Monthly Archives: November 2025

How the four Hoshizaki ice types differ

The best ice is not simply the style that looks most attractive. Shape, hardness, texture and displacement affect drinks, food displays, dispensing and handling. Hoshizaki offers different equipment families because a restaurant beverage station, healthcare dispenser, seafood display and cocktail program do not have the same operating needs.

Undercounter and modular describe an ice machine's physical configuration. An undercounter model generally combines the ice-making equipment and built-in storage in one cabinet. A modular ice maker is a separate production head that must be matched to a compatible bin or dispenser.

Quick answer: Choose an undercounter unit when compact footprint, built-in storage, and point-of-use access matter most. Choose a modular machine when the required production or storage exceeds the practical capacity of an undercounter model.

• Undercounter: compact integrated format; verify cabinet dimensions, door swing, ventilation, drain, and usable storage.
• Modular: separate ice-making head; requires a compatible bin or dispenser and any specified adapter or top kit.
• Always verify: exact production rating, condenser type, utilities, clearances, storage compatibility, and service access.

A remote-condensed Hoshizaki ice machine moves condenser heat and much of the associated sound away from the ice-making location. An integral-condenser model rejects heat at the machine through air or condenser water, depending on the exact model. Condenser location is a separate decision from whether the ice maker is modular or includes built-in storage.

Quick answer: Choose remote condensing when relocating heat and sound justifies the additional condenser, refrigerant-line, electrical, roof or exterior-location, and service requirements. Choose an integral condenser when the simpler installation fits the room's ventilation, heat, sound, water, drainage, and utility limits.

• Remote-condensed: Uses a separately installed compatible condenser. Follow the exact Hoshizaki equipment pairing, line-set limits, electrical requirements, clearances, and installation instructions.
• Integral air-cooled: Rejects heat

Air-cooled and water-cooled describe how an ice machine rejects heat. The better choice depends on ventilation, ambient conditions, water availability and cost, utility capacity, installation requirements, and the exact model’s published performance.

Who

Accurate ice-machine sizing starts with the busiest day and busiest service period—not a casual average. Match that demand to the machine’s published production under the expected ambient-air and inlet-water conditions, then pair the machine with enough compatible storage for the way your operation actually uses ice.

Who This Sizing Guide Is For

This guide is for restaurants, bars, hotels, healthcare facilities, schools, and other operations purchasing or replacing a commercial ice machine. Correct sizing helps reduce the risk