Introduction
Making ice might seem simple since it only involves freezing water; however, anyone who has tried to freeze ice in bulk to be used for consumption knows that the process is far from straightforward. Producing ice that can be consumed has many requirements; the ice should be clean, in a form where it can be used efficiently, and most importantly, it should be in the required quantity. The quantity dilemma gets even more significant when the ice is to be produced for a commercial setting. Places selling chilled beverages are one example of a place that needs an almost innumerable supply of uncontaminated and consumable ice already cut up into usable forms. Mere ice cube trays are not sufficient in this situation, and this is where ice machines step in.
Ice machines are genuinely one of the greatest inventions since they allow the mass production of ice, a process that took quite a significant time before. The mass production of ice allowed progress in the food and service industry, and now any food truck or stall uses these ice machines for their products. There are, however, some brands that perfected the art of producing uncontaminated, aesthetically appealing ice. Scotsman ice machines are one of those brands.
Established in 1950, the Scotsman ice machines became the gold standard for ice machines. Producing some of the most refreshing ice, the machine remains one of the giants in the ice machine industry. Plenty of factors gave the machine this stellar reputation, and the company’s business policies further propelled it to stardom. Let’s find out how exactly Scotsman stamped its name in the annals of ice machine history.
History of Scotsman Ice Machine
Anyone well versed in ice machine lore knows Scotsman is a brand that changed the ice production industry. They introduced technological innovation that set the path for the mass production of ice, and it continues to be the brand most famously associated with ice dispensers and ice storage used on a commercial level. With over 50 years of experience, Scotsman has firmly held its position as number one in the ice production industry, and it is now synonymous with quality ice production.
Scotsman’s story began in 1921 when a company named Queen was set up, and it specialized in heating equipment such as camp stoves. Ironically, this heating business was involved in a merger in 1951, and they then expanded their expertise to ice-making products. They invented the ice machine and named it Scotsman. The inventors set out to produce the purest, uncontaminated ice that could be manufactured for commercial purposes. The machine hit its heights of popularity when another Italian ice machine business got involved.
Scotsman ice machines had such great demand that the company began to enjoy unprecedented success. By the 1990s, it was estimated that Scotsman Industries, which was established later as a specialized industry for ice machines, accounted for over 90% of the US ice machines industry.
Today, the company has refashioned itself to focus on food service and has added appliances such as refrigerators, food prep, and chilled display cases to its ever-expanding range. However, throughout its new ventures, the company retained its focus on ice making, and its machines still produce the cleanest and most appealing ice on the market.
What Makes Scotsman so Great?
Scotsman Industries’ roaring success begs the question, what is it that the company did right to enjoy so much demand and acclaim? A lot of the company’s success can be attributed to its thorough navigation of challenges and constant innovation. Here are 4 things that make Scotsman the holy grail of ice machines.
1. No Compromise on Quality
Scotsman was conceived with producing the highest quality crystal clear ice in mind, and it has continued to live by its objective. Be it the commercial or residential machines, Scotsman only produces the safest, uncontaminated, and odorless ice that you would never mind putting in your drink. Murky ice is not only unpleasant to look at, but it can also be harmful to your health. The ice produced by Scotsman is guaranteed to be free of contaminants due to its crystal-clear appearance.
2. Introduction of New Consumable Ice Shapes
Scotsman has its hand firmly on the pulse of its consumers, and it knows its needs. With its venture in food services, Scotsman realized the need to move cubes for chilled beverages. Therefore, it introduced the nugget shape in ice, which is now used by fast food chains across the United States. This kind of innovation for customer ease ensures that Scotsman always stays at the top.
3. Scotsman is Always Ahead in Technological Advancement
What sets Scotsman apart is that it is always ahead of its peers by doing its research in the latest ice technology. For a long time, CFCs were used in cooling appliances such as ice machines. When CFCs were banned due to their effect on the ozone layer, Scotsman was one step ahead and introduced the first CFC-free ice machine, which took it leaps and bounds ahead of any competition.
4. Easy to Maintain
Ice machines are notoriously difficult to clean. However, Scotsman has neutralized that issue and also has a system that alerts the user when it is time to clean the ice machine. This makes Scotsman easy to maintain and eliminates one of the biggest problems in handling ice machines.
Final Thoughts
While it may not seem like a huge deal, Scotsman has basically paved the way for how easy our modern food service system is. If you enjoy getting your huge slushies or Fountain drinks, you have Scotsman machines to thank for how easily available they are. The best part is that Scotsman has eliminated the biggest issue with ice: contamination. You can now easily consume ice or chilled beverages without fearing cholera or any other serious repercussions.