Hoshizaki Undercounter Ice Machines

Hoshizaki undercounter ice machines at a glance

Hoshizaki is known for two things in undercounter ice: its crescent cube, formed one piece at a time on a stainless steel evaporator, and a wider choice of ice shapes than most brands offer in an undercounter cabinet. Every model on this page is self-contained, meaning there is no separate head and bin to match. You connect water, a drain and a 115V circuit, and the machine makes and stores ice in the same cabinet.

Most other stores list these machines by headline output only. Below, each model shows both ratings Hoshizaki publishes: the 70°F air / 50°F water figure in the product name, and the 90°F air / 70°F water figure measured under the AHRI standard. The second number is the one to plan around if your bar or kitchen gets warm.

Every Hoshizaki undercounter model compared

Figures come from the specifications on each product page. The older BAJ versions and ADA variants are covered further down.

What the numbers tell you

• Warm-day loss ranges from 15% to 35%. The KM-116BAK keeps 85% of its rated output at 90/70 (130 to 110 lb). The AM-50BAK keeps 65% (54 to 35 lb). If your machine will sit behind a hot cook line or an outdoor bar, compare the right-hand number.
• Cubelet machines use the least water. The C-80BAK and F-330BAK-C use about 12 gallons per 100 lb of ice. The crescent cubers use 20-34 gallons, because a cuber rinses the evaporator every harvest. The specialty top hat AM-50BAK uses 65 gallons per 100 lb.
• The F-330BAK-C is the most efficient model here, at 5.0 kWh and 12 gallons per 100 lb. It also delivers the most ice (250 lb/day even at 90/70).

Choose the ice style first

Hoshizaki's undercounter range covers more ice shapes than any other brand we sell, and each suits different drinks.

Crescent cube (KM series)

A half-moon cube about 1-1/2 x 1-1/8 x 1/2 inch, with a flat back and curved front. Hoshizaki forms each crescent individually on a stainless steel evaporator, which produces hard, clear ice. The curved shape lets drinks flow around the ice and keeps it moving smoothly in bins and dispensers. It is a strong all-rounder for soft drinks, water, iced tea and mixed drinks. See every crescent cube ice machine, including modular heads.

Cubelet (C-80BAK and F-330BAK-C)

Hoshizaki's name for its soft, chewable, nugget-style ice. Cubelet ice absorbs the flavor of a drink, is easy to chew and is the usual choice in healthcare, cafés and self-serve drink stations. The F-330BAK-C uses a stainless steel auger with a greaseless bearing. Its CleanCycle24 feature flushes the water system for two seconds every hour to help clear sediment. It still needs scheduled cleaning. Compare other chewable-ice machines on our undercounter nugget ice makers page.

Top hat (AM-50BAK)

A clear, round cube about 1 inch high and 7/8 inch across, shaped like a top hat. It melts slowly and looks premium in a rocks glass, which is why hotel suites, wine bars and upscale restaurants use it. Output is modest (54 lb/day), so it is usually a second ice source behind the bar. See gourmet ice makers for similar clear-ice machines.

Square cube (IM-200BAK)

Hoshizaki's IM system sprays water to build each square cube, about 1 x 1-1/4 x 1 inch, individually. The result is a large, clear, slow-melting cube. At 186 lb/day with a 75 lb bin, the IM-200BAK makes clear square ice in volume for a busy cocktail bar. It is 39-1/2 inches wide, so plan the space. For oversized 2-inch cubes and spheres, see large cube ice makers.

Sizing: which Hoshizaki undercounter fits your business?

Start from how much ice you use on a busy day, then compare it against the 90/70 column above. Manitowoc's widely used rules of thumb are a fair starting point: 1.5 lb of ice per restaurant seat, 3 lb per bar seat, and about 1 lb per person in an office or cafeteria.

Bin size matters as much as production. A machine refills its bin slowly, so a busy hour can empty a small bin long before the machine catches up. If your rush is short and intense, such as a lunch peak, favor the model with the larger bin. Our bin sizing guide shows how to work that out.

BAK vs BAJ: which version should you buy?

Several Hoshizaki undercounter models are sold in two generations, and both appear on this page.

For a new installation, the BAK version is usually the better buy. On the KM-231 it makes 11% more ice in warm conditions and uses about 26% less energy per pound. BAJ units can still make sense when you are matching an existing installation or buying from remaining stock at a lower price. Check availability and warranty on the product page before you order. All BAJ models stay in the grid above.

