6 Amazing Ice Shapes Made by Ice Makers
Everyone is familiar with the good old-fashioned ice cube, but unless you work in the food service industry, you probably don’t know that there are many kinds of ice. There are many uses for ice, which is why ice comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. These chilly variations wouldn’t be possible without ice makers and machines.
There are six major types of ice that you may come across when using an ice maker. From cubes and nuggets to flakes and crescents, there’s a shape for every pressing ice need. By understanding the different types and shapes of ice, you can make a better-informed decision about what kind to use. Not all ice is created equal, and a particular type might be perfect for beverages but won’t work as well with food displays. Let’s begin.
1. Nuggets
Also known as Sonic ice after the drive-in fast food restaurant, nugget-shaped ice is soft and easily chewable. One of this ice shape’s main benefits is it blends with drinks well. Any beverage cooled and mixed with nugget ice holds its flavour. This makes nugget-shaped ice perfect for food service establishments. Unlike other types of ice produced by ice makers, nugget ice rarely stick together and melts slowly.
Nugget ice is also perfect for carbonated drinks such as soda as well as blended cocktails. Some establishments also use nugget ice to keep the food in produce displays and salad bars cool and fresh.
2. Flakes
Apart from the ice cube, ice flakes are probably the most popular form of ice. They are often used for snow cones and other ice flake-based desserts. Blended drinks also use ice flakes since its soft and flaky texture allows for easier blending.
This form of ice is favoured for its pleasant appearance, as well as longevity. Ice flakes are often used to keep displayed food such as meat, seafood and vegetables cool and fresh.
Ice flakes are also ideal for displays since it can relatively keep for a longer time. As a result, food displays are better hydrated and preserved for a longer period of time. And since it can be packed into any shape, it is also the ice shape of choice for transporting perishable food.
3. Full Cubes
This ice shape is the most common. If you have a refrigerator with an ice tray, then you can make full-cubed ice. Its form makes it ideal for just about any kind of drink. It’s also easier to make, which is why most bars, restaurants, fast food establishments and convenience stores use full-cubed ice for their beverages. Most ice dispensers and retailers also produce full cubes.
The full-cubed form, depending on the size, help quickly cool any beverage. Its size also means that they are slow to melt, which is why they are a food service industry mainstay. Full cubes are also used in commercial and industrial establishments for bulk bagging or cooling.
4. Half Cubes
As one can infer from the name, half cubes are about half the size of full-cubed ice. One would even say that its shape somewhat resembles a pat of butter.
Half-cubed ice is easy to handle and blend well into many beverages. They are also really easy to dispense. While not as popular as full cubes, half-cubed ice has been embraced by the food service industry. Many businesses have voiced a need for ice that’s smaller than a full cube but more substantial than ice flakes. Some of the drinks commonly mixed with half cubes include ice coffee and mixed cocktails.
5. Crescent
This type of ice gets its name from its half-moon, crescent shape. Its unique shape allows beverages to easily flow over it. This type of ice also rarely sticks together. The result is less drink splash and improved displacement for beverages. Since it’s smaller than other ice forms, you also get to store more within the ice bin.
Crescent ice, while not as common as the others, is very versatile. It can be deployed across a wide spectrum of applications. Use this type of ice if you want to reduce drink splashing out of a container. You need an ice maker to make crescent ice.
6. Gourmet
As the name implies, gourmet ice cubes are used by upscale restaurants and high-end caterers for banquets and special occasions. Its unique shape allows drinks to hold its flavour. It does not dilute beverages as quick as the other ice types.
Gourmet ice is free of imperfections, almost transparent, odourless and melts slower compared to other ice types. This type of ice is shaped like a shot glass, and coupled with its translucence, makes for a very beautiful and striking look. Gourmet ice can only be produced with a specialised ice maker.
