Atosa YRM0600A-261 Modular Ice Maker Head - 600 lb/Day, 30" Half-Dice, 208-230V

Atosa YRM0600A-261 600 lb Modular Ice Machine Head - 30"

The Atosa YRM0600A-261 is a 30-inch modular ice machine head that produces up to 600 pounds of half-dice cube ice every 24 hours. This is the icemaker half of a high-output modular ice system - the unit sits on top of a separate ice storage bin (Atosa BYR0400 400 lb is the direct-fit pairing) using the bin's included adapter, giving operators full control over storage capacity independent of production rate. At 30-3/4" wide, 24-1/4" deep, and 25-3/4" tall, it pairs with the 30"-footprint BYR0400 to build a single-stack 600 lb/400 lb system sized for high-volume bars, full-service restaurants, banquet operations, hotels, and quick-service locations running real ice volume through the day.

R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant, an air-cooled condenser, a removable air filter, a screwless front panel for tool-free service access, digital control, a stainless steel exterior, and a 3M water filter system standard in the carton make this a true commercial workhorse rated for daily front-of-house duty. NSF, ETL, cETLus, and ENERGY STAR listed.

Best Uses for the YRM0600A-261

• High-volume bars pulling 500+ drinks per shift
• Full-service restaurants with bar, dining room, and to-go ice draw on a single system
• Banquet, catering, and hotel ice staging stations serving multiple events simultaneously
• Hotels and resorts with guest ice machines, banquet, and pool-deck demand on one system
• Quick-service restaurants pairing soft-drink dispense with bagged-ice retail
• Sports bars, breweries, and stadium concessions with unpredictable peak surges

Modular Head Plus Separate Storage Bin

A modular ice machine separates production from storage. The YRM0600A-261 head produces ice and drops it into a separate bin sitting underneath - typically the matching Atosa BYR0400 (400 lb storage, 30" wide, direct fit using the bin's included adapter). That separation gives operators a critical advantage over self-contained units: storage capacity scales independently of production rate. A 600 lb/24 hr head feeding a 400 lb bin gives high-volume operations a deep buffer for peak surges and a clear upgrade path - swap to a larger third-party 30" bin without replacing the icemaker, or pair the same head with multiple bins in parallel for very high-volume installations.

Production rates depend on incoming water temperature and ambient air temperature. Atosa's 600 lb/24 hr rating is measured at 70°F air and 50°F water. In a hot kitchen with warm summer water lines, expect daily production closer to 450-520 lb; in a climate-controlled environment with chilled supply, production tracks the published rating. Sizing rule of thumb: budget 1.5 to 2 pounds of ice per seat per day for a sit-down restaurant, 3 pounds per cover for a high-volume bar, and 5 pounds per drink for blended-drink concepts. With a 400 lb bin, a 600 lb/24 hr head supports a full-service restaurant with bar plus dining room, a high-volume sports bar, or a multi-station banquet operation comfortably through peak service.

Half-Dice Cube Ice and Profit Margin

The YRM0600A-261 produces a 3/8" x 7/8" x 7/8" half-dice cube - the most versatile shape in commercial ice and the most profitable. Half-dice has a higher surface-area-to-volume ratio than full cubes, so it chills a drink faster on the first pour, which matters in fast-paced bar service where the customer expects a crisp cold drink immediately. It also packs tighter in the glass than larger irregular shapes, which means higher liquid displacement - less liquor, syrup, or soda per pour while still delivering a full, satisfying glass. Over thousands of drinks a week at high-volume locations, that displacement difference shows up directly on the beverage P&L.

Stainless Steel Construction and 3M Water Filter Standard

The cabinet is wrapped in durable stainless steel with a screwless front access panel that pulls off without tools for condenser cleaning and routine service. Restricted airflow on the condenser is the single most common cause of premature compressor failure on commercial ice machines, and the screwless panel takes a 30-minute tool-and-fastener job down to a one-minute pull-and-vacuum. A removable air filter behind the panel pulls out without tools for weekly cleaning, the second line of defense against the dust and grease that strangle commercial ice production.

Every YRM0600A-261 ships with a 3M water filter system standard - Atosa includes the housing and cartridge in the carton, no separate purchase required. The 3M cartridge removes chlorine taste and odor, sediment, and scale-forming hardness before it ever reaches the ice mold, which protects the evaporator plate, extends the life of the water valve and pump, and produces clearer, harder beverage-grade cubes that taste neutral in finished drinks. Atosa recommends replacing the 3M cartridge every six months. Water quality varies by region, and a replacement on schedule is the cheapest insurance against a service call.

Digital Control and Optional Bin Thermostat Kit

Digital control on the YRM0600A-261 monitors the harvest cycle, freeze cycle, and water level automatically without operator adjustment. Atosa also offers an optional bin thermostat kit (part #BYR0400217001, sold separately) that monitors the storage bin's ice level and automatically stops ice production when the bin is full. That prevents bin overflow, protects the refrigeration system from short-cycling against a full bin, and improves overall energy efficiency. The kit is recommended for any operation where the icemaker can produce more ice than the bin can hold during slow periods - i.e., most overnight and weekend-closed operations.

Specifications

Installation, Electrical, Water, and Clearance Requirements

The YRM0600A-261 is designed to sit on top of a separate ice storage bin using the bin's included adapter. The matching Atosa BYR0400 30" 400 lb bin is a direct fit. Maintain at least 6" of clearance above the head's air intake on top, and adequate side and rear clearance for condenser airflow per the spec sheet. Restricted airflow is the single largest cause of low ice production and short compressor life on air-cooled ice machines.

