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Scotsman Meridian HID540AX-1 Touch-Free Ice and Water Dispenser - 500 lb/Day Nugget Ice, 40 lb Storage
Scotsman Meridian HID525AX-1 Touch-Free Ice and Water Dispenser - 500 lb/Day Nugget Ice, 25 lb Storage
Scotsman Meridian HID312AX-1 Touch-Free Ice and Water Dispenser - 320 lb/Day Nugget Ice, 12 lb Storage
Scotsman Meridian HID207AX-1 Touch-Free Ice and Water Dispenser - 196 lb/Day Nugget Ice, 7 lb Storage
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Meridian dispensers at a glance
| Model | Nugget type | Rated lb/day (70/50) | At 90/70 | Storage | W x D x H (in.) | Energy (kWh/100 lb) | Heat rejection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HID207AX-1 | Original Chewable | 196 | 160 | 7 lb | 16.05 x 23.44 x 17.54 | 4.90 | 3,200 BTU/hr |
| HID312AX-1 | H² | 320 | 245 | 12 lb | 16.25 x 24.38 x 35 | 4.11 | 3,200 BTU/hr |
| HID525AX-1 | H² | 500 | 380 | 25 lb | 21.25 x 24.38 x 35 | 4.18 | 6,800 BTU/hr |
| HID540AX-1 | H² | 500 | 380 | 40 lb | 21.25 x 24.38 x 41 | 4.18 | 6,800 BTU/hr |
All four are air-cooled, 115V / 60Hz single-phase, use R290 refrigerant and about 12 gallons of water per 100 lb of ice, with a 15A maximum breaker and a cord with NEMA 5-15P plug. Specifications from each product page.
Why a touch-free dispenser?
With an open bin and scoop, every user is a chance to contaminate stored ice. A Meridian dispenser keeps ice inside a closed cabinet until it drops into the cup, and the infrared interface dispenses ice and water without anyone touching a button. Scotsman's Meridian listings (the HID207AX-1, for example) describe:
- Antimicrobial compounds (including AgION) molded into key components.
- A sealed refrigeration system.
- Removable parts for cleaning: bin, spouts, air filter, sink and grille.
- ADA-compliant reach for accessible self-service.
That combination is why hospitals, offices, schools and hotels use Meridian dispensers for self-service ice and water. See office ice machines and hotel ice machines .
Two kinds of Scotsman nugget ice
| Original Chewable Nugget Ice (HID207) | H² Nugget Ice (HID312, HID525, HID540) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | About 7/16 x 5/16 x 3/8 in. | About 3/4 x 5/16 x 3/8 in. |
| Texture | Softest, most chewable | Firmer and slower melting, still chewable |
| Best for | Patient hydration, people who chew ice | Water bottles, fountain drinks, high-volume self-serve |
Both are soft enough to chew. The firmer H² nugget holds up longer in a cup and dispenses well at high volume. See what nugget ice is .
Which Meridian is right for you?
| Setting | Daily ice | Peak demand | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small office, clinic waiting room or exam area | Up to about 150 lb | Light, spread through the day | HID207AX-1 |
| Office of 150-250 people, school staff room | 150-250 lb | Moderate rushes at breaks | HID312AX-1 |
| Large office floor, hospital unit, hotel floor | 250-380 lb | Regular rushes | HID525AX-1 |
| Gym, cafeteria, busy break room, shift change | 250-380 lb | Large, concentrated rushes | HID540AX-1 |
Two things to compare:
- Daily output on a hot day. Use the 90/70 column. The HID525 and HID540 both make 380 lb/day.
- Storage for the rush. Storage is what users draw on when ten people fill bottles at once. The HID540AX-1's 40 lb bin holds about 60% more than the HID525AX-1's 25 lb in the same footprint, but it is 6 inches taller.
A common planning figure is about 1 lb of ice per person per day in offices and cafeterias. Read ice and water dispensers for offices .
The HID207AX-1: a true countertop dispenser
At just 17.54 inches tall and 16 inches wide, the HID207AX-1 fits on a standard countertop under wall cabinets. It makes 196 lb/day of Original Chewable Nugget Ice and holds 7 lb. It plugs in with a 6-ft cord. For breakrooms and clinics that need chewable ice without giving up floor space, it is the most compact option we carry. Optional accessories listed on its product page include a set of four 4-inch adjustable legs (KLP24A) and a machine stand with reversible door and shelf (HSTCD16-A).
Installation requirements
From the product pages:
- Power: 115V / 60Hz, 15A maximum breaker, standard NEMA 5-15P plug.
- Water: potable water at 20-80 psig, 40-100°F. The HID312, HID525 and HID540 use a 3/8-inch flare inlet; the HID207 uses 1/4-inch OD poly tubing (6 ft supplied).
- Drain: a 3/4-inch drain connection. Dispensers drain both the ice machine and the drip area, so plan a gravity drain or a drain pump.
