Hoshizaki KM-730MAK 30-Inch Air-Cooled Crescent Cube Ice Machine Head - 756 lb/Day

Quick Answer

The Hoshizaki KM-730MAK is a 30-inch air-cooled modular ice machine head that produces individual crescent cubes. Hoshizaki rates it at 756 lb per 24 hours at 70°F air and 50°F water, and 620 lb per 24 hours under the AHRI Standard 810 conditions of 90°F air and 70°F water. It is a head only and holds no ice, so a compatible Hoshizaki bin or dispenser is a separate purchase. It suits busy restaurants, hotels, healthcare kitchens and catering operations. Two requirements decide most installations: it is hardwired at 115V, and its 10.6 oz. R290 charge brings a 154 sq. ft. minimum room area.

Hoshizaki KM-730MAK At a Glance

Who Should Buy the Hoshizaki KM-730MAK?

The KM-730MAK is the machine for an operation that has outgrown a 500 lb day and has the floor space to solve it properly. At 620 lb AHRI-rated it sits comfortably above most independent restaurants’ daily draw, which makes it a sensible choice when demand is growing rather than steady — buying headroom once is almost always cheaper than adding a second machine two years later.

It suits busy full-service restaurants, bars with a long evening service, hotels covering food service and guest floors from one machine, healthcare and senior-living kitchens, catering operations and banquet kitchens, and beverage programs feeding several stations. Crescent cube is the general-purpose shape: it displaces liquid well in a glass, is slow to melt, packs without bridging in a bin, and holds up in blended drinks and buffet display.

There is a specific efficiency argument for this machine that is worth knowing. At 4.1 kWh per 100 lb of ice it is the most electrically efficient cube machine in this catalog — about 22 percent less electricity per pound than the 22-inch Hoshizaki KM-622MAK. That is the usual pattern with larger batch cubers, and it means the step up buys lower running cost as well as more ice. The full picture is in the operating cost section below, because the water figure moves the other way.

One structural point: this is a modular head, not an all-in-one machine. If that distinction is new to you, the explainer on self-contained versus modular ice machines covers what changes in cost, service access and installation when the machine and the storage are separate purchases.

Who Should Consider Another Model?

Five situations point away from this machine, and the last two are the ones buyers most often miss.

• You do not have 30 inches of equipment line. The KM-622MAK delivers 540 lb AHRI-rated in a 22-inch cabinet — 80 lb less for eight inches less width. If width is your binding constraint, that trade is usually worth making.

• Your daily draw is comfortably under 450 lb. Running a 620 lb machine well below capacity means paying for output you never harvest, plus a bin sized to match. A smaller head, or a self-contained unit, is cheaper to buy and to install.

• You cannot arrange a hardwired connection or a gravity drain. The KM-730MAK ships without a cord or plug and must be hardwired by an electrician. It drains by gravity with no pump. Neither is negotiable.

• Your equipment room is smaller than about 154 sq. ft. This machine carries a 10.6 oz. (300 g) R290 charge, and Hoshizaki specifies a minimum room floor area of 154.4 sq. ft. for that charge size. A compact back-of-house closet may not qualify, and this is a genuine compliance requirement rather than a recommendation.

• The machine would sit within 20 ft. of an open flame. Because the charge exceeds 152 g, Hoshizaki’s 20 ft. open-flame separation rule applies to this model. A position near a cooking line, a gas-fired water heater or a boiler needs checking before you order.

This is the single most useful thing to know when stepping up from the KM-622MAK to the KM-730MAK. The smaller machine carries a 5.3 oz. (150 g) R290 charge, which sits below Hoshizaki’s 152 g threshold: its minimum room area is 77.3 sq. ft. and the open-flame rule does not apply to it. The KM-730MAK doubles the charge and crosses that threshold, so the room requirement roughly doubles and the 20 ft. separation rule switches on. Two machines from the same family, eight inches apart in width, with materially different siting rules.

