EL CAMPO REFRIGERATION | Buying Guide

The Commercial Ice Machine Buyer’s Guide.

Everything you need to choose the right system for your business. We’ve simplified five decades of technical expertise into a clear roadmap for your next investment.

SIZING & CAPACITY

Ice Usage Guidelines.

Finding the right capacity is the first step toward a seamless operation. Use these industry-standard estimates to calculate your facility’s peak daily demand and ensure your bins stay full year-round.

Business Type

Ice Usage Guideline

Recommended Daily Volume

Full-Service Restaurant

1.5 lbs per seat

Total Seats x 1.5

Cocktail Lounge / Bar

3.0 lbs per person

Peak Traffic x 3.0

Hotel & Lodging

5.0 lbs per room

Total Rooms x 5.0

Quick Service (QSR)

5.0 oz per 10 oz drink

Avg. Daily Cups x 0.3

Convenience Store

6.0 oz per 12 oz drink

Avg. Daily Cups x 0.4

Healthcare / Cafeteria

1.0 lb per person

Daily Patients x 1.0

EQUIPMENT SELECTION

Which Configuration Is Right for You?

From compact self-contained units to high-capacity modular systems, choose the configuration that matches your spatial constraints and daily production goals.

Undercounter Unit

The All-in-One, Self-Contained Solution

Space Efficient: The ice maker and storage bin are housed in a single cabinet designed to fit under standard counters.

Plug-and-Play: Most models run on a standard 115v outlet with daily capacities ranging from 50 to 300 lbs.

Best For: Small bars, office breakrooms, wait stations, or “point-of-use” ice where space is limited.

Modular Head + Bin

The Scalable, High-Volume Powerhouse

High Output: Specialized production heads that sit atop a separate, high-capacity storage bin or dispenser.

Unmatched Volume: Designed for high-volume demands, with capacities ranging from 300 to over 3,000 lbs per day.

Best For: Full-service restaurants, hotels, travel centers, and facilities with high peak-hour surges.

Quick rule of thumb: If your daily ice need is under 300 lbs and you have counter space, an undercounter unit keeps things simple. For anything above that—or if you need to scale—a modular head paired with a properly sized bin gives you the flexibility and volume to keep up with demand.

ICE TYPE COMPARISON

Find Your Perfect Ice Texture.

Whether you need moldable flake ice for displays or crystal-clear cubes for banquet service, we have the specialized head for your application.

Half-Dice

⅜″ × 1⅛″ × ⅞″

Half-Dice shaped ice packs tightly into glassware for a “premium fill” look and cools drinks instantly. Great for soft drinks, blended drinks, and ice dispensing.

92 models

Dice

7/8″ x 7/8″ x 7/8″

Dice shaped ice is great for soft drinks, bagging, bulk cooling and excellent for filling coolers.

87 models

Nugget

Soft, chewable, cylindrical bits.

Boasts a 90% ice-to-water ratio. It absorbs drink flavors and is a proven driver of customer loyalty.

Healthcare

Fountain drinks

16 models

Flake Ice

Small, moldable, snow-like flakes.

Cools on contact without bruising delicate items. It packs perfectly around uneven shapes in displays.

Salad bars

Medical cold packs

Seafood/produce displays

12 models

Gourmet

Crystal clear, individual “top hat” shapes.

Clear, individual octagon shaped ice. Designed for slow melting and an ultra-premium presentation.

Office Breakrooms

Residential Kitchens

2 models

Crystal Craft

Individually frozen, crystal-clear luxury ice.

Premium, slow-melting ice designed for high-end cocktail presentation. Its solid structure melts slowly, keeping premium spirits chilled to perfection.

Cocktail lounges

Fine Dining

3 models

Regular

Solid, hard-rhomboid ice cubes.

Maximum mass provides rapid cooling and long-lasting durability in high-volume settings.

Banquet Services

High-Volume Restaurants

22 models

Still Not Sure Which Specs Fit Your Build?

Don’t guess on voltage, clearance, or ice type. Connect with an ECR specialist to verify your requirements and secure the right Manitowoc system for your facility.