Ice Cream Machine Repair

When deciding on what type of ice cream machine is suitable for your catering business, there are multiple things to consider.

Commercial ice cream machines are available as batch freezers, where the container is filled with a mixture to freeze, and tub freezers. As the name suggests, batch freezers can make and contain large servings of ice cream, which can save time in a busy kitchen. The container within tub freezers, on the other hand, is not filled until the customer has ordered the flavour – making the ice cream fresh to order.

When choosing a commercial ice cream machine, you need to decide if you want one with an open top or one with a closed top. An open top leaves the ingredients open to view, which can appeal to customers and encourage consumption, however makes the machine less sanitary. A closed top makes for a more sanitary environment but is less inviting and engaging to customers.

Aside from these considerations, there are three main models of commercial ice cream machines: gelato machines, traditional scooping machines, and soft serve machines. All of these units are available as countertop or floor models – perfect for kitchens of all sizes and capacities.

Gelato Machines –commercial gelato machines use a heat exchanger plate to heat the mix during the freezing process. This can be a more expensive option but it maximises energy efficiency, which means your business is not wasting money on high running costs. There are manufactured gelato machines available from most professional catering equipment suppliers.

Traditional Ice Cream Machines – these machines use a compressor to freeze the mix. This is the most common type of commercial ice cream machine and provides a versatile addition for any catering business, not just those specialising in gelato or ice-cream desserts.

Soft Serve Machines – soft serve machines are often used by businesses who want to offer something different to their customers, such as a low-fat alternative to the high fat content in traditional gelato.

In addition to these three types of commercial ice cream machines, there are also soft serve machines which can be used for other frozen desserts such as sorbet and frozen yoghurt. These machines work in much the same way as any soft-serve ice cream machine.

Ice cream machines are relatively quick and easy to use; simply fill the drum with the required ingredients, turn it on and watch as it mixes and freezes the mixture into ice cream.

This process usually takes around 30 minutes before ice cream is ready to be served or packaged and sold. If your machine starts to slow, it is worth performing ice cream machine troubleshooting in order to identify the problem before your machine breaks.

The cost of a commercial ice cream machine varies depending on size and capacity, however the typical price ranges from a couple hundred, to a couple thousand, pounds. Commercial ice cream machines generally cost more than domestic units as they come with a built-in freezer.

Investing money into a commercial ice cream machine can save you costs in the long run; if your catering business decides to increase profit by expanding your menu and serving ice cream, a machine is more economic. (Keep in mind, having to order in tubs of ice cream, and store them within a display freezer, can add up too!)

Plus, commercial ice cream machines can save on labour costs as fewer employees are needed to tend to it.