Flake ice machine (flake ice maker) produces thin flakes of ice used to chill seafood, meat, fish and produce directly during preparation and transport. Flake ice makes even contact with the product surface and melts more slowly than crushed ice, so it holds the temperature steady without bruising the raw material.
Tan Long designs and builds flake ice machines across a range of capacities from small to large at our plant in Duc Hoa 1 Industrial Park, Tay Ninh (formerly Long An), complying with HACCP/FDA food safety and hygiene standards. Both the ice production capacity and the flake thickness are adjustable to suit the operation.
Why seafood plants use flake ice instead of block ice
Tan Long 304 Stainless Steel Flake Stone Grinding Mill – Microbiological Standard for the Aquaculture & Food Processing Industry
stone mill with scale Tan Long design, manufacture using structures fixed stone drum The (Static Vertical Drum) and rotating scraper completely eliminate the risk of refrigerant leakage through the rotating shaft. All surfaces in contact with water and ice are made of SUS 304 stainless steel, meeting international food hygiene standards.
- Ice flake temperature: -5°C to -7°C (dry ice, loose and not clumpy)
- Standard scale thickness: 1.5 – 2.2 mm (provides maximum protection to the surface of seafood from tearing or scratching)
- Manufacturing power range: 0.5T, 1T, 2T, 3T, 5T, 10T, 15T, 20T, 30 Tons/24h
- Optional: Use fresh or saltwater (for marine applications).
| Criteria | Flake ice | Crushed block ice |
|---|---|---|
| Contact with the product | Thin flakes, covering the surface evenly | Uneven lumps, leaving gaps |
| Effect on the raw material | Does not bruise the product | Sharp edges can tear the surface |
| Ready to use | Drawn continuously from the storage bin as soon as the machine starts | Blocks must freeze first, then be crushed |
| Toilet | Produced in a closed process inside the machine, meeting HACCP/FDA | Passes through several intermediate stages |
Which industries use flake ice machines?
Below are the industry groups in which Tan Long has installed the most flake ice machines:
- Seafood processing: fish fillets, shrimp, squid and frozen export products.
- Food and meat processing: carcass meat, cut meat and ready-prepared foods.
- Agricultural produce and vegetables: vegetables and fruit that need rapid cooling after harvest.
Each sector has different requirements for temperature range, contact materials and capacity. Please contact Tan Long's engineering team for advice on the right configuration for your products.
What is a flake ice machine? Operating principle and technical standards
For more details on the concept, thickness, and applications, see the analysis. What is flake ice?.
Technical characteristics of the Tan Long flake ice machine
- Low investment cost, low power consumption
- Flake ice making time is quick, after a short time after turning on the machine, you can take and use flake ice continuously from the ice container.
- Designed to HACCP/FDA food hygiene and safety standards, highly durable and stable in operation
- Stainless steel alloy stone forming surface.
- Spiral blade ice scraper helps to separate flake ice from the ice making drum surface easily.
- Knife made of high hardness stainless steel.
- Ice making capacity and ice slice thickness are adjustable.
- PU insulation layer, stainless steel casing. For machines using seawater, the materials must be resistant to chloride corrosion; seawater is not suitable for machines designed for freshwater.
- Simple installation, operation and maintenance
- Wide range of capacities from small to large to suit all requirements
Working principle
Ice is formed inside a double-wall cylindrical drum. The inner face of the drum is stainless steel and the outer face is steel insulated with PU, with liquid refrigerant evaporating between the two layers. Water is pumped in a circuit from the tank below up to a tray at the top. From the tray the water flows through a pipe system and sprays evenly onto the inner surface of the drum. There it is chilled rapidly by heat exchange with the refrigerant between the layers; part of the water freezes into ice on the inner surface, and the surplus drains back to the tank to be pumped up to the tray again.
When the ice is frozen thick enough, the ice cutter will cut it into small pieces and drop it into the storage tank or ice warehouse located directly below.
