Cube vs Nugget vs Flake Ice:
Which Is Best for Your Business?

Not all ice is the same. The type of ice your business uses can affect beverage quality, food presentation, customer experience, and even running costs.

From cube ice used in bars and restaurants to flake ice utilised for food display and healthcare, each variety of ice serves a distinct purpose. This guide clarifies the differences between cube, nugget, and flake ice to assist you in selecting the most suitable ice machine for your business.

Cube Ice: The Hospitality Standard

Cube ice is the most widely used ice type in bars, restaurants, pubs and hotels. Its dense structure means it melts slowly, keeping drinks cold without diluting them too quickly.

Best for:

  • Bars and cocktail venues

  • Restaurants and cafés

  • Hotels and events

  • General drinks service

Benefits:

  • Slow melting

  • Clear, attractive appearance

  • Ideal for premium drinks

  • Versatile and widely used

Cube ice machines are the most popular choice for hospitality businesses that serve drinks regularly.

Cube Ice for bars and restaurants
Nugget Ice for Cafes and Care Homes

Nugget Ice: Soft & Chewable

Nugget ice (also known as chewable or sonic ice) is softer and more porous than cube ice. It absorbs drink flavours and is popular in soft drinks, smoothies and healthcare environments.

Best for:

  • Cafés and soft drink service

  • Healthcare and care homes

  • Offices and self-serve stations

Benefits:

  • Soft, chewable texture

  • Cools drinks quickly

  • Popular with customers

  • Great for blended drinks

Flake Ice: Food Display & Cooling

Flake ice is made up of small, soft ice flakes that mould easily around food and products. It is widely used in food display, fish counters, supermarkets and medical environments.

Best for:

  • Fish and seafood display

  • Butchers and supermarkets

  • Healthcare and laboratories

  • Food production

Benefits:

  • Excellent cooling coverage

  • Hygienic and easy to handle

  • Ideal for display

  • Maintains freshness

Flake Ice for Retail and Food Manufacturing

🧠 How to Compare These Machines

Which Ice Type Should You Choose?

Choosing the right ice depends on your business type:

  • Bar or pub: Cube ice

  • Cocktail venue: Gourmet cube ice

  • Café or drinks outlet: Cube or nugget

  • Fish/meat display: Flake ice

  • Healthcare: Flake or nugget

If your primary use is serving drinks, cube ice machines are usually the best investment due to their versatility and slow melt rate.

In summary

Understanding the differences between cube, nugget and flake ice will help you choose the right machine for your business. Each ice type has a specific purpose, and selecting the correct one ensures efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Explore our range of cube, nugget and flake ice machines to find the ideal solution for your business.