Ideal Ice

ZIEGRA Eismaschinen: ice for your store display

Ideal ice temperature  -0,5°C:

• Easy to handle Ziegra ice: always loose for easy coverage of fish, mussels and seafood.
• Perfect for counter and display Easy shaping of ice bed.
• Better preservation Cold enough to perfectly preserve without discolouring the fish.
• Ice Refill Macro Ziegra ice: thickness of up to 9.5 mm, for slower melt characteristics.
• High quality ice Optimal hardness, without sharp edges. Better hygiene Ziegra ice: your hygiene standards thanks to a closed water circuit and automatic flushing or cleaning systems on demand.

Automatic solutions

• Automatic silo Ice dosing at the push of a button.
• Conveying system Distribution of flake ice directly into the display, the ice boxes, or trolleys.

Made in Germany

• Complete range up to 10.000 kg / 24 h.
• Guaranteed capacity also for high ambient temperatures.
• Spare parts available for minimum 15 years.
• Continuous quality control to ensure a long product life.
• Reliable hygiene due to closed water system. No moving parts inside the evaporator which could cause loss of refrigerant (Freon).

What ice should be used for your goods displays?

The selection of the correct type of ice is of vital importance in the presentation of fresh goods such as fish and sea food.

It depends on the goods:

The ice makes sure:

• that the correct background is created – a soft, lightly-structured layer of ice emphasise the colours and the form of the filet, whole fishes or shell fish.
• that it is possible to angle the goods towards the customer and make a model on the presentation area.
• that the fish is received fresh, i.e. cold, moist and undamaged.

The ice therefore must have a range of characteristics:

• the individual pieces should have an appealing colour and form
• it should be suitable for modelling the display, i.e. it should not slip
• it should emit sufficient moisture, to keep the fish fresh and to rinse off secretion
• it must not be too cold, so that it does not freeze onto the fish and the fish itself is not frozen
• it must be soft and not have sharp edges so that the filets are not damaged
• it should keep for a long time, i.e. the pieces must be large and thick enough to ensure that they do not have to be refrozen regularly
• it should remain loose and not freeze together, so that the appearance remains for a long time, and damage to the fish is avoided when removing it from the ice.

Do not forget: you have to create a new ice bed each morning. That means: the main amount of ice must be available in the morning; it is therefore produced overnight and stored in a bin. It is therefore particularly important, that the ice does not freeze together in storage.

Both chip ice and flake ice are regularly used for goods displays in supermarkets. Chip ice, however, has more of the required characteristics: with its temperature of -0.5°C and the different possible grains it combines storability, softness, mouldability and long durability. In addition the appearance of chip ice is excellent for product presentations.

In the first stage you should calculate the amount of ice that you need for your display. Here the surface of the display and the desired height of the ice are decisive (normally: 10-15 cm). To the right you will find a calculator which will help you determine the correct ice machine for your ice requirements.

The total of the calculator gives you the choice between ice production on 1 or 2 machines (standard or double) as well as, where possible, a choice between the 20° and 35°C version (explanation). It takes into account the fact that the ice is recreated every day and a certain amount is needed for re-freezing and for the fish storage overnight.

Storage and ice transportation

In the morning a large amount of ice has to be available for the ice bed of the display. In order to achieve this, the machine should produce ice at day and night, which has to be stored in a suitable bin (or ice cart).

In order to guarantee the quality of the ice after longer storage, the storage capabilities should be observed. Due to the ideal temperature of -0.5° C, chip ice can also be stored for a longer period of time without freezing together. Scale ice on the other hand, freezes together over a long period of time. As a result a larger machine is required, which produces the same amount of ice in the shortest possible time.

Every morning the ice has to get to the display. The more ice is needed, the more attention should be paid to ice transportation. Contact us, we will be happy to advise you.

Important points for the selection of the correct storage and transportation solution are:

• How much ice is needed?
• Under what conditions is the ice stored (refrigerator room)?
• How far is the distance from the place of storage to the display?
• How much space is available?
• What are the investment costs compared to the handling costs?

