15-Inch Undercounter Ice Makers

Commercial vs residential 15-inch ice makers

Search for a 15-inch undercounter ice maker and most results are residential appliances from kitchen brands. They look similar, but they are built for different jobs.

Choose commercial if ice runs out at your bar, café, office or home bar, or if you want nugget or flake ice, which few residential 15-inch units make. Choose residential if you only need ice for a kitchen and want a panel that matches appliances. Hoshizaki's -ADDS models (below) bridge the gap with a commercial machine that accepts a custom panel.

Every commercial 15-inch model compared

Also in the grid: the ICETRO IU-0090-ANP (built-in drain pump), and ADA and custom-panel versions of the Hoshizaki C-80BAK and AM-50BAK. The ICETRO IU-0070-OU and ITV DELTA NG 80 are about 16 inches wide, so check your opening. Specifications are from each product page.

What the comparison shows

• Most ice from 15 inches: the Scotsman UF1415AX-1 flake machine makes 142 lb/day rated, 107 lb at 90/70.
• Most drink ice: the Ice-O-Matic GEMU09090 (Pearl nugget, 72 lb at 90/70) and Hoshizaki C-80BAK (cubelet, 65 lb) make the most chewable ice. For hard cubes, the ITV DELTA NG 80 (64 lb) and Scotsman CU0715MAX-1 (53 lb) lead.
• Biggest bins: the three Scotsman CU and UF models hold 36 lb, the most in this width.
• Shortest cabinet: the Ice-O-Matic UCG060A is only 25-1/4 inches tall, low enough for under-bar shelves and some countertops.

Choose by ice style

How much ice does a 15-inch machine make in practice?

Ratings are measured at 70°F air and 50°F water. In a warm room (90°F air, 70°F water), 15-inch machines lose 15-35% of their output: the Scotsman CU0415MAX-1 drops from 60 to 40 lb/day, while the ICETRO IU-0070-OU keeps 48 of its 60 lb. As a rough guide:

If your estimate is above about 60 lb a day of cube ice, a 15-inch machine will be stretched in summer. Step up to an 18-inch or 24-inch model, or see 100 lb ice machines .

Built-in, ADA and panel-ready options

• Front breathing: most 15-inch commercial machines take in and exhaust air at the front, so they can be built in flush between cabinets. The Hoshizaki C-80BAK and AM-50BAK use front-in, front-out airflow. Always follow the clearances in the installation manual.
• ADA height: the Hoshizaki C-80BAK-AD and AM-50BAK-AD are 31-1/2 inches tall instead of 33-1/2, to fit under accessible counters. The AM-50BAK-AD is also UL approved for outdoor use when installed to Hoshizaki's requirements.
• Custom panel: the C-80BAK-ADDS and AM-50BAK-ADDS accept a custom door panel to match surrounding cabinetry in hotels, offices and homes.
• No floor drain: the ICETRO IU-0090-ANP has a built-in drain pump that moves water up and out, so it can go where there is no gravity drain. The IU-0070-OU is drain-pump ready with optional kits. Other models can use a drain pump kit .

Running costs: small machines vary a lot

Energy and water per 100 lb of ice differ widely in this width class, from the product pages:

Nugget and flake machines use the least water. Gourmet and top hat machines use the most, because they rinse away minerals to make clear ice. At 40 lb a day and $0.15 per kWh, the gap between about 4 and 18 kWh per 100 lb is roughly $300 a year in electricity, so efficiency is worth checking even on a small machine. See our operating cost guide .

Installing a 15-inch commercial ice maker

1. Measure the opening against the installation drawing, including legs, door swing and any toe-kick.
2. Power: a dedicated 115V outlet. Several models ship with a standard NEMA 5-15 plug.
3. Water: a cold potable line with a shut-off valve, ideally through a water filter . The GEMU09090 uses a 1/4-inch copper compression connection.
4. Drain: a gravity drain below the machine's outlet, or a drain pump.
5. Air: keep the front grille clear. Don't install next to an oven or dishwasher vent.

Our built-in ice maker guide and installation checklist go into more detail.

Using a commercial 15-inch ice maker at home

Many homeowners choose a commercial 15-inch unit for a home bar, outdoor kitchen or basement because it makes more ice and better ice than residential models. Before you buy:

• Check the warranty. Some commercial warranties exclude or limit residential installation. The Ice-O-Matic GEMU09090 lists 1 year parts and labor for residential or commercial installation. Confirm terms for any other model on its product page.
• Plan the drain. Homes rarely have a floor drain under the counter. A model with a built-in pump avoids a separate kit.
• Outdoors: only install outdoors if the model is rated for it, such as the Hoshizaki AM-50BAK-AD. See our outdoor ice maker buying guide .

Read best ice maker for a home bar for more help.

15-inch ice makers by venue

• Hotel suites and executive lounges: the Hoshizaki AM-50BAK-ADDS takes a custom door panel and makes clear top hat cubes that look premium in a glass. About 35-54 lb a day covers a suite bar.
• Medical offices and nurses' stations: the Hoshizaki C-80BAK-AD makes chewable cubelet ice at ADA height. The ICETRO IU-0090-ANP's built-in pump helps where there's no floor drain.
• Coffee shops: the Ice-O-Matic GEMU09090 or ICETRO IU-0090-AN make nugget ice that suits iced coffee and blended drinks. For more volume, add a second machine or step up to an 18-inch ITV IQN 200C.
• Cocktail bars: a 15-inch gourmet machine at the service end of the bar keeps clear ice for rocks drinks, while a larger cuber feeds the well.
• Seafood counters and raw bars: the Scotsman UF1415AX-1 makes 107 lb of flake ice a day at 90/70 for a small display.
• Offices and churches: the Manitowoc UCP0050A and Scotsman CU0415MAX-1 are the most affordable ways to get commercial cube ice in a kitchenette.

Common mistakes with 15-inch ice makers

1. Assuming every "15-inch" model is exactly 15 inches. Some are 14-3/4, others 16. Measure.
2. Undersizing. A 60 lb rating can mean 40 lb on a hot day.
3. Ignoring bin size. The UCG060A holds only 17.5 lb; a busy bar station can empty it in an hour.
4. Skipping the water filter. Small machines scale up fast, especially clear-ice models.
5. Choosing gourmet ice for volume. Clear-ice machines make beautiful cubes slowly. Use a standard cuber for volume.

Cleaning and care

Clean and sanitize every six months, or more often in a busy bar or with hard water. Clean the air filter monthly. Small machines lose output quickly when their air intake is blocked. Our maintenance checklist and how often to clean an ice maker guide cover the routine.

Related collections

• 18-inch undercounter ice makers and 24-inch undercounter ice makers
• Small commercial ice machines
• Undercounter nugget ice makers and undercounter flake ice machines
• Gourmet ice makers and built-in ice makers
• All undercounter ice makers