The right commercial ice cream maker is the cornerstone of any successful frozen dessert business. It needs to be reliable, efficient, and capable of meeting customer demand during peak hours without compromising on quality. Choosing a machine that fits your specific shop’s volume and menu is crucial for smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
This roundup features a variety of commercial ice cream makers, from high-volume soft serve machines to versatile countertop models. We’ve evaluated them based on output capacity, key features, and durability to help you find the perfect equipment to keep your customers happy and your business running sweetly.
Our Top Picks for Commercial Ice Cream Makers
- VEVOR Commercial Ice Cream Maker, 22-30L/H Yield
- 3 Head Commercial Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine
- XPW Commercial Ice Cream Machine
- Commercial Ice Cream Machine, 2.6-5.3 Gal/h
- Cuisinart ICE-100 Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
- Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker
- Lello Musso Pola 5030 Dessert Maker
- Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 2-Quart
- Cuisinart 6-in-1 Slushy & Soft-Serve Maker
- Taylor 340B Soft Serve Freezer Machine
VEVOR Commercial Ice Cream Maker, 22-30L/H Yield
Designed for high-volume environments, the VEVOR Commercial Ice Cream Maker delivers an impressive 22-30 liters per hour. Its dual 6L hoppers and 2L freezing cylinders, constructed from durable SUS304 stainless steel, allow for the simultaneous serving of two single flavors or one mixed flavor. This capability is ideal for shops looking to offer variety, enabling customers to enjoy a swirl of both flavors in a single serving.
With a total power of 2350W and a high-efficiency 1050W compressor, this machine is built for continuous operation. It includes practical features like expansion tubes to increase yield by 25-30% and a shortage alarm to alert staff when ingredients are running low. The pre-cooling function helps maintain ingredient freshness overnight, while the one-click thawing feature saves significant time during cleaning and maintenance.
3 Head Commercial Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine
This three-head soft serve machine is a powerhouse for busy commercial scenes like cafes and snack bars, producing 5.3 to 7.4 gallons per hour. The triple spout design allows for serving three different flavors simultaneously, drastically reducing customer wait times during rushes. Its robust output ensures you can keep up with strong demand, even on the busiest days.
Operation is simplified with a user-friendly LCD panel that provides clear monitoring and control over machine functions. The built-in auto-shutoff timer helps manage energy consumption and prevents the unit from overworking. Built with a sturdy metal construction, this countertop model is designed to resist wear and tear, offering long-term reliability in a demanding commercial setting.
XPW Commercial Ice Cream Machine
The XPW Commercial Ice Cream Machine balances power and efficiency with its 1000W system and a reliable brand compressor. It operates quietly at around 66 decibels, making it suitable for environments where noise is a consideration. This machine is adaptable, functioning effectively in a wide range of ambient temperatures from 41°F to 91.4°F.
Featuring a 1.2-gallon hopper and a 1.6L freezing cylinder made of food-grade 304 stainless steel, this unit can produce up to 200 servings per hour. Control is centralized on a 7-inch smart touch screen that visually displays cylinder and hopper temperatures, as well as production amounts. The pre-cooling and deep puffing functions help maintain quality, while the shortage alarm ensures you never run out of mix unexpectedly.
Commercial Ice Cream Machine, 2.6-5.3 Gal/h
This model is built for speed and consistency, freezing the first batch in approximately 12 minutes with subsequent batches ready in 6 minutes or less. It delivers a steady output of 10-20 liters of ice cream per hour, making it a solid choice for snack bars and restaurants. The high-performance compressor provides powerful refrigeration while maintaining low noise levels.
Its 4L hopper and 1.6L freezer tank are designed for continuous service. The advanced deep puffing technology enhances the ice cream’s texture, making it richer and creamier while also saving on raw materials. An intuitive LCD touch screen allows for easy regulation of serving size, hardness, and temperature, and includes convenient one-touch automatic cleaning and pre-cooling modes.
Cuisinart ICE-100 Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
The Cuisinart ICE-100 stands out with its built-in commercial quality compressor, which means no pre-freezing is required. It’s always ready to make a 1.5-quart batch of rich ice cream, gelato, or sorbet. This feature is particularly useful for shops that want to offer small-batch, artisanal flavors with minimal preparation time.
This machine offers superior control with a 60-minute countdown timer, touchpad controls, and a clear blue LCD readout. The inclusion of two paddles—one for ice cream and another specifically for gelato—ensures the perfect consistency for different types of frozen desserts. The 10-minute “Keep Cool” feature helps maintain the ideal serving temperature after the cycle is complete.
Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker
This Nostalgia ice cream maker brings a classic parlor aesthetic to your shop with its wood bucket design. It features a 4-quart capacity, which is suitable for lower-volume settings or for creating specialty flavors. The powerful electric motor handles all the churning, producing homemade-style ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato in about 20 minutes with no manual effort required.
The motor locks securely into place during operation, ensuring stability and safety. While it offers a smaller batch size, its charming design can serve as a visual centerpiece. It pairs well with Nostalgia’s own ice cream mixes, providing a simple solution for shops looking to add a traditional touch to their dessert offerings.
Lello Musso Pola 5030 Dessert Maker
The Lello Musso Pola 5030 is a compact yet powerful machine with a 2-quart capacity. Despite its smaller batch size, it can produce up to 6 quarts of ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato per hour, making it efficient for its class. Its stainless-steel housing and blade are built for durability and easy cleaning.
