Yes! i know that you are rushing to get a new soft serve ice cream machine for your retail business or you are on the way of developing an ice cream business. Please hold on and seat down. Brew a cup of coffee and read my article of sharing.

When you deciding which soft serve ice cream machine to purchase, please keep in mind that there are a variety of options and requirements your product can have to meet the basic bottom line for your business needs.

We break it down to few important point:

Size : The size of ice cream machine

An important thing to focus on first is the height and width of your machine. To begin, measure how big the space is where the machine will be placed, so you know if you will need to look more towards a smaller or bigger implement. Also, in the space where you will be storing the machine, make sure there is extra space for manoeuvring or cleaning.

Tips to place your ice cream machine: Empty machine surrounding zone at least 1 feet ( 12inch) for better air ventilation.

Example: If you getting a standard floor type of ice cream machine, let’s say for 600mm x 600mm, you need to left at least a minimum of 1200mm for your ice cream machine.

Servings : Calculate your traffic flow

Be sure to have an idea of how many gram are in one serving per minute. If you’re running a business this is very helpful so that you can create time for yourself and give your costumers a more convenient order.

Tips of calculation: If your retail business estimation have 200 transaction per days, let’s say conversion rate for 60%, its 120 serving per day, for standard calculation, 80grams for a cone and 140grams for a cup. So you can easy to get measure the traffic flow and the serving per minute for your machine required.

Casters or Legs : Floor type or Table top

Are you going to be moving around your equipment a lot? Are you going to be cleaning behind your machines a lot? If so, you’re going to want to order a machine on casters ( roll type ). They’re very convenient when cleaning. You can just quickly and easily slide out the machine, clean the area, and slide it right back in its place. Depending on how the product is manufactured there might not be casters, but they’re a great way to approach areas behind the machine.

Tips to be considerate : Some of the soft serve ice cream machine brand come with LEGS type; which meant you are not going to move your machine easily. We recommended our customer always get Casters type and make sure its come with Lock Wheel function to prevent machine slip off from the original places. If your machine not come with casters, please get a stainless steel rack/table and place your machine on top.

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Volume = Price

Depending on what it’s for you might need a high, medium, or low volume machine. If you’re just looking for a simple ice cream machine for your kitchen, product sampling, or just a small cafe I’d recommend a low volume machine (one day 20-40 servings). On the other hand if you need a machine for a restaurant, buffet, or an ice cream shop a high volume machine ( 100 serving and above ) would be a great choice.

Tips before your selected your machine : I would like to strongly recommend my client NOT to invest high volume machine when you just start up with your business. Due to following reason:-

1. Unclear and Uncountable Traffic Flow from business

2. Business Owner NOT sure about their own conversion rate when launching NEW products

Flavours : The Key Of Succeed

Your Ice Cream machine providing One flavour or Twist flavour won’t affect your business.
The most important is, do you guys have the passion to develop your own flavours? Most of the retailer will look for PREMIXED FLAVOURS ICE CREAM POWDER to cut down the research and development cost and time of invest. BUT please be aware, your competitor are doing on the same way.
Flavours are the key of succeed in soft serve ice cream business, the theory are simple, get your own recipe, get the right powder.

Most of the flavours can be done with Rasa Royal Ice Cream Base. You dare to think , we like to accept the challenge.

Click here to understand more about Rasa Royal Ice Cream Base

Stainless Steel : “Looks Alike” Stainless Steel Machine

One thing to watch out for is if the machine is stainless steel. You never want your product to rust because your ice cream can possibly start tasting different. Also rust could end up in a customer’s Ice cream. Always make sure the ice cream machine you purchase is stainless steel.

Tips for discover the real stainless steel machine: Request your supplier to open up the machine cover, there’s some part need to be fully covered with 304 stainless steel, the cylinder part, the hopper , all the small component, and etc.

Popularity : Who Use It?

Check to see if the machine you want to purchase has been rated well. Is someone also using it? Also, if there are reviews from customers you might want to look at those to be sure you won’t run into any unexpected problems and have to purchase a new machine. Look for the warranty too so you know that your machine won’t break down on you, and that it will be hefty.

Tips before you purchase your machine, get more question to your supplier, who using their machine, spend a trip to visit their customer, buy their ice cream, taste it, if able to contact with the business owner, please do it. This will save your tons of money!