How to Read a Hoshizaki Serial Number and Model Number

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Hoshizaki Serial Number

Last updated on October 28th, 2022 at 10:54 am

Reading a Hoshizaki serial number or model number can seem like reading a coded message. In some ways it is. Each number and letter on a Hoshizaki ice machine’s serial or model number informs the user of a number of things, including:

  • Manufacturing Date
  • Enhancements
  • Ice Type
  • Production size
  • Type of Machine
  • Type of Condenser
  • Model Version
  • And more

While the serial and model numbers may differ from brand to brand, much of the information is similar, they’re just presented differently.

Need help reading your Hoshizaki ice maker's spec sheet? We've got you covered.

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How to Read a Hoshizaki Ice Machine Serial Number Nomenclature

A Hoshizaki serial number gives users and service employees valuable information about when the ice machine was manufactured, and what new enhancements might be in the unit.

You can find a Hoshizaki serial number’s location on the back of the ice machine.

Hoshizaki serial number’s nomenclature consists of a letter, fives digits, followed by a final letter.

Let’s look at some of the information you can learn from a Hoshizaki serial number.

Hoshizaki Serial Number Date: Year Produced

Hoshizaki Serial Number Year

The first letter of a Hoshizaki serial number denotes the year your Hoshizaki ice maker was produced. Each letter denotes the last number of the year. For instance, “C” corresponds to “3”, so the year in the example above would mean the ice machine was manufactured in 2013.

Below is a key to correspond the letter to the year:

  • 1 = A or L
  • 2 = B or M
  • 3 = C or N
  • 4 = D or P
  • 5 = E or Q
  • 6 = F or R
  • 7 = G or S
  • 8 = H or T
  • 9 = J or U
  • 10 = K or V

Auxiliary Number

Hoshizaki Serial Number Year

The Auxiliary number in a Hoshizaki serial number tells you how many significant part changes that machine received in that year. In the example above, the machine received two-part changes.

Continuous Number

Hoshizaki Serial Number Continuous

The continuous number tells you when your specific ice machine model came off the assembly line. That would mean that the particular model in the example above was the 103rd machine to be produced. The next model would have a “0104” in their serial number to let the user know it was the 104th machine produced of that model.

Hoshizaki Serial Number Date: Month

Hoshizaki Serial Number Month

The last letter in a Hoshizaki serial number tells you what month the machine was produced. Each letter corresponds to a month. In the case above, the letter “B” corresponds to the month of February. So, this particular model was manufactured in February of 2013.

Below is a key to correspond the letter to the year:

  • Jan = A
  • Feb = B
  • Mar = C
  • Apr = D
  • May = E
  • Jun = F
  • Jul = G
  • Aug = H
  • Sep = J
  • Oct = K
  • Nov = L
  • Dec = M

How to Read a Hoshizaki Model Number Nomenclature

A Hoshizaki model number is different than a Hoshizaki serial number, in that it gives more consumer-facing information about the ice machine. Understanding the Hoshizaki ice machine model number nomenclature can reveal the type of ice the machine produces, the type of condenser installed in the unit, the series number, and more.

A Hoshizaki model number is listed anywhere you can find the official name of your model (websites, spec sheets, sales flyers, etc.)

Hoshizaki Model Number: Ice Type

Hoshi Serial Number Ice Type

The machine’s type of ice cube is normally one of the first things listed in a Hoshizaki commercial ice maker’s model number. In a Hoshizaki ice machine, the first letter denotes the ice type.

Hoshizaki cubelet ice and spere ice machines have a separate signifier at the end of the model number to signify their ice types.

Hoshizaki Ice Machine Production Size

The model number will also let you know your Hoshizaki ice machine’s production size. This is normally signified by a two, three, or four-digit number, signifying the amount of ice a high volume ice machine will produce in 24 hours. In the US, the number is in relation to pounds.

You can find the ice cube production size of a Hoshizaki ice machine after the ice type.

Hoshizaki Model Number: Type of Ice Machine

The type of ice machine will let you know the style of machine you have (generally this is pretty easy to tell by looking at it).

For example, a modular style ice machine just produces ice. A commercial ice dispenser has an ice chute that drops ice directly into drinkware

In Hoshizaki ice machines the letter that denotes the type of machine is listed either after the production size or after the ice type.

