Recommendation

[mroy3]

I have a long term convenience store customer who is need of a new ice machine. Looking for recommendation on a dependable brand. Current is 900# remote air cooled. We do not sell them. Service only.
Any recommendations?
Thanks

[jackintheboxtec]

What brand do they currently have? I was a tec for Jack in the box, "fast food restaurant" for 16 years. They had a few different brands through the years manitowoc, scotsman, ice-o-matic.I think manitowoc is the better one. Very reliable, and I find easier to diagnose and service, and their tec line is very helpful. Now Jack in the box only uses manitowoc. Some rare instances they use follett when space is limited.

[mroy3]

They currently have an 18 year old Hoshizaki. Definitely have gotten their use out of it. Putting in another Hosh is a thought, but I do not know if the new is as dependable. I have put a pump inot this one in ten years.
We have a Manitowic we take care of but have had to replace water inlet valve and control board- it is only 4 years old.

[hvac wiz 79]

I like manitowoc & hoshizaki ... I find manitowoc to place certain components in pita locations .... these days i lean more to hoshi

[jackintheboxtec]

Yea hoshizaki are very good also. I have worked on manitowoc for so long I guess that's why I find them eaiser.

[cjpwalker]

I am a fan of manitowoc... Hoshis are a pain to clean - literally - to get up in there good I usually end up with few cuts and scrapes. We have a lot of scotsman cm3's around here too as that is what the local pepsi bottler sells.

The biggest question, I think, is what can you get parts for locally? We have manitowoc and hoshi suppliers in town, but no scotsman or ice-o-matic. If you have a restaurant breathing down your neck and can get parts today that makes all the difference.

[mfry]

They currently have an 18 year old Hoshizaki. Definitely have gotten their use out of it. Putting in another Hosh is a thought, but I do not know if the new is as dependable. I have put a pump inot this one in ten years.
We have a Manitowic we take care of but have had to replace water inlet valve and control board- it is only 4 years old.

I think this quote answered your own question. 18 years is a long time. Hoshizaki stands the test of time...

[pairman]

I agree withCJPWalker - what brand has parts readily available. I like Hoshizaki better but the new Manitowocs are easier to clean. I just don't like the nickel plating. :CU:

[luskys a/c]

Some rare instances they use follett when space is limited.

jack-- what did you think of the folletts? we phased them out at the Hospital I work at and they were horrible to service and keep maint. We switched to the Scotsman flakers and Wow what a difference! Still a pain to replace the water seal but I like them much better.

[mroy3]

Thanks all- I will recommend staying with the Hosh. Looks like we can reuse the bin.
Thanks again!

[hvac wiz 79]

cant go wrong with that decision