Finding the Best Freezer for Ice Cream
Ice cream is a unique treat that customers go out of their way for, especially on hot summer days, and you can grab a piece of that market with a reliable ice cream freezer. However, choosing an ice cream freezer is more complicated than it may seem. We carry many different styles, each designed for a specific purpose, and if you choose the wrong style you may not get the full value from your purchase. We'll go over the different styles of ice cream freezer below and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each for different businesses, so when you make a purchase, you can be certain you're getting the right piece of equipment.
The Specifics of Storing Ice Cream
Ice cream and gelato must be stored within specific temperature ranges to maintain the right consistency. Unspecified freezers may not be able to keep your ice cream appropriately frozen, resulting in a subpar product that won't generate any return customers. Improper refrigeration even can result in contaminated food and illness, and any foodservice place with a reputation for sickness is going to have a rough time. Ice cream freezers also need better control of their temperature than other freezers, enabling operators to provide the exact consistency they want for their ice cream.
- Ice cream freezers maintain temperatures between -10 and 8 degrees Fahrenheit
- Gelato freezers usually maintain temperatures between -5 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit
The three main types of ice cream freezers are dipping cabinets, self-serve units or merchandisers, and storage units. Dipping cabinets are used for ice cream parlors in which an operator scoops ice cream for the customers. Self-serve units display prepackaged ice cream pints, gallons, and novelties for the customer to purchase and take with them. Storage units, also called standalone units, are used as back-of-house storage for ice cream that doesn't need to be displayed or accessed immediately. We'll go more in depth on each of these below to help you choose the best option.
Do I Need a Dipping Cabinet?
Establishments serving ice cream directly to customers should invest in a dipping cabinet. These efficient freezers keep your ice cream at a safe temperature and pleasant consistency while enabling a server to access multiple different flavors for easy, quick transactions. These are the best ice cream freezer for a focused ice cream parlor.
If you're looking to sell ice cream by the scoop, the first step in choosing the best ice cream dipping cabinet comes down to knowing how many tubs you want to display and how many you want to have stored on hand to replenish your supplies. Dipping cabinets provide room for each.
Available dipping cabinet sizes range from compact freezers that accommodate fewer than five tubs to 26-tub behemoths. Whichever you choose, check the dimensions to ensure you have enough space. Keep in mind that some freezers may have minimum clearance requirements that prohibit them from being installed too close to surrounding walls and equipment.
Dipping cabinets are best for full service ice cream parlors.
Do I Need a Self-Serve Ice Cream Freezer?
Self-serve freezers, also called ice cream merchandisers and horizontal freezers, are frozen storage cabinets with glass lids that enable customers to peruse your offerings before purchasing. These are great for operators who want to sell prepackaged ice cream to guests browsing their shop, and they don't require constant attention from an employee the way a dipping cabinet would. Their glass lids can be flat or curved, with the main difference being the aesthetic – curved glass looks nice, but costs more. These can be completely stationary or mobile. Mobile options are easier to clean around and beneath but are usually smaller than stationary units.
Self-serve ice cream freezers are best for marketing prepackaged ice cream products to passing customers.
How Are Gelato Cases Different?
While gelato is simply the Italian word for ice cream, in the States gelato refers to a different product that requires different storing and dispensing equipment; specifically, gelato cases. Gelato Is typically stored at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream, but a lower temperature than ice cream is served at. The temperature range for a gelato case is usually from -5 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and the layout of stored gelato is different as well. Instead of ice cream tubs, gelato is served in flat pans to better display specific designs as well as the bright colors of the gelato. The temperature ranges do overlap, so you can store ice cream with your gelato if you need to. Gelato almost always is considered a premium product, meaning operators can charge a premium price for it.
Gelato cases hold flat gelato pans at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream freezers and have glass windows to showcase the product.
What are Topping Stations?
Topping stations provide cold storage and room for dispensers in one piece, enabling operators to offer a large variety of ice cream toppings at safe temperatures. Many topping stations have refrigerated storage cabinets beneath the serving area, which enables you to keep extra topping refills on hand so you don't run out of a particular favorite.
Topping stations are great at the end of a serving line to put the finishing touches on a delicious treat.
Which Ice Cream Freezer Do I Need?
The best freezer for ice cream depends on the style of business you're running. Choose:
- An ice cream dipping cabinet if your servers will scoop and serve ice cream for your customers, as in an ice cream parlor.
- Self-serve ice cream freezers if you want to offer prepackaged ice cream for customers to purchase and take with them.
- Gelato cases if you want to offer this premium style of ice cream at a premium price.
- Topping station if you want to offer a wide array of toppings to complete your ice cream dishes. These are usually paired with an ice cream dipping cabinet.
