Hoshizaki UK

Hoshizaki

Founded in 1947 in Nagoya, Japan, Hoshizaki launched the country’s first automatic ice machine in 1965 and has been engineering commercial refrigeration ever since. Today the brand covers ice machines, ice flakers, dispensers, crushers, commercial fridges, freezers, multideck merchandisers, blast chillers and sushi display counters – a single manufacturer for the full cold-side of a commercial kitchen. We stock 121 Hoshizaki products across the complete range, available to UK trade buyers at wholesale prices.

Ice Machines

Hoshizaki’s IM Series produces clear, hard, slow-melting cube ice using the proprietary Closed Cell System – fresh water is injected into each individual cell rather than frozen over a shared cold plate, keeping impurities out and ice quality consistently high. Automatic rinse cycles run between production batches, reducing mineral build-up without manual intervention. Key self-contained models include the IM-21CPE (30 kg/24 hr), the IM-45PE (47 kg/24 hr) and the IM100PE (105 kg/24 hr), covering everything from a compact back-bar unit to a high-volume kitchen machine.

For venues that need crescent-shaped ice at volume, the KM Edge Series uses CycleSaver™ technology and a double-sided stainless steel evaporator to cut cycle times and reduce energy consumption. Crescent ice stacks efficiently in glasses, displaces less liquid and suits high-throughput bars where drink consistency matters.

We carry 18 Hoshizaki ice machines in stock. Browse the full ice machines range →

Ice Flakers

The FM and CM Series produce flake and nugget ice – two of the most versatile ice formats in commercial foodservice. The FM Series delivers true flake ice; the CM Series produces compressed nugget ice with a slightly firmer texture. Both use carbon auger bearings rather than conventional steel, which means longer service intervals and fewer unplanned breakdowns in continuous-run environments.

Applications are broad: chilled fish and seafood displays, food prep surfaces, cocktail service, healthcare settings and any operation where ice needs to conform to irregular shapes or absorb temperature quickly. The FM-480AKE-HC-SB, FM-150AKE-HC-SB and FM-80KE-HC are among the most searched Hoshizaki flaker models in the UK market.

We stock 7 Hoshizaki ice flakers. Browse the full ice flakers range →

Ice & Water Dispensers and Ice Crushers

Hoshizaki’s dispenser range covers self-serve ice and water stations for bars, hotels, healthcare facilities and staff canteens – hygienic, hands-free dispensing with no scooping required. Units combine ice storage bins with integrated water dispensing, reducing cross-contamination risk in high-footfall environments. The range includes countertop and freestanding formats to suit different service configurations.

For cocktail bars and hospitality operations that need crushed ice on demand, Hoshizaki’s ice crusher rounds out the ice equipment offer.

We stock 12 ice and water dispensers and 1 ice crusher. Browse ice dispensers →  |  Browse ice crushers →

Commercial Refrigeration

Hoshizaki’s Snowflake GII+ range is built specifically for hot commercial kitchens – tropicalised refrigeration that maintains stable temperatures even in ambient conditions above 40°C. The standout engineering feature is the removable top-mounted monoblock: the entire refrigeration unit lifts out without disconnecting pipework, so servicing takes minutes rather than hours and kitchen downtime is minimal.

The broader refrigeration range covers:

• Upright fridges – tall-format units for high-volume ingredient storage
• Under-counter fridges – compact units that fit beneath prep surfaces
• Counter fridges – refrigerated prep counters for kitchen pass and prep lines
• Multideck merchandisers – open-fronted display fridges for retail and self-serve environments
• Upright freezers – high-capacity frozen storage
• Blast chillers – rapid chilling and freezing to comply with HACCP food safety requirements

We stock 29 Hoshizaki fridges, 14 freezers (including blast chillers) and 11 multideck merchandisers. Browse all Hoshizaki refrigeration →

Sushi Counters

Hoshizaki’s HNC Sushi Cases are the trade standard for chilled sushi and sashimi display – curved glass fronts, passive airflow circulation and precise temperature control that keeps fish fresh without drying the surface. Unlike forced-air display cases, the passive system doesn’t dehydrate delicate proteins or cause rice to harden at the edges. That matters in a sushi operation where presentation and texture are the product.

The HNC range suits Japanese restaurants, hotel buffets, supermarket sushi counters, grab-and-go food retail and any venue presenting raw or lightly prepared fish to customers. We stock 15 Hoshizaki sushi counters across the range.

Engineering and Sustainability

Hoshizaki’s Emerald Class standard sets the benchmark for environmentally responsible commercial ice and refrigeration equipment. All Emerald Class machines are HFC-free, running on natural refrigerants – the majority using R290 (propane), which has a global warming potential (GWP) of just 3 compared to hundreds or thousands for synthetic HFCs. That’s a meaningful difference for operators under pressure to reduce their Scope 1 emissions and meet sustainability procurement criteria.

The Closed Cell System does double duty: it improves ice quality by injecting fresh water into each cell individually, and it improves hygiene by preventing the recirculation of water that may have picked up airborne contaminants. Fewer moving parts across the range means lower maintenance frequency and longer asset life – which is its own form of sustainability.

