Americans love ice. According to historians, this obsession began as early as 1847, when Henry David Thoreau commissioned Walden Pond to hack at ice with an ax, creating smooth blocks. In the 19th century, only the rich could afford the luxury of an iced beverage. Since then, America’s ice fascination has spawned several think pieces and many more unique takes on the traditional cube.

So far, the most beloved iteration remains the incredible, chewable ice. Also known as a nugget or cubelet, customers can’t get enough of the compact, convenient cubes. If you run a restaurant, you may want to invest in an exciting new commercial ice machine.

Commercial Ice Machines & Chewable Ice: What to Know

What Is Chewable Ice?

Chewable ice originated in the south, but quickly gained traction as major food chains like Sonic® introduced the sensation nationwide. Unlike traditional cubes, customers can chew the nuggets with ease. The ice also contains tiny gaps that absorb the beverage. When sipping a sweet drink like soda, the ice gives each bite a wonderful candy-like quality.

How Is It Made?

To create chewable ice, the machine first makes shaved ice. Then, the shaved ice congeals into small, compact cube-like shapes. These are not perfect squares like traditional cubes, though. They are more rounded, which aids in their smooth, easy consumption.

What Is the Consumer Impact?

As early as 2008, chewable ice directly boosted business for many restaurants. Undeniably, customers love it, and will even frequent a restaurant because it offers the variety. In fact, some vendors now even sell the chewable ice by the bagful.

What Is the Energy Impact?

Chewable ice makers are more energy-efficient than traditional models, which may ultimately save you money. These commercial ice machines continuously freeze water inside an evaporator, then a rotating device scrapes it off. Unlike traditional systems, you won’t need to dump—and waste—ice cubes at the end of a cycle.

To purchase a commercial ice machine for your business, look no further than Pacific Ice Services in Honolulu. As Hawaii’s premier ice maker destination, you can count on the company to provide the advanced range of chewable ice models your business needs to thrive. To learn more about ice machine equipment, visit their website. You may also call a friendly professional today at (808) 839-6839.