Granular ice flaker „Brema Ice“ GB 1540 HC

„Brema Ice“ GB 1540 HC — freestanding granular ice flaker

The „Brema Ice“ GB 1540 HC is a freestanding self-contained granular ice flaker with a built-in storage bin; Brema does not list it for undercounter installation. At 21 °C air and 15 °C water temperature it makes 153 kg of ice flakes a day and keeps up to 40 kg in the bin. When the bin is full, production stops; when you take ice out, it restarts automatically.

The machine is made air- or water-cooled. It uses the natural refrigerant R290 and has electromechanical controls. Price and delivery time are available on request — let us know whether you need the air- or water-cooled version.

Who it is for

Brema lists medical and spa facilities, industry and fish markets as the sectors this model is intended for, and says ice flakes are also suited to food display and presentation — fish and seafood on a counter, for example. How much ice it makes in 24 hours depends on the room and mains water temperature (manufacturer’s figures):

• in a cool room (air 10 °C, water 7 °C) — up to 175 kg;
• under standard conditions (air 21 °C, water 15 °C) — 153 kg;
• in a hot room (air 32 °C, water 21 °C) — 133 kg.

The bin holds up to 40 kg of ice flakes.

Ice flakes (granular ice)

GB-series machines make ice flakes — small granules of ice — rather than cubes. Brema states that the ice is 80–82 % dry; by comparison, the TB-series ice pebbles are 91 % dry.

According to Brema, ice flakes cool quickly and effectively and are easy to store, handle and portion by weight or volume. Brema recommends them for food display and presentation and for use in the chemical, pharmaceutical and sports sectors.

Build and controls

The cabinet is made of AISI 304 stainless steel with a „Scotch-Brite“ finish, and the evaporator is AISI 304 stainless steel too. The bin is insulated with HCFC-free material and the internal surfaces are rounded, so they are easy to clean. The water basin is dust-proof, and the condenser air filter can be removed and cleaned.

The controls are electromechanical: the machine is switched on with an ON / OFF rocker switch, water is topped up automatically, and a thermostat stops production when the ice in the bin reaches its probe and restarts it when ice is taken out. This machine has no automatic washing and no Wi-Fi — Brema currently offers the „Brema Connect“ app only for CB-series AWS 2.0 Wi models.

Things to consider

• The bin holds 40 kg. If you need more ice at once, choose the GB 1555 HC (55 kg), but it is 1 130–1 170 mm high on its feet.
• Brema does not list this model for undercounter installation: on its adjustable 110–150 mm feet it is 1 030–1 070 mm high.
• In a hot room (air 32 °C, water 21 °C) the machine makes 133 kg a day. It works at ambient temperatures of 10–43 °C and water temperatures of 3–32 °C.
• 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 recommends a filter where the water is particularly hard.
• There is no automatic washing: at least once a month the machine must be cleaned and sanitised with the top and rear panels removed — a job for qualified staff.
• This model is not made with a drain pump: the water must drain by gravity, so you need a drain below the machine.

Comparison with similar models

The GB 1555 HC has the same width, depth and output (153 kg a day), but is 100 mm taller (1 130–1 170 mm on its feet), has a 55 kg bin and is also available with a drain pump. The GB 903 HC is much smaller (500 × 660 × 800 mm), listed by Brema for undercounter installation and available with a drain pump, but it makes only 113 kg a day and has a 30 kg bin.

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. If the water contains sand or other solid particles, Brema advises fitting a mechanical filter.
• 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.
• Dimensions: 738 × 690 × 920 mm (W × D × H, without the adjustable 110–150 mm feet; 1 030–1 070 mm high on the feet); packed — 780 × 735 × 1 085 mm, 95 kg.
• 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.

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 — 11 kWh per 100 kg of ice (measured at 32 °C ambient). Water — 1 l/kg of ice when air-cooled (all the water is turned into ice) and 7 l/kg when water-cooled, seven times as much; at 153 kg a day that is about 153 l and 1 071 l. Daily figures are our calculation from Brema’s data.

• Cleaning and sanitising — at least once a month. With the top and rear panels removed, a 25 % white vinegar solution is poured into the water basin and the machine is left running, topped up with solution, until at least 2 litres have been used; then the ice outlet, bin and door are cleaned. Sanitising follows the same steps with a 200 mg/l sodium hypochlorite solution, after which these parts must be rinsed thoroughly with cold water. Discard the ice made in the first 30 minutes after cleaning 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.
• The water inlet valve filter must be cleaned at least every two months by qualified staff. On air-cooled machines an authorised service centre should also clean the condenser at least every two months, and the condenser air filter must be cleaned at least once a month: switch the machine off, take the filter out and blow it clean with compressed air.
• Where the water is particularly hard, Brema recommends a multi-purpose cartridge filter. For such water our shop offers the „Everpure“ 4FC-S cartridge with a QL3 head.

What’s in the box

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

Technical specifications