Blue Air BLMD-650A 22 Inch Modular Full Dice Ice Machine Head 632 lb Air-Cooled 220V R-290
Blue Air BLMD-650A — 22" Full Dice Ice Machine Head, 632 lbs per Day
The Blue Air BLMD-650A packs the highest output in Blue Air's modular line into a 22-1/4 inch wide head, producing up to 632 lbs of full dice ice every 24 hours for a busy restaurant, hotel bar, or banquet kitchen that is short on floor space. 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 runs on a 220V single-phase circuit at only 6.4 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-650A is the short-width full dice model in the 650 series; the same machine is available in a 30-1/4" wide head as the BLMD-650AD.
Key Features of the BLMD-650A
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 4.7 lbs a cycle, a slower-melting cube that holds up in spirits, iced tea, and to-go cups.
Air-Cooled R-290 Refrigeration
An air-cooled condensing unit charged with hydrocarbon R-290 refrigerant produces 100 lbs of ice on about 4.7 kWh and 14.2 gallons of potable water at 90°F air / 70°F water, the lowest water use in the line, 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
A bin-full sensor stops production automatically when the storage bin below is full and restarts as ice is used, so the 220V/6.4A head only draws power when the bar or kitchen actually needs more ice.
Built-In Cleaning & Sanitizing Mode
A dedicated cleaning and sanitizing mode circulates cleaner through the water system on demand, which shortens the routine descaling and sanitizing that ice machines need to pass health inspections.
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-650A 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 (650 = 220V, roughly 620–630 lbs; 500 = 115V, roughly 550–570 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-650A (this model) | 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 |
| BLMD-500A | 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 |
Installation note: The BLMD-650A 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 220V/60Hz/1-phase circuit with a 7.4 A minimum circuit ampacity and a 20 A maximum HACR breaker.
Ideal Applications
The largest full dice head in the line, in the compact 22-inch cabinet, fits high-demand operations where a 30-inch bin will not.
BLMD-650A Specifications
| Model | Blue Air BLMD-650A |
|---|---|
| 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 632 lbs per 24 hours |
| Ice Production, 90°F Air / 70°F Water | 498 lbs per 24 hours |
| Harvest per Cycle | 234 cubes (18 columns x 13 rows), approx. 4.7 lbs |
| Energy Use | 4.7 kWh per 100 lbs of ice (90°F air / 70°F water) |
| Potable Water Use | 14.2 gal per 100 lbs of ice |
| Condenser | Air-cooled |
| Refrigerant | R-290 (hydrocarbon) |
| Electrical | 220V/60Hz/1-phase, 6.4 A |
| Min. Circuit Ampacity / Max. Breaker | 7.4 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) |
| Certifications | ENERGY STAR certified (Blue Air 650 series listing) |
| 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-650A on its cutsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much ice does the Blue Air BLMD-650A make per day?
It produces up to 632 lbs of full dice ice per 24 hours at 70 degree F air and 50 degree F water, and 498 lbs per day in a hot 90 degree F kitchen with 70 degree F water. Each harvest drops 234 cubes, about 4.7 lbs.
What is the difference between the BLMD-650A and the BLMD-650AD?
Only the cabinet width. The BLMD-650A is 22-1/4 inches wide for 22 inch storage bins; the BLMD-650AD is 30-1/4 inches wide for 30 inch bins. Both make 632 lbs of full dice per day on 220V at 6.4 amps, and both sell at the same price.
What is the difference between the BLMD-650A and the BLMH-650A?
The cube. The BLMD-650A makes full dice cubes (7/8 inch, 234 per cycle) while the BLMH-650A makes half dice cubes (3/8 x 7/8 x 7/8 inch, 468 per cycle) and rates slightly lower at 623 lbs per day. Both are 22-1/4 inches wide and run on 220V at 6.4 amps.
How does the BLMD-650A compare with the BLMD-500A?
The BLMD-500A is the 115V version, drawing 11.3 amps and rated at 566 lbs per day. The BLMD-650A needs a 220V circuit but draws only 6.4 amps and makes 632 lbs per day, about 66 lbs more, at 4.7 kWh per 100 lbs. Both are 22-1/4 inches wide.
What electrical and plumbing connections does the BLMD-650A need?
A dedicated 220V/60Hz single-phase circuit with a 7.4 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-650A 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-650A |
| 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 |
| Width (side - side) | 30 - 39" wide |
| Production per 24 hr | 601 - 700 lb = 273 - 317 kg |
| Ice Type | full size / dice cubes |
| Energy Efficiency | ENERGY STAR® |
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