Ice Machine Shipping
An ice machine is a refrigeration system with a water system attached, and both have to be dealt with before it moves. Water left inside leaks and can crack parts, and a handled-on-its-side compressor can fail at startup. We ship ice machines and bins the way refrigeration should travel.
Disconnect and prep
Shut off the water supply and disconnect the water and drain lines. Empty the storage bin, then run a defrost or harvest cycle so the evaporator is clear and no ice melts into the cabinet later. Wipe the unit dry. On remote-condenser models, a refrigeration technician should recover the refrigerant and disconnect the lines.
Draining and cleaning
Drain the water reservoir and sump fully, then leave the door open for a few hours so the interior dries. A dry unit is a lighter unit, and it keeps standing water from freezing or leaking during transit.
Crating and palletizing
Ice machines ship upright, strapped to a skid, with panels, scoop, and water fittings wrapped or packed separately. A head sitting on a bin is separated and shipped as two pieces. Keeping the compressor upright protects it from oil moving into the wrong place.
Liftgate and inside delivery
Undercounter units are easy; large modular heads and bins are heavy and need the right lift. Tell us the model, and whether it is going to a basement, bar, or back-of-house. We can deliver inside and set it in place for your installer.
Insurance
Our providers carry cargo insurance, and a certificate of insurance is available when a job requires one. Let us know the value so coverage matches.
Domestic and international
Ice machines ship nationwide. For overseas moves, we crate for export and our licensed customs broker handles paperwork. Check refrigerant and electrical specifications for the destination.
What to tell us before pickup
Ice machines come as a head unit, a separate storage bin, or a self-contained unit with the bin built in. Each ships differently. Tell us which you have, and whether the head sits on top of the bin so we can plan to separate them and move each on its own skid.
- Head, bin, or self-contained, and the model number
- Whether the head is stacked on a bin
- Air-cooled, water-cooled, or remote-cooled
- Whether a remote condenser or water filter is included
Frequently asked questions
- Does an ice machine need to sit before I plug it in?
- After shipping, follow the manufacturer guidance on letting a refrigeration unit settle upright before powering it on.
- Do I need to empty the bin?
- Yes. Empty the bin and defrost the machine so melting ice does not leak in transit.
- Can you ship the head and bin together?
- We normally separate and ship them as two pieces. Your installer stacks them at the destination.
Related shipping guides
Damage on delivery? Read how shipping claims work, or see international shipping and customs for overseas moves.
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