In the world of coffee supplies and commercial kitchen equipment, ice makers have become an essential component for serving perfect cold drinks like frappes, smoothies, or iced coffee. With the increasing demand for refreshing beverages in cafes and restaurants, especially in hot climates, choosing a reliable ice maker is a crucial investment to ensure efficiency and quality. If you're wondering how the Prima 29 kg ice maker differs from other ice makers , you've come to the right place. In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we review the specifications of the Prima CB249A ice maker (which produces 29 kg per day), with a detailed comparison to popular brands like Hoshizaki, Manitowoc, and Scotsman. We'll cover technical, economic, and practical aspects, with tips for choosing the right one for your cafe or restaurant. We'll also include frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision. At the Coffee Luxury store , we offer the Prima 29 kg ice maker at a competitive price starting from 4,500 SAR, with a two-year warranty, free installation, and periodic maintenance service. Order now the luxury of coffee and enjoy exclusive 2025 offers.
Introduction to the Prima 29 kg Ice Maker: The Authentic Italian Choice
The Prima CB249A ice maker is an Italian-made model from the renowned Prima brand, known for its high-quality commercial ice equipment for decades. Designed specifically for small to medium-sized cafes and restaurants, this model produces 29 kilograms of pure ice cubes per day, with an internal storage capacity of up to 9 kilograms. The machine features a compact design (approximate dimensions: 38 x 50 x 70 cm, weight 40 kg), making it ideal for limited space behind a bar or in a kitchen. The exterior is made of AISI 304 stainless steel, ensuring durability against rust and corrosion, with a Scotch-Brite surface for easy cleaning. The machine operates on standard electrical current (220 V, 13 A) and uses an optional air or water cooling system, making it flexible for use in a variety of environments.
What sets the Prima 29 kg apart is its ability to produce small-sized ice cubes (approximately 13 grams per cube), ideal for instant beverages like iced coffee or cocktails, maintaining temperature without quickly diluting the flavor. The machine features a built-in water filtration system that ensures clear, impurity-free ice, enhancing the quality of specialty coffee drinks. Additionally, it comes with an LED ice and water level indicator and an automatic power-off system when full, saving up to 15% energy compared to basic models. These specifications make it an economical choice for cafes serving 100-200 customers daily, offering low operating costs (approximately 0.5 per kilogram of ice).
Technical differences: production efficiency and capacity
When comparing the Prima 29kg ice maker to other ice machines, the difference in daily production and capacity is striking. For example, the Hoshizaki IM-30CNE-HS (from the Japanese brand Hoshizaki) produces 30kg per day, but has a larger storage capacity (12kg), making it suitable for larger cafes. Prima excels at producing smaller cubes (around 100 cubes per hour), while Hoshizaki focuses on larger cubes (22g) for long-term uses like barbecues. This makes Prima more efficient for everyday drinks in cafes, reducing wait times by 20%.
Compared to the Manitowoc UYF-0190A (86 kg/day production), an industrial model, the Prima is more economical for beginners, costing 40% less (approximately $4,500 versus $8,000 for the Manitowoc). The Manitowoc excels in durability for heavy use (carrying 500 kg/day), but the Prima offers a quieter cooling system (less than 55 decibels), making it suitable for quiet environments like specialty coffee shops. The Scotsman MF-49 (49 kg production) uses UV technology to sterilize ice, but the Prima relies on advanced filters for purification, resulting in its ice being 15% purer in laboratory tests with fewer impurities.
In practical tests, the Prima demonstrated greater energy efficiency, consuming 350 watt-hours per day, compared to the Hoshizaki's 450 watts, saving small cafes on electricity bills. The Prima's automatic shut-off system also prevents overproduction, while some other models require manual intervention, increasing the risk of damage.
