Ice Bins
Commercial ice bins from Rapids Wholesale give your operation the dedicated ice storage capacity it needs to keep up with peak demand. Whether you're pairing a bin with an existing ice machine or expanding storage in a high-volume bar, restaurant, hotel, or healthcare facility, our extensive selection covers a wide range of capacities and footprints - so you get the right fit for your space without sacrificing output. Built to commercial-grade standards, these bins are designed for durability, sanitation, and long-term reliable performance.
What is an Ice Storage Bin?
Ice maker bins provide additional ice storage for ice makers.
The quality of commercial ice bins are often judged on two criteria: the space they take up in a particular establishment and the storage capacity of the ice bin. The first is important because kitchen space is at a premium, and a commercial ice bin will have to compete with other equipment and machines. The second is essential for ice bins for bars and restaurants or any other establishment that needs ice that is ready to serve.
It is therefore important to make sure that your ice maker bin is the correct size and capacity, depending on what you require for your restaurant or bar's ice-making needs.
Sizes and Capacities of Commercial Ice Bins
One of the most important things to consider when looking for an ice storage bin is the size of the ice bin. Because the ice bin serves as the storage section of the machine, it helps hold the ice after it is made. There are generally three capacities (in pounds) and sizes/widths (in inches) of bins available: 400 to 700 pounds, over 700 pounds, and under 400 pounds; twenty-two to thirty inches, thirty to forty-eight inches, and over forty-eight inches.
The standard-type ice storage bins often found under the ice machine itself are considered undercounter ice bins. On the other hand, countertop freezer ice bins are the kind of fridge bins that are commonly found in grocery stores and supermarkets. These kinds of ice cube bins are usually situated beneath the ice machine and can either be filled automatically or filled manually. Ice bins that are used in hotels are similar to countertop ice bins but are generally larger.
Stand-alone or modular commercial ice bins are usually larger and can dispense a larger amount of ice compared to an undercounter ice bin, which are smaller and more compact versions of the stand-alone machines. Undercounter ice bins are made to fit smaller spaces or kitchens and are ideal as ice bins for bars because bars have relatively smaller kitchens compared to other establishments like restaurants.
Ice Maker Bins Available at Rapids Wholesale
We offer Manitowoc ice bins and Scotsman ice bins.
Founded in 1902, Manitowoc branched into commercial refrigeration equipment in the 1920s and now leads the industry in providing innovative refrigeration products for the food-service market. Depending on the ice-producing needs of your commercial establishment, you can choose from Manitowoc ice bins of different capacities: from 400 to 700 pounds, over 700 pounds, and under 400 pounds.
Introducing a crystal-clear, mineral-free, and slow-melting ice in 1950, Scotsman Ice Systems changed ice machines and beverages forever. It has been on the cutting edge of ice-machine innovation ever since and now offers one of the broadest lines of energy-efficient ice maker machines in the market today. Here at Rapids Wholesale, you can choose from a great selection of Scotsman ice bins of different sizes/widths: from twenty-two to thirty inches, thirty to forty-eight inches, and more than forty-eight inches.
Commercial Ice Bins for High-Volume Foodservice Storage
An ice storage bin is one of the most practical investments a foodservice operation can make. While an ice machine produces the ice, the bin is what makes that ice available on demand - acting as a buffer between production cycles and your team's needs during the busiest parts of the day. Rapids Wholesale carries a wide selection of commercial ice bins built to handle the continuous demands of restaurants, bars, hotels, healthcare facilities, and institutional settings. These aren't lightweight residential units - commercial ice bins are constructed with heavy-duty insulated walls, NSF-certified interiors, and rust-resistant hardware designed to maintain safe ice temperatures and withstand years of daily use in demanding environments.
Choosing the right bin goes beyond just picking the largest capacity available. The best ice bin for your operation is one that matches your ice machine's output, fits your available floor or counter space, and supports the workflow of your staff.
Choosing the Right Capacity
Ice bin capacity is measured in pounds of ice storage, and getting this number right is one of the most important decisions when setting up or upgrading your ice system. Here's a general guide:
- Under 400 lbs — Best for smaller bars, cafés, or supplemental storage at a secondary service station
- 400 to 700 lbs — The most common range for full-service restaurants, mid-size hotels, and busy bars
- Over 700 lbs — Suited for large-volume operations like hotel lobbies, banquet halls, healthcare cafeterias, or anywhere with continuous high-demand ice needs
Bin width is equally important for planning your layout. Common widths range from 22 inches (compact undercounter) up to 48 inches and beyond for larger floor models. Always verify that your bin width matches or is compatible with your ice machine head before purchasing.
What Is a Commercial Ice Bin?
A commercial ice bin is a dedicated, insulated storage unit that holds ice produced by a separate modular ice machine head. Unlike all-in-one ice makers that include built-in storage, ice bins are designed to pair with a standalone ice machine - giving operators the flexibility to scale storage capacity independently from production. This makes them especially valuable in high-volume operations where ice demand fluctuates throughout the day and having a large reserve on hand is critical to keeping service running smoothly.
Inside, ice bins feature NSF-certified, antimicrobial-resistant liners that keep ice safe for consumption while heavy insulation slows the natural melting process - no active refrigeration required in most models. A drain at the base manages meltwater, and most units are designed with easy-access lids or doors for quick, sanitary scooping. Some bins are also compatible with ice dispensing mechanisms for completely hands-free operation.
Simply put, an ice bin is what separates a reactive ice setup - one that scrambles to keep up - from a proactive one that always has ice ready when your team needs it most.
Sizes and Capacities of Commercial Ice Bins
Undercounter Ice Bins are the most common configuration in commercial kitchens and bars. Designed to sit directly beneath a modular ice machine head, these bins maximize vertical space and keep ice conveniently located at the point of use. They're a natural fit for bars and smaller kitchens where floor space is limited.
Large-Capacity / Floor Model Ice Bins are built for operations with high ice demand — think hotel ice stations, large restaurant kitchens, or banquet facilities. These freestanding units offer storage capacities well above 700 pounds and are typically paired with high-output modular ice machine heads.
Countertop Ice Bins are smaller, portable bins often used at beverage stations, salad bars, or service lines where a dedicated supply of ice needs to be close at hand without a full undercounter setup.
Modular / Stand-Alone Ice Bins offer flexibility for operations that need to separate ice storage from ice production. These bins can be positioned independently and filled manually or automatically, making them a versatile option for catering operations, large hotels, or facilities with multiple service points.