The YRM0600A-261 requires a 208-230V / 60 Hz / 1-phase circuit with a NEMA 6-20P (twin-blade horizontal-pin) outlet and a dedicated 20-amp circuit. This is not a standard household 115V outlet - confirm with an electrician that the install location has the correct voltage and outlet type before delivery. Plumbing requires a cold potable water supply with a 3/8" OD slip-style connection, a shut-off valve within reach for service, and a gravity floor drain or condensate pump within range of the 3/4" rubber drain hose included in the carton. Drain line must be sloped continuously downward and include an air gap to prevent backflow per code. Maintenance and cleaning are explicitly excluded from the warranty, so put weekly air-filter rinses, six-month 3M cartridge swaps, and a quarterly nickel-safe sanitizing cycle on the kitchen calendar from day one.

Why Operators Choose Atosa

Atosa builds commercial ice machines the way working operators want them built - a 3M water filter system in the carton instead of a separate add-on purchase, R290 refrigerant for ENERGY STAR efficiency and long-term EPA SNAP compliance, a screwless front panel so condenser cleaning actually gets done, a tool-free removable air filter for weekly maintenance, digital control that holds production rate without operator adjustment, and a 2-year parts and labor warranty backed by a 5-year compressor parts warranty - one of the longest standard warranties in the value modular ice machine category. Browse the full Atosa ice machine lineup for matching storage bins, smaller 22" YRS-series heads, and undercounter alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the YRM0600A-261 come with a storage bin?

No. The YRM0600A-261 is a modular icemaker head only. It must be installed on top of a separate ice storage bin. The matching Atosa BYR0400 30" 400 lb bin is a direct fit (adapter included with the bin).

What outlet does the YRM0600A-261 require?

NEMA 6-20P (twin-blade horizontal-pin) on a dedicated 20-amp circuit running 208-230V / 60 Hz / 1-phase. This is not a standard 115V household-style outlet. Confirm with an electrician that the install location has the correct voltage and outlet type before delivery.

Will the YRM0600A-261 actually produce 600 lb of ice in 24 hours?

The 600 lb rating is measured at 70°F ambient air and 50°F incoming water. In a typical kitchen with warm summer water lines and an 80°F air temperature, expect daily production closer to 450-520 lb. Plumbing the unit to a cold water supply line (not a tempered or hot-line tap) and giving it the full clearance specified in the spec sheet is the cheapest way to keep production close to the published rating.

Does the YRM0600A-261 require a floor drain?

Yes. The head is gravity-drained through a 3/4" hose barb on the unit, and the bin underneath also drains by gravity through its own 3/4" connection. Both lines must run to a floor drain or to a condensate pump that lifts the water to a sink drain.

What size water line does the unit need?

3/8" OD copper or PEX with a 3/8" slip-style connector at the unit. A dedicated cold water supply with a shut-off valve within reach is required. The 3M water filter system included with the unit installs in the supply line before the inlet. Never run unfiltered municipal water directly to the icemaker on this model.

How often does the 3M filter cartridge need to be replaced?

Every six months in average water quality. Hard-water regions or high-volume operations may need replacement at four to five months. The cartridge protects the evaporator plate and water valve from scale buildup, so a cartridge swap on schedule is the cheapest insurance against a service call. Keep a spare on the shelf.

What is the bin thermostat kit and do I need it?

The bin thermostat kit (BYR0400217001, sold separately) monitors the ice level in the storage bin and automatically stops production when the bin is full. It prevents bin overflow, protects the refrigeration system from short-cycling against a full bin, and improves overall energy efficiency. Recommended for any operation where the icemaker can produce more ice than the bin holds during slow periods, including overnight and weekend-closed operations.

How often should the condenser coil be cleaned?

At least every 30 days. Pull the screwless front panel, vacuum the condenser fins, and use a soft brush to clear any residue the vacuum misses. Dust and grease act as an insulator that forces the compressor to run constantly, which leads to high-pressure lockouts and shortens compressor life dramatically.

How often does the icemaker need to be sanitized?

Every three to six months, or whenever the ice starts to taste off, look cloudy, or smell metallic. Use a manufacturer-approved nickel-safe sanitizer; chlorine bleach will pit the evaporator plate and void the warranty. Run a full sanitize-and-rinse cycle per the owner's manual, and document each cleaning on a kitchen log so health inspectors can see the schedule.

Is R290 refrigerant safe for indoor restaurant use?

Yes. R290 is an EPA SNAP-approved hydrocarbon refrigerant used by every major commercial refrigeration manufacturer, with a global warming potential of 3, over a thousand times lower than legacy HFC refrigerants like R404A that it directly replaces. R290 is also a more efficient heat-exchange medium than R404A, which lets the compressor reach harvest temperatures faster with less energy draw. The charge in this unit is below the federal threshold that would require additional ventilation or special service tools, and standard refrigeration techs are trained to service R290 systems safely.

What is covered under the 2-year parts and labor warranty?

Atosa covers all factory-defect parts and labor for two years from the date of installation, plus an additional three years (five years total) on compressor parts only. Maintenance items - air filter cleaning, 3M cartridge replacement, condenser coil cleaning, sanitizing cycles, and water-quality-related failures like scale buildup - are explicitly excluded from warranty. Keep a maintenance log and a copy of the original invoice with the unit.

Spec Sheet

Download the Atosa YRM-series spec sheet (PDF)