One further constraint: the machine is for indoor use only and rejects 9,300 BTU/hr into the room at AHRI conditions — the highest heat rejection of any machine in this catalog. A hot, poorly ventilated space will cost you ice output and add measurable load to the building’s cooling.

Maximum Output vs Real-World Production

Two production figures appear on listings for this machine and they are not interchangeable. The larger is a catalog maximum measured under favourable laboratory conditions; the smaller is the AHRI-certified rating, measured under conditions much closer to a working kitchen. Sizing a bin or a shift against the maximum is the most common mistake buyers make with modular heads.

The gap is 136 lb per 24 hours, or about 18 percent of the maximum — the narrowest proportional drop of any machine reviewed in this series, which is a genuine point in this model’s favour. Hoshizaki publishes only these two data points, so any figure quoted for an intermediate condition is an interpolation rather than a manufacturer specification. Plan around 620 lb.

What moves production up or down

• Ambient air temperature. An air-cooled condenser rejects heat into the room it stands in, and this machine rejects a lot of it. The unit is rated for 45–100°F ambient and output falls steadily across that range.

• Incoming water temperature. Water arriving at 70°F carries more heat to remove than water at 50°F. A long uninsulated supply run through a hot kitchen raises inlet temperature measurably.

• Clearance and ventilation. Hoshizaki specifies 6 in. at the rear, both sides and the top. Boxing the machine in recirculates its own warm discharge air back through the condenser — with 9,300 BTU/hr to shed, this model is less forgiving of a tight alcove than a smaller head.

• Air filter condition. The KM-730MAK uses removable air filters. A loaded filter has the same effect as poor clearance and is the most common cause of quiet output loss.

• Water quality and scale. Mineral scale insulates the evaporator, lengthening freeze time and shrinking each harvest. Hard water is the usual reason a machine loses output across a season.

• Cleaning interval. A machine overdue for descaling makes less ice, and makes it more slowly, well before it shows a fault.

The article on how hot kitchens affect commercial ice machine production covers the ambient relationship in more depth. Daily production cannot be guaranteed for any installation; verify actual harvest after commissioning.

Choosing the Right Storage Bin for the KM-730MAK

The KM-730MAK is an ice-making head. It holds no ice. Every installation needs a Hoshizaki storage bin or dispenser, purchased separately — which is why cross-retailer price comparison on modular heads is misleading unless you check what is in the box.

A pairing detail specific to this model: the 22-inch B-300SF that suits the KM-622MAK is not on this machine’s compatibility list. The KM-730MAK is a 30-inch head, and Hoshizaki’s width-matched bin for it is the 30-inch B-500SF. If you are cross-shopping the two Hoshizaki heads, the bin changes as well as the machine, and so does the bin price.

Hoshizaki lists the following as compatible with the KM-730MAK on its current specification sheet: the B-250SF, B-500SF, BD-500SF, B-700SF, B-800SF, B-900SF, B-1150SS, B-1300SS, B-1500SS and B-1650SS storage bins, the DB-200H and DM-200B dispensers, and Lancer dispensers. Ice Maker Supply currently lists three of these.

Price checked on September 21, 2026. Prices and availability may change; confirm current bin stock before ordering. Budgeting note: the KM-730MAK head at $5,760.00 plus a B-500SF at $1,725.00 puts a complete 30-inch machine-and-bin package at $7,485.00 before freight, any top kit, water filtration and installation.

Does the head need a top kit?

When the head and the bin share the same 30 in. width, they stack directly. When a 30-inch head sits on a wider bin, Hoshizaki’s application matrix specifies a top-kit arrangement to close the gap and support the head. Hoshizaki’s installation manual also warns that a top kit must not obstruct the bin control lens sensing area, or the icemaker will not run correctly. Confirm the exact kit for your pairing before ordering rather than assuming one is included.

Sizing the bin against real demand

Storage capacity and daily production answer different questions. Production is how much ice arrives across a full day; storage is how much is available at one moment. A 500 lb bin under a machine rated at 620 lb per 24 hours does not let you draw 620 lb at once.