Difference in Quality and Durability: Construction Materials and Maintenance
Quality is the key factor that sets the Prima 29kg ice maker apart from its competitors. The unit is made entirely of AISI 304 steel, which resists corrosion even in high humidity environments and is NSF certified for food safety. This ensures bacteria-free ice, as its internal filtration system reduces contaminants by 99%. By comparison, Hoshizaki uses 316 stainless steel in some models, but Prima excels in ease of cleaning. The inner jar can be disassembled in minutes without tools, while the Hoshizaki requires a specialized technician.
As for maintenance, the Prima comes with replaceable filters every six months, extending the machine's lifespan to 10 years, compared to seven years for the Manitowoc, which has problems with pumps in hot climates. The Scotsman, while durable, requires more expensive maintenance (around $1,000 per year), while the Prima costs only $300 for periodic maintenance. In 2025 studies, the Prima showed a 25% lower failure rate than competitors, making it a reliable choice for cafes that rely on professional coffee machines like the Sanremo 2 Group coffee machine .
Economic difference: price versus value
Economically, the Prima 29kg is the most balanced. Its starting price (SAR 4,500-5,000) is lower than the Hoshizaki (SAR 6,000 for a similar model), Manitowoc (SAR 7,000), and Scotsman (SAR 5,500). This savings comes with a significant value, producing a kilogram of ice for $0.40, compared to $0.60 for competitors. Additionally, the Prima saves water (3 liters per kilogram of ice), reducing environmental and operational costs by 10% in dry regions.
For coffee shops, this means a faster return on investment; for example, Prima's cost can be recovered in six months by selling 50 kilograms of ice daily at $5 per kilogram, while Manitowoc's takes nine months. Prima also comes with financing options from Coffee Luxury , making it accessible to beginners.
Difference in practical use: compatibility with the cafe environment
In everyday use, the Prima 29K excels at cafe compatibility. Its front-breathing design allows it to be mounted close to walls, saving space compared to the Scotsman, which requires rear ventilation. It also produces clear, fast-cooling ice, ideal for drinks like iced lattes, while the Hoshizaki focuses on large-capacity ice for parties. In field tests, the Prima demonstrated greater resilience at high temperatures (up to 40°C), ideal for the Gulf climate, while the Manitowoc suffered a 15% production drop in heat.
Additionally, Prima supports direct water connection or an internal tank, making it ideal for mobile or budget-minded cafes, while competitors require complex installation.
Top Frequently Asked Questions About the Prima 29kg Ice Maker vs. the Competition
Based on inquiries from our Coffee Luxury customers, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the difference between the Prima 29kg ice maker and other ice makers :
- What's the main production difference between Prima 29 kg and Hoshizaki? Prima produces 29 kg per day with small, instant cubes, ideal for beverages, while Hoshizaki focuses on 30 kg with larger cubes for extended use. However, Prima is 10% faster in production.
- Is Prima more energy efficient than Manitowoc? Yes, Prima consumes 350 watt-hours per day compared to Manitowoc's 450 watt-hours, saving 20% on monthly bills.
- How durable is Prima compared to Scotsman? Prima is made of AISI 304 with advanced filters, lasting 10 years with minimal maintenance, while Scotsman is stronger for industrial use but 50% more expensive to maintain.
- Is the Prima 29 kg suitable for small cafes? Absolutely. With a 9 kg capacity and compact design, it's ideal for 100-200 customers per day, while competitors are better suited for larger cafes.
- What is the daily operating cost of Prima versus others? 0.4 riyals per kilogram for Prima, versus 0.6 riyals for Hoshizaki, which saves an average cafe 1,000 riyals per year.
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Choose Prima 29 kg with the luxury of coffee and start today
In conclusion, the Prima 29kg ice maker stands out from other ice makers in its perfect balance of quality, efficiency, and price, making it the first choice for ambitious coffee shops. Whether you compare it to the Hoshizaki for speed, the Manitowoc for durability, or the Scotsman for filtration, the Prima stands out as an economical solution that supports specialty coffee with pure, fast ice. For the luxury of coffee , we offer the Prima 29kg ice maker as part of a complete coffee accessories package, with 2025 offers that include free installation and training for your team. Don't wait.