Whether you own a café or an ice cream parlor, an ice cream machine can be one of your most used machines. Ice cream machines for businesses offer large batches of ice cream to be made at a time. These ice cream makers are used around the country, and not just anyone can make the perfect frozen treat.

The right ice cream machines education and training is a combination of reading, consulting and hands-on work. Commercial ice cream machines are such a large investment, in fact, that the right training can be an investment of time and money as well. Once you and your employees learn how to properly operate your commercial ice cream machine, your customers are sure to enjoy the benefits of creamy and delicious treats every day. When looking for ice cream machines training, remember to:

1. Look for educational programs that focus on your specific ice cream maker.

2. Attend programs where students are taught to use several ice cream machines.

3. Read the appropriate training manuals and watch ice cream machine instructional videos.

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Learn about specific ice cream machines for businesses

The ice cream industry offers support for using every brand of ice cream machine -- you just have to know where to look. Attending a brand-focused training is especially important if you only have that brand in your shop. It will ensure you know how to make the best ice cream or gelato every time.

I recommend: Carpigiani is a United States-based corporation that offers training courses on how to use Pastochef machines, and for a brush up on gelato making, check out its gelato courses and seminars. If you have new or used ice cream machines that are made by Taylor Ultimate Services, be sure to check out the seminar announcements on the events page of its website.

Gain an understanding of multiple ice cream machines for your business

There are so many brands of regular and soft serve ice cream machines that it can be difficult to decide on the best machine for your business. Before you make the decision about what to purchase, consider attending a training that covers multiple machines. After the training you will be able to pick the machine you think will work best for your ice cream shop or restaurant.

I recommend: Cattabriga offers several courses that include ice cream machines education and training. For training on gelato machines, check out the resources at The Gelato and Pastry Institute of America.

Study resources for ice cream machines for businesses

It is important to complete some independent study time when it comes to ice cream machines for your business. Take some time to read manuals and educational articles, as well as watch instructional videos on how to properly use an ice cream maker.

I recommend: For an online database of ice cream machine training manuals visit MakeIceCream.com. It is sure to have the exact manual you are looking to read. Check out Advanced Gourmet for a helpful video on how to appropriately use an ice cream machine.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to ask about ice cream machine education and training when you purchase your machine. Even used machines may come with training opportunities from the manufacturer.

If you own a restaurant and would like to add freshly-made ice cream to your menu, commercial ice cream machines can help you improve your business. Owning an ice cream machine is often more cost effective than buying pre-made ice cream from vendors. Once you learn your way around an ice cream maker, you may even decide to specialize in the dessert, opening up your own ice cream shop.

If you think the addition of ice cream could improve your sales, obtaining more information about restaurant ice cream makers will make your life easier. Before purchasing one, ask yourself the following questions:

1. How big does your ice cream maker need to be?

2. Will you serve regular ice cream, or will soft serve be on the menu as well?

3. Does your budget allow for a new ice cream machine, or would a used one fit the budget better?

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Find a commercial ice cream machine that takes the least amount of time possible

When checking out ice cream machines for businesses, you need to take time into consideration. As time is money to any business, the faster the ice cream can be made, the better. Comparing the time shown on the box that it takes for each machine to make the ice cream is not enough. You also need to think about structure. One difference between many machines is whether or not they have a built-in freezer component. If the machine you're interested in does not have one, you will need to use the included pre-freezing bowl. This means that you have to freeze the bowl for hours before making the ice cream, adding time to the process.

I recommend: Avoid the pre-freezing wait with Lello Musso Pola 5030, available at Kitchen Kapers, Inc. Check out the Musso FUIME Stainless Steel Commercial Batch Ice Cream Maker, available from Coffee212.com. Both have built-in freezers and make ice cream in less than 20 minutes.

Decide how big you need your ice cream maker to be

If you plan to use the machine in your restaurant, you likely only need a machine that makes two to four quarts at a time. However, if you plan to specialize in ice cream, such as at an ice cream shop, you will need a much larger machine.

I recommend: The Coldelite-Carpigiani LB 1002 Batch Freezer makes 39 quarts of ice cream, and is available at Zama Enterprise Corp. Perfect for a small cafe or restaurant, the Gelato Chef 2500 Professional Ice Cream Maker by Nemox makes 2.5 quarts of ice cream, and is found at Zaccardi's.

Look at ice cream machines for sale that perform more than one function

Whether you plan to serve ice cream, frozen yogurt, or other frozen treats, check out ice cream makers that can do it all. Some business owners waste money on soft serve ice cream machines and ice cream makers just because they plan to serve both. But many current models make ice cream, sherbet, mousse, and frozen yogurt, allowing you to save money by buying just one machine.

I recommend: The Nemox Gelato Combi Pro 3000 Ice Cream Maker can make ice cream, mousse, and sherbet, and can be found at 800-espresso.com. The Cuisinart Supreme Commercial Quality Ice Cream Maker specializes in ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and smoothies. You can buy it at Cooking.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you do not want to spend a fortune, you can buy a used machine. In fact, this might be the smart way to go if you are not sure if ice cream will even be a hit at your restaurant. There is no reason to spend thousands of dollars on a new machine and not even be able to break even.

