Ice mills: types and features

A refreshing mojito, White Russian, frappe - these and many other cocktails will lose all their charm without ground ice. The cooling ingredient is prepared using a special mill . For bars and outdoor cafes such a device is indispensable. Let's take a closer look at its features and operating principles!

History of appearance

Ice became an essential ingredient in soft drinks in the 19th century. American bartenders came up with the idea of adding it. But for a long time, ice blocks brought from lakes and ponds were simply broken with hammers in leather bags. The first ice crusher was patented in 1880 by the Gilbert and Baker gas lantern company. The machine, which resembled a meat grinder, was made of brass and nickel alloy. Later, models of different formats appeared that crushed ice into cubes and crumbs.

Small ice grains received the French name frappe. The same term refers to all drinks containing crushed ice - juices, alcoholic cocktails, iced coffee. But most often crushed ice was added to mint juleps.

In the second half of the twentieth century, the electric crusher appeared. It turns large ice blocks into crumbs in just a matter of minutes. Electric machines predominate in modern bars. Vintage mills from the 1920s to 1960s are also popular, creating a retro atmosphere.

Principle of operation

The main task of the crusher is to break large pieces of ice and turn them into crumbs or shavings. The mechanical device is equipped with a handle, the rotation of which sets the blades in motion. The work process is reminiscent of an old meat grinder. The main advantage of such a mill is that the amount of ice is easy to regulate, and the mechanism does not slow down due to overload. However, in large bars with a large influx of visitors, such a device is inconvenient.

An electric mill performs the same functions as a manual mill, but with significant savings in time and physical effort. Just load the ice and turn on the machine. The cubes flow through a tube into the grinder, where they are ground with steel or plastic teeth. After processing the raw material, the crusher automatically stops.

An important component of the device is a container used for receiving and storing ice chips. Its size, along with the type of mechanism, determines the efficiency of the machine. Industrial mills are equipped with containers that can hold up to 2 kg of crushed ice.

Types of Ice Mills

There are only two main types - mechanical and electrical . By design, vertical and horizontal crushers are also distinguished. The first option is compact and performs two functions at once - a chopper and a shaker . Such a device can be loaded with liquid products and ice at the same time. The result is a refreshing frappe drink.

The horizontal apparatus takes up more space, but is capable of processing a larger volume of raw materials. Usually used in large bars.

For home use, a manual crusher is more convenient - a device that resembles a garlic press. The ice is placed in a special compartment and, by squeezing the handles, a small amount of crumbs is obtained.

Features of use

Crushers are most in demand in bars and restaurants where there is a constant need for shaved ice for drinks. The ingredient is required for preparing the following cocktails:

• Pina colada;
• mai tai;
• strawberry margarita;
• mojito;
• pelican.

Coffee drinks are also served with ground ice - frappe, arshat, and a variety of lemonades.

Bartenders also use crushed ice to cool glasses . In food courts, crushed ice is sprinkled on some food displays to give them a picturesque appearance.

Features when choosing

The first factor to take into account is the purpose of the mill . If you need a unit for a bar or cafe, consider the scale of the establishment. The higher its attendance, the more powerful the machine’s performance should be. For your home, you can buy a manual crusher or a small electric device.

When choosing, rely on seven more criteria:

material – choose products made of stainless steel or aluminumminiya. They are resistant to damage, do not corrode, and are easy to clean. The case may be plastic, but the internal mechanism is nothing less than steel;

productivity - look in the instructions to see how much crumb the machine produces per hour. The most powerful devices produce up to 360 kg of product per hour;

functionality – for catering establishments, devices with different modes, timers, and automatic shutdown are preferable;

volume - make sure that the ice container holds at least 2 liters;

equipment - it is recommended to choose units equipped with accessories - a scoop, an additional tray.

Famous manufacturers

A good option for a large bar is a mill from the French company SANTOS . Electronically controlled units operate in several modes, producing chips of varying degrees of grinding. SANTOS products are characterized by increased durability, since all parts are made of stainless steel. For small establishments, equipment from Beckers is suitable. Vertical electric mills made of aluminum are capable of processing 180 kg of ice in an hour. The compactness of the products allows them to be used to decorate a bar area.

Shredders from the Italian brand FIMAR have proven themselves well in small cafes and home use. The hardened steel mechanism ensures longevity of the machine, and the small size is suitable for limited areas.