Blue Air BLMD-500A 22 Inch Modular Full Dice Ice Machine Head 566 lb Air-Cooled 115V R-290
Blue Air BLMD-500A — 22" Full Dice Ice Machine Head, 566 lbs per Day
The Blue Air BLMD-500A is a 22-1/4 inch wide modular ice machine head that produces up to 566 lbs of full dice ice every 24 hours on a standard 115V circuit, the compact, plug-friendly choice for a restaurant or bar that wants a full-size cube without a 220V drop. Each cycle drops 234 full dice cubes (7/8" x 7/8" x 7/8") from an 18-column by 13-row evaporator, and the air-cooled R-290 refrigeration system draws 11.3 amps. A digital controller with a 7-segment diagnostic display, a bin-full sensor, and a built-in cleaning and sanitizing mode handle daily operation, while the stainless steel cabinet, removable panels, and rear cleanable air filter keep service simple. The BLMD-500A is the short-width full dice model in the 500 series; the same machine is available in a 30-1/4" wide head as the BLMD-500AD.
Key Features of the BLMD-500A
Blue Air built the BLMD and BLMH modular heads around a hydrocarbon refrigeration system and a digital controller, so the machine is efficient to run, easy to diagnose, and quick to clean between shifts.
Full Dice Cube, 234 per Cycle
The 18 x 13 evaporator grid freezes 234 full dice cubes measuring 7/8" on each side per harvest, about 4.87 lbs a cycle, a slower-melting cube that holds up in spirits, iced tea, and to-go cups.
115V Operation
The 500 series runs on 115V/60Hz single-phase power at 11.3 amps, so it installs on a common commercial circuit with a 20 A HACR breaker instead of requiring a 220V line like the 650 series.
Air-Cooled R-290 Refrigeration
An air-cooled condensing unit charged with hydrocarbon R-290 refrigerant produces 100 lbs of ice on about 4.1 kWh, the lowest energy figure in the line, and 15.8 gallons of potable water at 90°F air / 70°F water, with a compressor protection system built in.
Digital Controller with Diagnostics
A digital controller mounted inside the unit on the right-hand side runs the automatic freeze and harvest cycle, and its 7-segment display reports operating status and diagnostic codes without a service call.
Bin-Full Sensor & Sanitizing Mode
A bin-full sensor stops production automatically when the storage bin below is full and restarts as ice is used, and a built-in cleaning and sanitizing mode circulates cleaner through the water system on demand.
Stainless Cabinet, Serviceable Design
The stainless steel exterior wipes clean, removable panels open every side for service access, and the cleanable air filter at the rear of the 22-1/4" cabinet slides out for a rinse instead of a replacement.
BLMD-500A vs. the Other Blue Air Modular Heads
All eight Blue Air modular heads share the same cabinet depth and height, the same R-290 air-cooled system, and the same 3-year warranty. Three things set them apart: the cube (BLMD = full dice, BLMH = half dice), the series (500 = 115V, roughly 550–570 lbs; 650 = 220V, roughly 620–630 lbs), and the width (A = 22-1/4" short head, AD = 30-1/4" long head). A and AD heads produce identical ice at the same price; choose by the width of the storage bin you plan to set it on.
| Model | Cube | Ice / 24 h | Width | Electrical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLMD-500A (this model) | Full dice | 566 lbs | 22-1/4" | 115V, 11.3 A |
| BLMD-500AD | Full dice | 566 lbs | 30-1/4" | 115V, 11.3 A |
| BLMH-500A | Half dice | 553 lbs | 22-1/4" | 115V, 11.3 A |
| BLMH-500AD | Half dice | 553 lbs | 30-1/4" | 115V, 11.3 A |
| BLMD-650A | Full dice | 632 lbs | 22-1/4" | 220V, 6.4 A |
| BLMD-650AD | Full dice | 632 lbs | 30-1/4" | 220V, 6.4 A |
| BLMH-650A | Half dice | 623 lbs | 22-1/4" | 220V, 6.4 A |
| BLMH-650AD | Half dice | 623 lbs | 30-1/4" | 220V, 6.4 A |
Installation note: The BLMD-500A is a head only and requires a separate ice storage bin. Allow 8" (20 cm) of clearance at the rear, sides, and top for airflow and service, and keep the room between 45–100°F with 45–90°F water at 30–100 PSIG. Plumb a minimum 3/8" copper supply line to the 3/8" FPT inlet and a minimum 3/4" hard-pipe drain to the 3/4" FPT drain; the condensation drain is 1/2" OD. The unit needs a dedicated 115V/60Hz/1-phase circuit with a 13.9 A minimum circuit ampacity and a 20 A maximum HACR breaker.
