Commercial Coffee BrewersLarge Batch
BUNN ICB SH Commercial Coffee Brewer Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the large-batch coffee brewer, with verified specifications.
- Output10 gal/h
- Tank2.8 gal
- Preheat17.1 min
- Standby draw98 W
About the BUNN ICB SH
BUNN model ICB SH is a large-batch coffee brewer that meets ENERGY STAR requirements for food-service equipment. ENERGY STAR classifies it as a large-batch, Type II brewer.
It combines a 2.8 gal (358 fl oz) hot-water tank and a rated production capacity of 10 gallons of coffee per hour — roughly 160 cups of 8 oz each. In ready-to-brew mode the tank averaged 200 °F during testing, in line with the 195–205 °F (90–96 °C) brewing range recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association; water cools slightly between the tank and the sprayhead.
Its normalized ready-to-brew idle rate is 34.9 W per gallon of tank capacity, which works out to about 98 W to keep the full tank hot between batches. That is lower than 33% of the 19 commercial coffee brewer brewers in our database.
The certified configuration does not include an energy-save mode, so switching the tank heater off at closing is the main way to cut overnight standby energy.
Specifications
| Brand | BUNN |
|---|---|
| Model number | ICB SH |
| Batch size class | Large Batch |
| ENERGY STAR product type | Large Batch Type II |
| Hot-water tank capacity | 2.80 gal |
| Production capacity | 10.0 gal/h |
| Average tank temperature (ready to brew) | 200 °F |
| Maximum serving temperature | 201 °F |
| Preheat time | 17.1 min |
| Preheat energy | 944 Wh |
| Normalized ready-to-brew idle rate | 34.93 W/gal |
| Ready-to-brew idle draw (calculated) | 98 W |
| Energy-save mode | No |
| Normalized heavy-use brew energy rate | 174.85 W/gal |
Safety information
- Water in the tank is held near 200 °F (93 °C) and can scald instantly. Keep hands away from the sprayhead, and never remove the brew funnel while brewing or while coffee is still dripping.
- Carry full servers and airpots level with both hands, and make sure lids are seated before moving them.
- Do not switch on the tank heater until the tank has filled with water. Running the heater dry can destroy the element and damage the tank.
- Have the brewer connected by qualified tradespeople: electrical work to the voltage, phase and amperage on the data plate, and plumbing to a potable cold-water line with a shut-off valve and the backflow prevention your plumbing code requires.
- Disconnect power before removing panels or cleaning beneath the sprayhead area. Never immerse the brewer or spray it with water.
- Wear gloves and eye protection when deliming or using brewer cleaners, and rinse thoroughly before brewing coffee for service.
Installation and first-time setup
- Choose the location
Set the brewer on a level counter strong enough for its weight with a full tank and full servers. Leave room above for removing the funnel and servicing the sprayhead, and keep it within reach of the water line and receptacle or disconnect.
- Install water treatment
Fit the water filter or treatment system recommended for your local water. Filtration improves coffee flavor and reduces scale in the tank, which is the leading cause of brewer service calls.
- Connect the water supply
Flush the supply line before connecting it to remove debris, then connect to a cold-water line with a shut-off valve and confirm the pressure is within the range in the installation manual. Check every fitting for leaks.
- Connect power
Confirm that the supply voltage and configuration match the data plate. Hard-wired models must be connected by a licensed electrician.
- Fill the tank
With the tank heater switched off, fill the tank as the manual describes — usually until water flows from the sprayhead or the fill valve shuts off.
- Heat up
Switch on the tank heater and wait for the ready indicator. A full preheat from cold took about 17.1 minutes in testing. Expect some water to drip from the sprayhead as the water expands while heating.
- Calibrate batch volumes
Brew hot water (no coffee) into a measuring container for each batch setting and adjust the volumes per the manual until they match your servers.
- Adjust for altitude
At high elevations water boils at a lower temperature. If the tank vents steam or boils, lower the temperature setting as the manual directs.
Using your coffee brewer
Brewing a batch
- Place a clean paper or permanent filter in the brew funnel.
- Add freshly ground coffee and shake the funnel gently to level the bed so water extracts it evenly.
- Slide the funnel fully into its rails and center an empty, preheated server beneath it.
- Select the batch size, then start the brew cycle.
- Wait until dripping stops before removing the funnel, then discard the grounds and filter.
Follow your roaster's dose and grind recommendations. As a reference point, the Specialty Coffee Association's Golden Cup guideline is about 55 g of coffee per liter of water (roughly 7 oz per gallon). Keep the dose and grind consistent from batch to batch.
Holding brewed coffee
Serve from clean, preheated servers and label each with its brew time. Brewed coffee loses aroma and turns bitter over time, so set a discard time that fits your quality standard and never reheat or re-brew through old coffee. The maximum serving temperature recorded during testing was 201 °F. Pour carefully: coffee served this hot can cause burns.
