ice machines

[grasschaser]

How many of you have ice machines at shops? Or do you buy ice every morning before you start. I was thinking of buying one but was wondering what was the cost to buy and operate one.

[imograss]

id like to know as well, i buy a bag or two every day, i sometimes freeze 2 liter bottles to put in my big water cooler.

[GrassBustersLawn]

I had considered buying an ice machine. After pricing them out, need to have water line run, plus filters and maintenance, I decided it was much more cost effective to buy a freezer. I got a 12 cubic foot one from Sam's Club for a little over $100 bucks. Can buy bagged ice from Sam's Club for $2.25 for a 25 pound bag. Can get lots of ice in that freezer!

Mike

Grass Busters Lawn

[Maddog]

I have also thought of getting one but my wife usually can get the ice for free at the school where she teaches when school is out. The ice machine doesn't get much use in the summer time and they want it to be used during this time and told her to take as much as she wants. Works for me right now.

[grasschaser]

Well this was my theory, $2 a bag five days a week for at least 38 weeks. $10 x 38 = $380 per year. I would think it would pay for itself over time, although I have never priced them.

[GrassBustersLawn]

grasschaser

I've priced them out. You can get one that makes 147 pounds a day and stores 80 pounds. Costs about $1400 to buy. A lot more than I would need, but they don't get much cheaper if you get smaller units. Then you have to have a water line run. Also needs special filters that need to be changed.

As I posted earlier, I can get a 25 lb bag (not the 7 lber you get at the QuickieMart) for $2.25 at Sam's Club. That will last a couple of days. I fill up the freezer with them. Usually make an ice run once a month. That's alot of ice and NO MAINTENANCE for the cost of a machine that will need maintenance.

If you need a ton of ice, then the machine might be the way to go. A dedicated freezer works for me currently. Would like to have a machine at home though, my wife uses a bunch with all her drinks!

Mike

[grasschaser]

I guess you are right I am going to look for a freezer this weekend. I had one and gave it away a few years ago.

[GrassBustersLawn]

grasschaser

With a freezer you can also put other things in it too, like Ice Cream sandwiches, freezer pops, etc. that make a nice treat for the guys when they get back to the shop on those nasty hot days.

Mike

[Maddog]

The freezer seems a good way to go.