Ideal Applications
A 115V full dice head in a 22-inch footprint covers the ice demand of most single-location restaurants and bars without an electrical upgrade.
BLMD-500A Specifications
| Model | Blue Air BLMD-500A |
|---|---|
| Type | Modular ice machine head, 22" wide (bin sold separately) |
| Ice Type | Full dice, 7/8" x 7/8" x 7/8" (22 x 22 x 22 mm) |
| Ice Production, 70°F Air / 50°F Water | Up to 566 lbs per 24 hours |
| Ice Production, 90°F Air / 70°F Water | 466 lbs per 24 hours |
| Harvest per Cycle | 234 cubes (18 columns x 13 rows), approx. 4.87 lbs |
| Energy Use | 4.1 kWh per 100 lbs of ice (90°F air / 70°F water) |
| Potable Water Use | 15.8 gal per 100 lbs of ice |
| Condenser | Air-cooled |
| Refrigerant | R-290 (hydrocarbon) |
| Electrical | 115V/60Hz/1-phase, 11.3 A |
| Min. Circuit Ampacity / Max. Breaker | 13.9 A / 20 A HACR |
| Controls | Digital controller, 7-segment status and diagnostic display, bin-full sensor, cleaning and sanitizing mode |
| Exterior Dimensions (W x D x H) | 22-1/4" x 24-1/2" x 21-1/8" (564 x 621 x 537 mm); width excludes 1" side panels, depth 7/8" and height 3/4" for the rear air filter |
| Water Inlet / Drain | 3/8" FPT inlet; 3/4" FPT drain; 1/2" OD condensation drain |
| Operating Limits | Ambient 45–100°F; water 45–90°F; 30–100 PSIG |
| Construction | Stainless steel exterior, removable panels, removable and cleanable rear air filter |
| Net / Gross Weight | 123 lbs (56 kg) / 136 lbs (62 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 years parts & labor; 5 years compressor; 5 years evaporator parts & labor |
Optional Accessories
Blue Air lists the following optional accessories for the BLMD-500A on its cutsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much ice does the Blue Air BLMD-500A make per day?
It produces up to 566 lbs of full dice ice per 24 hours at 70 degree F air and 50 degree F water, and 466 lbs per day in a hot 90 degree F kitchen with 70 degree F water. Each harvest drops 234 cubes, about 4.87 lbs.
What is the difference between the BLMD-500A and the BLMD-500AD?
Only the cabinet width. The BLMD-500A is 22-1/4 inches wide for 22 inch storage bins; the BLMD-500AD is 30-1/4 inches wide for 30 inch bins. Both make 566 lbs of full dice per day on 115V at 11.3 amps, and both sell at the same price.
What is the difference between the BLMD-500A and the BLMH-500A?
The cube. The BLMD-500A makes full dice cubes (7/8 inch, 234 per cycle) while the BLMH-500A makes half dice cubes (3/8 x 7/8 x 7/8 inch, 468 per cycle) and rates slightly lower at 553 lbs per day. Both are 22-1/4 inches wide and run on 115V at 11.3 amps.
How does the BLMD-500A compare with the BLMD-650A?
The BLMD-650A is the 220V version, drawing 6.4 amps and rated at 632 lbs per day. The BLMD-500A runs on a standard 115V circuit at 11.3 amps and makes 566 lbs per day, about 66 lbs less, at 4.1 kWh per 100 lbs. Both are 22-1/4 inches wide.
What electrical and plumbing connections does the BLMD-500A need?
A dedicated 115V/60Hz single-phase circuit with a 13.9 A minimum circuit ampacity and a 20 A maximum HACR breaker, a minimum 3/8 inch copper water supply to the 3/8 inch FPT inlet, and a minimum 3/4 inch hard-pipe drain to the 3/4 inch FPT drain.
Does the BLMD-500A come with a storage bin?
No. It is a modular ice machine head and must be installed on a separate ice storage bin. Its 22-1/4 inch width matches 22 inch wide bins; allow 8 inches of clearance at the rear, sides, and top for airflow and service.
| Brand | Blue Air Commercial Refrigeration |
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| SKU | BLMD-500A |
| Brand | Blue Air Commercial Refrigeration |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 21.13 x 22.25 x 24.50 inches |
| Height | 21.13 |
| Width | 22.25 |
| Depth | 24.50 |
| Refrigeration | self-contained refrigeration |
| Condenser Type | air-cooled |
| Ice Type | full size / dice cubes |
| Production per 24 hr | 501 - 600 lb = 228 - 272 kg |
| Width (side - side) | 20 - 29" wide |
| Energy Efficiency | ENERGY STAR® |
|
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