140, 180, 320, 450 or 900 kg ice machine: which one is right for your business
Choosing the size of an ice vending machine is the decision that weighs most on your business. If you go too small, you run out of ice right in the hottest hours. If you go too big, you pay for a larger machine, more electricity and more space than you need. Here we compare the models we manufacture so you can choose based on data.
First: how much ice sells at your location
A machine's output is measured in kilos per day at an ambient temperature of 20 °C. In hotter weather it produces a little less, and that is exactly when sales peak. That is why it is best to choose with some headroom. To estimate your sales, think about how many bags the nearby shops sell on a hot weekend and multiply by the weight of each bag.
The machine also stores ice that is already made (storage). That ice covers the peaks: Saturday afternoon, a neighborhood party or a beach day.
Model comparison
| Model | Daily output | Storage | Approx. power | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140 kg bulk | 140 kg | 60 kg | 2 kW | Your first location, or a shop that wants to add ice. Takes up only 0.70 × 0.80 m. |
| 160 kg bagged and bulk | 160 kg | 60 kg | 1.6 kW | A neighborhood or shop that wants to sell sealed bags without a large machine. |
| 180 kg bagged and bulk | 180 kg | 120 kg | 2.5 kW | A location with steady sales and weekend peaks: it stores twice as much as the 140 and 160 kg models. |
| 320 kg bagged and bulk | 320 kg | 120 kg | 3.3 kW | Large neighborhoods, beaches and highways. Same cabinet size as the 180 kg model. |
| 450 kg bagged and bulk | 450 kg | 110 kg | 3.75 kW | High sales all year round and bags of up to 7 kg for businesses. |
| 900 kg bagged and bulk | 900 kg | 150 kg | 6.2 kW | Distributors and high-demand areas. Uses 380 V or 220 V. |
A detail that is often overlooked: the 180 and 320 kg models have the same cabinet (1.10 × 1.19 × 2.25 m). If your space fits one, it fits the other, and the difference is in output and electricity.
Bagged or bulk
With bulk, the customer brings a cooler and the machine weighs what they buy; it is the simplest option. With bags, the machine bags and seals on its own in 3 to 4 seconds using food-grade bags, and the customer takes it ready to go. Most models sell both ways at the same time, with buttons you set to the weights most requested.
Power, water and space
- Power: almost all of them run on 220 V. Consumption grows with size (from 1.6 to 6.2 kW), so check your electricity contract before choosing a large one.
- Water: mains connection with pressure above 0.2 MPa. The machine purifies the water by reverse osmosis before making ice.
- Drain: 1/2" threaded connection.
- Roof: the machine goes indoors or outdoors under a roof, between 1 and 38 °C.
What if you also sell water?
If water jugs sell in your neighborhood, the station with 450 kg of ice plus 3000 liters of purified water per day puts both businesses in a single 1.70 × 1.18 m cabinet, with water in 5, 10 and 20 liters.
Lead times and warranty
All of them are made to order: 15 to 55 business days depending on the model, plus sea shipping of 30 to 58 business days or air shipping of 15 to 29 business days. In Mexico the DDP price already includes freight, duties and taxes to the stated city. The warranty is 12 months from leaving the factory and covers parts against manufacturing defects.
In short
- Just starting or short on space: 140 or 160 kg.
- Steady sales with weekend peaks: 180 kg.
- High-traffic location: 320 or 450 kg.
- Distribution: 900 kg.
See all models in Ice and water machines, or message us on WhatsApp at +1 (555) 967-3577 with your city and type of location, and we will recommend a model.