Polar GK031-A G-Series 20kg Countertop Ice Maker | 4kg Bin 10A Plug

Never run out of ice during busy service rushes, eliminate manual ice transport across crowded kitchen prep lines, and deliver clear, high-density bullet ice cubes on demand with the Polar GK031-A G-Series 20kg Commercial Countertop Ice Maker. Purpose-engineered for Australian cafes, cocktail bars, bistro dining rooms, hotel executive lounges, pub servery counters, sports clubs, and corporate staffrooms, this compact 380 mm wide benchtop commercial ice machine produces up to 20 kg of bullet-shaped ice cubes every 24 hours while holding 4 kg of ready-to-serve ice inside an insulated, contamination-proof internal storage bin.

Consistent 20kg Daily Yield for Fast-Paced Beverage Passes

Carrying melting ice buckets from remote back-of-house ice machines wastes valuable staff labour and increases slipping hazards on polished kitchen floors. The Polar GK031-A is engineered to sit directly where drinks are assembled, connecting straight into your commercial mains cold-water line to provide continuous, automated ice production. Freezing hollow-core bullet ice cubes measuring approximately 40 x 28 mm, the machine delivers rapid conductive liquid chilling with a slow dilution rate, making it ideal for craft spirits, iced lattes, fresh juices, blended cocktails, and fresh seafood presentation passes.

Commercial G-Series Durability Rated for High Ambient Temperatures

Back-of-house Australian hospitality setups often subject refrigeration equipment to intense ambient warmth. Polar G-Series equipment is built for dependable day-to-day commercial service in environments up to 32°C, maintaining dependable production even during peak summer heatwaves (delivering up to 11.7 kg per day even in extreme 38°C test conditions). Housed in heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant commercial-grade stainless steel, the cabinet resists kitchen grease, acidic spills, and cosmetic scratching, providing years of reliable service.

Insulated Solid Door & Simple Manual Defrost Functionality

Keeping stored ice pure and contamination-free is vital for strict compliance with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices. The GK031-A is fitted with an insulated solid front-access door that blocks out airborne cooking grease, kitchen dust, and ambient heat, ensuring stored ice stays solid without fusing into a solid block. Its straightforward control panel features an intuitive ON/OFF switch, clear diagnostic indicator lights, and a simple manual defrost function that simplifies routine sanitisation and keeps the internal freezing fingers operating at peak thermodynamic output.

Compact Benchtop Dimensions with Sturdy Adjustable Feet

Measuring just 590(H) x 380(W) x 477(D) mm with a dry net weight of 28 kg, the GK031-A takes up minimal valuable counter space on crowded back-bars, servery passes, or island prep counters. Four sturdy adjustable feet allow operators to level the unit perfectly on sloped or uneven stainless steel benching, ensuring water cascades evenly over the freezing evaporator fingers for symmetrical, perfectly formed bullet cubes every cycle.

Eco-Friendly R600a Refrigerant on a Standard Australian 10A Circuit

Driven by natural, environmentally conscious R600a hydrocarbon refrigerant with an ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP of 3) and zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), the GK031-A delivers low energy consumption and quiet running performance. Drawing an economical 145W to 200W (0.9A single phase), the unit comes factory-fitted with a standard Australian 10 Amp 3-pin plug and lead. Certified under the Australian GEMS energy registry (Registration Number:175313), it delivers plug-and-play installation without specialized electrical rewiring.

Key Features & Benefits

• High Daily Output (Up to 20kg/24h): Continuously replenishes ice stocks to keep up with steady bar, cafe, and catering service.

• 4kg Built-In Insulated Storage Bin: Keeps a ready-to-scoop reserve of bullet ice chilled and ready for immediate drink dispensing.

• Hollow-Core Bullet Ice (Approx. 40x28mm): Large surface area chills beverages rapidly without prematurely watering down premium drinks.

• Auto-Fill Mains Plumbed Setup: Connects directly to commercial potable water supplies for fully automated ice-making.

• Commercial Stainless Steel Exterior: Durable, professional finish wipes clean effortlessly and resists corrosive kitchen environments.

• Insulated Solid Front Door: Retains internal bin cold while protecting ice from kitchen contaminants and airborne grease.

• High Ambient Tolerance: Rated for reliable commercial operation in ambient temperatures up to 32°C (yields 11.7 kg/day at 38°C).

• Intuitive Push-Button Controls: Simple ON/OFF interface with status indicators and a dedicated manual defrost function.

• Adjustable Leveling Feet: Ensures the unit remains completely level on uneven commercial countertops for balanced water freezing.

• Low-GWP Natural Refrigerant (R600a): Eco-friendly hydrocarbon gas provides efficient chilling with minimal environmental impact.

• Standard Australian 10A Plug: Low 0.9A power draw plugs straight into standard 240V commercial power outlets.

• Australian GEMS Certified: Fully compliant under registered GEMS certification number 175313.

Technical Specifications

Mandatory Water Filtration & Gravity Drainage Notice

To protect your equipment investment and prevent common operational breakdowns:

• Mains Water Quality & Scale Prevention: Commercial ice makers freeze pure water molecules first, causing dissolved mineral carbonates to precipitate out and form hard limescale on the freezing fingers, water level sensors, and internal pump. In hard or medium water areas across Australia, untreated water will cause scale build up, resulting in smaller ice cubes and premature mechanical failure. Limescale damage is not covered under warranty. It is strongly recommended to fit a dual-stage commercial water filter containing polypropylene (PP) sediment cotton and activated carbon to absorb sediment, remove chlorine taste, and inhibit mineral scaling.

