Ice is a part of our daily life. It is used to keep food fresh and also to cool drinks. Not all ice is the same, some are square in shape, some are round, different types of ice it varies in shape and size. Understanding the various types of ice and their uses may be very important for you to choose an ice machine that is right for you.

Ice makers are often named after the shape of the ice they can produce. Each kind of ice has its own unique purpose, and you can determine which type of ice machine you want to purchase based on the different uses of the ice. You can also consider which shape of ice will meet the needs of your customers or patients depending on the type of business you run. The following explores several common types of ice on the market and their best uses.

16 types of ice

It is one of the most convenient and versatile types of ice on the market and is commonly used in restaurants, bars, beverage stores and convenience stores. It is often considered the standard ice cube because they have a relatively small surface area, take up less space and cool drinks more quickly than a full cube. However, half cubes of ice will melt much faster.

• Shape - Hard and transparent ice in the shape of a semi-rhomboid.
• Melting speed- Moderate
• Uses of half cube ice: blended and cooled drinks.

This is the most classical type of drink ice, and they are usually found in hotels and in your favorite summer drinks. Because the ice is large and thick, it melts more slowly than other types of ice, making it the ice of choice for most alcoholic beverages. Slower melting means less dilution, so it won't water down the flavor of your drink.

• Shape- Hard and transparent ice in the shape of a diamond.
• Melting speed - Slow
• Uses of full cube ice: Bagging, batch cooling.

It is larger than any other cube, usually two inches by two inches, and is also known as a "rock cube". These large ice cubes are great for cooling a fine whiskey or bourbon because they are denser and melt more slowly, so they only dilute the liquid a little and don't water down  the alcoholic beverage’s flavor. These ice cubes are great for keeping a bowl of punch and a pitcher of chilled drinks. If you want to make these large ice cubes, you can spend less than ten dollars to buy a mold in this shape or a machine that can make this ice.

• Shape - Hard, clear ice in the shape of a rhomboid. Larger than an ice cube.
• Melting speed - Slow
• Uses for Large Cube Ice: Restaurants, fine dining, cocktail lounges, clubs, bars and bagging. Can be used to cool whiskey, bourbon, punch, etc.

These cubes have a half-moon shape, so it’s called crescent ice. Their unique shape allows them to fill the glass they are placed in evenly and cool down the beverage relatively quickly. Also, you'll find this type of ice common in dispensers thanks to its half-moon shape, which works smoothly in the dispensers.

• Shape - Hard, clear crescent or moon shaped ice
• Melting speed - Slow
• Uses for crescent ice: Fine restaurants, hotels, bars, cocktail lounges, etc.

It mostly appears as a cylindrical or octagonal top hat shape, larger than typical ice cubes, and is used exclusively to cool cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. It is considered a sign of luxury because it is often found in expensive alcoholic drinks.

• Shape - Hard and transparent cylindrical or octagonal ice cubes.
• Melting speed - Slow
• Uses of gourmet ice: Used in high-end cocktail bars, high-end restaurants, lounges, etc. to make alcoholic beverages.

Nugget ice is more breathable than other ice shapes and is less dense than most types of ice, making it easier to chew, but it’s also easier to melt. Their soft and chewy properties makes it a more active part of the drinking experience. Many people like to eat these ice cubes with their drinks and really enjoy the pleasure of chewing them.

• Shape - Small cylindrical ice cubes with a chewable texture.
• Melting speed - Fast
• Uses of nugget ice: Used in the home for iced drinks, in restaurants, schools and medical facilities everywhere. Used for blending, dispensing, making cocktail drink and displaying fresh products.

Flake ice is one of the most practical types of ice. Their soft, easy-to-handle features makes them useful as cold compresses in medical clinics and as preservatives for storing seafood in seafood markets. They primary used to cool products and are commonly used in places such as healthcare, buffets and seafood restaurants.

• Shape - Soft and thin ice cubes
• Melting speed - Very fast
• Uses of flake ice: Commonly used in healthcare, buffets, seafood stores, grocery stores, etc. Being used to display and preservation of seafood, fresh fruits, vegetables and health care products.

Crushed ice cools drinks and items quickly, it is dense and has a large surface area in contact and melts faster when mixed in solution. It is made by breaking large ice cubes into smaller pieces. You can do this at home with a wooden mallet and a clean towel or other resistant bag, and it is very easy to do. Another way to obtain the same effect is to put the ice cubes in a blender and puree them.

• Shape - Small pellets of ice in various shapes
• Melting speed - Fast
• Uses of crushed ice: Perfect for making mint juleps, cocktails, slushies, milkshakes and other drinks.

It is a round spherical ice structure, typically 2 inches in diameter, used to cool drinks without diluting them quickly and is usually found in premium alcoholic beverages. It does not dilute the taste of spirits, so it is a common ice for alcoholic drinks. There are special molds available to make this kind of ice, you just need to buy this shape of molds.

