Ice Cream Machines Pricing and Costs

Consider the initial and recurring costs of owning ice cream machines for businesses

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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

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