The soft-service ice cream machines have been around since the 1930s. Any business that wants to venture into serving soft-service ice cream should acquire a good quality soft-serve ice cream machine that can operate with minimal hitches.
To acquire the right soft serve ice cream machine, some of the things you should know include:
1. Design
Each manufacturer usually has a different design; however, the main focus should be on two major features: the dasher bar that mixes all the products and the freezing cylinder. The freezer bowl and the control knobs are supposed to be accessible so you can easily control the soft-serve ice cream machine. For example, the Donper Soft Serve Machine is the smallest and lightest commercial ice cream machine on the market and it also has the most compact and user-friendly design. Most large machines usually come with a hopper agitator that is standard. The hopper agitator ensures that the products in the storage area are cooled and mixed, so your employees will have more free time throughout the day.
2. Major Considerations When Purchasing a Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine
The type of machine is not the only consideration you should make. There are other elements to consider, and they include:
- Capacity
Similar to other equipment types, it is important to pick a soft-serve ice cream machine that can address all your needs with regard to capacity. The capacity is usually assessed in volume- specifically gallons or servings per minute. If the machine can handle 2-3 servings each minute, that is lower volume, whereas medium and high volume is 4-5 servings and seven servings each minute.
- Energy Conservation Characteristics
Investing in a soft serve ice cream machine that is energy efficient is advisable. Since technology has advanced significantly, some units usually have a sleep mode. When the machine is not in use, you can activate the sleep mode, which will help save energy.
The soft serve ice cream machine usually maintains a temperature of 18 degrees Fahrenheit. In sleep mode, the machine can attain temperatures of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also good to note that there are units that should be turned on for 30 minutes first before you start using them.
3. Maintenance
The maintenance factor matters since ice cream is a dairy product prone to bacteria. If you fail to take good care of the soft-serve ice cream machine, there will be health implications.
With that said, it is important to note that different health departments need the soft serve ice cream machine to be broken down daily to clean and sanitize it. Before you purchase such a unit, ensure you’re conversant with the requirements within your locality.
To ensure the cleaning process becomes easy, different methods have been adopted. One of the advisable options is using a washout kit. The kit comprises a faucet hook-up designated for the top part of the soft serve ice cream machine, allowing you to turn water in the hopper.
Some units also come with auto-cleaning features. Such features help to save a significant amount of time.
4. There are Different Types of Soft-Serve Ice Cream Machines
To pick the right soft serve ice cream machine, you first need to understand the different types present in the market, and they include:
- Counter Top vs. Floor Model
Deciding between the floor and countertop model is mainly influenced by space. At the same time, it is important to determine the number of products you want to sell. With that in mind, if you plan to produce significant quantities of ice cream, you should pick the right machine.
- Air Cooled vs. Water Cooled
The air-cooled units don’t need a water hookup, unlike the water-cooled units. The water-cooled units need to be attached to a specific water hook-up. The main issue is that some limitations will arise regarding positioning the ice cream machine. Nonetheless, the water-cooled machine usually cools the ice cream faster compared to the air-cooled unit. If you resort to acquiring an air-cooled unit, placing it in a room with an air conditioning unit is advisable.
5. Energy Source
First, consider where the ice cream machine is being placed, and the energy source required. Most small units usually run on 115 volts single phase, whereas larger units usually run on 230 volts. The electric machines have compressors which means they’re easy to use. Since the ice cream machine is supposed to be operational day and night, ensure you have chosen the right machine based on your needs and energy source. Also, ensure you have chosen an energy-efficient model.
Final Thoughts
Owning a soft-serve ice cream business is a good idea, especially if you have long-term plans. If you’ve been looking for an alternative for some time, you can use the guidelines we have listed above.