Here is a list of the types of ice machines below:

  • M = A modular ice machine does not come with its own storage. You have to provide a bin or dispenser to store the ice.
  • S = A stackable ice machine is a modular ice machine that you can install on top of another stackable ice machine.
  • D = An ice dispenser model. These machines drop ice directly into drinkware
  • L = Low profile machines are shorter than standard ice machines to accommodate low ceilings.
  • S (after the ice type) = this denotes Hoshizaki’s Serenity Series. A remote-style ice machine designed to make little sound.

Hoshizaki Model Number: Type of Condenser

Hoshizaki ice machines come in three types of condensers air-cooled, water-cooled, and remote. The type of condenser lets users know how the machine cools itself down.

Air cooled machines use the surrounding air to cool condenser coils. Water cooled ice machines use water. Remote ice machines place the condenser outside, away from the ice maker machine.

In a Hoshizaki serial number, the type of condenser is shown in the letter following the type of ice machine.

Hoshizaki Ice Machine Series

Just like cars, ice machines go through changes and upgrades to stay up-to-date with emerging technology. Hoshizaki ice machines have gone through many changes throughout the year. New models of Hoshizaki ice machines are identified by a letter. The most current model is the J-model. Before that it was the H-model. Every time Hoshizaki releases a new upgrade, they attach a new letter to it (often alphabetically).

The Hoshizaki serial codes use the last letter after the condenser type to signify how recent the ice machine is. The current Indigo ice machines are designated with a “i” for Indigo. Previous models include the “Q” model.

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57 Comments on “How to Read a Hoshizaki Serial Number and Model Number”

    1. Reply

      Hello Slade. Thank you for reaching out! Correct. That model number means it is a water-cooled 3 phase unit.

        1. Reply

          Hey Robert! It looks like we were able to determine that your model in particular was manufactured in 1992-1993. Hoshizaki uses the last letter in each model to identify the series. The C series was manufactured in 1992-1993.

          Thanks!

    2. Reply

      What year was hoshizaki freezer serial number A50279J manufactured?
      Model number CF1B-FS
      Thanks

    1. Reply

      Hey Mack! Thank you for reaching out. That doesn’t look like an accurate Hoshizaki Serial number.

      You can find a Hoshizaki serial number’s location on the back of the ice machine.

      A Hoshizaki serial number consists of a letter, fives digits, followed by a final letter.

    1. Reply

      Hey Jason! Thank you for reaching out.

      According to the warranty validation, it looks like you’re referring to a KM-1900SRH. It looks like it would be 2017!

      Thanks!

  4. Reply

    I have a Hoshizaki Ice Maker Model #: KM-1200SWE Serial #: H02282C
    What year was this manufactured? Thanks in advance.

    1. Reply

      Hello John. Thanks for reaching out!

      According to Hoshizaki’s Warranty Validation, that machine was manufactured in 1998. I hope that helps.

      Thank you!

      1. Reply

        Hello Robert!

        Wow! Your machine is 18 years old and that’s a good life for an ice machine!

        Your model, AM150BAF, was manufactured on 11/11/2004.

        Hope this helps.

  5. Reply

    i have a DCM-500BWH-OS ice maker …. serial number is A00380D What year was it made? Is there a installation and service manual online for this machine? Thanks

    1. Reply

      Hello Dean. Thanks for reaching out!

      It looks like the machine was manufactured in 2011. If you search the internet for the model number of your unit, you can get to the Hoshizaki website with that specific product and you can find spec sheets, and various manuals.

      I hope that helps!

  6. Reply

    I have a Hoshizaki ice maker model F-801MAH-C. What year model is it? Also it is running intermittently any idea?

    1. Reply

      Hey David. Thanks for reaching out!

      The F-801MAH-C was manufactured between 2004-2016. We’re not not able to give you the exact year your machine was manufactured because you provided the model number, rather than the serial number. You can find a Hoshizaki serial number’s location on the back of the ice machine. A Hoshizaki serial number consists of a letter, fives digits, followed by a final letter.

      We’re sorry to hear your machine is giving you some trouble. Depending on the age of the machine, it could be experiencing erratic bin control operation. Unfortunately, there is no way to accurately state what the problem is without a service technician diagnosing the problem on site.

      We hope this helps!

    1. Reply

      Hey Ashton! Thanks for reaching out.

      It looks like that is a KML-450MAH and it was registered 5/27/2004!

    1. Reply

      Hello Michael. Thanks for reaching out!

      You are correct. This model was manufactured in 2017.

      Have a great day.

    1. Reply

      Hello Christopher. Thanks for reaching out!

