Curious to know more about the airy, nugget-like pieces of ice you find in restaurants? Read this pellet ice maker guide to find out which makers are used and what to know before you buy one on www.icemakershub.com

Ice Maker Buyer’s Guide That Answers All the Questions

Have you ever been to a cocktail bar or restaurant and had your drink filled with soft, chewable ice? You must have wondered why the ice tasted so different from the regular cubes that are hard to chew and can damage your teeth.

Unlike the crushed variety, pellet ice is made using a maker whose goal is to provide chewable pieces that do not hurt your teeth. This type of ice was popularized by Sonic, an American fast food joint that soon became popular for its refreshing drinks.

What is so good about the pellet? There are three reasons why it is so popular:

·         It is so light that it floats on the drink – its airy property makes it one of the best garnishes for cocktails and other refreshing drinks.

·         It melts slower than other types – the air pockets incorporated in the pellet provide insulation and slow down the melting rate. A drink that has pellet ice will not get watered down fast and will stay cooler for longer than that with crushed/regular ice.

·         It is safe and satisfying to chew on – chewing regular ice will hurt your teeth. However, pellet ice is so soft that chewing on it does not affect your teeth. It also has the perfect combination of crunch and softness that makes it quite satisfying to chew.

Is there a difference between pellets and crushed ice? Although both of them are used for the same purpose, here are a few differences between them:

Why Purchase an Ice Maker?

You must be wondering whether you need an ice maker pellet. There is more than one scenario that requires you to have this maker:

·         If you own a restaurant or bar – having an ice maker is good, but one that makes pellet ice is even better. Why? This ice will improve the appearance of drinks, keep drinks fresh for longer, and attract customers who love chewable pellets.

·         If you live in a hot area or one that has unbearably hot summers – a home pellet ice maker is a worthy investment for those living in hot climates. Instead of spending hours crushing ice, all you have to do is power up the maker and get your pellet ice.

·         If you host a lot of guests and serve a lot of cocktails – a portable pellet ice maker can come in handy at parties because you can always bring it with you and serve refreshing drinks. The best part is that the pellet is blender friendly, which makes it perfect for an amateur host.

·         If you cannot afford to buy pellets each time you need them – although it might seem cheaper to buy pellet ice, having a maker is a more viable, long term solution, especially for businesses. After the initial expense, all you need is electricity and water.

The Process Behind Pellet Ice

This type is made up of compressed water and air pockets. To achieve the perfect balance of air and water, the ice pellet maker works uniquely. The water passes through a metallic container where it is cooled and frozen. Unlike ordinary cubes, the water in this pellet maker does not freeze in individual pieces.

The water freezes in horizontal sheets that protrude out of the container’s sides. A scraper constantly shaves these protrusions off the walls and creates ice flakes. A metal tube shapes these flakes into pellets and dispenses them for use. This entire process takes a few minutes.

Key Considerations Before Your Purchase

Like for any other product you intend to buy, there are several qualities you should look out for to get the best pellet maker that money can buy. The quality of the ice formed will be your number one concern. Most pellet makers that offer production in large volumes do not yield perfect pellets.

The capacity is also of concern based on your projected use. If you are shopping for a commercial pellet ice maker, look for a large machine with a capacity of not less than 85lbs. This size is enough to meet a restaurant’s daily needs. If you only need one for home use, a small pellet ice maker will do. These are usually portable and fit under your kitchen counter. They are sufficient for most households.

Unless you are a qualified plumber or someone knowledgeable about drainage systems, you might want to steer clear of makers that require complicated installation and setup. A portable pellet maker is ready to use and, therefore, the best fit for an amateur ice maker. However, setting up large units requires several processes that will force you to call a plumber.

Look out for a pellet maker that is not only easy to use but also to clean. A pellet ice maker for home use will quickly become an inconvenience if you have to refer to the manufacturer’s brochure each time you want to clean it. Although having a variety of settings and size options increases the maker versatility, it is not worth the hassle if you do not know how to operate the maker. It is much better to buy a small, portable maker that one can easily operate and clean whenever you need to.

Your budget matters. Although most of these makers are small and affordable, a few are larger and much more expensive. The price might not be an issue when buying a pellet ice maker for home, but you will have to check the tags when buying one for commercial use. The trick is to find a balance between usability, durability, and price.

A pellet maker might seem like a luxury until you find yourself struggling with hard ice cubes that water down your drink and are not chewable. An ice maker is a neat addition to any business or household because it makes drinks that look and taste good. When shopping for one of these makers, it is important to consider the capacity, ease of setup, ease of use, and price.