• Shape - Round spherical ice
• Melting speed - Slower
• Uses of sphere ice: Making alcoholic beverages and creative coffee, such as whiskey, brandy, ice ball coffee, etc.

Block ice is exactly what it sounds like, a large block of ice that comes in a variety of sizes. It usually weighs 25 pounds or more than that. Because of its smaller surface area, it melts more slowly and can stay cooler longer than other ice. That's why it is often used to make ice crafts such as ice sculptures.

• Shape - Square shaped ice
• Melting speed - Slow
• Uses of block ice: Used for making ice sculptures, shaved ice, and to keep food fresh in self-service restaurants, and also to help cool rooms.

Like its name, it is similar in shape and size to a dice. Dice ice is similar to the old-fashioned ice tray ice. It is great for refreshing drinks and for selling in bags. It can usually be made from a countertop ice maker or can be made using silicone molds, perfect for families wanting a glass of ice water or a drink with ice cubes in it on a hot summer day.

• Shape - Small square, dice-like shape of ice
• Melting speed - Fast
• Uses for dice ice: Make ice water, sparkling water, juice, and other beverages.

This kind of ice is usually made by cube ice or other shapes, hence the name "snow cone ice" or "snowball ice". Its light and fluffy nature makes it an exclusive ice for desserts with sweet condiments or syrups, a lot of ingredients are often added in it, such as condensed milk, adzuki beans, mochi balls and fruit , which to increase its rich taste. Because of its bright, rich color and unique flavor, it has become a favorite summer cold drink for the majority of people. This type of ice can be obtained by breaking the ice cubes yourself with a crusher, or you can buy an ice machine that specializes in producing smoothies.

• Shape - Small granular flake ice
• Melting speed - Very fast
• Uses of shaved ice: Used to make smoothies, sundaes of various flavors, shaved ice drinks, etc.

Named for its tube-like shape, which is usually hollow in the middle and rounded at the end, similar to the shape of a tulip flower, hence the name. Hollow ice cubes cool your drink quickly because the surrounding liquid is able to make full contact with the inside and outside of the ice cube, which makes it ideal for mixed drinks and mixed alcoholic beverages. This type of ice is typically found in self-serve water dispensers and commercial ice machines in hotels.

• Shape - Small granular flake ice
• Melting speed - Fast
• Uses of shaved ice: Used to make smoothies, sundaes of various flavors, shaved ice drinks, etc.

Shaped like a bullet with one end rounded and the other end flat with a hollow interior. Bullet ice cools beverages quickly due to the additional surface contact between the ice and the beverage. It works similarly to slab ice, and the smaller size is ideal for mixing cocktails. It is often used in hotel ice dispensers and commercial ice machines, and is also a great option for making carbonated beverages, which can be made from portable ice machines.

• Shape - Shaped like a bullet, but hollow in the middle.
• Melting speed- Fast
• Uses of bullet ice: Suitable for hotel ice dispensers, leisure places, can make chilled carbonated drinks, cooling juice and other drinks.

Dry ice is carbon dioxide in a solid form. It is used in a wide range of applications, both in the food industry and in refrigerated transportation, as well as for stage effects and fire suppression. When touching dry ice, remember to wear thick gloves or other coverable objects or risk frostbite to your hands.

• Shape - Solid ice or mist (solid ice becomes a gas after sublimation)
• Uses of dry ice: Temporary refrigeration, stage ambience production, carbonation of beverages, cleaning machines, etc.

It is ice that has not been completely frozen with water, or it may be partially thawed ice that has turned into water. Wet ice is smoother and cools drinks more quickly than unmelted ice.

• Shape - Various shapes are available
• Uses of wet ice: Cooling hot beverages, applying cold compresses to reduce swelling, etc.

Ice Cube Purposes

Ice has many uses; you can use it to cool drinks, food, etc., to sculpt artwork, and to provide a cold environment to keep food fresh and protected from the effects of heat that can cause spoilage.

Each type of ice has a specific use for which it is best suited, although all ice can be used to cool products. Some ice cubes are suitable for cooling beverages, while others are better suited for display and preservation.

The following summarizes some common uses for ice, including:

• Cooling beverages
• Medical cold compresses, to reduce heat and swelling
• Making smoothies, milkshakes and other foods
• Keeping food fresh
• Cooling air to create a cooler environment
• Absorbing grease from soups
• Making ice sculptures
• Remove chewing gum from clothes
• Watering plants
• As a cooling system
• Making ice cream

Conclusion

After learning about sixteen types of ice cubes, you can find the right one to cool and blend your drinks.

Whether you want to make a cold juice for your family, make your own iced coffee to refresh yourself before work, or make chilled alcoholic beverages for your guests at a party, there are different types and sizes of ice cubes to suit your needs.

You also don't necessarily have to invest in very expensive machines to get ice, but can use less expensive stainless steel or silicone molds to make the type of ice you need. But if you want to get ice quickly, you can try our LEEVOT brand of ice machines, which are cheaper and have better quality machines.