The arithmetic is simple. At the AHRI-rated 620 lb per 24 hours, average replenishment works out to 620 ÷ 24 = about 25.8 lb per hour, assuming the machine runs continuously and the bin control has not shut it off because the bin is full. A B-500SF full at opening therefore supports 500 lb immediately plus about 25.8 lb for each hour the peak lasts — roughly 603 lb across a four-hour rush and roughly 655 lb across six. That is a comfortable pairing for most operations sized to this machine: storage covers about 81 percent of a rated day, and the replenishment rate is high enough that a long peak keeps pace.

One dimension check that catches people out: the head is 26 in. tall and the B-500SF is 46 in. tall, so the assembled machine stands about 72 in. high. The bin is also deeper than the head at 32.3 in. against 24 in., so the bin sets the depth of the installation. Measure the alcove against the larger of the two, and allow the 6 in. clearance above the head.

Browse the full range of ice storage bins or ask the Ice Maker Supply team to confirm the correct bin and top-kit combination for your site.

Installation Requirements

These are the manufacturer-published requirements for the KM-730MAK. Confirm each against your site before freight is booked — a modular head that arrives ahead of its electrical and plumbing rough-in sits in a hallway for weeks.

Electrical

• 115V, 60 Hz, single phase, 3-wire with ground. Operating voltage range 108–127V.

• 12.3 A running current; 20 A minimum circuit ampacity and 20 A maximum fuse or HACR-type circuit breaker.

• Hardwired at the site. Hoshizaki supplies no cord or plug, and the installation manual states the connection must be hard-wired and must meet national, state and local electrical code.

• The appliance must be grounded.

Water and drain

• Potable cold water inlet, 1/2 in. FPT connection, fed by a minimum 1/4 in. nominal ID copper tubing run or equivalent.

• Supply pressure between 10 and 113 PSIG.

• Gravity drain only, 3/4 in. FPT outlet, minimum 3/4 in. nominal ID hard pipe. There is no drain pump on this model.

• External filters, strainers or softeners may be required depending on local water quality. At 22.0 gal per 100 lb this machine moves a lot of water, so filtration is worth budgeting for.

Location, clearance and refrigerant requirements

• Indoor use only. Hoshizaki states the appliance is not intended for outdoor use.

• Operating ambient temperature 45–100°F; incoming water temperature 45–90°F.

• Allow 6 in. of clearance at the rear, both sides and the top for air circulation and service access.

• Level the assembly in both the left-to-right and front-to-rear directions using the bin leg levelers.

• R290 requirements: the 10.6 oz. (300 g) charge requires a minimum room floor area of 154.4 sq. ft. (14.4 m²), and because the charge exceeds 152 g the machine must not be installed within 20 ft. (6 m) of an open flame.

Freight and access are part of installation planning. The cabinet is 30 in. wide, 24 in. deep and 26 in. tall, and the crated head weighs 200 lb. The shipping carton is larger than the cabinet — confirm crate dimensions with the merchant and measure doorways, elevators and turns against the crate, not the machine.

Confirm local requirements before you order. Plumbing, electrical, health-department and building-code rules vary by state and municipality, and some jurisdictions apply additional requirements to hydrocarbon-refrigerant equipment above certain charge sizes. Verify what applies at your address with your licensed installer and your local authority having jurisdiction.

Related reading: commercial ice machine electrical requirements, 115V vs 208–230V, and water pressure requirements, PSI, flow and filters.

Operating Cost and Efficiency Considerations

Hoshizaki publishes two consumption figures for the KM-730MAK, both measured at 90°F air and 70°F water: 4.1 kWh per 100 lb of ice, and 22.0 gal of potable water per 100 lb of ice. A worked example, with every assumption stated:

Substitute your own utility rates and realistic daily production and the arithmetic holds. The estimate deliberately excludes filter cartridges, cleaning chemicals, preventive maintenance labor and the air-conditioning load created by 9,300 BTU/hr of condenser heat rejected into a cooled kitchen.

