Soft serve machines are fantastic. They are beneficial for businesses, they are adaptable, and they give us one of the most popular guilty pleasures in the entire globe. Without question, a soft serve machine may represent a wise investment, but if you experience technical problems with it, you might regret buying it. We’re here to discuss a few prevalent ice cream machine maintenance problems you could run into when using your soft serve machine and how to easily fix them.
What Is an Ice Cream Maker at a Restaurant?
As you may be startled to learn, restaurant ice cream makers are among the most intricate pieces of kitchen machinery. It’s not as simple as it seems to make the soft-serve swirls that so many of us desire. Here is the basic operation of an ice cream maker: the liquefied ice cream mix is stored in a container called a hopper.
To freeze the liquid, the entire mixture is placed in a cylinder which is maintained at extremely low temperatures. To scrape the ice cream out and push it to the front of the unit for dispensing, an auger—a spiral piece of plastic or metal—moves continuously as the mixture of ice cream forms surrounding the frozen cylinder. The soft serve comes out from the machine via a pressurised pump or valve.
Tips for Troubleshooting Ice Cream Machines:
Is your ice cream maker broken? Don’t worry. Whenever you contact a provider for assistance, take into account these best practices for troubleshooting restaurant ice cream equipment.
The Consistency of the Ice Cream is Too Runny or Soft:
No one enjoys runny soft serve. Soft serve generally melts more quickly in the summer, so we are reluctant to allow our goods to be sloppy before they even get to our customers. If you are employing a pre-packaged mix with a perfect brix level, your viscosity is most likely the problem. As is the case with all products, including the manufacturers of soft serve freezers, if the good had a nice texture at first and is now soft, it has probably been left in the freezing cylinder for too long.
The Machine Starts Freezing:
Even though we would like to avoid it, our soft serve machines will occasionally freeze. A starved cylinder is one of numerous possible causes for this. If you don’t add extra product fast enough, you could starve the cylinder and result in a freeze-up when your product grade drops too low and your low-level indication light illuminates. Product problems can also be the cause of your machine freezing. Before putting your product in your machine, be certain it has previously been thoroughly mixed & refrigerated. To put it another way, mix the powder mixture in a bucket before adding it to your machine.
Odours or Unusual Tastes in the Ice Cream:
Bacterial accumulation, spoilt components, or leftover cleaning agents could be the cause of your ice cream’s peculiar flavour or smell. After cleaning, give the machine a good rinse to get rid of any detergent buildup. Sanitise the machine on a regular schedule to avoid bacterial infestation. Use premium, fresh ingredients at all times, whilst maintaining them at the right temperature.
Machine Shut Offs Frequently:
A malfunctioning sensor, electrical problems, or overheating could be the cause of an ice cream maker which regularly shuts off while in use. Verify that the machine isn’t overheating and look for any blockages in the ventilation system. Consult an electrician or expert to examine the internal wiring & power supply if electrical problems are anticipated.
The Ice Cream Maker Won’t Turn On:
There may be technical or electrical issues if your machine won’t start. First, make sure the power outlet is operational & the equipment is plugged in correctly. Internal parts like the motor or control board might require expert examination & repair if electricity is not the problem.
Excessive Accumulation of Ice Within the Machine:
A buildup of ice inside the machine might cause uneven freezing and impair performance. The problem frequently arises when moisture gets into the system or whenever the defrost cycle isn’t working properly. Make sure the machine is properly sealed, clean it frequently, and provide it enough time to thaw to avoid this. Examine the defrost function & seek further evaluation from a technician if the accumulation continues.
The Auger Does Not Operate:
The metal component inside your freezer cylinder rotates continuously to maintain wonderfully silky and fluffy ice cream. The most likely reason your auger isn’t working properly is that you didn’t lock it into position securely. Attempting to manipulate your auger with your hands should stop it from spinning if it is placed correctly. Your auger ought to secure into the back slot as soon as it is inserted into the driving shaft. Before it locks in place, you might have to turn & push it a few times.
Final Words:
Maintaining an effective and dependable ice cream maker can be achieved by being aware of and taking care of these typical problems. Regardless of whether you are an individual or a business owner, prompt troubleshooting and suitable maintenance can save expensive repairs as well as preserve your ice cream output.
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