Flaked Ice Makes A Better Basis For A Compress

In which situations are ice flakers used? Is there any difference in an ice flaking machines and ice making machines? Do they serve different purposes and for what applications do they cater? Are ice flakers purely used in the catering trade or does the need for flaked ice extend to other industries?

We all know that ice has been for centuries as one of the main methods of keeping food fresher for longer, preserving food by chilling it helps to retain more of its essential vitamins and minerals as well as avoiding the growth of harmful bacteria which turn food bad, rancid or sour.

Ice in its bear form is still used heavily in the food and catering trade these days, and simply for adding to liquid beverage to keep them cool. Ice is used to keep displays of fresh produce such as salads, fresh fish (wet fish sales) and meat displays cool and fresh even when displayed in supermarkets. Ice flakers are used to create this specific type of ice which moulds itself better.

Flaked ice is also used in food safe storage transit, boxes or trays full of flaked ice are used to keep perishable and temperature sensitive foods, such as wet fish, cool and fresh, it remains one of the most effective means of delivering fresh chilled produce and the cheapest method too. This is opposed to using refrigerated vans.

Flaked ice is used for various applications not just within the catering industry; it is also used heavily in healthcare facilities, hospitals and laboratories, and for medical applications such as physiotherapy.

Ice flakers or flaking machines are very similar to ice making machines with the exception of the ice being produced is of a much finer grade. Ice flaking machines are still rated on output of ice in kgs per 24 hour period and capacity of storage bin. So knowing how much ice you require on a daily basis is essential to selection of your machine.

Most ice machines are mains water fed, similar to that of the domestic washing machine; most will be supplied with the required amount of connection hose and a 13amp plug. Ice machines of any description whether ice flakers or cube makers benefit from having water filters installed, this not only improves the clarity of ice but also prolongs the life expectancy of the ice machine itself, reducing the amount of limescale which can build up especially in hard water areas.

Self service ice machines have become commonplace in many hospitals, restaurants, cafeterias, cinemas and garages, allowing customers to add as much or little ice as required, although catering for how much ice will be required is a little hit and miss as some people will use lots, some won't touch it and others will add just a little, an added problem is that most soft drinks are offered in a range of cup sizes, which makes estimating ice far from being an exact science.

Healthcare facilities such a physio units use flaked ice for compresses, flaked ice moulds far quicker to the shape of a person allowing a compress to hug an area of injury rather than applying lumpy cubes, ice bags are also applied to injuries to reduce swelling. Laboratories use ice as a fast method of cooling preparations.

Ice flakers and ice makers are an essential item of bar equipment these days, making sure that customers are supplied with icy cool beverages to quench their thirsts.

It seems funny that our earliest method of preserving foods and perishables, even with the advances is modern technology is still as widely used these days as it ever was.