Scaling the Ice at the Fish Counter
Scale ice has long been the ice of choice for the fish industry, and is used everywhere from point of catch - in deep-sea trawlers, for example - to fish factories and wet fish transport, where the product must be kept chilled rather than frozen. But until recently scale ice hadn't reached the point of sale, where customers can select their fresh fish individually and see the quality as they buy. The reason was originally cost and practicality.
However, more retail fish sites are now installing Hubbard's MAR range of scale ice machines. So why switch to scale ice?
For most fish sellers the key is perfect storage quality, and Scotsman's scale ice is the perfect answer. Scale ice has several benefits compared to traditional flake, particularly in the context of food display. For one thing, it is 'sub-cooled' to as low as -12c, which means it lasts longer, so it doesn't need replenishing as often. It's also extremely fine, which means that more of the ice comes into contact with the food, ensuring a more even cooling rate. This fineness also makes the ice highly suitable for the delicate treatment of fragile products such as wet fish.
Another major plus for scale ice is its looks - and in retail this is a major consideration. Being sparkling white and 'fluffy', almost like snow, it is very attractive and enhances food displays, especially of fish. Scale ice can be adjusted to produce thin ice (1.5mm) or thick ice (3mm). The thicker 3mm ice is considered the standard in fishmonger applications.
But it's not just about the ice - the machines themselves are very cost-effective. They are energy efficient and can work off a remote refrigeration system, so there is no heat emission into the area where the ice is stored. The latest models are also compact, taking up a minimum of valuable storage and selling space, a major factor in shops, where floorspace is much more expensive than in industrial sites.
The Scotsman range starts with the MAR55, delivering up to 380kg of fish-grade ice a day, and runs to the MAR305, producing up to 2,200kg daily. Where storage space is very tight, or ventilation is a problem, the MAR range can be supplied with remote condensers.
For easy delivery from ice machine to display counter Hubbard also offers specialist transport carts on wheels, ideal for scale ice.
