Choosing the Right Ice Machine – Air Cooled or Water Cooled

Jan 23rd 2013

Once you determine the style of your ice machine as discussed in our article Choosing the Right Ice Machine – Modular vs. Self-Contained the next step will be to choose the cooling method, air or water. In order to make ice, you actually remove heat from water, which in turn makes the temperature drop below the freezing point. Heat is removed via the refrigeration system and then water or air are used in the dissipation process.

Air Cooled Ice Machines

Air cooled machines are by far the most popular ice machines on the market today. These machines use fans and heat syncs to remove heat from the refrigeration system. Many air cooled machines are even Energy Star compliant today which is a drastic change in the marketplace from just a few years ago. The only place you would not really want to use an air cooled machine would be an environment where the ice machine is in hot, humid areas such as outdoors, or kitchens in southern states. When these machines are in those environments, the air that is being blown over the condenser cannot efficiently remove the heat, so the machine will not produce the ice it is rated for. Worst case scenario is that the machine could actually break if it can’t remove enough heat.

Advantages of Air Cooled Machines

Low installation costs
Will meet all local water consumption standards
Energy efficient

Disadvantages of Air Cooled Machines

Hot air discharge will increase the temperature of the room the ice machine is in
Needs venting on the sides or top (depending on where the discharge is)
Maximum ice capacity may be reduced in warmer environments

Water Cooled Ice Machines

Water cooled machines are the most efficient type of machine for removing heat from the machine, but in doing so, use a large amount of fresh water. Rather than having air blown over the evaporator, water is passed over the coils to remove the heat. Once the water has passed over the coils, it is then sent down the drain and can’t be re-used. Since water is being used and not air, the ambient temperature does not have any effect on the production capacity of the machine. Many cities and towns have water conservation laws on the books and have banned the use of water cooled machines because of the amounts of water that is used.

Advantages of Water Cooled Machines

Does not increase the ambient temperature of the room the ice machine is installed in
Most effective way of removing heat from the refrigeration system
Can be used in any type of temperature environment

Disadvantages of Water Cooled Machines

Uses a lot of water – roughly 100 gallons for each 100 pounds of ice produced
Can increase the operator’s water and sewer bills