If you have a milkshake maker in your business, you know it can be a great expense, but also a great source of profit. Because a commercial milkshake machine can cost you thousands of dollars to purchase, you'll want to maximize its use.

It's hard for customers to resist the creamy taste of a smooth milkshake. But a commercial milkshake machine is different than a home milkshake machine, so in order to be sure you are making the most of milkshake machines, you'll need the following:

1. Several delicious milkshake maker recipes;
2. Proper commercial milkshake maker instructions;
3. A professional repair service and a reliable parts supplier, in case your ice cream shake machine should have any problems.

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

Get signature milkshake maker recipes

Any ice cream shop or restaurant can serve up a chocolate or vanilla milkshake, but if you want to keep your customers coming back, you're going to need to have some memorable milkshakes on your menu. The key to that is finding great milkshake maker recipes.

I recommend: Blendtec can help you learn how to make unique milkshakes such as chocolate peppermint, orange cream and "dirt and worms." Recipes are for one milkshake, so adjust the ingredients accordingly. The Recipe Czar by Scripps Networks offers over 130 milkshake recipes, including pineapple, tiramisu and even avocado!

Find proper instructions for using your milkshake machines

Now that you've got great recipes, you'll want to make sure your milkshake machines are in top working order. The best way to do this is to review online instructions to ensure everything on the machine is working exactly as it should be.

I recommend: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration is one of the largest makers of commercial milkshake machines, and the company posts owner's manuals for all its models on its website. Just select the model you own, then download the instructions and a troubleshooting guide. Daniel O'Neill's Appliance 411 website can help you get owner's manual for most other types of milkshake machines. All you need is the brand and model number.

Repair a broken milkshake maker

Today's milkshake machines are more complicated than an old fashioned milkshake maker. With water lines and coolants, if something goes wrong, it's probably best to call a professional. But if you think you can fix the problem yourself, parts are available from companies that sell milkshake machines online.

I recommend: Taylor Ultimate Services Company sells parts for several major brands of milkshake machines. The shop also provides on-site service and in-shop repairs of milkshake machinery. SaniServ provides a directory of local technical service providers, arranged by state.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't overlook the recommended cleaning procedures for your commercial milkshake machine. If the machine is not properly cleaned, it can impact the taste of the milkshakes.

Really good milkshakes don't happen by chance, and they need a good milkshake maker to come together. Memorable, mouth-watering milkshakes are born when the perfect blend of milkshake ingredients comes together in the perfect milkshake machine. And no, your everyday household blender just won't do (the secret is in the spindle!).

Creating thick, evenly blended yet non-straw-clogging milkshakes is an art that can be mastered if you know what factors to consider when purchasing a commercial milkshake machine. You need to have a good idea of:

1. What types of milkshakes you will be making

2. How many milkshakes your milkshake maker will be expected to produce in a given time

3. Your budget and space limitations for a milkshake machine

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

Determine where your milkshake maker will go

Consider your space limitations and whether your milkshake machinery needs to be portable or will occupy space on a countertop, a floor or a wall.

I recommend: If your milkshake maker needs to move from room to room or place to place, visit Goodman's to get a portable one. If you have counter space to dedicate to your milkshake machine, Specialized Services has a nice selection. Going for a larger floor model? And if your milkshake maker will make its home on a wall, be sure to visit The Blender Place.

Consider the volume of milkshakes you'll be making

The number of milkshakes that your commercial milkshake machine is expected to turn out will help determine the size of your ice cream shake machine. Are you looking for an occasional-use machine, or will yours be churning out the goods at breakneck speed on a daily basis?

I recommend: Smaller businesses that don't specialize in milkshakes do well with a single-spindle Hamilton Beach milkshake maker that is often used as a home milkshake machine. Larger-volume restaurants and ice cream shops typically opt for three- to four-spindle models, such as the Waring triple-head mixer. Even larger-volume businesses such as fast food establishments typically go with milkshake freezers like the ones offered by Taylor Ultimate Services, which often don't even use real ice cream.

Know your milkshake machine budget

You can find a wide variety of milkshake machines online with makes, models and features designed to fit any budget. It's difficult to say which is the best milkshake maker; once you're in the commercial arena, they all seem to do the trick. Used milkshake-making equipment is an option, as well. Wherever you decide to purchase your ice cream shake machine, just make sure repairs and replacement parts are available without too much hassle.

I recommend: ACityDiscount offers a nice selection of time-tested brands at prices that won't break the bank. Instawares has a wide variety of commercial milkshake maker options as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Mix-ins such as cookie pieces, gummy bears and chopped candy bars are a very popular (and very profitable) trend in milkshakes these days. Adding them to your offerings will definitely add to your profits!
• •  Today's flavors extend far beyond the traditional chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Take a look around the internet for some great milkshake maker recipes, and maybe even offer a 'milkshake of the day/week' flavor to increase both awareness and sales of your milkshakes.

