The right ice for the serve
Cube, nugget, flake, or gourmet — ice shape affects drink presentation, cooling speed, and product display. We match the ice type to how it will be used.
Applications
Bar Ice Machines
- Model recommendation within 24 hours
- 25kg to 5 tons/day capacity range
- Voltage and cooling adapted to your market
Cube / Gourmettypical ice types
25–100kg/24hrecommended daily capacity
Scenario needs
What a bar ice machine setup actually demands
Choosing by price sheet alone is how buyers end up with the wrong machine. These four factors decide whether the machine works in your scenario.
Capacity with peak headroom
Daily output is rated over 24 hours — but your demand peaks in hours. We size machines and bins so you never run out mid-service.
Fits the space and climate
Undercounter, countertop, or modular; air-cooled or water-cooled for hot environments — installation constraints narrow the choice fast.
Hygiene and easy upkeep
One-button self-cleaning, water filtration, and food-safe materials keep ice safe and maintenance simple for daily commercial use.
Recommended models
Ice machines proven in bar ice machine use
A starting selection for this scenario. Tell us your daily demand and space constraints for an exact recommendation.
25kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-25BT
The AP-25BT represents the pinnacle of compact ice-making technology, carrying the legacy of China’s first countertop cube ice…
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35kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine KT-36
The KT-36 is a high-performance, compact commercial cube ice machine designed for the rigorous demands of the B2B…
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40kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine KN-40
The KN-40 and KS-36 series represent a high-efficiency solution for commercial ice production, designed to meet the rigorous…
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40kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine KS-36
The KN-40 and KS-36 series represent a high-efficiency solution for commercial ice production, designed to meet the rigorous…
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45kg Commercial Snowflake Ice Machine KL-45
High-Efficiency Performance | Wanbao Compressor | Food-Grade 304 Stainless Steel
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50kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine KS-50
The KS-50 is a powerhouse in the commercial cube ice maker series, specifically engineered for high-demand environments such…
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50kg Commercial Gourmet Ice Machine G8H-32PG
Crystal Clear "Jelly Ice" | Spanish Cubigel Compressor | Professional Spray-Type Technology
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60kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine KX-55
The KX-55 is a high-performance commercial cube ice maker engineered for businesses that demand reliability and flexibility. With…
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60kg Commercial Snowflake Ice Machine KL-60
High-Performance Cooling | Wanbao Compressor | Food-Grade 304 Stainless Steel
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70kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine KX-65
The KX-65 is a high-performance commercial ice machine engineered for businesses that require a step up in daily…
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80kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine KX-78
The 80kg series (KX-78, KM-78, and AP-78P) is engineered for high-demand commercial environments, including medium-sized restaurants, busy bars,…
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80kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine KM-78
The 80kg series (KX-78, KM-78, and AP-78P) is engineered for high-demand commercial environments, including medium-sized restaurants, busy bars,…
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80kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-78P
The 80kg series (KX-78, KM-78, and AP-78P) is engineered for high-demand commercial environments, including medium-sized restaurants, busy bars,…
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90kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine KM-90
The KM-90 is a high-performance, large-capacity commercial ice maker designed for high-traffic environments that demand a constant and…
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100kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-180P
The AP-180P is a heavy-duty commercial ice solution designed for high-traffic establishments such as large restaurants, busy milk…
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100kg Commercial Snowflake Ice Machine KL-100
Commercial-Grade Performance | Wanbao Power | Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel
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120kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-220P
The AP-220P is an industrial-grade ice-making solution designed for high-traffic commercial environments that require a massive and consistent…
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140kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-260P
The AP-260P is the premier, high-capacity model in our commercial ice maker series, specifically engineered for industrial-scale demands.…
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150kg Commercial Snowflake Ice Machine KL-150
High-Output Efficiency | 70kg Massive Storage | Premium Wanbao Compression
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200kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-300P
The AP-300P is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade split-type ice machine designed for environments with massive ice requirements. Delivering a…
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200kg Commercial Snowflake Ice Machine KL-200
Maximum Volume | 70kg Storage Capacity | Heavy-Duty Wanbao Compressor
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200kg Commercial Flake Ice Machine KP-200
Sub-Cooled Dry Flake Ice | Highly or Panasonic Compressor | 304 Stainless Steel Evaporator
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250kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-350P
The AP-350P is a top-tier, commercial-grade split-type ice machine engineered for venues with intensive ice requirements. Delivering an…
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280kg Commercial Snowflake Ice Machine KL-280
Industrial Split-Type Design | Highly Compressor | 140kg Massive Storage
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300kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-500P
The AP-500P is a top-tier commercial-grade split-type ice machine engineered for high-demand venues requiring massive daily output. Delivering…
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300kg Commercial Flake Ice Machine KP-300
Sub-Cooled Dry Flake Ice | Highly or Panasonic Compressor | 304 Stainless Steel Evaporator
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350kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-600P
The AP-600P is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade split-type ice machine designed for establishments with the most demanding ice requirements.…
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350kg Commercial Snowflake Ice Machine KL-350
Flagship High-Capacity Output | Highly (Hitachi JV) Compressor | Industrial Precision
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400kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-800P
The AP-800P is a high-performance commercial split-type ice machine engineered for venues with massive daily ice requirements. Delivering…
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500kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-1000P
The AP-1000P is a high-capacity, commercial-grade split-type ice machine designed for the most demanding large-scale operations. Delivering a…
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500kg Commercial Snowflake Ice Machine KL-500
Industrial-Scale Production | Highly High-End Compressor | 200kg Massive Storage Bin
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600kg Commercial Cube Ice Machine AP-1300P
The AP-1300P is the high-performance flagship of our commercial split-type series, engineered for massive ice requirements. Delivering a…
View detailsThe ice program
Design the ice program before the machine list
No commercial buyer thinks harder about ice than a bar — dilution is a recipe variable. Decide which ice goes in which drinks first, and the equipment list almost writes itself.