If you’re providing ice cream treats for your restaurant customers, consider purchasing a commercial ice cream machine to get the job done. Not only will the dessert have a homemade flavor and texture, but it can also increase your establishment’s appeal over a competing restaurant that offers pre-made ice cream purchased from a vendor. To purchase the right ice cream machines to suit your business, you’ll need to become familiar with the equipment’s features. By understanding terms such as “self-contained freezing unit” and “dasher,” you’ll get the right machine and churn your own delicious ice cream in no time.

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Self-contained freezing unit

Ice cream machines with a self-contained freezing unit can cut preparation time. Machines that have a separate freezer bowl require you to pre-chill the bowl for before placing it in the unit, which adds another step to the creation process.

I recommend: Check out ice cream machines offered by Kitchen Kapers and discover more about the benefits of a self-contained freezing unit in the product descriptions.

Ingredient spout

Adding mix-ins (such as sprinkles, nuts, fruit or candy) to your ice cream can increase your dessert offerings. Ice cream machines with an ingredient spout allow you to pour the treats in during the mixing process for perfect blending.

I recommend: Find a selection of ice cream machines from Cuisinart that features built-in ingredient spouts that are easy to access beneath a transparent lid.

Paddle

An important feature of the ice cream machine is the paddle used to churn the ice cream mix in the freezer unit. Consider looking for a unit with a dishwasher-safe paddle to simplify cleanup.

I recommend: Ice cream machine product details at Epinions discuss the importance of a dual paddle system to create perfectly blended ice cream with mix-ins.

Dasher

Some ice cream machine models feature a dasher instead of a paddle to blend the ice cream mix. A dasher is an elongated beating unit that fits into a freezing canister within the ice cream maker.

I recommend: Product descriptions at Keenzo detail the importance and function of a dasher. An instructional page by a professor at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College also illustrates how to insert the dasher into the ice cream machine.

Ice cream mix

The concoction that you add to the ice cream machine is known as the ice cream mix. Although mix-ins can give it the desired flavor, the basic ice cream mix often features a combination of ingredients such as milk, sugar and gelatin.

I recommend: The Homemade Ice Cream Page created by the University of Guelph discusses the preparation of the ice cream mix and provides preparation tips and recipes.

Gelato

If you want to expand your dessert offerings, you may wish to use your ice cream machine to create gelato, an Italian ice cream make with sugar, milk and flavorings. A similar process can also make sorbet, which includes water instead of milk.

I recommend: Carpigiani offers training courses on how to create gelato and sorbet. The company also features classes on creating soft-serve and traditional ice cream.

Purchasing an ice cream machine for your business can increase your customer base and boost your profits. However, making the decision to purchase one of these machines means you have to budget not only for the initial cost of purchasing the machine but also for the cost of caring for the machine.

Consider the following suggestions to help you prepare your budget to absorb ice cream machines pricing and costs:

1. Stand out among the competition by making your own ice cream.

2. Buy a soft serve ice cream machine if you need ice cream without having to wait on a traditional ice cream maker.

3. Prepare your budget for preventive maintenance costs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the cost of purchasing an ice cream maker

There are many factors that affect the price of an ice cream maker. This includes the load capacity of the machine, the speed, its footprint size and the features you need. You can expect to pay more for an ice cream maker that has a storage unit than you will for a basic unit. Generally, the faster the machine makes the ice cream, the more you will pay for it.

I recommend: Vieco's Kitchen sells residential and commercial ice cream makers. Prices start at around $100 for residential models or $1,200 for a commercial model. You can find commercial ice cream machines at 1-800-Espresso.com. Prices range from under $100 to over $6,000.

Opt for a soft serve ice cream machine

When you purchase a soft serve ice cream machine, the type of machine and the feed mechanism you choose will affect the price. Generally, counter top models are less expensive than floor models and pump feed machines are more expensive than gravity feed machines. Another factor that affects price is the number of dispensers you need. For example, a two flavor dispenser is more expensive than a one flavor dispenser.

I recommend: AAA Commercial Products has soft serve ice cream machines for sale priced from around $8,700 to $21,000, depending on the model and feed type. Central Restaurant Supply sells a single flavor soft serve ice cream machine for under $6,000. Lease to own plans are available from this company.

Remember to budget for preventative maintenance on your ice cream machine

In order to keep your commercial ice cream machine working properly, you will have to keep it clean and lubricated. In most cases, you only have to rinse the unit out with warm water on the flush cycle to clean the machine. However, special food grade or sanitary lubricant is needed for lubricating the machine because there is a chance that the ice cream may come into contact with the lubricant.

I recommend: Kerekes Bakery & Restaurant Equipment offers a varied selection of sanitary lubricants. These are priced from under $5 for a half ounce tube to around $70 for a gallon. You can find food grade lubricants at InstaWares starting at around $4.