At the center of any good milkshake is the ice cream shake machine that it came out of. People often try to replicate that smooth, creamy, blended taste at home, but without a proper milkshake maker, it is hard to get your milkshake maker recipes just right.

A quick glance at the pricing and costs of milkshake machines will show you that a commercial milkshake machine isn't cheap. A high-quality, pressurized, multi-flavor machine requires an investment of thousands of dollars. So before you begin the process of buying milkshake machinery, ask the following questions:

1. Do you have the budget to buy new milkshake machinery?
2. Would you prefer to purchase a used commercial milkshake maker?
3. How many milkshakes do you think you will be making each day?
   

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

Purchase new milkshake machines

For speed, power and reliability, nothing beats buying new milkshake machines. You can easily pay between $5,000 and $20,000 for a new machine, but in return you will get a piece of equipment that minimizes repairs and labor, and quickly turns out a consistently good product.

I recommend: Cuda Kitchen is a milkshake machines distributor that sells high quality milkshake machines online. The company promises to have some of the lowest prices for floor and counter top machines. Carrier Commercial Refrigeration has an excellent line of single-flavor, multi-flavor and heat treatment milkshake machinery, and offers a profit calculator so you can determine your profits before you buy.

Purchased used milkshake machines

You can save a significant amount of money by purchasing used milkshake machines. These machines are often available for 70% to 90% less than a new machine. You just have to be willing to hunt around for the right machine, and make sure it is in good working order before you buy it.

I recommend: Check out the selection of used milkshake machines on Soft Serve Machines. If you don't see what you want today, check back as the inventory is constantly being updated. Also, you can contact a sales rep to put in a request for specific equipment. Taylor Ultimate Service Company sells reconditioned milkshake machinery. The equipment comes with a warranty, installation, and a service contract--keeping your repair costs down.

Buy a home milkshake machine

If you won't be making very many milkshakes, an inexpensive counter top home milkshake machine might be enough. You can find a quality old fashioned milkshake maker for around $100; however, it will not churn out milkshakes as fast as a commercial milkshake machine. If you go this route, realize that you may need to replace your machine on a yearly basis.

I recommend: Williams-Sonoma sells a classic Oster Milkshake Maker. It makes one shake at a time in a stainless steel mixing cup. If you want to buy an extremely inexpensive milkshake maker, Target sells a 60 watt plastic appliance for around $25.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing milkshake machines, be sure to ask about a warranty. If something goes wrong, you don't want to have to pay for repairs on a piece of equipment you just bought.

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a milkshake machine for your establishment. You'll need to decide how many spindles you'll need on your machine, how large your blending jugs will need to be, and whether or not you want the heat treatment feature. It will also be important for you to figure out if you'll need a pressurized milkshake freezer or whether the countertop variety will do. And just like every good milkshake maker, you'll need to decide what ingredients to use as thickening agents for those who like to eat their milkshakes with a spoon.

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

Spindle

The spindle on a milkshake machine is what actually holds the blades for mixing. It is a long, thin arm that extends from the machine and down into a stainless steel cup for mixing. The number of spindles you will need on your milkshake machine depends on how many milkshakes you plan on making at a given time. Milkshake machines come with one, two or three spindles, each of which operates separately from the others.

I recommend: FoodServiceWarehouse.com outlines the benefits of a three-spindle milkshake machine.

Malted milkshake

A malted milkshake has an additional ingredient compared with a regular milkshake-malted milk powder. Malt adds a sour flavoring to the milkshake.

I recommend: WiseGEEK explains the difference between a regular milkshake and a malted milkshake.

Blending jug, mixing can, malt cup

The blending jug, also known as a mixing can or malt cup, is the container in which you mix the milkshake. The blending jug attaches to the milkshake machine and comes in various sizes to accommodate different milkshake volumes.

I recommend: Practically Edible explains how you can also use the blending jug to create a thicker shake.

Pressurized milkshake freezer

A milkshake freezer uses a combination of milkshake mix and air to create pressure, which forces the frozen milkshake out of the machine.

I recommend: Kool Technologies explains the process that a pressurized milkshake freezer uses.

Heat treatment

The heat treatment feature on milkshake machines allows you to go up to two weeks before having to clean the machine.

I recommend: The Restaurant Equipment Company details the benefit of the heat treatment feature.

Thickening agent

A thickening agent can be anything that serves the purpose of thickening your milkshakes. This can be fruit, pudding, additives or even more ice cream.

I recommend: FAST provides a few different ideas for thickening a milkshake.