How much an ice machine cost will depend on the volume you expect to use or need. A standard business sized one will run you about $1500, but if you are into some heavy ice needs, you will likely need to spend double that.
You can try Craigslist to buy the ice machine. You can also go to acitydiscount.com and see what they have available for your business lunchroom.
I would first look on Craigslist or in your local paper to see if there are any companies that may have gone out of business that are selling an undercounter ice machine.
Ice Machines are contained in a freezer or are stand alone. They have molds which are filled with water from a tube or pipe that is connected to the plumbing lines of the home or business. After this mold of water is frozen, the ice machine then releases the mold into a container.
That all depends on the ice maker and the size of the machine. For example, the Bag of Ice XL1900 makes 1900lbs of ice per day. Check them out in the related link.
Over 100k I would own a machine that is much smaller and produces the same amount of ice on demand such as the Bag of Ice XL1900 Plus.
If you are talking about right now and during this east coast heat wave, I can see that a ice machine business would succeed. People need a way to cool down and to cool down quickly. But it would only work in that market.
Cornelius ice machines are available through warehouse stores for home use or business use. Ice machines can be delivered and installed for an additional price.
Selling ice is profitable, only if you make contingency plans and sell to retailers who use a lot of ice in their business. Think hotels that specialize in menu items that require meat to be frozen. Again, the ice business is unlikely to take off if you target individual buyers. It will also take off in hot and humid areas, as well as remote areas which do not necessarily have easy access to electricity (businesses in mountains).
It's not clear what size ice making machine you need. A company that has been in business for 24 years is KaTom. They sell a variety of commercial ice makers and filters. A visit to their website will give you an idea of your options: http://www.katom.com/
The Ice Machine was created in 1986.
The ice was not invented since it was a by-product of winter when the idea of using it started from the Tudor brothers in 1805. William Tudor quipped for them to send the ice formed in their pond to the West Indies. Frederick Tudor worked on the idea and started?æan ice-selling business.
The cost of a commercial ice machine wholly depends on what type of ice machine is required. An under counter machine costs from $1,800, where as a Cube ice machine costs from $2,000.