Where this machine sits on running cost

Because every manufacturer reports consumption at the same 90°F/70°F conditions, the machines in this catalog can be ranked directly on what they cost to run per pound of ice. The KM-730MAK performs well, but the reason is worth understanding — it is not simply that bigger is better.

The KM-730MAK is the least expensive cube machine in this catalog to run per pound, and roughly 9 percent cheaper than both the 22-inch Hoshizaki KM-622MAK and the comparable 30-inch Scotsman MC0630MAX-1. But the two halves of that result pull in opposite directions, and which one matters depends on your utility bills.

On electricity the KM-730MAK is a standout: 4.1 kWh per 100 lb against 5.25 for the KM-622MAK is about 22 percent less per pound, and against 5.18 for the Scotsman it is about 21 percent less. On water it goes the other way: 22.0 gal per 100 lb against 17.0 for the KM-622MAK is about 29 percent more, and about 25 percent more than the Scotsman. At typical US rates electricity dominates, so the net result favours this machine — but in a market with high water and sewer charges and cheap power, the ranking can invert. Run the arithmetic with your own two rates before treating the efficiency advantage as settled.

Two further points. The machine is air-cooled, so there is no condenser water bill but there is heat discharged into the room. And R290 is a hydrocarbon refrigerant with very low global warming potential, which matters where refrigerant regulations are tightening — though at 10.6 oz. this model carries a larger charge than most, which is what triggers the room-size and open-flame requirements covered above. The guide to commercial ice machine operating cost treats filters, chemicals and service as separate line items.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Hoshizaki states that the KM-730MAK must be cleaned and sanitized at least once a year, with more frequent service required in some water conditions. Treat that as a floor rather than a target — water hardness, dust load and operating hours all shorten it, and health departments and insurers often set their own schedules.

• Cleaning and sanitizing are separate steps. Descaling removes mineral build-up from the water side; sanitizing addresses biological growth. Both need to be completed at each service.

• CleanAssist. Hoshizaki describes this as a simple one-hour cleaning process, which makes a thorough service practical rather than aspirational on a machine of this size.

• Removable air filters. Inspect them on a routine kitchen schedule — monthly is a common practical interval in a busy kitchen — and clean them whenever they show dust loading. On a machine rejecting 9,300 BTU/hr, filter condition matters more than on a smaller head.

• Water quality. Scale is the main enemy of a cube machine, and this one moves 22 gal of water per 100 lb of ice. Where water is hard, an ice machine filter with scale inhibition extends the descaling interval and protects the evaporator. Cartridges are a recurring consumable.

• Condenser access. The 6 in. clearance at the rear, sides and top matters as much for reaching the condenser as it does for airflow.

• EverCheck. Hoshizaki’s EverCheck alert system flags conditions that need attention, but it does not replace a scheduled clean.

• Professional service. Sealed-system work on an R290 machine must be carried out by a technician trained and equipped for flammable refrigerants, and the larger charge on this model makes that qualification more important rather than less.

Warranty and Service Considerations

Hoshizaki’s current specification sheet for this model (item 13684K, revised 04/30/26) states three years parts and labor on the entire machine, five years parts and labor on the evaporator, and five years parts on the compressor and air-cooled condenser coil, valid in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and US territories. Confirm the exact schedule in the warranty document supplied with your unit, since coverage is revised by model year.

Before relying on that coverage, verify five things with the manufacturer or your installer:

• Installation requirements. Coverage on commercial ice equipment is commonly conditional on installation to the manufacturer’s published specifications for electrical, water, drain and clearance — and on this model, the R290 room-area and open-flame requirements are part of that specification.

• Registration. Ask whether registration is required and what the deadline is after commissioning.

• What labor actually covers. Parts-only coverage on the compressor and condenser coil in years four and five means you pay the technician even when the part is supplied free.