• Gravity Drainage Requirements: The Polar GK031-A uses a standard gravity-fed drainage line. The waste hose must have an unobstructed, continuous downward gradient directly into a floor tundish or waste outlet positioned lower than the base of the machine. If the unit must be installed where the waste point is level with or higher than the machine, an external commercial drain pump must be installed.

Daily Care, Cleaning & Maintenance Guidelines

To maintain hygienic ice production, protect the stainless steel chassis, and comply with commercial food safety standards:

1. Power Isolation: Always switch off the power button, turn off the wall power switch, and disconnect the 10A plug before performing any deep internal sanitisation or manual descaling.

2. Weekly Bin & Scoop Sanitisation: Empty the 4 kg ice bin completely. Wipe down the internal food-grade ABS liner, door frame, and ice scoop with warm water, an approved food-safe sanitiser, and a soft microfibre cloth. Never use steel wool, abrasive scouring pads, or harsh chemical bleach that could scratch the internal plastic surfaces.

3. Periodic Descaling Routine: Run a descaling cycle every 30 to 60 days using a non-toxic, commercial food-grade ice machine descaler. Use the integrated manual defrost feature to flush loose mineral scale from the freezing evaporator fingers and drain the water reservoir thoroughly.

4. Condenser Airflow & Ventilation Care: Inspect the side and rear ventilation louvres monthly. Use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a soft brush attachment to clear away accumulated kitchen dust, flour, and grease from the cooling vents. Maintaining unrestricted airflow prevents compressor overheating and preserves maximum daily ice yields.

5. Washdown Safety Precautions: Never wash down the exterior stainless steel body, rear vents, or electronic control panel with high-pressure washdown hoses or commercial scullery pre-rinse guns. Wipe clean using a damp, well-wrung microfibre cloth only.

Countertop Installation & Operational Guidelines

The Polar GK031-A is engineered for indoor commercial countertop placement in bars, cafes, and hospitality service areas:

1. Dedicated 10A Electrical Connection: The ice maker draws an economical 0.9A on single-phase 220–240V power and comes factory-fitted with a standard Australian 10 Amp 3-pin plug. Connect directly to an independent, dedicated commercial wall outlet. Never run commercial refrigeration units through domestic extension leads or double adaptors.

2. Countertop Levelling & Structural Stability: Place the 28 kg unit (which weighs over 33 kg when loaded with water and ice) on a level, water-resistant commercial benchtop. Adjust the threaded feet to ensure the machine is completely level in both directions; an unlevel unit will cause uneven water flow over the freezing fingers, resulting in misshapen ice bullets.

3. Plumbing & Drain Setup: Connect the water inlet hose to a cold-water mains supply isolation tap fitted with an approved sediment and carbon water filter. Route the gravity drain hose directly downward into a floor drain or waste pipe located below the unit. Ensure the drain hose has no kinks, U-bends, or uphill runs that could cause waste water to back up into the ice bin.

4. Ventilation Clearances: Maintain at least 150 mm of unobstructed ventilation space around the rear and sides of the unit to ensure the R600a refrigeration circuit can exhaust heat effectively. Never box the ice maker into tightly enclosed, unventilated cabinetry.

5. Indoor Environment Restrictions: The GK031-A is specifically engineered for stationary indoor commercial kitchens and bars. It is not suitable for mobile catering vans, food trucks, or outdoor setups, where road vibrations and fluctuating humidity can compromise internal plumbing and mechanical seals.

6. Non-Medical Use Notice: This appliance is engineered strictly for food and beverage service. It is not rated, calibrated, or certified for clinical, medical, or biological temperature storage.

Freight & Delivery Notice

Standard commercial road freight delivery is available Australia-wide to commercial business addresses with level ground access or loading docks. Due to the sensitive internal refrigeration compressor, copper tubing, and protective packaging, transit via commercial tail-lift transport or standard palletized road freight is standard. For deliveries to residential, home-based business, or non-commercial addresses, please contact our friendly commercial sales team prior to placing your order to obtain a customised courier quote and confirm delivery logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Polar GK031-A plug into a standard Australian 10 Amp power point?

Yes. Drawing only 145W to 200W (0.9A) on single-phase 220–240V power, the ice maker comes pre-fitted with a standard Australian 10 Amp 3-pin plug and lead.

Does this ice machine fill with water automatically?

Yes. The GK031-A is an auto-fill, mains-plumbed unit. Once connected to a cold potable water supply line, it fills its internal reservoir automatically to maintain continuous, non-stop ice production.

Do I need an external drain pump for this model?

This model relies on gravity drainage, meaning waste water must flow downhill into a drain located below the base of the machine. If your installation requires waste water to be pumped upwards into a raised sink drain or through a wall, you must install an optional commercial drain pump.

Why is a water filter necessary?

Mains water contains dissolved mineral carbonates and sediment. During the ice-making process, pure water freezes first, leaving minerals behind to form hard limescale on the evaporator fingers and water probes. Fitting a dual-stage PP cotton and activated carbon filter prevents limescale accumulation, protects the machine against premature failure, and ensures clean, clear, odourless ice.

What size are the bullet ice cubes?

The unit produces hollow-core bullet-shaped ice cubes measuring approximately 40 mm in height by 28 mm in diameter. The hollow core maximizes surface contact area to chill drinks quickly without excessive dilution.

Can this ice machine be installed in a food truck or mobile catering van?

No. The Polar GK031-A is designed strictly for stationary indoor commercial installations. Vehicle vibrations, shifting road angles, and unconditioned mobile ambient temperatures can damage internal refrigeration lines and interfere with gravity drainage.

What commercial warranty is provided with the Polar GK031-A?

The unit is backed by a comprehensive Commercial Parts and Labour Warranty across Australia.

N.B Images are for illustrative purposes only. Specifications are subject to change without notice.