Metro Pure Water
If you have ever had a fountain drink you could not stop chewing the ice from, you have met nugget ice. If you have had a drink at a hotel bar, you have probably met cubes. Both are good ice. They are good at different jobs, and picking the wrong one is the most common mistake we see in break rooms and kitchens around Kansas City.
What nugget ice is
Nugget ice is made by freezing thin layers of ice, scraping them off and compressing them into small, soft pellets. That gives it a few traits people notice right away.
It is chewable. Soft enough to bite through, which is why people love it.
It cools drinks fast. Lots of surface area means a drink gets cold quickly.
It soaks up flavor. The last few sips of a soda or tea taste like the drink, not like plain water.
That is why nugget ice is a favorite for offices, healthcare settings and anywhere people fill a cup throughout the day. Our Metro i15, Metro i16 and Metro DMI dispense nugget ice and filtered water from one touchless unit, and the Metro DMI CT does the same on a countertop.
What cube ice is
Cube ice is frozen in molds into hard, dense pieces. It melts more slowly, holds its shape and keeps a drink cold without watering it down as quickly.
Kitchens and bars that bag ice, chill product or serve drinks that sit for a while.
Coolers and food prep where you need volume that lasts.
Scoop and bin setups where staff, not customers, handle the ice.
How to choose
Start with how the ice gets used, not with the ice type. If people are filling their own cups all day, a self serve nugget dispenser keeps hands out of the bin and keeps the line moving. If staff are scooping ice into coolers, pans or bags, a high volume machine like the Metro S500/D200 or a scoop ice machine fits better.
Then think about volume. Count the people or the covers, think about your busiest summer day, and size for that day rather than the average.
Either way, filter it
Ice is food, and it is only as clean as the water that goes into it. Every ice machine we place runs behind five stage filtration and stays on a maintenance schedule we own, because we own the machine. Our technicians typically respond to service calls within 24 to 48 hours.
Not sure which one you need? We will come look at the space, talk through how your team uses ice and recommend the right rental. The site survey is free.