Overnight shutdown
This model does not list an energy-save mode. If the station closes overnight, switch the tank heater off at closing and back on about 20 minutes before the first brew. A tank that is switched off loses heat more slowly than one held at temperature, so the reheat uses less energy than keeping it hot all night.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| After each batch | Discard grounds and filter; rinse the funnel. |
| Daily | Wash the brew funnel and servers with a coffee-equipment cleaner to remove oils, rinse well and air-dry. Wipe the sprayhead area, drip tray and exterior. |
| Weekly | Remove the sprayhead, clear any blocked holes and wash it; clean the sprayhead fitting. A partly blocked sprayhead channels water and gives weak, uneven coffee. |
| As scale requires | Delime the tank and sprayhead tube following the manufacturer's procedure — more often in hard-water areas. Scale insulates the heating element and slows recovery. |
| Per filter rating | Replace the water-filter cartridge at the gallon or time interval specified by the filter manufacturer. |
| Annually | Have a qualified technician check the tank heater, thermostat, high-limit, inlet valve and wiring, and inspect the tank for scale. |
Troubleshooting
Most brewing problems come down to grind, dose, water or scale. Digital controls may display brand-specific messages — consult the code table in your manufacturer's manual.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Brewer will not start a cycle | No power; water supply off; tank not yet at temperature; funnel not fully seated. | Check power and the water valve; wait for the ready indicator; reseat the funnel. |
| Weak coffee | Grind too coarse; dose too low; batch volume set too high; blocked sprayhead holes. | Adjust grind and dose; recalibrate batch volume; clean the sprayhead. |
| Bitter or harsh coffee | Grind too fine; coffee held too long; servers not cleaned. | Coarsen the grind; shorten holding time; clean servers daily. |
| Funnel overflows | Grind too fine; too much coffee; two filters stacked; wrong filter size; sprayhead missing. | Correct the grind, dose and filter; make sure the sprayhead is installed. |
| Coffee not hot enough | Tank temperature set low; high-limit tripped; servers not preheated; held too long. | Raise the setting within the manual's range; preheat servers. If the tank stays cold, call a technician. |
| Batch volume short or inconsistent | Low water pressure; clogged inlet strainer or flow regulator; scale. | Check supply pressure and the filter cartridge; delime; have the inlet strainer cleaned. |
| Water keeps dripping from the sprayhead | Normal expansion while heating; inlet valve not sealing. | A few drips after heating are normal. Continuous dripping means the inlet valve needs service. |
| Steam or water from the tank vent | Temperature set too high for the altitude; heavy scale. | Lower the temperature setting; delime the tank. |
Energy use and running costs
Keeping the tank hot draws about 98 W (34.9 W/gal × 2.8 gal). Left in ready-to-brew mode around the clock, that standby heat alone comes to about 858 kWh a year — $146 at $0.17 per kWh, or $0.40 a day.
Switching the tank heater off for 12 hours each night would avoid up to half of that standby use — as much as $72.97 a year — minus the smaller amount of energy needed to reheat the tank each morning.
A full preheat from cold used 944 Wh (0.94 kWh, about $0.16) and took 17.1 minutes in testing.
During heavy, continuous brewing the normalized brew energy rate is 175 W/gal. Brewing energy depends mainly on how much coffee you make; standby losses are the part good habits can control.
These estimates cover standby heat only, 365 days a year, with a 12-hour service day and 12 closed hours; they exclude the energy used to brew. Actual costs depend on your hours, volume and utility rates.
Frequently asked questions
How much coffee can the BUNN ICB SH brew per hour?
It is rated at 10 gallons per hour — about 1,280 fl oz, or roughly 160 cups of 8 oz each, drawing on a 2.8 gal hot-water tank.
How long does the BUNN ICB SH take to heat up?
A full preheat from cold took 17.1 minutes in ENERGY STAR testing and used about 0.94 kWh. Switch it on at least that long before the first brew of the day.
Does the BUNN ICB SH have an energy-save mode?
No. The certified configuration does not list an energy-save mode, so switch the tank heater off when the station is closed for long periods.
How much electricity does the BUNN ICB SH use on standby?
About 98 W to keep its tank hot, based on the normalized idle rate of 34.9 W/gal. Left ready around the clock, that is roughly $146 a year at $0.17/kWh.
What water temperature does the BUNN ICB SH brew at?
Its tank averaged 200 °F in ready-to-brew mode during testing. Ideal brewing water is 195–205 °F at the coffee; lower the setting at high altitude if the tank begins to boil.
How often should I delime my BUNN brewer?
It depends on water hardness and volume. With good filtration, many operators delime every few months; in hard-water areas it may be monthly. Slow recovery, short batches or visible scale on the sprayhead are signs it is due.
Is the BUNN ICB SH ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR list of certified commercial coffee brewers, with a certification date of August 14, 2018.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified commercial coffee brewers dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified August 14, 2018), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with BUNN. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact BUNN or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.