ice can add a sense of flair and freshness to the food and beverage products your restaurant serves. It can help people cool off when it’s too uncomfortably hot out and ensure that thirst is quenched. Commercial ice makers can give you and your customers ice that is clear, pure, and always refreshing.

Con: Ice is also a steep expense

Buying a commercial ice machine is an investment. Sure, they may save you money in the long run and make you money if you use it all the time, but the initial cost is also huge. In addition to spending several thousand dollars just to purchase, if you fail to take care of the ice machine then it can cost you big time!

If you want to get the quantity and quality of ice you need day in and day out, it’s worth making such an investment. If you don’t think you’ll use the machine that often, then it’s not worth the expense.

Pro: It’s convenient

If you need ice, you’ll have ice. Convenience really is one of the biggest selling points of a commercial ice machine. Some businesses such as gas stations offer bagged ice for recreational purposes. Other times it can be useful to bag and store extra ice for the busiest times of the day.

Con: All machines requires strict care and cleaning

The last thing you will want your customers to find out is you’ve served them a cocktail containing dirty ice. This slight may seem small, but the consequences are steep. Dirty ice can spread diseases rapidly and in being so it tarnishes even the newest business’s reputation. Commercial ice machines require not only stringent and strict cleaning to be performed, but also it requires that daily.

If you don’t have the time for that…or staff…then don’t bother buying an ice machine. Ice machines require the best care in order to serve clean ice, because no one ever wants the dirty kind.

If a commercial ice machine breaks down, it’s always a bad time too. Specific care and repairs are required to be performed by experts. If you don’t have the funding for even that, then getting a commercial ice machine isn’t worth it.

Like we said, we do service ice machines, so let us know if expert service and maintenance is what you need, or if you need a new commercial ice machine properly installed. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.comand don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!