- Ventilation: air-cooled. The HID207's product page specifies 6 inches of clearance at the left, back and right. Keep the same space around the larger models.
- Room temperature: 50-100°F.
- Support: a counter or stand that can carry the full weight with ice. Shipping weights run from 80 lb (HID207) to 215 lb (HID540).
- Water treatment: use a Scotsman AquaPatrol Plus filter, such as the AP1-P, which is published for nugget-dispenser machines up to 1,200 lb/day.
Heat output
Air-cooled dispensers release heat into the room: about 3,200 BTU/hr for the HID207 and HID312, and 6,800 BTU/hr for the HID525 and HID540. In a small breakroom, that's noticeable. Make sure the room's air conditioning or ventilation can handle it, and don't box the dispenser into a cabinet.
Running costs
At $0.15 per kWh, using published energy figures:
| Model | Example daily use | Electricity per year | Water per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| HID207AX-1 | 100 lb | about $270 | about 4,400 gal |
| HID312AX-1 | 200 lb | about $450 | about 8,800 gal |
| HID525AX-1 | 300 lb | about $690 | about 13,100 gal |
| HID540AX-1 | 300 lb | about $690 | about 13,100 gal |
Nugget dispensers use little water compared with cube machines, about 12 gallons per 100 lb. See our operating cost guide .
Warranty
The Meridian product pages list 3 years parts and labor on the machine and 5 years parts on the compressor and condenser. Confirm the current terms on each product page.
Cleaning
Clean and sanitize the dispenser on Scotsman's schedule, typically at least every six months, and more often in healthcare. Wipe the spouts, sink and grille daily and clean the air filter regularly; these parts are removable for cleaning. Our countertop ice maker cleaning guide and nugget ice maker cleaning guide walk through the steps.
Scotsman vs Hoshizaki vs Manitowoc dispensers
| Brand | Ice | Output range | Storage | Dispensing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotsman Meridian | Nugget (Original or H²) | 196-500 lb/day | 7-40 lb | Touch-free infrared on every model |
| Hoshizaki DCM | Cubelet | 286-719 lb/day | 10-95 lb | Push-button, or touchless on -OS models |
| Manitowoc countertop | Nugget | 285-315 lb/day | 10-20 lb | Push or alternate configurations |
Scotsman is the brand to choose when touch-free dispensing is a must on every unit and you want a very compact countertop option. Hoshizaki goes larger, with up to 95 lb of storage.
Meridian dispensers in healthcare
Hospitals and clinics use touch-free nugget dispensers for patient hydration, nourishment stations and staff areas. The softer Original Chewable Nugget Ice in the HID207AX-1 is easy for patients to chew. On busy units, the HID525AX-1 or HID540AX-1 provide enough storage for meal times and medication rounds. Touch-free dispensing removes the shared button as a touchpoint. Follow your infection-control team's cleaning schedule, which is often more frequent than the manufacturer's minimum. See healthcare ice machines and hospital ice chips .
Worked example: an office with 200 people
At about 1 lb of ice per person per day, the office needs roughly 200 lb a day, with peaks at the start of the day and at lunch, when 20-30 people fill bottles within a few minutes.
- HID312AX-1: 245 lb/day at 90/70 covers the day, but its 12 lb store can run short at lunch.
- HID525AX-1: 380 lb/day with 25 lb of storage covers the lunch peak comfortably.
- Two HID207AX-1 units on two floors: 320 lb/day in total, and nobody walks far.
For one large floor, the HID525AX-1 is the safest choice. For a building with several floors, smaller units on each floor usually work better.
Placement checklist
- A counter or stand rated for the full weight (up to 215 lb shipping weight plus ice).
- 6 inches of space at the sides and back for airflow.
- A dedicated 115V outlet within reach of the cord.
- A potable water line with a shut-off valve and filter.
- A 3/4-inch drain nearby.
- Enough height under wall cabinets: 17.54 in. for the HID207, 35 in. for the HID312 and HID525, 41 in. for the HID540.
- Away from direct heat, such as coffee machines and ovens, and clear of foot traffic.
Original Chewable vs H²: which suits your users?
- Patients and people who chew ice usually prefer the softer Original Chewable Nugget Ice, available here in the HID207AX-1.
- Offices, gyms and schools filling bottles and cups tend to do well with H² Nugget Ice in the HID312, HID525 and HID540, which melts more slowly and holds its shape in a bottle.
- If you're replacing an older dispenser, ask your staff what they liked about the old ice before you change type.
Common mistakes
- Choosing by daily output only. Storage decides how the dispenser copes with a rush.
- Forgetting height. The HID540 is 41 inches tall; check under wall cabinets.
- No drain plan. Every dispenser needs a drain.
- Boxing it in. Leave ventilation space on the sides and back.
- Skipping the water filter. Nugget machines are sensitive to scale.
