Ice maker „Brema Ice“ VB 250 HC „Fast Ice“

„Brema Ice“ VB 250 HC — „Fast Ice“ ice maker, 98 kg a day

The „Brema Ice“ VB 250 HC is a freestanding self-contained ice maker with a built-in bin and a vertical evaporator. At 21 °C air and 15 °C water temperature it makes 98 kg of 7 g „Fast Ice“ cubes a day and keeps up to 35 kg of ice in the bin.

Brema offers this model in an air-cooled version only. It uses the natural refrigerant R290 and has electromechanical controls. Price and delivery time are available on request.

Who it is for

Brema lists fast-food restaurants and nightclubs as the main sectors for this model. The 98 kg figure is for 21 °C air and 15 °C water; in a hotter room or with warmer water the machine makes less ice.

„Fast Ice“ cubes

The VB 250 HC makes „Fast Ice“ — small, multi-faceted cubes of about 7 g, shaped like a truncated pyramid. According to Brema, they chill drinks quickly and, being small, suit any glass. Each cube measures 20 × 35 × 28 mm; this model makes no other size.

Build and controls

The cabinet is made of AISI 304 stainless steel with a „Scotch-Brite“ finish. Inside, the surfaces are rounded so they are easy to clean; the bin is insulated with HCFC-free material, and its door slides up into the cabinet. The condenser air filter can be removed and cleaned, and the antiscale filter can be cleaned too. The controls are electromechanical, with an ON / OFF rocker switch; there is no automatic washing and no Wi-Fi.

Things to consider

• The bin holds 35 kg. If you need to store more ice, Brema also makes modular VM-series „Fast Ice“ machines that sit on a separate bin (sold separately); we can offer them on request.
• Brema does not list this model for undercounter installation: on its adjustable 110–150 mm feet it is 1 085–1 125 mm high.
• Brema’s documents give different or doubtful figures for some data — average power consumption, packed size and gross weight, and output at other air and water temperatures — so we will confirm these with our quote.
• Indoor use only — not in damp places or where it may be splashed with water. Never clean it with a water jet.
• Supply drinking water only. Brema does not allow reverse osmosis or deionised water and advises a cartridge filter where the water is particularly hard.
• There is no automatic washing: at least once a month the machine must be cleaned and sanitised — a job for qualified staff.
• There is no drain pump version: the water must drain by gravity, so you need a drain below the machine.

Installation and connections

• Power: 220–240 V, 50 Hz, 10 A fuse. Connect the machine to an earthed supply through an all-pole circuit breaker with fuses and a residual current device (RCD); the supply must be able to handle the maximum power shown on the rating plate.
• Water: cold drinking water, 1–6 bar pressure, 3/4″ connection. Fit a shut-off tap between the water mains and the machine’s supply hose and never turn it off while the machine is running; connect it only with the new hose supplied.
• Drain: gravity drain — the hose (22 mm internal diameter) must not be throttled anywhere and must slope down by at least 15 %, ideally into an open trap.
• Location: a clean room at 10–43 °C (the machine performs best with air at 10–35 °C and water at 3–25 °C), away from heat sources and direct sunlight; Brema advises against cellars and storerooms. Install it where trained staff can keep an eye on it, and leave at least 5 cm of clearance all round.
• R290 refrigerant: a flammable gas. Users must not touch the refrigerant circuit — only an authorised service centre may work on it. If the circuit is damaged, switch the machine off at once, disconnect it from the power supply, ventilate the room and call the service centre.
• Handling: always keep the machine upright when transporting, storing or moving it. Even to move it slightly, lift it — do not push or pull it.
• Dimensions: 738 × 600 × 975 mm (W × D × H, without the adjustable 110–150 mm feet; 1 085–1 125 mm high on the feet); net weight 68.5 kg.

The machine must be connected to the water and electricity supply by a qualified technician — this is a manufacturer requirement.

Running costs and maintenance

• Consumption. Electricity — 19 kWh per 100 kg of ice (measured at 32 °C ambient); water — 2 l per kg of ice.
• Cleaning and sanitising — at least once a month. The machine is first switched off and disconnected from the power and water supply; then a 25 % white vinegar solution is poured into the water basin and the machine is run for one minute five times, with five-minute breaks. Both sides of the evaporator are then cleaned with a soft brush and the removable parts are washed with washing-up liquid. Sanitising uses a 200 mg/l sodium hypochlorite solution, after which everything is rinsed thoroughly with cold water. Discard the ice from the first five cycles and any ice already in the bin. The manual reserves this work for skilled, authorised staff, and regular complete sanitising for an authorised service centre.
• Do not use corrosive substances to remove limescale — they can seriously damage the machine and void the warranty.
• At least every two months, qualified staff must clean the water inlet valve filter, and an authorised service centre the condenser. The condenser air filter must be cleaned at least once a month.

What’s in the box

Ice maker, feet, water supply hose with seals, user manual and cleaning and sanitising manual.

Technical specifications