• Excluded maintenance. Cleaning, descaling, sanitizing and filter replacement are routine maintenance and are typically not warranty items. Neglecting them can also void coverage on components they damage.

• Local service availability. Coverage is only useful if an authorized technician is reachable from your address, and R290 adds a training requirement.

For a general comparison of how the major brands structure coverage, see the commercial ice machine warranty guide.

Comparison With Relevant Alternatives

All four machines below are air-cooled modular heads sold on Ice Maker Supply with no storage included, so the comparison is like for like. A bin is an additional purchase in every case.

Price checked on September 21, 2026. Prices and availability may change.

Which one fits depends on the constraint that binds first. The real decision for most buyers is between the two Hoshizaki heads, and it is not only about width and output. For $300 more the KM-730MAK adds 80 lb of AHRI-rated production and lowers electricity use per pound by about 22 percent — but it needs eight more inches of width, a room of at least 154 sq. ft., and clearance from any open flame, none of which the Hoshizaki KM-622MAK requires. Check the room before you check the budget; the price difference is the easy part.

If cost per pound of capacity leads and you have the width, the Scotsman MC0630MAX-1 delivers 479 lb rated for $901 less, though it needs a heavier 18.3 A circuit and costs about 9 percent more per pound to run. The ICETRO IM-0550-AH is the lowest entry price of the four and offers half-dice ice, but publishes no AHRI-certified figure and no consumption data, so neither its rated output nor its running cost can be compared on the same basis. There is no overall winner here — only the right match for your width, your room, your peak draw and your ice type.

For a wider view of how the brands differ beyond a single model, see ITV vs Scotsman vs Hoshizaki vs Manitowoc, or browse the full range of commercial ice machines.

Before You Buy Checklist

• Daily ice volume. Calculate your peak-day requirement, then compare it against 620 lb, not 756 lb.

• Room floor area. Confirm the equipment room is at least 154.4 sq. ft. This is a requirement of the R290 charge, not a recommendation.

• Open-flame separation. Confirm the machine will sit at least 20 ft. from any open flame — cooking line, gas water heater or boiler.

• Machine dimensions. 30 in. W x 24 in. D x 26 in. H for the head alone.

• Assembled height and depth. About 72 in. tall on a B-500SF, with depth set by the bin at 32.3 in.

• Doorway and delivery access. 200 lb crated, and the head and bin ship separately — confirm crate dimensions for both against your delivery path.

• Bin and top kit. Choose the bin and confirm the top-kit arrangement for that pairing. Note that the 22-inch B-300SF is not compatible with this 30-inch head.

• Voltage and circuit. 115V single phase, dedicated 20 A circuit, hardwired — confirm an electrician is scheduled.

• Water connection. Potable cold water, 1/2 in. FPT, minimum 1/4 in. ID supply line, 10–113 PSIG.

• Drain. Gravity drain within reach, 3/4 in. FPT, minimum 3/4 in. hard pipe. No pump is fitted.

• Ventilation and clearance. Indoor only, 45–100°F ambient, 6 in. at the rear, both sides and the top.

• Water filtration. Budget for an ice machine filter and cartridges. At 22 gal per 100 lb this machine moves more water than most.

• Freight delivery. Confirm liftgate, inside delivery and who uncrates and positions the equipment.

• Installation. Confirm your installer handles both the hardwire and the drain, and who levels the assembly.

• Warranty service. Confirm an authorized Hoshizaki technician trained on R290 covers your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much ice does the Hoshizaki KM-730MAK make in a day?

Hoshizaki publishes 756 lb per 24 hours at 70°F air and 50°F water, and 620 lb per 24 hours at the AHRI Standard 810 conditions of 90°F air and 70°F water. Plan around 620 lb, since most commercial kitchens run closer to the AHRI conditions.

Does the KM-730MAK come with an ice storage bin?

No. It is a modular head with no storage of its own and must be installed on a compatible Hoshizaki bin or dispenser, purchased separately.

