Hubbard questions suggestion that faecal bacteria came from water that made the ice

Once again the issue of ice hygiene is in the media, with a researcher from the BBC’s Rip Off Britain finding bacteria from faeces in ice cubes served in a big-name takeaway.*

However, a suggestion that the bacteria could have come from the water used in the icemaker has been questioned by the ice experts at Hubbard Systems, the company that markets Scotsman ice machines in the UK.

“The water in the icemaker will have passed through a filter system that will help to prevent any bacteria present from getting into the machine,” says Mark Stebbings, technical and aftercare manager at Hubbard Systems. “The bacteria that was found is most probably the result of poor personal hygiene standards, presumably on the part of a member of staff.”

(more…)

Hubbard Systems says nugget ice is the new ‘best in class’ for smoothies and blended drinks

When it comes to smoothies, ice is an essential.  According to Hubbard Systems, who distributes the Scotsman range of icemakers, there’s a new ‘best in class’ ice for smoothie-making: nugget ice.

There’s a variety of reasons for the nugget’s crown.  In terms of the ice itself, it’s small and relatively soft so it blends very easily and quietly, plus it’s kinder to blades – so it’s perfect for smoothies and other blended drinks.  Because of the way it’s made, by compressing flake ice, it is very cold and has little residual water, so its chilling power is highly effective, too.

(more…)

Hubbard Systems has launched the new Scotsman MXG range of modular machines, the latest to make the famous thimble-shaped Scotsman gourmet Supercube.

The MXG range combines productivity, reliability and ease-of-use, with aesthetic appeal and quieter operation. There are six models in the range, with outputs from 150 to 410kg per day.  All models are designed to fit on a global standard footprint for easy installation. The gourmet Supercube is the obvious selection for the presentation of classic on-the-rocks drinks – it lasts longest, looks the best and chills without diluting.

(more…)

Hubbard Systems at Hotelympia 2016

Stand 3430, Excel London, 29^th February – 3^rd March

The Hubbard Systems stand is set to be the go-to place for product launches, with a host of new icemakers making their Hotelympia debut. Hubbard distributes the market-leading Scotsman range, offering the largest range of models, from compact undercounters to industrial units, and the widest choice of ice, including supercubes, dice, flake, cubelet and nugget.

On stand 3430 visitors will be able to check out the very latest Scotsman ice machines – including the new MXG range of modular machines, the latest to make the famous thimble-shaped Scotsman gourmet Supercube.

The MXG range combines productivity, reliability and ease-of-use, with aesthetic-appeal and quieter operation. One MXG unit is capable of producing up to 500Kg of gourmet ice per 24-hours, on a global standard footprint. The gourmet Supercube is the obvious selection for the presentation of classic on-the-rocks drinks – it lasts longest, looks the best and chills without diluting.

(more…)

Expert will determine the type of ice and machine most suitable for a location

Hubbard Systems is offering no-obligation site surveys to help operators decide which kind of ice machine best suits their needs.

Recent years have seen a proliferation of the types of ice available, with each having specific applications. For example the gourmet supercube is a pure and slow-melting ice ideal for classic on-the-rocks drinks, while places with high peaks in demand may find dice cubes more suitable. Flake ice has a wide range of applications, from cocktails to food display. Nugget ice is increasingly popular in the US and is making in-roads here, too.

With so much choice of machines and different applications for ice, it can be difficult for operators and specifiers to have the expertise necessary to know which machine to choose for a site’s specific needs. (more…)

Hubbard believes it is the first ice machine supplier to be 100% BIM-compliant

Hubbard Systems has made Revit BIM files available for all Scotsman’s ice machines and accessories. The company believes it is the only icemaker supplier to be 100% BIM compliant.

“We know how important it is for designers, consultants and specifiers to have the right tools for the job,” says Simon Aspin, commercial director of Hubbard Systems. “Operators are increasingly looking for specialist ice equipment, to make specific types of ice – be that nugget, gourmet cube, dice, flake or whatever. So it’s vital that anyone putting together a BIM-based project can put in the right equipment models. That’s why we’ve taken the step to produce files for the entire Scotsman range.

“We believe Scotsman is the only brand of ice machine to have all its models available in BIM format.”

In all there are over 30 files available to download, which collectively cover hundreds of model variations. All the files are suitable for any BIM-based projects. They can be accessed from the Hubbard Systems website download area. Also available free to download there is the Hubbard Scotsman Guide to ice varieties.

Stands A54, A62, B53 and B61, Pav 15, Host Milan, 23-27 October 2015

Market-leading ice systems manufacturer Scotsman is set to launch a host of new products at Host in Milan. Details will be unveiled at the Show, but they will include new energy- and water-saving icemakers, new modular supercube machines and a new ice dispenser aimed at the growing market for self-serve ‘bottomless’ drinks.

“The past few months have been a hectic and very exciting time in terms of R&D,” says Simon Aspin, commercial director of Hubbard Systems, which markets the Scotsman brand in the UK. “The ice making technologies and designs we’ll be showing will set new benchmarks in all sorts of areas, such as sustainability, high production in a small footprint and ease of use.”

Scotsman’s new hotel guest self-serve ice machine is user-friendly, hygienic and quiet

Making sure guests have a ready supply of ice is increasingly important in today’s hotels. Usually the self-serve unit will be placed in lobbies, lounges or hotel bedroom corridors, and usually most of the ice will be taken at night. So apart from ensuring that the ice itself is top quality, hotel owners are looking for machines that are easy to use, as hygienic as possible and operate quietly – to minimise disruption for other guests.

(more…)

Scotsman superdice: great looking ice that’s gentler on the blender

Creamy Iced Coffee

Superdice is a new ice cube that combines the benefits of the classic gourmet or thimble supercube with those of a standard dice cube.  It’s crystal clear and longer lasting, so it looks great for presentation in classic iced coffees.  However, it’s also a softer ice cube, so it’s ideal for blended drinks, such as café frappé, since the softer cube is gentler on blender blades.  Its versatility makes it a truly all-round cube for coffee shops and any sites offering a full coffee menu.

(more…)

When presentation is vital, supercubes look the part

Catering is incredibly busy at the South Bank’s newest landmark hotel, Mondrian London at Sea Containers. Alongside Sea Containers restaurant, which serves 600 or more per day, there is the Den (‘part gathering place, part decompression zone’), Dandelyan cocktail bar and Rumpus Room, the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge. Plus the hotel hosts events, catering for up to 200. Ice is in big demand and to ensure there is always a reliable supply, the hotel installed Scotsman icemakers. (more…)