Every shave ice enterprise has its own needs. The most important of these is choosing the right commercial shaved ice machine. Aside from monetary concerns like budget, you need to consider what machine will provide the best experience for your customers while helping you achieve your personal goals.

Whether you’re looking to start small or go big, here are the commercial shaved ice machines we’d recommend for your situation.

Kids and Shave Ice

Do you work with children and need to add a new activity to your repertoire? Consider bringing in a shaved ice machine. Aside from just proving sweet treats, you can use a shaved ice machine to teach kids how to run a real life business or make it the centerpiece of your school’s next fundraising event. Shaved ice can also act as an excellent motivator to improve group behavior or as a reward for a job well done.

For smaller entrepreneurs, we recommend choosing a commercial shaved ice machine that engages them in the process while remaining safe for tiny hands. The HA-110 Hatsuyuki Block Ice Shaver is a manual machine that is powered with a crank. The HA-110 is the least expensive and least complex of our Hatsuyuki ice shavers, which makes it perfect for incorporating kids into the process. With adult supervision of course.

Seasonal Shaved Ice Businesses

Do you want to increase seasonal traffic for your business? Adding a limited time special can be a great way to pull in new customers and encourage return business. During the summer months, many businesses start to offer soft-serve or ice cream cones. A less common and unique option is shave ice. While extremely popular with consumers, Hawaiian shave ice is overall less competitive because business owners are reluctant to invest in a commercial shaved ice machine.

Keeping in mind that this will be a limited time offer, you won’t need all the bells and whistles required to run a full-time shaved ice business. Our recommended commercial shaved ice machine is the HC-77B Hatsuyuki Cube Ice Shaver. All Hatsuyuki ice shavers are extremely high quality, but the HC-77B is a doable purchase for businesses on a budget while still classifying as a large capacity shaver. This model will serve you well during the summer months, bringing in increased traffic and profits.

Mobile Shaved Ice Businesses

Are you looking to take your shaved ice business on the road? When it comes to shave ice, brick and mortar locations aren’t always where you’ll find your customers. Public spaces like parks, boardwalks, and beaches are filled with customers looking to beat the heat. Whether you’re using a humble cart, food truck, or catering events, you need a commercial shaved ice machine that is easily portable and can hold a charge for hours of service when a convenient power source isn’t accessible.

On-the-go business owners should purchase the HC-8EDC Hatsuyuki Cube Ice Shaver. This commercial shaved ice machine can produce 400 servings of shave ice with a single overnight charge and has a shaving capacity of six pounds per minute. While this Hatsuyuki ice shaver weighs in at 47 pounds, its design makes it easy to carry for transportation between events and stops. Don’t tie your shaved ice business down; go mobile!

Adding Shave Ice to Your Menu

Do you run a restaurant and want a menu item that will set your business apart? Hawaiian shave ice is a dessert novelty that will make you stand out from the crowd. Because shaved ice will be a feature of your business and not the only product, you can invest in a commercial shaved ice machine that produces quality shave ice, but doesn’t need to stand up to the daily wear of an exclusive shaved ice business.

If you want to broaden your menu’s horizons, consider purchasing the HC-8E Hatsuyuki Cube Ice Shaver. Unlike its cousin, the HC-8EDC, this Hatsuyuki shaved ice machine requires a constant power source and can’t be charged. As a singular location you will always have a power source so you don’t need to invest in the more expensive model. With a shaving capacity of six pounds per minute, you and your customers will be satisfied with the results.

Full Time Shaved Ice Businesses

Are you looking to take your shaved ice business to the next level? You need a commercial shaved ice machine that can do it all from handling days of high traffic to continually producing the best shave ice money can buy.

Business owners looking to upgrade their operating model should invest in the HF-500E Hatsuyuki Block Ice Shaver. Every expert knows that block ice produces the highest quality shave ice and this Hatsuyuki shaved ice machine reigns supreme. While it’s shaving capacity ranks below cube ice shavers, that’s just the tradeoff for working with block ice. Additionally, the HF-500E has a built-in safety feature to prevent accidents; operation automatically stops whenever the lid is open. If you really want to splurge and cover your bases, the HF-50 DC Hatsuyuki Block Ice Shaver has all of the same features, but can hold a charge for mobile use.

Looking to buy your own commercial shaved ice machine? Real Hawaiian Ice is the national distributor of Hatsuyuki shaved ice machines. Browse our collection to take home your perfect match.