Which storage bins fit the KM-730MAK?

Hoshizaki lists the B-250SF, B-500SF, BD-500SF, B-700SF, B-800SF, B-900SF, B-1150SS, B-1300SS, B-1500SS and B-1650SS bins, the DB-200H and DM-200B dispensers, and Lancer dispensers. The B-500SF matches the head’s 30-inch width. Note that the 22-inch B-300SF, which suits the smaller KM-622MAK, is not on this model’s list.

How big a room does the KM-730MAK need?

Hoshizaki specifies a minimum room floor area of 154.4 sq. ft. (14.4 m²) for this model, because its R290 charge is 10.6 oz. (300 g). The machine must also not be installed within 20 ft. of an open flame, a rule that applies to charges above 152 g.

Can the KM-730MAK be plugged into a standard outlet?

No. It is hardwired at the site and ships without a cord or plug. It needs 115V, 60 Hz single-phase power on a circuit with a 20 A minimum ampacity and a 20 A maximum fuse or HACR breaker, installed to national, state and local electrical code.

Does the KM-730MAK need a drain pump?

The machine has no drain pump and drains by gravity through a 3/4 in. FPT outlet into a minimum 3/4 in. nominal ID hard pipe. If your site has no gravity drain within reach, a pump must be specified separately.

How tall is the KM-730MAK once it is installed on a bin?

The head alone is 26 in. tall. On a Hoshizaki B-500SF, which is 46 in. tall, the assembly stands about 72 in. high and 32.3 in. deep. Hoshizaki also asks for 6 in. of clearance above the head.

How does the KM-730MAK compare with the KM-622MAK on running cost?

The KM-730MAK uses 4.1 kWh per 100 lb against 5.25 — about 22 percent less electricity per pound. It uses 22.0 gal of water per 100 lb against 17.0, about 29 percent more. At typical US electricity and water rates the net result favours the KM-730MAK by roughly 9 percent per pound, but in a high-water-cost market that can invert.

How often does Hoshizaki say the KM-730MAK should be cleaned?

At least once a year for cleaning and sanitizing, more often in some water conditions. The machine includes CleanAssist, which Hoshizaki describes as a one-hour cleaning process. Air filters need checking far more frequently than annually.

Is the KM-730MAK approved for outdoor installation?

No. Hoshizaki states the appliance is not intended for outdoor use. It is rated for ambient temperatures of 45–100°F and incoming water of 45–90°F, in an indoor, controlled environment.

Final Buying Recommendation

The Hoshizaki KM-730MAK suits an operation that needs a dependable 600 lb-plus day of general-purpose cube ice, has 30 inches of equipment line to give it, and is planning for growth rather than standing still. Its strengths are specific: 620 lb of AHRI-rated production, the narrowest maximum-to-rated gap of any machine reviewed in this series at about 18 percent, the lowest electricity use per pound of any cube machine in this catalog, crescent cube ice that works across drinks, displays and service, and a warranty running to five years parts and labor on the evaporator.

Its limitations are about installation rather than performance, and two of them are unusual. It is hardwired, so an electrician is part of the project. It drains by gravity with no pump. It stores no ice, so the bin and any top kit are separate purchases. It uses about 29 percent more water per pound than its smaller sibling. And its 10.6 oz. R290 charge brings a 154.4 sq. ft. minimum room area and a 20 ft. open-flame separation rule that the smaller KM-622MAK does not carry — the single most consequential thing to check before ordering. Confirm four things before you buy: the room floor area and open-flame distance, the dedicated 20 A hardwired circuit, the gravity drain route, and the bin plus its top-kit arrangement.

Check current price and availability on the Hoshizaki KM-730MAK product page, request a quote or ask about compatible bins, top kits and water filtration through the Ice Maker Supply team, and confirm your installation requirements and freight delivery terms before you order. If you are still comparing configurations, the best commercial ice machines by budget gives a broader view of what each price band buys.