Distinguishing common types of ice cubes and suitable applications for each industry

In the pure ice production industry, one of the important basic knowledge for investors, technicians as well as operators is the ability to distinguish types of ice cubes according to their intended use. Understanding each type of ice not only helps to choose the right ice machine but also ensures that it meets the requirements of each industry – from food, beverage to seafood or export.

With ICE COOL ice cube machine – a prestigious brand in manufacturing and supplying industrial ice cube making equipment – determining the right type of ice to produce is the first step and also a strategic step for each investment project. Because each type of ice cube is not simply different in shape or size, but also carries its own technical standards, affecting the speed of ice making, ice melting time, preservation ability and end-user experience.

Ice cubes are not just ice but specialized products for each industry.

Consumers often imagine ice cubes as simply blocks of ice used to cool drinks. However, in actual production and commercial applications, ice cubes are divided into many types – each type is compatible with different purposes. This is why when consulting on investments, ICE COOL experts always ask investors to clearly identify the target market, customer base and the industry they are aiming for.

For example, ice used for drinking coffee or milk tea needs to be small, clear, frozen evenly to fit in the glass and melt slowly. On the contrary, beer ice needs to be larger in size, with the ability to retain heat for a long time to prolong the cold feeling. Meanwhile, ice used for seafood and fishing ports needs to be crushed to preserve goods, does not require high form but must be clean and uncontaminated.                      

For each such purpose, tube ice machine needs to be designed or adjusted to suit the corresponding type of ice, from the diameter of the ice tube, cutting length, to the ice making time per batch.

Specifications of popular ice cubes on the market

In Vietnam, ice cubes are classified mainly by diameter and length. Common diameters range from 19 mm to 48 mm, and each type has its own practical application.

With ICE COOL ice cube machine, users can choose models that are specially designed to produce ice cubes of fixed sizes. This helps ensure the consistency of the output product, increase professionalism and ease in packaging and distribution.

Some typical examples include:

• Ice 19–22 mm in diameter: mainly serves the milk tea, coffee, and soft drink industries – where small, clear, easy-to-drink, slow-melting ice is required.
• 31 mm ice: often used for iced tea, restaurants in the North or areas that need medium-sized ice, suitable for tall glasses.
• 48 mm ice: is a large type of ice, typical of the beer industry, pubs, draft beer bars, has the ability to keep cold for a long time and creates a “satisfying” feeling for users.

The impact of choosing the wrong type of stone on business performance

Many first-time investors in the pure ice industry tend to choose ice machines based on capacity without clearly identifying the market demand for ice. This leads to the situation where the ice produced is not suitable for local tastes, leading to difficulty in selling, inventory or returns.

For example, if you invest in a 48mm diameter ice maker (beer ice) but open a dealership in an area where the main demand is small ice for coffee, it is clearly the wrong direction. Similarly, if you make small ice in an area with many pubs and beer consumption, it will not meet the actual demand.

ICE COOL ice machine always aims to accompany from the consulting stage, market survey to machine installation according to the appropriate type of ice, thereby helping customers avoid “expensive lessons” when investing in the wrong configuration or not understanding the local consumption characteristics.

Ice making time – a factor related to the type of ice cubes

A little-mentioned but extremely important factor when distinguishing between ice types is the production time of each batch of ice. The larger the ice size, the longer the ice making time, affecting the total mining capacity/day and electricity costs.

For example, small ice cubes with a diameter of 19 mm only take about 20–25 minutes to complete a batch of ice, while large ice such as 48 mm can take up to 60 minutes/batch. This directly affects the number of machine operations per day, electricity and water consumption, as well as production and storage strategies.

Understanding this time characteristic will help investors consider choosing a combination of different ice machines, or arrange a reasonable cold storage to avoid continuous production pressure during peak hours.

Stone length – the deciding factor in user perception

Not only the diameter, the length of the ice cube is also a technical factor to consider. With the same diameter, longer ice cubes will melt slower but can also cause inconvenience when drinking if using small glasses. Therefore, ICE COOL ice cube machine allows customizing the ice cutting length to meet each market.

For example:

• 48mm stones 90–100mm long fit in beer glasses with handles.
• Also 48mm stone but 65-70mm long will fit in handleless glasses, often used in the South.

This small difference, if well controlled, will create a superior competitive advantage for the ice production facility in the eyes of customers.

Integrating multiple stone types in the same plant – is it possible?

The answer is yes. But this requires a thorough investment from the beginning, choosing the right number of machines, capacity of each machine, installation location, electricity and water system and especially the ability to manage production scientifically.

Many modern ice plants use a combination of small (19–22 mm) and large (48 mm) ice machines to serve both the retail and wholesale markets. This not only optimizes capacity but also creates flexibility in product lines, increasing sales opportunities during peak seasons.

ICE COOL supports investors in drawing up factory layouts, consulting on selecting the number of machines according to actual market proportions, helping to balance investment costs – effective production – flexible expansion in the future.

Distinguish correctly to invest correctly

Once investors have a clear understanding of how to differentiate between common types of ice, they will avoid making wrong decisions about machinery, capacity, configuration, and even marketing strategies. Each type of ice is a product with its own application, requiring technical knowledge and practical experience to optimize.

ICE COOL ice cube machine is not only an ice making device, but also a part of your long-term business strategy. With the ability to produce a variety of ice types, integrate flexible parameter customization, durable operation, energy saving and in-depth technical support, ICE COOL is committed to accompanying you in creating pure ice products – the right type, the right quality, the right market demand.

Contact for advice and support in investing in ICE COOL ice making machines

Are you having difficulty finding a solution for quality ice production? Let ICE COOL help you! With a professional technical team, diverse products, reasonable prices and dedicated service, we are committed to bringing absolute satisfaction to your needs.

Don’t hesitate any longer, visit the website: icemachine.com.vn or contact us immediately via phone number and Zalo: +84 941 108 888 for advice and to order today! Take your production needs to the next level with the ICE COOL ice maker!

Get a quote Call Now