Heat emission and cooling

Ice machines produce heat, which is emitted via the condenser. The following options can be considered for this:

• Compact air-cooling: Requires room ventilation
• Remote air-cooling: Separate condenser, positioned for example on the roof
• Compact water-cooling: for connection to a cold-water system
• Ice maker: for connection to existing cooling units.

The positioning of the ice machine

The following points have to be clarified before making a decision on the positioning:

• The area surrounding the display
• Desired storage and handling system
• Ventilation
• Space limitations
• Accessibility for installation and service, including cleaning.

Avoid installing your ice machine in a refrigerator room, as it emits heat that warms the room. This also applied to the ice maker with a separate condenser.

In a refrigerator room, even one with a temperature above 0°C, the room condenser emits cooled-air below 0°C. If this air comes into contact with the ice machine or the ice output then the ice machine can freeze, which can cause production losses and defects to the machine.

What you should be aware of

The costs

The total annual costs for the ice in your ice display comprise the following items:

• Capital costs for the ice machine / investment (approx. 25%)
• Operating costs, e.g. electricity and water (approx. 30%)
• Operating costs, e.g. for shovelling, transportation and distributing the ice around the display (approx. 40%)
• Maintenance costs (approx. 5%)

The potential for cost reductions on the operating costs, with a share of 40% of the annual overall costs, is particularly high. With suitable ice distribution systems you could even save up to 50 or even 75%. Due to the working time this would save with the ice bed, your employees would be able to concentrate fully on the design of the goods presentation.

Capacity and operating temperatures

The production capacity of an ice machine depends heavily on the surrounding and water temperatures. Each machine has a nominal output for certain, stated temperatures. Consequently the output is sometimes stated at a surrounding and water temperature of 10° C, sometimes at 20°C / 15°C or even at 35°C / 25°C.

The higher the nominal temperatures of the ice machine, the more powerful it is.

Compared to the nominal temperatures, the ice output is reduced by approx.:

• 1% for each additional 1°C in the surrounding temperature
• 1.5% for each additional 1°C in the water temperature.

Example: An ice machine with 1,000 kg/24h produces the following amount at a surrounding temperature of 35°C and a water temperature of 25°C.

• 1,000 kg, if the nominal output is stated at 35° surrounding / 25° water
• 700-800 kg, if the nominal output is stated at 20° surrounding / 15° water
• 500-600 kg, if the nominal output is stated at 10° surrounding / 10° water

In addition to this the ice quality reduces considerably above the nominal temperatures. The ice becomes watery, slushy and melts very quickly.

When selecting your ice machine make sure that the nominal temperatures of the surrounding temperatures correspond to those in the warmest period of the year. This is because at this time your requirement of good quality ice is at its greatest.

Hygiene

The hygienic quality of the ice should correspond to the water used. Increasing bacteriological checks by vets guarantee the hygienic standard in the supermarket industry. Our ice machines are suitable for this.

The following rules have to be observed by the user:

• Select an ice machine with a hygienic design, including the accessories.
• Clean the ice machine and the bin regularly (make sure that the machine and the bin are easily accessible).
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and let experts carry out cleaning and maintenance at regular intervals.

Replacing the ice

For hygienic and optical reasons, the ice should be exchanged daily. The evening is the best time for this, so that a fresh bed of ice is available the following morning.

Here are a few recommendations on removing ice from the display:

• Let the ice melt overnight, and remove the remains in the morning. It’s obvious, but the display must be cleaned in the morning.
• Select a display with a warm water cleaning system; low maintenance costs but energy costs.
• Manual removal (optional: in a heated container); the display has to be cleaned immediately, but it is the process which requires the most time.

ZIEGRA ice machines: Chip ice for your ice fountain

Advantages

• Large selection Ice production 70, 150, 250, 350 kg and more.
• Optimum hygiene due to closed water circuit and automatic flushing and cleaning functions.
• Special “Sauna” ice discharges Ice distribution directly into the ice fountain, wooden tub, basin, etc.
• Turnkey models Machines ready-to-connect, available for reduced space.
• Custom-made solutions Machines to suit your requirements, e.g. with remote condenser.
• Guaranteed capacity even at high ambient temperatures, e.g. by water cooling.
• Environmentally friendly ice makers leakproof refrigeration circuit without rotating parts.
• Strict quality control for a long life span of the machine.
• Made in Germany according to highest quality standards.
• Supply of spare parts guaranteed for minimum 15 years.
• Satisfied customers For quite some years, many well-known thermal baths, spa complexes, saunas, hotels and luxury ships rely on ZIEGRA Ice Machines.

