The True Cost of Ice Machine Ownership

5 Min Read By John Mahlmeister

Think of commercial ice equipment like your vehicle. Once you buy it, you still have to budget for ongoing maintenance and repair expenses that will come up as long as you drive the car. Choose not to perform the recommended maintenance on your vehicle, and eventually you’ll run into major problems that cost you much more than the maintenance would’ve. Even if you’re consistent about maintenance, car repairs are inevitable. Commercial ice machines are the exact same way.  

Let’s take a closer look at the total cost of ice equipment ownership.  

The Initial Purchase/Capital Costs The most you’ll spend on your ice machine at one time will be the purchase price, which ranges from $5,000-$10,000 for the most popular models. If you buy a machine that needs a bin, that bin will likely be sold separately.

Even if installation is free through your foodservice equipment dealer or because you ordered an ice machine through an online retailer, you could eventually incur unintended…