House tier: standard cube
Full cubes for shaking, stirring, highballs, and soft drinks — the volume workhorse of every well.
Premium tier: large or gourmet
Large cube or gourmet clear ice for neat-over spirits and signature serves, where one slow-melting piece visibly justifies the price.
Crushed tier: nugget
A nugget machine covers crushed-ice drinks with consistent texture — no hand-cracking mid-rush.
Per-station equipment
One undercounter unit per main station keeps ice at arm's reach and bartenders pouring, not walking.
Sizing reference
Sizing a bar ice supply
| Factor | Rule |
|---|---|
| Nightly volume | 1–1.5kg per seat for cocktail-led venues — a 60-seat bar is a 60–90kg night before headroom |
| Demand shape | A 4–5 hour cliff, not an even curve — bin buffer matters more than hourly production |
| Stations | One undercounter unit per main station; a single distant cabinet costs steps all night |
| Backup supply | Venues with dining attached add a back-of-house cabinet — see restaurant sizing |
| Environment | Hot enclosed bar backs derate output; noise ratings matter because machines live in the guest space |
Premium serves
Making the premium tier pay
One piece per serve
Count premium drinks per night — 150 serves is roughly 25–30kg, comfortably inside a 25–90kg gourmet or large-cube unit.
Keep the tiers separate
Premium ice reserved for drinks that bill for it; shaking and chilling run on house cubes from their own machine.
Judge it in real drinks
Single-unit samples let the bar team evaluate clarity and melt rate in service before a venue or group order.
Sizing guide
Three steps to the right machine
- 01
Estimate daily demand
Work from covers, seats, or output per day. When in doubt, size up — rated capacity drops in hot ambient conditions.
- 02
Pick the ice type
Match ice shape to the serve: cubes for drinks, nugget for chewable ice, flake for display and cooling, gourmet for premium bars.
- 03
Confirm the configuration
Built-in bin or modular, air- or water-cooled, voltage and certifications for your country — then request the factory quote.
Why choose us
Why bar ice machine buyers choose KAISON
As a one-stop commercial refrigeration solution provider, KAISON combines proven experience, flexible service, source-factory pricing, and strict quality control for B2B buyers.
Experience
Serving 30+ well-known brands and 10+ leading cross-border e-commerce sellers through OEM/ODM cooperation.
Service
Full category coverage, flexible sampling, fast delivery schedules, and worry-free after-sales support.
Price
Own factory close to Ningbo port with source-level procurement advantages in the refrigeration industrial cluster.
Quality
Laboratory transport-simulation testing, with every machine passing 2+ hours of quality inspection before packing.
Factory manufacturing
Built by a manufacturer, not a trading company
Machines recommended for bar ice machine use ship from KAISON's own 20,000㎡ factory in Cixi, Ningbo — cutting, welding, foaming, assembly, and testing all under one roof.
1998Established
80,000+Units exported annually
200+Commercial refrigeration models
ISO/CEExport compliance support
Custom process
Want your own brand for your bar ice machine business?
Logo, panel finish, and packaging can be customized on any recommended model through KAISON's OEM/ODM program — from sample approval to mass production.
- 01
Requirement & Design
Confirm ice type, capacity, voltage, and branding needs, then get a model recommendation and cost analysis.
- 02
Prototype & Sample Approval
Logo, panel, and packaging customization tested and refined until you approve the pre-production sample.
- 03
Mass Production & Testing
Incoming inspection, assembly, and 100% performance testing before packing — no untested unit ships.
- 04
Delivery & After-sales
Export packaging under EXW/FOB/CIF/DDP terms, with installation videos and remote technical support after handover.
FAQ
Questions bar ice machine buyers ask
How much ice does a bar use per night?
Plan 1–1.5kg per seat for a cocktail-led venue — a 60-seat bar is a 60–90kg night before headroom. Club-style volume service runs higher; send your format and KAISON will size it.
Why do bars run two tiers of ice?
House cube ice covers shaking, stirring, and highballs; a premium large-cube or gourmet tier serves spirits and signature drinks where one clear, slow-melting piece visibly supports the price. Two tiers, two machines.
Is bin size or production speed more important for a bar?
Bin buffer. Bar demand is a 4–5 hour cliff, not an even curve — the bin must carry the rush, and the machine refills overnight. Size the buffer to your busiest window.
One big ice machine or one per station?
One undercounter unit per main station keeps ice within arm's reach and bartenders pouring. A single distant cabinet costs steps all night — the most common bar layout mistake.
Do ice machines behind a bar have noise issues?
They live in the guest space, so check noise ratings and choose purpose-built undercounter models. KAISON specs list noise levels; ask if your venue is acoustically sensitive.
What about crushed ice for cocktails?
A nugget machine covers crushed-ice serves without hand-cracking, with consistent texture drink to drink. Venues with occasional need can crack from house cubes instead — volume decides.
Can bar groups get matching branded machines?
Yes — panel finishes and logos through KAISON's OEM/ODM program so equipment matches the fit-out across venues, with voltage and certification builds per country and single-unit samples first.