Skip to main content

Ice Machine break down, need ice, call Columbia Ice?

 

Big bag of party ice Edmonton
We had a call today from a restaurant.  They were calling around getting a quote for ice.  I smiled as I listened to our office administrator answer the phone because there usually are no quotes needed for ice machine break down.  You have one choice and one choice only and that is Columbia Ice, for ice delivery Edmonton when you need ice.  

I know when you search for ice delivery Edmonton, Arctic Glacier shows up but it is not always easy to get a big company to adjust what they are doing for a small business.  Most restaurants are small businesses.  I am not going to say Columbia Ice can always easily adjust.  Sometimes we don't have extra ice on the truck.  If we do and can we try our best.   

This is not a knock on Arctic Glacier.  It is expensive to reroute a truck to deliver someone out of route. They fill their trucks full of ice, use route software, have every bag of ice allocated.  Having a truck just in case someone calls last minute isn't cost effective.  Basically a truck is considered a $150 an hour asset in terms of truck and driver.  That is the minimum you want your truck generating an hour.  If you are doing a route, to change course, break a route, costs you at least $150 an hour.  As I say, it is not always possible for us.  Being a smaller company, we are more agile, more able to make those last minute adjustments.  

It is one of those differences between being a big company and small company.  I liken it to small companies are the perfect amount of desperate.  

If your ice machine breaks, google Columbia Ice Edmonton, click the call button on google or call 780-960-7161 or just email ice@columbiaice.ca.  You could also click on columbiaice.ca.  Go to website and get our phone number there.  


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Icy Artistry: How Tube Commercial Ice Makers Like Vogt’s Craft Perfect Ice

When you grab a handful of cylindrical ice tubes from a bag or watch them tumble into your drink at a restaurant, you might not think about the engineering marvel behind them. Tube ice—those hollow, uniform cylinders—is a staple in industries from hospitality to packaged ice production, and machines like Vogt’s tube ice makers have been perfecting the process since the 1930s. But how exactly do these commercial powerhouses turn water into those sleek, hollow tubes? Let’s break down the fascinating mechanics of tube ice makers and explore why they’ve become an industry standard. The Basics of Tube Ice Tube ice is distinct for its shape: a cylinder with a hollow core, typically 1–2 inches long and varying in diameter (often 7/8" to 1-1/2"). This design offers a high surface area for rapid cooling, making it ideal for beverages, food preservation, and industrial uses like concrete cooling. Unlike cube or flake ice, tube ice is produced in a specialized process that Vogt pioneere...

The Fastest Way to Cool Beer: Columbia Ice, Salt, and Water – Plus the Science Behind It

There’s nothing worse than reaching for a beer only to find it’s warm. Whether you Forgot to stock the fridge or just brought a fresh pack home, you don’t have to wait an hour for that crisp, cold perfection. With a simple trick using Columbia Ice, salt, and water, you can chill your beer in minutes. This method isn’t just fast—it’s science in action. Let’s break down how to do it and why it works. The Method: Ice-Salt-Water Bath Here’s what you’ll need: A large bowl, bucket, or cooler (big enough to submerge your beers) Ice (enough to surround the cans or bottles) (Columbia Ice is the only Canadian owned ice company in Alberta.) Water (to fill the container) Salt (a generous handful—table salt or rock salt works fine) Alberta Craft Beer (cans chill faster than bottles due to their thin aluminum walls) Steps: Fill your container halfway with ice. Add cold water until the ice is just covered. Sprinkle in about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salt (depending on the size of your container) and ...

The Frozen Legacy: A History of Packaged Ice Manufacturing in Canada

Packaged ice might seem like a modern convenience, but its story in Canada stretches back over a century, rooted in ingenuity, natural resources, and a growing demand for cold refreshment. From harvesting ice off pristine lakes to producing crystal-clear cubes in state-of-the-art facilities, the history of packaged ice manufacturing in Canada reflects both the nation’s environmental bounty and its evolving industrial prowess. Let’s explore how this frosty industry took shape and solidified its place in Canadian life. The Early Days: Harvesting Nature’s Ice In the late 19th century, long before refrigeration technology reached the masses, Canadians turned to their frozen landscapes for ice. One of the earliest pioneers was James Fairhead, who founded the Springwater Ice Company in 1876 near Lake Simcoe, Ontario. Drawn by the lake’s famously pure water, Fairhead and his crew cut ice blocks during winter, storing them in sawdust-insulated sheds for summer use. This natural ice was sold to...