What We Do: Ice Machines

This month we are kicking off a two-month-long series answering a question we get all the time: what exactly does Memphis Ice do?

Part 1 will carry us through August. It is all about the equipment we offer, ice machines, refrigeration, dispensers, and storage. In September’s Part 2, we will dig into the services behind the equipment, from sales and rental to preventative maintenance and service calls. Let’s start with where it all begins.

If there is one thing people expect us to know inside and out, it is ice machines. It is right there in our name, after all. But “ice machine” covers a lot more ground than most people realize, and part of what we do at Memphis Ice is help businesses figure out exactly which type of machine actually fits their needs.

More Than One Kind of Ice

Ask ten different business owners what kind of ice they need, and you might get ten different answers, and all of them could be right. Cube ice is a classic choice for bars and restaurants because it looks great in a glass and melts at a manageable rate. Nugget ice, sometimes called chewable ice, has become wildly popular for its softer texture, especially in the beverage and healthcare world. Flake ice is a go-to for seafood displays, produce cases, and anywhere product needs to stay cold and presentable.

We carry modular options in all three, flake, nugget, and cube, which means the ice-making head sits separately from the storage bin, giving businesses flexibility in how they configure their setup. For tighter spaces, we also offer undercounter models in flake and nugget varieties, along with self-contained cube machines that combine the maker and storage bin into a single, space-saving unit.

Not Just for Restaurants

While restaurants and bars make up a huge part of who we serve, ice machines show up in all kinds of places you might not expect. We also carry home ice machine models for people who want restaurant-quality ice without the restaurant. And for businesses that need ice moved efficiently from one place to another, whether that is between a machine and a bin or across a facility, we offer ice shuttle and transport solutions that make handling large volumes of ice a lot less labor-intensive.

Trusted Brands, Honest Recommendations

We carry equipment from some of the most respected names in the industry, including Scotsman, Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, Ice-O-Matic, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool, among others. Having options across multiple trusted brands means we are not locked into pushing one manufacturer regardless of whether it is the right fit. Instead, we can match you with the machine that actually makes sense for your volume, space, and budget.

This matters more than people think. The wrong machine, even a well-made one, in the wrong setting leads to problems, whether that is a unit that cannot keep up with demand or one that is bigger and more expensive than a business actually needs. Part of what we do is have that honest conversation up front so you are not stuck with a mismatch down the road.

Sizing It Right

One of the most common questions we get is some version of “how much ice do I actually need?” It depends on a lot of factors: type of business, peak hours, seating capacity, and whether ice is a supporting player or a central part of what you serve, like at a snow cone stand or juice bar.

We walk through these details with every customer because guessing leads to problems. Too small a machine and you are constantly running out during your busiest hours. Too large and you are paying more upfront and in energy costs than you need to.

Built to Last, With Support Behind It

An ice machine is not something you want to think about often once it is installed, and that is exactly the goal. We stand behind everything we sell with proper installation, and our team is available for maintenance and repairs down the road, so a purchase from us is never a one-and-done transaction. It is the start of an ongoing relationship.

Rent or Buy, the Choice Is Yours

Not ready to commit to buying? We also offer rental options across many of these same machine types, so businesses with seasonal needs, temporary demand, or newer operations still figuring out their long-term equipment plan have a flexible way to get the ice they need without a big upfront investment.

Let’s Find Your Match

Whether you are outfitting a new restaurant, replacing an aging unit, or just curious what type of ice might work best for your business, we would love to help you figure it out. No pressure, no upselling, just an honest conversation about what will actually work.

Give us a call at 901-235-3760 or visit memphisice.com to talk through your options. Keeping Memphis in ice since 1977, one machine at a time.

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More From This Series: What We Do, Part 1

• Ice Machines
• Refrigeration
• Dispensers
• Storage