ADA and custom-panel models

Hoshizaki makes two lower-profile versions of its smallest machines for accessible counters:

• -AD models (C-80BAK-AD and AM-50BAK-AD): a 31-1/2 inch cabinet height instead of 33-1/2 inches, to fit under ADA-height counters. The AM-50BAK-AD is also UL approved for outdoor use when installed to Hoshizaki's requirements.
• -ADDS models (C-80BAK-ADDS and AM-50BAK-ADDS): the same low cabinet with a door designed to accept a custom panel, so the machine blends into millwork in hotel rooms, offices and residences.

Production and bin size are the same as the standard models. See our upcoming ADA ice machines page for all accessible options.

Installation checklist for Hoshizaki undercounter machines

1. Opening size. Measure width, depth and height, including legs. The C-80BAK and AM-50BAK are under 15 inches wide. The KM-116BAK and KM-161BAK are 23-3/4 inches. The KM-301BAK is 30 inches and the IM-200BAK is 39-1/2 inches.
2. Airflow. The smaller models use front-in, front-out airflow, so they can be built in with no side clearance as long as the front grille stays open. Check each model's installation manual for exact clearances.
3. Power. Every model here runs on 115V single-phase. Most ship with a NEMA 5-15P cord. Give each machine its own circuit.
4. Water. A cold potable water line, ideally through a Hoshizaki filter (H9320-51 single cartridge for undercounter output).
5. Drain. A gravity drain below the machine. If the drain is higher or far away, add Hoshizaki's HS-5061 drain pump, an option listed on several models, or another drain pump kit.

Our installation checklist has the full list.

Five-year cost: BAK vs BAJ in numbers

The purchase price is only part of the cost. Here is the KM-231 pair, using each model's published energy and water figures, for a bar using 150 lb of ice a day:

The BAK saves about $180 a year in electricity, roughly $900 over five years, which is more than the price gap between the two models. It does use more water per pound, so in areas with expensive water and sewer the saving is smaller. Run the same check with your own rates using our operating cost guide.

Matching a Hoshizaki to the venue

• Hotel suites and executive lounges: the AM-50BAK-ADDS takes a custom panel to match the room's cabinetry and makes clear top hat cubes for guests. Its 54 lb/day covers a suite bar or a small lounge.
• Nurses' stations and clinics: the C-80BAK makes chewable cubelet ice in a cabinet under 15 inches wide. Its water circuit can be taken apart for routine cleaning, which helps infection-control routines. The -AD version fits ADA-height counters.
• Neighborhood bars: the KM-161BAK or KM-231BAK give crescent cubes for the well and enough storage (78-80 lb) for a Friday rush.
• Craft cocktail bars: pair a KM crescent cuber for the well with an IM-200BAK for clear square cubes in stirred drinks.
• Cafés and smoothie shops: the F-330BAK-C makes 250 lb/day of chewable cubelet ice even at 90/70, with an 80 lb bin and a drop-down door that is easy to scoop from.

Common mistakes when buying a Hoshizaki undercounter

1. Sizing on the headline number. The KM-301BAK is rated 285 lb/day but makes about 210 lb in warm conditions. Plan on the lower figure.
2. Forgetting the legs. Cabinet heights in the table exclude or include legs depending on the listing. Measure your opening against the installation drawing.
3. Buying top hat ice for volume. The AM-50BAK makes beautiful ice but only 35 lb/day at 90/70. It is a second machine, not the main one.
4. Skipping the water filter. Hoshizaki's stainless steel evaporators resist corrosion, but scale still slows every harvest.
5. Assuming a residential install is covered. Many commercial warranties exclude or limit home installations. Check the product page.

Warranty

Hoshizaki's published coverage for the crescent cubers on this page (for example the KM-81BAK, KM-116BAK and KM-301BAK) is 3 years parts and labor on the entire machine, plus 5 years on key components. The C-80BAK and AM-50BAK series list 2 years parts and labor on the entire machine. The F-330BAK-C lists 3 years on the entire machine plus extended coverage on major components. Confirm exact terms, and whether residential installation is covered, on each product page and with Hoshizaki's warranty statement. Our warranty guide explains how ice machine warranties work.

Keep it running

• Clean and sanitize at least every six months, more often with hard water or a hot location. Our maintenance checklist lists the steps.
• Change the water filter on schedule. Scale on the evaporator slows harvest and reduces output.
• Clean the air filter monthly. A clogged filter is the most common reason an air-cooled undercounter machine makes less ice.

Hoshizaki vs other undercounter brands

Hoshizaki's undercounter range stands out for ice variety and stainless steel evaporators. If you want a standard dice cube at a lower price, compare Manitowoc undercounter ice machines. For gourmet ice in narrow cabinets, see Ice-O-Matic undercounter ice machines. Our brand comparison covers the main differences. Browse the full Hoshizaki ice machine range, including modular heads and dispensers.