How much ice storage capacity do I need for a busy bar, restaurant, or hotel?

Size storage around peak-hour draw and how often you want the machine to “catch up”.

Practical sizing approach:

Estimate peak use (busy hour): cocktails, soft drinks, water jugs, buckets, events.

Decide the buffer you want: at least 1 to 1.5 times your expected peak-hour requirement in available bin storage is a sensible starting point for many venues.

If you host functions or see strong seasonality, plan for extra reserve so the bar does not run out during a rush.

In the Unifrost range, common bin sizes used in hospitality include B175, B275AIB, and B375. If you are looking at modular combinations, factory-matched sets like U165-125+B175 or U230-175+B175 are often chosen when operators want a straightforward head-and-bin pairing without overcomplicating the spec.

If you share your covers, service style (cocktails vs pints), and whether you do events, you can usually narrow it down to one or two realistic bin options quickly.

Read the full guide: Unifrost Ice Storage Bin vs Upright Freezer: Best Choice for Irish Hospitality.