Which Used Flake Ice Machines Are Best For Industrial Applications?  

Flake ice can be made from brine water or a mixture of water and brine. The maximum salt content of the water should not exceed 500g per ton. The ices produced by used flake ice machines or new ones are irregularly shaped with dimensions between 12mm to 45mm in diameter, and roughly 1mm-5mm thick.

The most outstanding feature that makes commercial ice most desirable is the refrigerating effect. This simply means the removal, re-conduction and convection of heat which transforms the molecules into what we call “cold”. In the case of flake ice this means that the process happens quicker than other shapes of ice, giving it unique properties for applications where rapid and consistent cooling is desired.

Two of the primary applications for flake ice are in the concrete and food industries.  Many modern concrete factories that provide cement for super structures like high rises and dams are made in an ice plant. Large quantities of sub cooled dry flake ice are added to the concrete mixture to induce large amounts of thermal energy.  This energy stored in the sub cooled flake ice dampens the temperature rise of the concrete.  Thus the time between mixing and pouring is decreased, allowing more flexibility when transporting the mixture over long distances or at high ambient temperatures.

Flake is also beneficial in the food industry, especially when processing fish.  The  fish brought to land is subject to varied handling activities before being sold to the consumer. All the steps involved require a ready supply of quality flake ice. The high amount of energy accumulation when the ice is sub cooled at -6 to 7degrees centigrade makes it last longer thus preserving the freshness of the fish.  

Hereare some benefits, features and advantages of flake ice machines:

• The dimensions mentioned above make for a thin flat shape which provides a larger contact area for your particular application. The larger contact area translates into faster cooling.  
• The cooling effectiveness of flaked ice compared to cube ice can be realized when you consider one ton of cube ice encompasses a contact area of 1,383 square meters; while flakes occupies nearly 8,000 square meters.  
• A lack of sharp edges means there is less possibility of food damage. The cooling process is rapid and the dry crisp nature of the ice means it’s perfect for cooling foods that spoil easily if not brought up to a certain temperature quickly.  
• Once in contact with foods the heat exchange process melts the ice quickly causing products to be cooled quickly.  

Flake ice machines are available in a variety of configurations. They can be purchased as individual units for use in a variety of applications where space is a concern. For larger applications containerized configurations and skid mounted forms can be used. These machines do not require extensive maintenance because of their simplistic operation and high reliability.

Some of the more popular brands that are excellent in the used condition include:

1.  North Star USA design flake ice makers

2.  Scotsman AFE424A-1A 3 

3.  Manitowoc flake ice machines 

4.  Hoshizaki flake style ice machine and bin 

5.  Ice-O-Matic - ICE0400HT/B4OPS

These models employ some or all of the following characteristics which make them excellent choices if you are considering purchasing a used flake ice machine for various industrial applications.