Scotsman AF157 Self-Contained Ice Flaker (160kg/24hr)

The Scotsman AF157 is a self-contained flake ice machine with integrated storage, capable of producing up to 160kg of flake ice per 24 hours. Flake ice is a soft, irregular-shaped ice that conforms around food and chills rapidly on contact, making it particularly well suited to seafood and fresh food display, salad bars, food production applications, and blended drinks service. Having the production unit and storage bin in a single cabinet simplifies installation and reduces the footprint compared to separate head-and-bin configurations.

In a busy commercial environment, consistent ice availability is critical. The AF157 is built to run continuously during service, and its output level is appropriate for mid-volume operations — whether that's keeping a display counter stocked through a full lunch and dinner service, supplying a production kitchen with chilling media, or supporting a bar that relies on flake ice for cocktails and blended beverages. The integrated bin holds a useful reserve, reducing the risk of running short during peak periods.

A few features that translate directly into day-to-day operational benefit:

• Scotsman's Xsafe UV treatment system works within the machine to destroy bacteria and viruses, and inhibits mould, slime and odour build-up inside the ice-making and storage area — reducing the cleaning burden and supporting food safety compliance.
• Front-access design means servicing and routine maintenance can be carried out without pulling the unit away from the wall, which matters in tight kitchen layouts.
• The filter-free air-cooled condenser removes one routine maintenance task and one potential failure point.
• Front-to-front airflow means the unit can be fitted flush into a built-in installation without requiring rear ventilation clearance.
• Electronic self-diagnostics with external alarm indicators flag operational issues early, reducing the risk of unnoticed failures during service.

Installation is relatively straightforward — the AF157 requires a mains cold water supply, a gravity or pumped water discharge, and a standard electrical connection. Because it is air-cooled, no additional water-cooled condenser plumbing is needed. The front-in, front-out airflow means it can be built into a counter run or enclosed cabinet provided adequate front clearance is maintained. In hard water areas, fitting a suitable inline water filter is strongly recommended; scale build-up is the most common cause of premature wear on ice machines, and failure to fit appropriate filtration may affect warranty cover.

The AF157 is a practical choice for mid-sized catering operations — restaurants, hotel kitchens, food production units, fishmongers, and bars with moderate-to-high flake ice demand. It is less suited to very high-volume sites such as large hotel buffets or central production facilities that require continuous, heavy-duty output throughout the day; for those applications, a higher-capacity dedicated ice flaker would be worth considering. Equally, if flake ice is only needed in small quantities, a lower-output machine would be a more economical fit.

If you're not certain whether this output level suits your expected demand, or if you have questions about water quality, installation space, or integration with an existing cold room or food display counter, our team is happy to talk it through with you.