What are the different types of ice machines?

Different Types of Ice Makers
Ice makers can be classified by ice shape, application, and refrigeration method. The most common categories are:

These classifications meet a wide range of needs from small household units to large industrial installations. Taizhou Best provides corresponding OEM/ODM solutions based on these market segments.

How does an ice maker work?

Working Principle of an Ice Maker
The core of an ice maker is the refrigeration cycle, which consists of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. The cycle proceeds as follows:

1.Compression – The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant into a high‑temperature, high‑pressure gas.
2.Condensation – The hot gas passes through the condenser, releases heat, and condenses into a high‑pressure liquid.
3.Expansion – The liquid refrigerant flows through an expansion valve, dropping in pressure and temperature, becoming a low‑temperature, low‑pressure mixture.
4.Evaporation – The low‑temperature refrigerant enters the evaporator (or ice bucket), absorbs heat from the water, lowering the water temperature below the freezing point and forming ice.
5.Ice Formation & Discharge – Once ice forms, gravity or an automatic release mechanism drops the ice into a storage bin, completing one ice‑making cycle.
Different models have specific variations. For example, plate ice machines use a water‑curtain spray to create a thin water film that freezes rapidly on the evaporator surface; tube ice machines employ tubular cooling surfaces to improve efficiency. Taizhou Best’s refrigeration and condensation units use high‑efficiency compressors and precise temperature‑control systems, ensuring stable operation across the ¼ hp to 100 hp range and supporting the production of various ice shapes.