Atosa YRS0600A-261 Modular Ice Maker Head - 600 lb/Day, 22" Half-Dice, 208-230V

Atosa YRS0600A-261 600 lb Modular Ice Machine Head - 22"

The Atosa YRS0600A-261 is a 22-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 BYR0300 300 lb is the direct-fit pairing) using the bin's included adapter, giving operators full control over storage capacity independent of production rate. At 22-3/4" wide, 24-1/4" deep, and 31-3/4" tall, it pairs with the 22"-footprint BYR0300 to build a single-stack 600 lb/300 lb system sized for high-volume bars, full-service restaurants, banquet operations, hotels, and quick-service locations that need real ice volume in a tight 22"-wide footprint.

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. NEMA 6-20P plug, 208-230V/60Hz/1-phase. NSF, ETL, cETLus, and ENERGY STAR listed.

Best Uses for the YRS0600A-261

• High-volume bars pulling 500+ drinks per shift in a tight 22" footprint
• 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 in space-constrained kitchens
• 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 YRS0600A-261 head produces ice and drops it into a separate bin sitting underneath - typically the matching Atosa BYR0300 (300 lb storage, 22" 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 300 lb bin gives high-volume operations a deep buffer for peak surges and a clear upgrade path - swap to a larger 22" third-party bin without replacing the icemaker, or use Atosa adapter BYR0400235001 (sold separately) to pair the same 22" head with a 30" BYR0400 400 lb bin for higher overnight storage capacity.

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 300 lb bin, a 600 lb/24 hr head supports a high-volume sports bar, a full-service restaurant with bar plus dining room, or a multi-station banquet operation comfortably through peak service - though operations with long peak windows should consider stepping up to the BYR0400 30" 400 lb bin via adapter.

22" Footprint at the 600 lb Production Tier

The YRS0600A-261 is the only Atosa head that delivers 600 lb/day production in a 22-3/4" footprint. The 30"-wide YRM0600A-261 produces the same daily output but requires 8" more counter or floor width - an important difference in older bar back lines, urban kitchens, and tight retrofit spaces where 30" of contiguous run is not available. The trade is height: the YRS0600A-261 stacks 31-3/4" tall on the ice head alone (above the bin), so confirm overhead clearance and access for the head's air intake before delivery. The 22" footprint plus 6.8-amp running load also means the unit pairs cleanly with a BYR0300 22" bin for a complete 600 lb/300 lb system that fits a single 22"-wide floor tile or counter cutout.

Half-Dice Cube Ice and Profit Margin

The YRS0600A-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 YRS0600A-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 YRS0600A-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. At 600 lb/24 hr production into a 300 lb bin, the thermostat kit is more than recommended - it is effectively required for any operation that runs less than continuous peak demand. Without it, the unit will continue producing into a full bin and short-cycle against the overflow stop, which strains the refrigeration circuit and wastes energy and water through every aborted harvest.

Specifications

Installation, Electrical, Water, and Clearance Requirements

The YRS0600A-261 is designed to sit on top of a separate ice storage bin using the bin's included adapter. The matching Atosa BYR0300 22" 300 lb bin is a direct fit. To pair the 22" head with a 30" bin (BYR0400 400 lb), use the optional BYR0400235001 adapter sold separately. 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. With the head stacked on the bin plus 6" of overhead clearance, total install height runs roughly 7 feet from floor to ceiling - confirm the install location has the headroom before delivery.

The YRS0600A-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, a 22" footprint at the 600 lb production tier that fits tight bar back lines and retrofit spaces, 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, larger 30" YRM-series heads, and undercounter alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the YRS0600A-261 come with a storage bin?

No. The YRS0600A-261 is a modular icemaker head only. It must be installed on top of a separate ice storage bin. The matching Atosa BYR0300 22" 300 lb bin is a direct fit (adapter included with the bin). To pair the 22" head with a 30" BYR0400 bin, use the optional BYR0400235001 adapter sold separately.

What outlet does the YRS0600A-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.

How is the YRS0600A-261 different from the YRS0350A-161, YRS0450A-161, and YRM0600A-261?

The YRS0350A-161 (350 lb/day) and YRS0450A-161 (450 lb/day) are 22" heads on standard 115V outlets - simpler installs but lower production. The YRS0600A-261 (this product) is the same 22" footprint at 600 lb/day but requires a 208-230V NEMA 6-20P circuit. The YRM0600A-261 produces 600 lb/day at the same 208-230V tier but in a wider 30" footprint. Choose the YRS0600A-261 when 600 lb/day production is needed and the install space is limited to a 22"-wide footprint.

Will the YRS0600A-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.

Is a 300 lb bin big enough for a 600 lb/day head?

It is the direct-fit matched bin for the YRS0600A-261 footprint and works for operations that draw ice continuously through service - where ice produced overnight and during slow periods is balanced by ice pulled during peak hours. Operations with long peak windows or limited overnight production cycles should consider pairing the 22" head with the 30" BYR0400 400 lb bin via the BYR0400235001 adapter for a deeper buffer. The bin thermostat kit (BYR0400217001) is effectively required either way.

Does the YRS0600A-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 operations running near full production daily 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.

Can the YRS0600A-261 sit on a 30" bin instead of a 22" bin?

Yes, with the optional BYR0400235001 adapter sold separately. The 22" wide head sits on the adapter, and the adapter sits on the 30" wide BYR0400 400 lb bin. Use that combination when storage capacity matters more than footprint - a 22" head producing 600 lb/day into a 400 lb bin gives a deeper overnight buffer than the 300 lb bin allows.

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.

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 YRS-series spec sheet (PDF)