Selecting a tube ice machine comes down to two core questions: how much capacity you need and what ice size suits your application. Daily tonnage, tube diameter, voltage, and whether you bag the ice or serve it in drinks will determine the right ISN-TB model. Settle those factors first—the catalogue number follows naturally.
This guide is intended for bagged-ice plants, hotels, beverage lines, and anyone comparing Icesnow tube ice machines (ISN-TB, 1–20 ton/day). If your ice needs to wrap fish or mix into concrete, flake ice is the better choice—start with the flake vs. tube buyer guide and the flake ice sizing guide.
1. Confirm that tube ice is the right type
Tube ice consists of hard, clear, hollow cylinders that melt slowly in a glass or a sealed bag. It does not pack around fish and does not dose into a concrete batch. It is the right choice for drinks, hotels, retail bags, and ice depots. Flake ice, by contrast, is suited to seafood, poultry, and mass concrete. No single machine can produce both.
2. Size capacity from peak kg/day
Write down the peak day’s ice sales or usage in kilograms. Add 15–25% to account for hot days, door openings, and harvest loss. Convert the result to ton/day and select the next ISN-TB model up—never down. A “10-ton” plant that actually peaks at 11 tons will run short every afternoon in tropical conditions.
| Typical site | Peak ice (rule of thumb) | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Bar, hotel, café, small bagging | 1–5 ton/day | ISN-TB10, ISN-TB20, ISN-TB30, ISN-TB50 |
| Packaged-ice shop / regional depot | 5–15 ton/day | ISN-TB50, ISN-TB100, ISN-TB150 |
| Ice factory / high-volume bagging | 15–20 ton/day | ISN-TB150, ISN-TB200 |
Rated tons/day figures assume design water and ambient conditions. Hot feed water and 40°C plant rooms will reduce output, so include those temperatures in your enquiry to ensure the quotation matches your site. Icesnow’s current tube range stops at 20 ton/day—do not size a 30-ton tube plant from this catalogue.
3. Tube diameter: 22 / 29 / 35 mm
Diameter is a product decision, not a cosmetic detail. Smaller tubes chill a drink faster and look denser in a cup. Larger tubes last longer in a bag and in an ice chest. Specify the diameter you need (typically 22, 29, or 35 mm) before the evaporator is built. Changing diameter later means a different machine, not a simple setting adjustment.
4. Power, water, and what sits after the maker
Industrial tube ice machines require 3-phase power. Confirm voltage and frequency (380V/50Hz vs. 440V/60Hz) before the compressor is specified. The ISN-TB line is freshwater only—Icesnow does not offer a seawater tube series.
The ice maker is often not the most expensive part of the project. Storage bins, rakes, bagging, and palletizing equipment can match the machine cost. Size the bin for peak hours, not just the 24-hour average. A 10 ton/day unit without a bagging line is not a bagged-ice plant.
5. What to send for a factory quote
Icesnow does not publish a public price list. One email containing the following information is sufficient:
Use: drinks / hotel / bagged ice / depot.
Peak kg/day (not a round “10 tons” if you have not done the kg math).
Tube diameter: 22 / 29 / 35 mm (or state that you need a recommendation).
3-phase voltage and frequency; ambient and water temperature if known.
Optional: whether you need a bin or bagging line, delivery port, and target lead time (typical factory build is about 20–30 days).
Send these details via Contact Icesnow or WhatsApp.
FAQ
How many tons per day do I need?
Start from the peak kilograms of ice you must produce in 24 hours, add 15–25%, then select the next ISN-TB model up. Small hospitality operations are often 1–5 ton/day; bagged-ice shops 5–15; factories up to 20.
22, 29, or 35 mm tubes?
Smaller tubes suit drinks and fast chilling; larger tubes suit bags and long hold times. Confirm the diameter on the order—it is not a field setting.
Can a tube ice machine run on seawater?
Not on the current Icesnow ISN-TB line. For vessels and coastal plants with limited freshwater, use a GMH seawater flake ice machine.
Will a 10-ton machine make 10 tons in my climate?
Only at datasheet conditions. Hot water and high ambient temperatures reduce tons/day. Include design temperatures in your enquiry.
Do you list prices online?
No. Diameter, voltage, and packing options all affect the quote. Send the four inputs above.
Post time: Oct-23-2026