Quick answer: Commercial ice maker types are commonly compared by the ice they produce and by the machine format. By ice type, the main options are cube ice for everyday drinks, nugget ice for soft chewable beverages, flake ice for displays and product cooling, crescent ice for high-volume drink service, and gourmet ice for premium cocktails.
Ice shape affects how ice melts, feels, looks, and performs. A bar may need ice that holds up in cocktails, while a seafood counter needs ice that can pack around product displays.
Let’s go through the main types of ice makers by ice shape, then compare which ice types fit different businesses and how machine format affects storage, installation, and daily use.
Commercial ice maker types by ice shape
Commercial ice maker types are often grouped by the ice they produce. The main ice-producing types are cube, nugget, flake, crescent, and gourmet ice makers, each with a different texture, density, melt rate, and presentation.
Before comparing a commercial ice machine by output, storage, or format, start with the ice itself. Different types of ice makers produce different results in drinks, displays, dispensing areas, and product cooling.
| Ice maker type | Ice shape or texture | Main advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Cube ice makers | Hard, solid cubes | Versatile, durable, and slower-melting than softer ice types |
| Nugget ice makers | Soft, chewable nuggets | Easy to chew and able to absorb beverage flavor |
| Flake ice makers | Small, soft flakes | Moldable coverage for surfaces, displays, and product cooling |
| Crescent ice makers | Hard, half-moon ice | Reliable shape that moves easily through bins, scoops, and dispensers |
| Gourmet ice makers | Clear specialty ice | Polished presentation with a dense, premium look and feel |
Here’s how each ice maker type performs once you look beyond the table:
Cube ice makers
Cube ice makers produce hard, solid ice that holds its shape well. Cube ice is one of the most versatile options because it chills effectively, melts more slowly than softer ice types, and works well when dilution needs to stay controlled.
Cube styles can vary by model. Common options include full cubes, half cubes, dice ice, and half-dice ice. Smaller cubes chill faster, while larger cubes usually support slower dilution and a cleaner presentation.
Nugget ice makers
Nugget ice makers produce soft, chewable ice with a porous texture. Because nugget ice is softer than cube ice, it’s easy to chew and can hold beverage flavor more noticeably than harder, denser ice.
The tradeoff is melt rate. Nugget ice usually melts faster than cube or gourmet ice, so it’s better when texture matters more than slow dilution.
Flake ice makers
Flake ice makers produce small, soft pieces of ice that mold around surfaces. Flake ice is built for contact and coverage, making it useful when ice needs to spread, pack, or surround uneven items.
Because flake ice is thin and soft, it melts faster than hard ice types. It’s more practical for cooling and coverage than for long-lasting drink presentation.
Crescent ice makers
Crescent ice makers produce hard, half-moon-shaped ice. Crescent ice is similar to cube ice in durability, but its curved shape can move smoothly through some bins, scoops, and dispensing systems.
This ice type offers a balance of hardness, handling, and volume. It’s less presentation-focused than gourmet ice but more durable than soft ice types like nugget or flake.
Gourmet ice makers
Gourmet ice makers produce clear, dense, presentation-focused ice. Depending on the machine, this category may include large cubes, top hat ice, spheres, or other specialty shapes.
Gourmet ice is usually chosen for appearance and slower dilution. It’s more specialized than cube, nugget, flake, or crescent ice, so it works best when clarity, shape, and presentation matter.
