Hoshizaki FAQs

Ice, Ice Maker, Ice Cuber, Ice Flaker FAQs

What type of ice do I need for my operation?

  • Crescent Shaped Cube - unique, individual cube which is Hoshizaki’s signature “World’s Most Perfect Ice” this ice is hard, pure, and clear with excellent displacement. Use in any operation - restaurants, foodservice concessions, bars, convenience store, hospitality, correctional facility.
  • Square Cube – individual, square cube which was developed for signature drinks. Use in bars, restaurants, hospitality
  • Cubelet Ice – pellet shaped ice which is perfect for chewing.  Quickly cools drinks. Use in healthcare, restaurants, convenient stores, and business suites
  • Flaked Ice – soft, light slivers of ice which mold well for display and quick cool down. Use in supermarket, fish markets, healthcare, foodservice operation, convenience store.
  • Top Hat Ice –individual, clear, hard and round cubes. Gourmet cubes perfect for drinks. Use in home, suite, hospitality and business pantry.

What is a IM cuber ice machine?

The Hoshizaki square cuber machines produce individual, hard, clear square cubes. Cube ice makers are most commonly used for bars and restaurants. Hoshizaki cuber ice machines are stackable units with a fully compartmentalized design and sanitation. They have a durable stainless steel exterior with a removable air filter.  They feature EverCheck® control guard. Hoshizaki cuber machines are ENERGY STAR® qualified and offer utility rebates.

What is a KM crescent cuber machine?

The Hoshizaki crescent cuber ice machine is most commonly used for restaurants, concession stands, bars, convenience stores, and hospitality. It is designed to produce individual hard, clear crescent ice cubes. It features a fully compartmentalized design and sanitation, and dual stainless steel evaporator. It features CycleSaver® design, EverCheck® Control Board, and H-Guard Plus Antimicrobial agent. It comes in either stacker, modular or self-contained models. Depending on the model, it can produce anywhere from 315 to 2,424 pounds per day.
ENERGY STAR® qualified and offer utility rebates.

What is a flaker ice machine?

The Hoshizaki flaker ice machine comes in either self-contained or modular modes. Hoshizaki flaker ice machines feature an anti-magnetic stainless steel exterior, graphite sleeve bearings, and sealed gear housing. It is the industry’s only greaseless bearing design. Hoshizaki flaker ice machines feature a CleanCycle® design, which provides an automatic, 15-minute rinse every 12 hours. ENERGY STAR® qualified and offer utility rebates.

What is an AM  ice machine?

Top hat ice is individual, hard, clear, round-shaped ice. Hoshizaki top hat ice machines feature stainless steel exterior or can be fit to custom cabinetry. Models comply with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and are UL approved for outdoor use. It is designed with a swing-style reversible door. The power switch is accessible without panel removal. Cuber ice machines are self-contained and designed with built-in storage bins.
 

What is a cublet ice machine?

Cublet ice is chewable, soft, light, small pellet ice shapes. They are most common for restaurants, healthcare, convenience stores, and business & industry markets. Hoshizaki cublet ice machines feature a stainless steel exterior and a freezing cylinder made from cast stainless steel. It features a CleanCycle12® design, which provides a 15-minute rinse every 12 hours. Hoshizaki ice machines are the foodservice industry’s only greaseless bearing design. ENERGY STAR® qualified and offer utility rebates.

What is an undercounter ice machine used for?

Hoshizaki undercounter units are normally self-contained, with the ice machine and bin attached together in a 36-39 height to fit undercounters. They are best for smaller businesses that want their equipment contained to a specific area of their operations.


What is a modular ice machine used for?

Modular units use bins to collect the finished ice. They are often used for high-volume operations and can also be paired with dispensers to simplify their use.

Are Hoshizaki ice machines ENERGY STAR® rated?

Hoshizaki products meet ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy efficiency, and may be eligible for rebates.

How much ice does my business need?

  • Restaurants use an average of 2 pounds of ice per customer per day.
  • School and universities  average about 1.5 pounds daily per student per day
  • Hospitals cafeterias use about 1 pound of ice per person per day and an average of 10 pounds per bed.
  • Bars and cocktail lounges use about 3 pounds of ice per seat
  • Hotels, motels and lodging use about 5 pounds of ice per room
  • Caterers use about 1.5 pounds of ice per person
  • All businesses should add an additional 20-25% to accommodate for future business growth.

What size ice machine do I need?

When determining what size ice machine to order, identify the seating capacity and turnover, as well as the hours of operation and peak hours of business. Add the number of seats in the bar, if applicable. Factor in the size of glassware and serving size. Be sure to include other uses for ice such as a salad bar, display cases and storage bins. Check www.hoshizakiamerica.com for ice sizing guide.
 

How Do I Clean an Ice Machine?

Cleaning instructions are located on the inside front panel of every unit.

First, remove all the ice from the bin. Next, turn the water off and drain the water sump tank. Hoshizaki recommends using LIME–A-WAY or Hoshizaki Scale Away to clean the ice machine. Pour the solution inside the sump and move the toggle switch to the wash position. The KM units also have an additional cleaning valve that should be moved to the open or clean position. This will allow the cleaning solution to flow in between the evaporator plates as well as over the ice making side of the plate. Leave this valve open for about 5 minutes at the beginning of the cleaning cycle, and then close it to make ice. The compressor will not operate unless this valve is completely closed. Switch the unit to “Drain” to circulate the cleaning solution. The solution should be circulated until the unit is clean. This may require a substantial amount of time depending on how dirty the unit is. For more information on cleaning ice machines, visit http://www.trimarkusa.com/manufacturers/hoshizaki-america. Search for the ice machine model and click on “Resources.”
 

Why is my ice maker not making ice?

Be sure that the on/off switch on the ice maker is turned on. Check power/breaker on.  Contact your local service agent   www.hoshizakiamerica.com for service company locator.
 

Why is my ice maker running out of ice?

If not a peak in operation ice usage or general increase in ice consumption. When the ice machines drop about once an hour and produce larger than normal ice cubes, this usually means that the float switch is stuck or closed. Clean the float switch with ice machine cleaner and check the operation with a quality ohm meter. You may need to replace a float switch that doesn’t check properly after you clean it. Check www.hoshizakiamerica.com for additional information or service locator.
 

What if my ice maker freezes up?

First, clean the evaporator and check the water flow (proper filter and line size, clean filter, and clean inlet water valve screen), following the procedures outlined on the inside front cover of the unit. Check the water valve to assure that no water is leaking. Also, be sure the bin control valve is not in the closed position, is out of position.

How often should I change my Hoshizaki ice filters?

Hoshizaki ice filters should be changed about twice a year.
 

What is CycleSaver Design?

CycleSaver Design produces the same quantity of ice in half the time of other ice machines. This results in a longer lifetime for your ice machine.


What is CleanCycle 12?

The Clean Cycle 12 design performs a 15 minute purge every 12 hours, for a longer machine life and cleaner pure ice
 

What is the EverCheck System?

The EverCheck Control Board™ system sounds an audible warning when service is needed.