      The b represents that this particular model is self-contained meaning the ice maker and bin are all in one rather than two separate pieces.

      Let us know if we can assist you with anything else!

      Thanks.

    1. Reply

      Hello Joe! Thanks for reaching out.

      The manufacture date looks like 8/9/2007.

      Let us know if we can assist you with anything else!

      Thanks.

    1. Reply

      Hello Steve,
      We suggest you contact the manufacturer ( a quick Google search shows it was made by Friedrich). They would likely be able to help you find out the year it was manufactured based on the serial number. Good luck!

    1. Reply

      Hello Howard,
      It looks like it’s April (based on the D at the end of the serial number) and 2013 (based on the N at the beginning of the serial number), so April 2013.
      Please let us know if we can help in any other way!

  14. Reply

    Hello.

    I’m looking for the age of a Hoshizaki Ice Maker DCM-300BAH with a serial # B00151E

    Any information would be helpful.

    Thanks for your time!

  15. Reply

    Hello. I’m looking for the age on my Ice maker and what the current value of it would be.

    Model Number – DCM 300 BAH

    Serial Number – B00151E

    Thanks!

    1. Reply

      Hello Rick,

      So based on the blog above, your machine was manufactured in May of 2012 (2012 because of the B at the beginning of the serial number and May because of the E at the end).

      We can’t provide the value of your machine without seeing it in person.

      Do you need anything else?

  16. Reply

    Hi I’m looking for the age on a Hoshizaki Ice Maker SN: J02404 which has R12 refrigerant stamped on the name plate. Would it be old enough to have R12 or would it have been converted to R134a?

    1. Reply

      Hi Keith,
      Thanks for your question. It can be challenging to determine the manufacturer date.

      This serial number, if correct, would indicate a 1989 ice machine manufactured by Hoshizaki. As for the refrigerant R-12, it was used in the earliest versions of commercial ice machines. R502 became very popular in the ‘80s as well, and both of those refrigerants are no longer being used by manufacturers.
      Newer units are being charged with either R404A, R410A, R134A or even R290.
      I hope this answers your question!

  18. Reply

    Hi,

    Would you be able to help me identify this model number please? – IM240AWNE

    I know that it makes Cubed ice = IM
    I’m struggling with the 240 and the AWNE.

    best

    Martin

    1. Reply

      Hi Martin.

      This is a tough one. I don’t see that exact model — the IM240AWNE. There is, however, an IM240ANE which is a European model of a Hoshizaki ice machine. It will produce about 210 kg (Equivalent to about 462 pounds) in a 24-hour period. This model is not sold in the U.S.

      We hope this is helpful.

    1. Reply

      Hi Lawrence,
      We’re happy to supply that information. Date of manufacture was 6/29/2006. An oldie but a goodie. Hopefully the machine will keep going for some time. When it’s at the end of its useful life, we are happy to help you get your next ice maker and enjoy years more of reliable ice supply. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any more questions.

  21. Reply

    What year was this machine manufactured Model hnc-120be
    serial k000317

    He is not produced in 2020
    Thanks!

    1. Reply

      Hi Cai,
      Unfortunately, that serial number is invalid. The serial format is typically a letter, followed by 5 numbers and an additional letter at the end. Did you perhaps add one too many zeroes
      Also, the HNC unit is a display case, typically used for sushi display. Is this what you’re talking about or is it an actual machine that produces ice?

    1. Reply

      Hi Lee,

      The Hoshizaki Model KM-660MWJ Ice Machine with Serial No. H00115M was manufactured on December 20, 2018. Hope this is helpful!

  23. Reply

    looking at purchasing either serial number am50bae with serial number q04808f or km61bah with serial number e15795l.

    As near as I can tell they might be from the same year of manufacture. True?

    1. Reply

      Hey Chris,

      Actually, the former unit was manufactured first. Model AM-50BAE with the serial number was Q04808F was manufactured on 11/1/2005. The KM-61BAH unit with the serial number E15796L is considerably newer, with a manufacture date of 3/10/2016.

      I hope this is helpful!

  24. Reply

    Looking to determine what the ‘Z’ signifies in the remote-condensing model KM-2600SRJZ3. Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

    1. Reply

      Hey Mike,

      The “Z” designation in your model indicates that the line set connections must be brazed on, as there are no quick fittings that are threaded. Z-designated ice machines must be matched with Z-designated condensers, and all line set connections need to be soldered. This designation only applies to remote-cooled ice machines.

      Hope this is helpful!

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