Specifications of industrial flake ice machines
The table below shows the reference specifications for industrial flake ice machines. The specific configuration is determined based on the ice production per shift, inlet water temperature, and refrigeration system of each factory.
| Parameter | Reference value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stone thickness | approximately 1.5–2.2 mm | Depending on the mill design and operating conditions, it is adjustable. |
| Ice temperature coming out of the grinder | approximately -5°C | In many industrial flake ice machine designs |
| Evaporating Temperature in mortar | approximately -20 to -32°C | Depending on the capacity and system design. |
| Capacity range | Approximately 0.5–50 tons of ice per 24 hours | Common capacities: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 tons/day; large systems with multiple mills running in parallel. |
| Complete system power | approximately 50–80 kWh/ton of ice | Includes compressor, stone crusher, condenser, water pump, and auxiliary components. |
| Running mode | Continuously 24 hours a day | The level sensor automatically stops when the freezer is full and restarts when the ice level drops. |
| Lifespan of a millstone | about 15–20 years or longer | For reference only, not a guarantee period. |
| Overall maintenance | approximately every 3–6 months | Shorten when running 24/7, in hard water, or seawater. |
Distinguish between the two temperatures: -5°C is the temperature of the ice when it exits the mill; -20 to -32°C is the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant inside the mill. These two figures are often confused in price quotations.
Tan Long has delivered stone crushing mills to many seafood processing plants, including Kyokuyo Vina Foods Received 4 flake ice machines (35 tons/day) along with an IQF freezing system.
Can flake ice machines use seawater?
Yes, but you have to use it. Stone mills are specially designed for seawater.. Seawater flake ice machines are widely used on fishing vessels and in seafood preservation systems. Seawater has a high salt content, causing significant corrosion, so the materials in contact with the water and the ice-making surface must be carefully selected. Seawater should not be used in machines designed for freshwater.
What material is the surface of the rock formation made of?
Depending on the design, the ice-making surface can be carbon steel with a protective treatment or coating, stainless steel, or a specialized metal. In the food industry, parts in contact with water and ice must meet hygiene, corrosion resistance, and food safety requirements; for machines using seawater, resistance to chloride corrosion is even more important.
How to clean a flake ice machine
Areas requiring cleaning: water tanks, water pipes, pumps, water distribution systems, ice-making surfaces, and all parts in direct contact with water or ice.
Basic process: Stop the machine → drain the water → remove sediment → clean the water system and ice-making surface → use appropriate chemicals if needed → rinse thoroughly → disinfect → check before operation.
Regular maintenance of flake ice machines
Regularly check the quality and thickness of the ice, water flow, ice-making surface, ice scraper, motor, gearbox, bearings, water pump, and cooling system. Overall maintenance should be performed approximately every 3–6 months; machines running continuously 24/7, using hard water or seawater, require more frequent checks and cleaning.
Actual lifespan depends on the number of operating hours, water quality, corrosion level, condition of the ice-making surface, ice-clearing mechanism, and maintenance. With good equipment, controlled water sources, and proper maintenance, an ice-making machine can last approximately 15–20 years or longer.
What should you consider when choosing a flake ice machine?
- Ice production capacity is based on actual output per shift, plus a reserve for peak season.
- Inlet water temperature and water quality (hardness, freshwater or seawater).
- Electricity consumption is calculated in kWh/ton of ice for the entire system, not just the grinding motor.
- Refrigerant and how to connect it to the plant's general refrigeration system.
- Stone mill materials, cleaning and maintenance requirements, and the ability to run continuously.
Frequently asked questions about flake ice machines
How does a flake ice machine work?
Ice is formed inside a double-wall cylindrical drum: the inner face in stainless steel, the outer face in steel insulated with PU, with refrigerant evaporating in between. Water is pumped in a circuit from the tank below to the tray above, flows through the pipe system and sprays evenly onto the inner surface of the drum. Part of the water freezes onto the surface; once it reaches the set thickness, a helical blade separates it into flakes that drop into the storage bin below.
Can the flake thickness be adjusted?
Yes. Both the ice production capacity and the flake thickness are adjustable. Thin flakes melt faster and chill faster; thicker flakes hold the cold longer on a long-distance shipment.
What materials are the ice-forming surface and the scraper blade made of?
