Commercial Ice Crusher | Electric Crushed Ice Machine | For Bars & Restaurants | Caterlite CT057

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Overview Features Specifications Reviews Compare Guide FAQ

Product Overview

Here’s a cracking little machine for any bar or restaurant wanting to step up its drinks game. The Caterlite CT057 is a compact and seriously efficient electric crushed ice machine, designed to turn standard ice cubes into the perfect base for cocktails, slushies, and food displays. It’s built for businesses that need a reliable supply of crushed ice without the faff and expense of a giant, industrial unit.

Specifically created for professional settings like cocktail bars, bustling cafés, and seafood restaurants, this countertop hero takes the manual labour out of ice prep. Its straightforward design means any member of your team can get perfect results in seconds. Just load the hopper, flick the switch, and you’re away. It’s all about getting that premium texture for your drinks and dishes, consistently and quickly.

Featuring robust stainless steel blades and a durable housing, this commercial ice crusher is made to handle the daily grind. It produces up to 12kg of crushed ice per hour, more than enough to keep your service flowing smoothly. If you're ready to say goodbye to bashing ice in a tea towel and hello to effortless, professional results, this is the bit of kit for you.

Key Features and Benefits

High-Capacity Hopper: Holds plenty of ice for back-to-back orders.
12kg/hr Output: Keeps you well-stocked during the busiest service periods.
Stainless Steel Blades: Provides a consistent, quality crush for perfect drinks.
Brushed Stainless Steel Housing: Built to withstand the daily hustle of a busy bar.
Compact Countertop Design: Fits easily onto any work surface without hogging space.
Simple Toggle Switch: Incredibly easy for any member of staff to operate.
Lightweight & Portable: Effortless to move for deep cleaning or repositioning.
Safety Cut-out Feature: Automatically stops the motor when the lid is opened.

Technical Specifications

Brand: Caterlite
SKU: CT057
Dimensions: 460(H) x 220(W) x 170(D) mm
Power: 80W, 230V (Standard UK Plug)
Weight: 4.46kg
Output: Up to 12kg per hour
Material: Stainless Steel Housing & Blades
Colour: Silver
Max Ice Cube Size: 2cm x 2cm

The Caterlite Promise: Reliable Simplicity for Your Bar

With Caterlite, you're investing in more than just a piece of equipment; you're buying into a philosophy of straightforward reliability. This commercial ice crusher isn't packed with unnecessary bells and whistles because it doesn't need them. Its true value lies in its durability and unfaltering performance, day in, day out. For a small or medium-sized business, this means less time worrying about equipment breakdowns and more time focusing on your customers. The robust stainless steel construction isn't just for looks; it's a promise of longevity in the demanding environment of a professional kitchen or bar. By automating a simple but crucial task, it saves valuable staff time, reduces product inconsistency, and delivers a fantastic return on investment by enabling a more premium and profitable drinks menu.

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Expert Review and Insights

The Caterlite CT057 is a real workhorse for the price. It's not trying to be the all-singing, all-dancing hero of the back bar, but it does its one job exceptionally well. For pubs, small cocktail bars, or even mobile caterers needing a reliable source of crushed ice without a huge investment, it's a brilliant, no-nonsense choice. It’s simple, effective, and gets you up and running in minutes.

Freddie Wallace – Pub Equipment Expert View Profile →

Pros: Its dead-simple operation and small footprint make it perfect for tight spaces.
Cons: The 12kg/hr output is best for steady services, not high-volume nightclubs.

Who Should Buy This?

Cocktail Bars: Essential for crafting perfect Mojitos, Juleps, and Brambles with a consistent, professional-grade crushed ice texture.
Seafood Restaurants: Ideal for creating stunning fresh seafood platters and oyster bar displays that keep produce perfectly chilled.
Cafés & Dessert Parlours: The key to delicious frappés, iced coffees, and granitas that will keep your customers coming back for more.
Mobile Bar Services: A lightweight, portable, and reliable solution for serving high-quality crushed ice cocktails at weddings and events.

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Case Study: Real Business, Real Results

The Salty Siren, a seaside bistro in Whitby, wanted to launch a new range of signature frozen cocktails and expand their fresh seafood counter. Their existing method of manually crushing ice was slow, inconsistent, and couldn't keep up with their ambitions.

