Heads that make ice and drop it into a bin
A modular head makes ice and nothing else. It sits on top of a separate storage bin and stops when the bin is full. Splitting the two lets you choose output and storage independently, which is why venues outgrowing an undercounter machine move to a head. Ice-O-Matic lists 11 heads here: ten for cubes and one for flake ice.
CIM cube heads
The CIM heads cover 132 kg to 776 kg a day. Every listing offers a full cube of 22 x 22 x 22 mm or a half cube of 10 x 22 x 22 mm, so settle on the cube when ordering. Full cubes suit glasses and slow melting, while half cubes fill cups and jugs quickly and pack tightly. All ten are 616 mm deep and come in three widths:
- 565 mm wide: CIM0325 at 132 kg, CIM0525 at 240 kg, CIM0825 at 418 kg and CIM1125 at 425 kg a day.
- 765 to 768 mm wide: CIM0435 at 209 kg, CIM0635 at 265 kg, CIM0835GA at 383 kg and CIM1135 at 425 kg a day.
- 1,226 mm wide: CIM1545 at 708 kg and CIM1845 at 776 kg a day.
Heights run from 540 mm on the CIM0325, CIM0435, CIM0525 and CIM0635 up to 683 mm on the CIM0825, CIM1125 and CIM1135. The listings describe an LED that shows machine status and flags when cleaning is due, and one touch controls for the sanitise and descale cycles.
MFI0805 flake head
The MFI0805 is rated for up to 333 kg of flake ice a day at 21 °C air and 10 °C water. It measures 533 mm wide, 610 mm deep and 686 mm high, and its listing mentions a stainless evaporator and auger with a heavy duty gearbox. Flake suits seafood counters, produce displays and food prep where ice needs to pack around the product.
Sizing the head and bin together
Start with the ice you use on your heaviest day, then add a margin for heat. Rated output assumes cooler air and water than a Perth summer delivers, so a head that just covers the total in winter will fall short in January. Next, size the bin to carry you through the busiest stretch of trade, because the head refills it slowly between rushes and overnight.
Width is the other half of the match. Ice-O-Matic bins run from 563 mm to 1,230 mm wide and are listed on the bins and dispensers page. Sam confirms the head and bin are listed to fit each other before ordering, so the seal between them stays tight.
Checks before install day
- Height in total. Add the head to the bin and allow space above for a technician to lift panels off.
- Water and drain. The head needs cold water with an isolating tap, and both head and bin need to drain to a waste.
- Power. Plug and circuit ratings are not in these listings, and larger heads may need more than a standard outlet. Sam checks before you buy.
- Room heat. A hot storeroom with no airflow costs a head a large share of its output.
Install and aftercare
Sam brings the head and bin in, levels the bin, mounts and seals the head, then connects water, drains and filter. He watches several harvests drop before leaving to make sure the bin control stops the head when it should. Ask Sam about removing an old machine. A courier can take the equipment to sites with their own plumber. Afterwards the head needs regular descaling and sanitising, at $75 + GST to attend and $180 + GST an hour plus parts. See Ice-O-Matic repairs and servicing, ice machine repairs or the full Ice-O-Matic range.
