Sizing the Best Ice Maker for Your Business

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If you’re wondering what size ice machine you need, you’re not alone. The amount of ice each industry needs is different, so The Iceologists at Easy Ice have created a list of typical ice needs for specific industries. By following this list, you can get a good estimate of the amount of ice you need to choose the best ice maker. Keep in mind, this is a midrange calculation and your specific ice needs may vary.

What Size Ice Machine Do I Need?


Hospitals and healthcare clinics typically need the most ice per person. You can measure your ice needs by taking the amount of ice a patient needs daily (10 lbs.) and multiply it be the number of patients you typically care for day to day. Don’t forget to account for your visitors and staff.

Restaurants and Bars

To the right you’ll find the general amount of ice you need per customer, but it’s also important to consider how much ice you use outside of drinks. Ice is also used to prep food or shock vegetables. If you know your kitchen uses ice, factor that into your total ice usage. What about beer tubs during game days? Again, ice is used in a lot of areas when it comes to restaurants and bars. Don’t short yourself.

Convenience Stores

Convenience stores need to think about the volume of fountain drinks per day. Running out of ice can end up hurting your establishment. Easy Ice is available to help you calculate the amount you need for your specific location, so you can find the best ice makers to install on top of your soda dispensers.


Approximate Daily Use

Hotel5 lbs. Per guest
Hospital10 lbs. Per patient
Restaurant1.5 lbs. Per customer
Bar/Cocktail3 lbs. Per customer
Cafeteria1 lb. Per customer
Quick Serve
5 oz. Per 7-10 oz. drink
8 oz. Per 12-16 oz. drink
12 oz. Per 18-24 oz. drink
Seafood/Deli Counter
and Display
30 lbs. of ice per cubic foot
Convenience Store6 oz. Per 12 oz. drink
10 oz. Per 20 oz. drink
16 oz. Per 32 oz. drink


Let Easy Ice Size Your Commercial Ice Machine

Sizing a unit can be a complicated process, but with Easy Ice, a team of industry experts are on hand to help you figure out what size ice machine you need.