Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)EDIT 07/23/09: Another month and another trade event. I made approximately 500-600 snow cones at this event and the machine performed perfectly without any problems at all. This machine is certainly well built and will serve you well. I can't recommend this machine highly enough.
ORIGINAL REVIEW FOLLOWS:
I bought this unit for a three-day trade event and it performed perfectly. I easily made back the purchase price of the unit without issue, so the price point on this item is wonderful.
The motor is strong and it crushes ice quickly if left at the factory setting. I found that the ice is a bit coarse for some people as calibrated at the factory, so I adjusted the blades to produce a VERY fine snow. The finer snow absorbs the flavorings much better than coarse ice and has a more "Italian Ice" look to it.
The instruction manual for the unit does not tell you how to adjust the blades, so I will tell you now:
1. MAKE SURE THE UNIT IS UNPLUGGED!
2. Lay the unit on its side, with the door facing up.
3. Use the hex wrench that came with the machine to loosen the blade assembly set screws. This is done be reaching into the hole that the ice falls from when grinding, rotating the assembly, then finding the set screws. You will need to rotate the assembly again when the screws are loose or they will make contact when you try to remove the cutter assembly.
4. Push the cutter assembly off the shaft and into the ice chute. Be careful not to cut yourself on the sharp blades.
5. Use a flat-head screwdriver to loosen the two screws on each blade.
6. Move the blades IN to shave the ice finer or OUT for a course, crushed ice.
7. Tighten the screws and reassemble the unit.
You will need to experiment a bit to get the perfect shave/crush, but it is worth it.
Things to note:
The ice tray does not drain very well, so you might want to prop up the end opposite the drain in order to help water flow to the drain. I also backed the drain out until the plastic portion that goes into the pan was flush with the inside of the pan in order to help it drain better.
You WILL spill water all over the place when you try to clean the tray if you don't use some towels to dry it before attempting to remove it, as you have to lean the tray considerably to get the drain to come out of the case. Another suggestion is to put a plug in the drain when you are removing the tray, otherwise water will certainly pour out if you don't soak up water from it.
The motor seems to be very strong and I expect it to run for quite some time. I made hundreds of snow cones without any issues and the machine performed perfectly the whole time.
The product information doesn't mention it, but there is a decal on the front of the unit that says "Sno-Cones." The decal looks nice and helps advertise your product.
Overall, I would give this unit an 8.5 out of 10. Highly recommended.
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Paragon The Arctic Blast SnoCone MachineBring a little snow cone fun into your home or business with the Arctic Blast SnoCone machine. The hard-working Arctic Blast is equipped with a tough 1/3-horsepower, 1,725 rpm motor that can shave more than 500 pounds of cube or chunk ice per hour. Just add ice and syrup and you'll have all the snow cones you need to entertain a kids' party or make a tidy profit during the summertime months. The inside of the Arctic Blast is just as sturdy, with top-of-the-line horns, pushers, and shaver head assemblies all made of strong cast aluminum. The shave head assembly is particularly reliable, with two high-grade, adjustable, easy-to-replace stainless-steel blades that not only keep your snow cone machine looking great, but also help it last for years to come.
The Arctic Ice's best feature, however, may be its classic, retail-friendly look. The cabinet is made of impact-resistant polycarbonate panels, with attention-getting graphics strategically located on the side. Other features include a safety switch to prevent accidental startups, a powder-coated paint finish that resists chipping, and a removable, food-grade plastic tray that drains moisture away fro the ice and extends shelf life.
Features and Specifications:
Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 24 inches
Weight: 50 pounds
Polycarbonate side panels and door
Stainless steel and aluminum construction
Easy to clean
Powder-coat paint finish resists chipping
Slanted drain deck
Volts: 120
Watts: 635
Amps: 5.3
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