For people who want to keep their restaurant or commercial kitchen cool in the summer months, the water cooled ice machines are the preferred choice. However, where water cooled ice machines are known to be more energy efficient than air cooled ice machines, both the kinds have their own set of pros and cons.

The food and beverage industry, along with other businesses, highly depends on a consistent supply of fresh ice. It is due to this wide demand that there exists an extensive market for new, used and refurbished ice machines, both for domestic as well as commercial purposes.

Used and refurbished ice machines make a great option for buyers who do not wish to invest huge. To have an idea of what to look for in a used ice machine, the buyer is advised to explore a range of used ice machines. He, then, needs to define his own requirement (quantity of ice needed, type of ice needed) and explore options that are close to his requirement. Out of a range of brands, a used ice-o-matic ice makers has always been one of the most preferred options. Ice-o-matic machines produce ice consistently throughout the day and possess anti-micro bacterial protection features.

Because used ice makers come in a variety of sizes, shapes and capacities, one should investigate the physical configurations before deciding on any one. Many ice makers come with an attached storage bin. While purchasing, it is recommended to check accessories as well, such as water filters and condensation pumps. Warranty also should be checked for.

A cheap Scotsman ice maker also makes a terrific choice for buyers who wish to save money. The Scotsman touch-free air cooled ice makers are ideal for businesses such as cafes, restaurants, bars and hospitals. It is because there is no direct contact with the surface of the machine, making it contamination-free. Most of the Scotsman machines come with a self-monitoring feature which observes the production of ice cubes. Other features that are common to various Scotsman machines include: easy to operate interface, external indicator lights, anti-micro bacterial protection, and detection of dirty water. In addition, there are many Scotsman machines that mould ice cubes to any shape in no time, and work great for cocktails and bars.

Other leading brands for this product include Manitowoc, Delfield, Hoshizaki, Hussmann, Bluestone, Stoelting, Taylor, and many more, most of them making newest advancements in the product line, every now and then.