What type of ice is produced by a commercial ice maker using a gear motor and auger?

The production of ice in a commercial ice maker utilizing a gear motor and auger typically results in crescent cube ice, known for its shape and density suitable for various applications.

Crescent cube ice is desirable in the food and beverage industry because of its slower melting rate compared to flaked ice, which allows for entertainment and retail applications without diluting drinks rapidly. This type of ice is formed in a mold as water freezes and is then harvested by the auger mechanism, which cuts the ice into the characteristic crescent shape.

Shaved ice, on the other hand, is created differently and is typically made by shaving or crushing larger blocks of ice, often resulting in a fluffy texture preferred for snow cones and similar treats, and does not utilize a gear motor and auger for its production. Cell type ice is also different, typically referring to ice produced in a structure resembling ice cells, often in residential ice makers rather than the commercial gear and auger format. Block ice is formed in larger molds and requires manual separation or cutting, not involving an auger mechanism.

The characteristics and production methods of these different types of ice highlight why the correct answer is associated more closely with the method described rather than the other ice types mentioned in the choices.