Commercial Nugget Ice Machines
Commercial nugget ice machines are designed for businesses that want soft, chewable ice with consistent production and reliable performance.
Nugget ice — also called chewable or pellet ice — is widely used in beverage service because it absorbs flavor, cools quickly, and improves the overall drinking experience.
Browse our full selection of commercial ice machines to compare ice types, production capacity, and configurations for your operation.
Best Uses for Nugget Ice Machines
- Bars and cocktail programs
- Cafés and coffee shops
- Quick-service restaurants
- Healthcare and hospitality environments
- Food trucks and mobile operations
Nugget Ice vs Cube Ice
- Nugget ice: soft, chewable, fast cooling, enhances beverages
- Cube ice: harder, slower melting, ideal for standard drinks
Compare Ice Machine Options
Ice Machine Buying Resources
Frequently Asked Questions About Nugget Ice Machines
What is nugget ice?
Nugget ice is soft, chewable ice made from compressed ice flakes, commonly used in beverages for faster cooling and better texture.
Why do customers prefer nugget ice?
Nugget ice absorbs flavor, cools drinks quickly, and is easier to chew compared to traditional cube ice.
Are nugget ice machines good for restaurants?
Yes. They are popular in beverage-focused operations where customer experience is important.
How much ice can a nugget ice machine produce?
Production varies by model, with options available for small cafés to high-volume commercial kitchens.
Where are nugget ice machines used?
They are used in restaurants, bars, cafés, healthcare facilities, and hospitality environments.
More nugget ice machine resources:
Brema Pebble Nugget Ice Makers — Made in Italy
Brema is the Italian standard for soft "pebble" nugget ice — the chewable, cloud-shaped ice that's popular in healthcare, smoothie bars, fast-casual chains, and craft cocktail programs. All Brema nugget machines run on R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant (natural, low-GWP), use 18/10 stainless construction, and are NSF and ETL-Sanitation certified.
Pick your machine by two things: daily production capacity (how much ice you'll pull during peak hours) and self-contained vs modular (whether the machine has a built-in bin or needs a separate storage bin underneath).
Self-contained with built-in bin — small to mid-volume, one-piece install
Self-contained models arrive with an integrated storage bin — no separate bin purchase, faster install. Best for cafes, small restaurants, and healthcare units that want one-piece delivery and setup.
- Brema TB852A-HC — 216 lbs/day, 44 lb built-in bin — smallest self-contained nugget on the site, good for cafes and small clinics
- Brema TB1404A-HC — 333 lbs/day, 88 lb built-in bin — mid-volume self-contained, popular in urgent care and small QSR
Modular head — high volume, pair with a separate storage bin
Modular ice machine heads sit on top of a storage bin (sold separately). They produce more ice per day and let you match bin capacity to your service pattern. Both Brema modular heads below drop onto a commercial ice bin from Brema, ITV, or Atosa.
- Brema TM140A-HC — 304 lbs/day modular head — pairs well with a 220 lb Brema BIN110 bin
- Brema TM250A-HC — 540 lbs/day modular head — pairs with the 400 lb Brema BIN200 bin for high-volume operations
How much nugget ice do you actually need?
A rough sizing rule: plan for about 1 to 1.5 lbs of nugget ice per beverage or per patient/day. A busy smoothie shop pulling 300 drinks a day wants 300 to 450 lbs of production, which puts you at the TM140A-HC or higher. Fast-casual chains that use nugget in every fountain cup can burn through 500+ lbs a day — that's TM250A-HC territory.
For sizing help across all ice styles (cube, flake, nugget), see our commercial ice machine buying guide.