The ice-forming surface is stainless alloy. The helical ice scraper blade is high-hardness stainless steel, which releases the ice from the drum surface without scratching the stainless layer. The insulation is PU and the insulated casing is stainless steel.
Does a flake ice machine use a lot of electricity?
With a complete system, the reference consumption is approximately 50–80 kWh/ton of ice under suitable operating conditions, including the compressor, ice maker, condenser, water pump, and auxiliary equipment. The actual figure depends on the inlet water temperature, evaporation temperature, condensation temperature, and refrigerant. The cooling capacity of the ice maker must still be added to the total load when calculating. compressor for the whole plant.
Does the flake ice machine meet food hygiene standards?
Yes. The design complies with HACCP/FDA food hygiene and safety standards — a mandatory condition, because the ice is in direct contact with the raw material being processed.
Which plants has Tan Long installed flake ice machines for?
The flake ice machine is among the equipment Tan Long manufactures in-house and has delivered to many seafood plants. The Kyokuyo Vina Foods plant alone received 04 flake ice machines at 35 tonnes a day, together with the IQF freezing system.
How thick is the flake rock?
Industrial flake ice is typically about 1.5–2.2 mm thick, depending on the mill design and operating conditions. Thin flakes have a large surface area, allowing for rapid heat transfer and even heat distribution across the product surface.
What is the temperature of flake ice?
The evaporating temperature of the refrigerant in many industrial designs is around -5°C. The evaporating temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator is much lower, around -20 to -32°C.
Can flake ice machines run continuously for 24 hours?
Yes, when the refrigeration system, water supply, and auxiliary equipment meet the design specifications. The level sensor automatically stops the machine when the storage is full and restarts it when the ice level decreases.
Request advice and a quotation
Tan Long designs and builds industrial refrigeration equipment at its plant in Duc Hoa 1 Industrial Park, Tay Ninh (formerly Long An), so capacity and dimensions can be adjusted to the actual site. Call 0933 357 058 (Mr. Thinh) or send a quotation request with your output per shift and your main product type.
Technical standards applied to flake ice machines
Equipment supplied by Tan Long is manufactured to the following standards and material requirements:
- HACCP
- FDA
- polyurethane insulation
- NH3 refrigerant
Depending on each project's requirements, the engineering team will advise on the material configuration and connection standards that best suit the plant's existing system.
The flake ice machine consulting and supply process at Tan Long
Tan Long controls both design and manufacture at its plant in Duc Hoa 1 Industrial Park, Tay Ninh (formerly Long An), so the investor deals with a single point of contact from survey to handover:
- Survey and requirement definition: engineers work directly at the plant to establish capacity, layout, refrigerant and real operating conditions.
- Technical proposal: calculating a suitable configuration and discussing it with the investor's technical team before it is fixed.
- Detailed design: drawings are prepared and materials and equipment selected to match the refrigerant and the operating temperature range.
- Manufacture and works testing: machining, assembly and a test run before the unit leaves the factory.
- Installation and acceptance: connection into the plant's system, load testing and handover with the technical documentation.
- Warranty and operating support: operating instructions for the plant's technical team and fault support during the warranty period.
Why choose Tan Long to supply your flake ice machine?
Tan Long is a refrigeration engineering joint stock company with more than 20 years in industrial refrigeration, serving seafood and food processing plants and large-scale cold stores across Vietnam.
- In-house manufacturing: its own factory in Duc Hoa 1 Industrial Park, Tay Ninh (formerly Long An), with no dependence on outside subcontractors.
- Turnkey D&B capability: design and construction under one roof, reducing the risk of a gap between the drawings and what is actually installed.
- Complete documentation: equipment is handed over with technical files and CO/CQ certificates of origin.
- Engineers with field experience: advice based on each plant's actual system configuration rather than selling from a catalogue.
- Support after handover: the technical team is on hand for operation and maintenance throughout the equipment's life.
For advice on a specific configuration, please contact Tan Long's engineering team or see the projects already delivered.
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- The range of industrial refrigeration equipment Tan Long designs and builds
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