Each ice type suits different uses, so the right choice comes down to what you're serving. Cube ice is the most versatile option, working well for drinks service in bars, cafes, and restaurants since it melts slowly and doesn't dilute beverages too quickly. Flake ice is softer and moulds easily around food, making it a favourite for seafood displays, salad bars, and buffet presentation where keeping items visibly chilled matters. Nugget ice (sometimes called chewable ice) is soft and porous, popular in healthcare settings and increasingly in hospitality for cold beverages, since it's easy to chew and absorbs drink flavours well. Gourmet ice produces a slower-melting, more clear cube often used in premium cocktail service where presentation and dilution control matter. If you're not sure which ice type suits your menu or service style, our team can help you match the right machine to what you're serving.

Ice machine capacity is generally measured in kilograms of ice produced per 24 hours, and the right size depends on your peak usage, not your average day. A small cafe or office kitchen might only need a compact undercounter unit producing a modest daily output, while a busy bar, club, or hotel with high beverage turnover will usually need a machine capable of much higher daily production, sometimes paired with additional ice storage bins to handle demand spikes during peak service. It's worth estimating your busiest trading day, factoring in both drink service and any food presentation use like seafood or salad displays, rather than sizing based on quiet periods. Undersizing an ice machine typically means running out during peak times, which can be a real problem for beverage-heavy venues. If you're not sure what capacity your venue needs, send us your peak demand and we'll help you work out the right size.

Most commercial ice machines require a direct water supply connection to produce ice continuously, along with a wastewater drain to manage runoff during the ice-making cycle. This applies to modular ice machines (which sit on top of a separate ice bin or dispenser) as well as most self-contained undercounter units. Because of this, it's worth checking your kitchen or bar area has suitable plumbing access nearby before choosing a machine, since relocating water and drain lines can add cost to an installation. Water quality also matters for ice machines, as mineral content and filtration can affect both ice clarity and the machine's long-term performance, so a water filter is often recommended alongside the unit. If you're planning where to position an ice machine and aren't sure what plumbing it will need, our team can talk you through the requirements before you order.

The main difference is how the ice-making and storage components are configured. A self-contained ice machine, often an undercounter model, combines the ice maker and storage bin in one unit, making it a straightforward, space-efficient option for smaller venues or secondary ice needs. A modular ice machine is the ice-making head only, designed to sit on top of a separate storage bin or dispenser, which allows for greater flexibility in matching production capacity to a larger storage volume. Modular setups tend to suit higher-volume venues that need substantial ice reserves on hand, such as hotels, clubs, or catering operations, while self-contained units suit venues with more moderate, steady ice needs and limited space. If you're deciding between the two for your venue, our team can help you match the configuration to your volume and available space.

Yes, Cater Central delivers commercial ice machines to businesses across Australia, from major capital cities through to regional and remote areas. We warehouse stock in the major capital cities, so metro deliveries are often quick, with next-day delivery available in some cities depending on stock availability at the time of order. Regional and remote deliveries will generally take a bit longer to arrange, and freight costs vary depending on your destination and the size of the machine, since this range spans compact undercounter units through to larger modular systems that need appropriate freight handling. We'd recommend confirming freight costs and delivery timeframes before finalising your order, particularly if you're working to an opening date or peak season deadline. If you need an ice machine by a specific date, get in touch with our team and we'll give you an accurate timeframe for your postcode.