Why Choose Hoshizaki?

• Hygiene by design – the Closed Cell System injects fresh water per cell, preventing impurity build-up and reducing bacterial risk without relying on chemical treatments
• Sustainability credentials – Emerald Class standard, HFC-free engineering and R290 refrigerant across the range; GWP of 3 vs. hundreds for synthetic alternatives
• Ice quality that holds – hard, dense, slow-melting cube ice reduces dilution and maintains drink consistency through a full service session
• Built to last – fewer moving parts, carbon auger bearings in flaker models and robust stainless steel construction deliver long service life in demanding kitchens
• One manufacturer, full cold-side coverage – ice machines, flakers, dispensers, crushers, fridges, freezers, blast chillers and sushi display from a single brand
• UK trade stock, trade pricing – 121 products in stock, available to verified trade accounts at wholesale prices with UK delivery

Frequently Asked Questions

What products does Hoshizaki make?

Hoshizaki manufactures commercial ice machines, ice flakers, ice and water dispensers, ice crushers, upright and under-counter fridges, counter fridges, upright and counter freezers, blast chillers, multideck merchandiser fridges and sushi display counters. The brand covers the full cold-side of a commercial kitchen from a single manufacturer. We stock 121 Hoshizaki products across all these categories.

What is the Closed Cell System?

The Closed Cell System is Hoshizaki’s proprietary ice-making technology used in the IM Series cube ice machines. Instead of freezing water over a shared cold plate – which allows impurities and airborne contaminants to accumulate – the system injects fresh water into each individual cell separately. The result is clearer, harder, slower-melting ice with lower contamination risk. Automatic rinse cycles between production batches keep the evaporator clean without manual cleaning.

What is Emerald Class?

Emerald Class is Hoshizaki’s environmental standard for its ice and refrigeration equipment. Machines that meet the Emerald Class standard are HFC-free, using natural refrigerants such as R290 (propane) in place of synthetic hydrofluorocarbons. R290 has a global warming potential (GWP) of just 3, compared to GWPs of 1,300–3,900 for common HFC refrigerants. Emerald Class machines also typically consume less energy than their HFC equivalents.

What is the difference between cube ice and crescent ice?

Cube ice – produced by the Hoshizaki IM Series – is a full, square or rectangular cube. It’s dense, slow-melting and visually clear, making it the preferred choice for spirits, premium cocktails and any drink where dilution control matters. Crescent ice – produced by the KM Edge Series – is a half-moon shape that stacks efficiently in glasses, displaces slightly less liquid and suits high-volume bars where throughput is the priority. Both are hard ice types; the choice comes down to drink style and service format.

What size Hoshizaki ice machine do I need for a bar?

As a general guide: a small bar serving up to 50 covers typically needs 30–50 kg of ice per day – the IM-21CPE (30 kg/24 hr) or IM-45PE (47 kg/24 hr) cover this range. A medium-to-large bar or restaurant serving 100+ covers, or any venue with a cocktail programme, should look at 100 kg/24 hr or above – the IM100PE (105 kg/24 hr) is a common choice. Always factor in peak service periods, ice storage bin capacity and ambient kitchen temperature, which affects output. Contact us for a sizing recommendation based on your specific operation.

Do Hoshizaki fridges suit hot commercial kitchens?

Yes. The Snowflake GII+ range is specifically tropicalised for hot kitchen environments, maintaining stable refrigeration performance in ambient temperatures above 40°C. The removable top-mounted monoblock means the refrigeration unit can be serviced or replaced without disconnecting pipework – a significant advantage in a busy kitchen where downtime is costly. Standard Hoshizaki upright and under-counter fridges are also built to commercial-grade specification for demanding environments.

What refrigerant do Hoshizaki machines use?

Most current Hoshizaki ice machines and refrigeration units use R290 (propane), a natural refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 3. This is part of the Emerald Class commitment to HFC-free engineering. R290 is both more environmentally responsible and, in most configurations, more energy-efficient than the synthetic HFC refrigerants it replaces. Specific refrigerant information is listed on each product page.

Are Hoshizaki machines suitable for sushi display?

Yes. The Hoshizaki HNC Sushi Case range is purpose-built for sushi and sashimi display. Curved glass fronts maximise product visibility, and passive airflow circulation maintains the correct chilled temperature without the drying effect of forced-air systems. This keeps fish moist, rice at the right texture and presentation intact throughout service. The HNC range is used by Japanese restaurants, hotel buffets, supermarket sushi counters and food-to-go operators across the UK.

Where can I buy Hoshizaki products in the UK?

Hoshizaki products are available through authorised UK trade distributors. We stock 121 Hoshizaki products – covering ice machines, flakers, dispensers, crushers, fridges, freezers, blast chillers and sushi counters – available to verified trade accounts at wholesale prices with UK delivery. Register a trade account or browse the full range above.

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Refrigeration Equipment  |  Ice Machines  |  Ice Flakers