Hoshizaki FM-120KE-HCN Nugget Ice Machine (110kg/24hr)

The Hoshizaki FM-120KE-HCN is a self-contained nugget ice machine producing up to 110kg of nugget ice per 24 hours. Nugget ice — sometimes called pellet or chewable ice — has a softer, more porous texture than conventional cube ice. That structure means it takes on flavour readily, chills drinks quickly, and produces less aggressive dilution than harder ice forms, making it particularly well suited to cocktail service, blended drinks, and high-turnover cold beverage operations.

In a busy bar or drinks-led venue, consistent ice supply is a fundamental operational requirement. At 110kg per day, this machine is capable of sustaining continuous service across a full trading day without interruption, provided storage capacity is matched to peak demand. The self-contained design integrates the ice-making mechanism and storage bin in a single unit, which simplifies installation and reduces the footprint compared to separate head-and-bin configurations.

From an operational standpoint, nugget ice offers several practical advantages over cube or crescent formats:

• Softer texture reduces wear on blender blades in smoothie and blended cocktail menus
• High surface area chills drinks rapidly, reducing the time each drink spends in preparation
• Porous structure absorbs syrups and flavours, improving consistency in cocktail builds
• Lower density means it packs efficiently into glasses, improving presentation without excess dilution
• Popular with customers, which can reduce complaints about drink temperature or quality

Being self-contained, this unit requires a plumbed water supply, a drain connection, and adequate ventilation around the condenser. Installation should account for sufficient clearance at the sides and rear to allow heat to dissipate effectively — nugget ice machines work the condenser hard during high-output periods, and restricted airflow will reduce output and shorten component life. This is an important consideration in compact or enclosed bar areas.

The FM-120KE-HCN is best suited to cocktail bars, hotel bars, restaurant beverage stations, and similar venues where nugget ice is specifically required and daily demand justifies a dedicated machine at this output level. For smaller operations or those with lower daily ice requirements, a reduced-capacity model would be more appropriate. For very high-volume sites — large event venues or stadium operations, for example — machines with greater daily output may be worth considering.

If you are unsure whether this output level is right for your service volume, or have questions about installation requirements in your specific site, our team is happy to talk it through with you before you commit.