Best ice type by business
Once you understand the main types of ice makers by shape, match the ice to the way your business will use it. Beverage-heavy businesses usually need hard ice that holds up in cups, while display-focused businesses need softer ice that can pack around products.
| Business type | Best ice type | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Bars | Cube or gourmet ice | Controls dilution and improves drink presentation |
| Convenience stores | Nugget ice | Adds soft, chewable texture to self-service drinks |
| Grocery stores | Flake ice | Supports produce, seafood, and cold display cases |
| Healthcare facilities | Nugget or flake ice | Provides softer ice for hydration, care areas, or cooling needs |
| Hotels | Cube, crescent, or nugget ice | Works for guest ice, dispensers, and beverage areas |
| Offices and breakrooms | Nugget or undercounter cube ice | Provides convenient ice for employee drinks in compact spaces |
| Quick-service restaurants | Nugget or crescent ice | Supports fountain drinks, fast service, and high cup volume |
| Restaurants | Cube or crescent ice | Covers water, soda, tea, cocktails, and general table service |
| Seafood counters | Flake ice | Packs closely around seafood and display products |
Use this table to narrow the ice type before comparing specific models. The final commercial ice maker should still match your daily production needs, storage setup, utilities, and commercial ice machine installation requirements.
Match ice type to commercial ice maker format
Commercial ice maker types are not only defined by ice shape. Format also matters because a modular head, undercounter unit, and dispenser handle storage, access, and installation differently.
ENERGY STAR’s commercial ice maker guidance points to ice type, production capacity, form factor, and footprint as key selection factors.
| Machine format | Common ice types | Storage setup | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modular ice machines | Cube, crescent, nugget, or flake ice, depending on the model | Ice-making head mounts on a separate bin or dispenser | Bin or dispenser compatibility, 24-hour production, condenser type, voltage, water line, drain, and clearance |
| Undercounter ice makers | Cube, nugget, gourmet, or flake ice, depending on the model | Self-contained unit with built-in storage | Production capacity, storage capacity, unit dimensions, drain type, ventilation, and service access |
| Commercial ice dispensers | Cube, crescent, nugget, or cubelet-style ice, depending on the model | Internal hopper or paired ice maker and dispenser setup | Ice type compatibility, hopper capacity, dispensing method, cleaning access, water line, and drain requirements |
Before ordering a commercial ice machine, check the product spec sheet for rated production, storage capacity, voltage, drainage, clearance, condenser type, and bin or dispenser compatibility. AHRI Standard 810 covers published rating and test requirements for automatic commercial ice makers, so rated specs are more useful than product names alone.
Commercial ice maker FAQs
What ice type is best for drinks?
Cube ice is best for most drinks because it is hard, versatile, and slow-melting. Nugget ice is better for soft drinks, iced coffee, and chewable ice programs, while gourmet ice is best for premium cocktails and spirits.
Which commercial ice maker is best for restaurants?
Cube ice makers are best for most restaurants because cube ice works for water, soda, iced tea, cocktails, and general beverage service. Restaurants with self-service drink stations may prefer nugget ice, while restaurants with seafood displays may need flake ice.
Which commercial ice maker makes soft chewable ice?
A nugget ice maker makes soft, chewable ice. Nugget ice is commonly used for fountain drinks, iced coffee, smoothies, healthcare beverages, convenience stores, cafeterias, and self-service drink stations.
What type of ice maker is best for seafood or food displays?
A flake ice maker is best for seafood, produce, salad bars, and cold food displays. Flake ice is soft and moldable, so it packs around products more easily than cube, crescent, or gourmet ice.
Which ice type melts the slowest?
Cube ice and gourmet ice usually melt the slowest because they are harder and denser than nugget or flake ice. Choose cube or gourmet ice when slow melting and drink presentation matter most.
Shop commercial ice makers by ice type
From cube and nugget to flake, crescent, and gourmet ice, the right commercial ice maker should fit how your business serves, stores, and uses ice. Compare ice type, daily output, storage, utilities, and installation requirements before choosing a model.
IceMachinesPlus has helped businesses find reliable ice equipment since 2006, with a price-match guarantee and free shipping on orders over $99.
Shop commercial ice makers by type today.
About the Author
RJ Gumban
Researcher | Writer · IceMachines+
RJ writes practical guides for IceMachines+ that help foodservice operators compare ice equipment, understand key specs, and choose the right products with more confidence. With a background in coffee ecommerce and beverage equipment, he brings firsthand context to product comparisons, buyer questions, and practical equipment decisions.