"We were spending far too much staff time bashing ice bags with a rolling pin. The Caterlite machine gives us perfect, fluffy ice in seconds. It's quiet, takes up no space, and has made our cocktail prep ridiculously fast."

Ben Carter – Owner

After installation, The Salty Siren reported a 40% increase in cocktail sales and was able to maintain a much larger, more appealing seafood display, reducing spoilage by half.

Why Stainless Steel Blades Make All the Difference

Ever wondered why some crushed ice is light and fluffy and other types are just splintered chunks? It often comes down to the blades. Think of it like using a professional chef’s knife versus a cheap, flimsy one from the back of the drawer. The Caterlite’s stainless steel blades are tough, sharp, and precisely engineered to shave ice, not just smash it.

More importantly, stainless steel is hygienic and non-porous. It won't rust from the constant contact with moisture, and it won't absorb any odours or flavours. This means the ice for your pristine vodka cocktail won't ever have a faint memory of the ice you used for a fish display yesterday. It guarantees a clean, consistent, and professional result every single time.

Installation and Maintenance Guide

Setting It Up

Find a flat, stable, and level countertop for the unit, away from any direct heat sources.
Ensure there's enough space around the machine for air to circulate and to access the hopper easily.
Before first use, give the hopper and collection tray a quick wipe with a food-safe sanitiser.
Plug into a standard socket and run a few test cubes through to check everything is working as it should.

Keeping It Going

Always switch off and unplug the machine before cleaning.
Wipe down the exterior and interior hopper with a damp cloth daily.
Never put anything other than ice cubes into the hopper (and no hands!).
Only use ice cubes within the recommended size (max 2cm) to avoid jamming the motor.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Ice Crusher

Not sure which ice machine is the perfect fit for your business? Here are a few things to consider to make sure you get it spot on.

Output vs. Footfall

Be realistic about how much ice you'll need. A 12kg/hr machine is perfect for a steady bar, but a heaving nightclub will need something with a much higher capacity.

Ice Texture

Consider the final product. This machine produces a classic 'crushed' ice, great for cocktails. If you need finer, 'snow-like' ice for snow cones, you might need a specialised ice shaver.

Countertop Space

Measure your available space! A compact model like this Caterlite is a lifesaver when your back bar is already choc-a-bloc with glassware and ingredients.

Ease of Cleaning

Look for smooth, stainless steel surfaces and removable parts. A machine that’s a pain to clean will quickly become a machine that nobody wants to use.

Simplicity is Key

In a busy service with multiple staff, a simple on/off switch is often better than a machine with complex settings. It reduces training time and minimises errors.

See all Ice Crushers

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the biggest ice cube size this machine can handle?

A: It's designed for standard ice cubes up to 2cm x 2cm. Using larger cubes may strain the motor or cause a jam.

Q: How noisy is it when it's running?

A: Like any crusher, it makes a noise when processing ice, but it's designed for a commercial bar environment and isn't excessively loud. It's silent when on standby.

Q: Can I use it continuously during a long, busy shift?

A: Yes, it's built for commercial use. For best results, crush ice in batches as needed rather than running it completely empty for long periods.

Q: How do I clean the blades?

A: For safety, you should never touch the blades directly. Cleaning involves wiping the hopper area with a food-safe sanitiser while the machine is unplugged.

Q: Does it produce 'snow' ice or chunkier crushed ice?

A: It produces a classic crushed ice texture, perfect for cocktails like Mojitos. It is not a snow cone machine, so the ice will have more texture than fine snow.

Q: What happens if it gets jammed?

A: First, unplug the machine. You can usually clear a jam by carefully removing the offending ice cube with a utensil (never your fingers).

Q: Is it suitable for displaying fresh fish?

A: Absolutely. The crushed ice it produces is ideal for creating chilled beds for fresh seafood, keeping it at the perfect temperature for display.

Q: Does the ice melt quickly in the collection tray?

A: The collection tray is not refrigerated, so it's designed for immediate use. We recommend crushing ice as you need it for the best quality.

What Customers Are Saying

"A fantastic bit of kit. We run a busy little cocktail spot and this machine has been a lifesaver. Just keeps on going all night long."

Tom H. – The Shaker Tin, Bristol

"Does exactly what it says on the tin. Simple to use, easy to clean, and the perfect size for our café's countertop. Great for our iced lattes."

Maria G. – The Daily Grind, Manchester

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