Chip ice – the perfect ice

Due to the ideal ice temperature of -0.5° C, ZIEGRA chip ice feels agreeably soft on the skin. It does not have any sharp edges and always stays loose and easy to dispense, and never freezes together.

There are many ways of using ice in a sauna, spa, swimming pool or thermal bath :

• as a tingling and quick cooling down of hot skin after sauna
• as an effective refreshment during a sauna- infusion
• as an additive to a cold water pool. The ice perfectly cools down the water
• using ice during massage (ice therapy).

Options of presentation:

There are a number of different possibilities to present the ice in sauna facilities:

• In ice fountains, ice basin, or an ice grotto.
• A shower sprinkling soft ice particles on the guest.
• We would be glad to realise your ideas.

What ice type?

Depending on the application, select from different ice types. Most suitable for cooling of the skin are MicroIce and StandardIce.

We will definitely find the best solution for you. We appreciate your inquiries.

Scope of supply

ZIEGRA can provide everything you need to always offer your guests a tingling refreshment with newly produced ice.

Ice machines, plus all nesessary or optional accessories to supply refreshing ice at any time, either automatically or manually.

Share your ideas with us; we will adjust the necessary background technology to your requirements.

In automatic mode, the ice machine provides a constantly filled ice basin, invisible and inaudible to the guests: when ice is taken out, the machine automatically restarts the ice production. When the basin is full, the ice machine stops automatically.

For us reliability, long product life and customer service are certainly taken for granted.

All our ZIEGRA team is at your disposal for any questions at any time.

Which machine size?

Machine size

The machine size is determined by several key data:
The size of your ice basin, the purpose of use, your opening times and number of guests, whether ice is used during a sauna infusion, etc. We would appreciate to assist you selecting the right model and accessories.

From our experience and for a rough calculation :

Fitness studios / smaller hotels / smaller thermal baths usually require between 70 kg (ZBE 70) and 150 kg (ZBE 150) ice per day.

Larger hotels / larger thermal baths mostly use between 250 kg ZBE 250 and 350 kg ZBE 350 ice per day.

Machine cooling

Our machines can be delivered as aircooled or water-cooled models, with different options of each. By this we can give the best solution to the most difficult requirements.

We will be happy to find the ideal solution for you and are looking forward to your inquiries.

Options and accessories

• Water-cooled ice machines for high ambient temperatures.
• Remote installation of the ice machine and refrigeration unit.
• HygienePlus – Water drain automatic water drain when ice production stopped.
• HygienePlus – Flushing system automatic flushing of the water circuit at any chosen time.
• HygienePlus – Flushing with disinfection automatic flushing with disinfection of the water circuit at preset times.
• UV sterilisation reliable sterilisation of the supplied water.
• Cartridge water filter to fight limescale and for fine filtering of the water supply.
• Leak water sensor & water recipient to prevent potential water damage in cases where the machine is installed in a suspended ceiling.

Ideas for Installation

Some suggestions how to invisibly install an ice machine.

Hygiene in the sauna

You wouldn’t want to attach a sign to your ice fountain, stating “Not for human consumption”, would you?
Definitely not!

Our technicians could effectively support you in meeting general and specific hygiene regulations. Of course we cannot completely replace them.

Please see our “Hygiene guideline” for detailed information.

The basics in brief:

• Daily cleaning of ice discharge tube and ice basin.
• Dispose of unused ice.
• Do not use stale water for ice production.
• Select any of our HygienePLUS options.

or ask us for advice.

HygienePLUS options:

• HygienePlus – Water drain automatic water drain when ice production stopped.
• HygienePlus – Flushing system automatic flushing of the water circuit at any chosen time.
• HygienePlus – Flushing with disinfection automatic flushing with disinfection of the water circuit at preset times.
• UV sterilisation reliable sterilisation of the supplied water.