This model is known for its straightforward operation and reliable performance. It’s an excellent choice for shops that need a secondary machine for specialty flavors or for businesses with limited counter space. The classic stainless-steel finish gives it a professional look that fits well in any commercial kitchen.
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 2-Quart
This Cuisinart ice cream maker can create 2 quarts of frozen treats in as little as 20 minutes. It features an easy-to-read LCD screen and a countdown timer with auto shutoff for precise control over the freezing process. With three settings and multiple speeds, it offers flexibility to achieve the perfect consistency for ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet.
The large capacity is suitable for shops that prepare batches in advance or for smaller establishments. The user-friendly interface makes it simple for staff to operate with minimal training. Its stainless-steel construction ensures it can withstand regular use in a commercial environment.
Cuisinart 6-in-1 Slushy & Soft-Serve Maker
For businesses looking to diversify their menu, the Cuisinart 6-in-1 machine is an excellent choice. It offers six preset programs to make soft-serve ice cream, sorbet, slushies, cocktails, frappes, and frozen wine. Its Quick-Freeze Chill Technology maintains the perfect temperature without pre-freezing, ensuring consistent results.
The intuitive design features simple controls and a Smart Dispense Control that automatically manages the speed and direction for smooth dispensing every time. This versatility allows a shop to expand its offerings beyond traditional ice cream, appealing to a broader customer base with a variety of frozen drinks and desserts.
Taylor 340B Soft Serve Freezer Machine
Taylor is a well-established name in commercial frozen dessert equipment, and the 340B model is a reliable workhorse for many businesses. Known for its durability and consistent performance, this machine is engineered for high-volume output and ease of maintenance. It is a trusted choice for concession stands, ice cream parlors, and food service operations worldwide.
While specific features for this model are not listed here, Taylor machines generally include precise temperature controls, efficient freezing systems, and durable stainless-steel construction. They are designed to meet health code standards and are built for long-term, reliable service, making them a staple in the industry.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Commercial Ice Cream Makers for Shops
Choosing the right commercial ice cream maker is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your shop. It’s the heart of your operation, and getting it wrong can mean downtime, inconsistent product, and lost revenue. I’ve spent a lot of time with these machines, and I want to help you understand the key factors so you can pick the perfect one for your specific needs.
First, you need to think about capacity and output. This is all about how much ice cream you plan to sell. Are you a small boutique shop or a high-volume destination? Batch freezers make a set amount at a time, which is great for controlling quality and offering a rotating menu of flavors. Continuous freezers, on the other hand, are like an assembly line, constantly producing ice cream, which is ideal for shops that need to serve a lot of customers quickly. Look at the output per hour specifications and be realistic about your peak demand.
Next, consider the type of compressor. This is the engine of your machine. There are air-cooled and water-cooled models. Air-cooled units are more common and easier to install since they just need a power outlet and some space for ventilation. Water-cooled models are more efficient and can often produce ice cream faster, but they require a direct water line and a drain, which adds to the installation complexity and cost. For most shops starting out, a robust air-cooled system is perfectly sufficient.
Then there’s the machine’s construction and ease of use. You want a workhorse built from durable, food-grade stainless steel that can handle the daily grind of a busy kitchen. Pay close attention to the cleaning and maintenance routines. Some machines have automated cleaning cycles (CIP – Clean-in-Place) that save a massive amount of time and labor. Others require more manual disassembly. A user-friendly control panel is also crucial for your staff to operate it consistently and correctly. Don’t forget to check the noise level; a quieter machine makes for a more pleasant environment for everyone.
Finally, think about versatility. Do you plan to make traditional ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or frozen yogurt? Gelato has a lower overrun (less air incorporated) and requires a machine capable of handling that. Some models are specifically designed for gelato, while others are more versatile. If you want to experiment with different textures and styles, look for a machine that offers adjustable dasher speeds and overrun control. This gives you the creative freedom to perfect your signature recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a batch freezer and a continuous freezer?
A batch freezer makes one, complete batch of ice cream at a time. You load the mix, it freezes and churns it, and then you empty the entire batch into a container for hardening. This is perfect for shops that make multiple flavors in smaller quantities. A continuous freezer, as the name suggests, runs continuously. You pour the mix in one end, and frozen ice cream comes out the other. It’s designed for very high-volume production where you need a constant supply of one or two base flavors. For most shops looking at the 10 best commercial ice cream makers for shops, a high-quality batch freezer is the standard choice.
How much should I budget for a commercial ice cream maker?
Prices vary widely based on capacity, features, and brand. You can find smaller, entry-level batch freezers starting around $3,000 to $5,000. For a medium-capacity, reliable workhorse that can handle the demands of a busy shop, expect to invest between $8,000 and $15,000. High-end, high-volume continuous freezers or specialized gelato machines can easily cost $20,000 or more. Remember to also factor in the cost of a separate hardening cabinet, which is essential for storing your finished product.
What kind of maintenance does a commercial ice cream machine require?
Regular maintenance is non-negotiable for longevity and food safety. Daily tasks include a thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the freezing cylinder, dasher, and any other parts that touch the product. Many machines have a built-in cleaning cycle to help with this. Weekly or monthly maintenance might involve checking and lubricating seals, inspecting the refrigeration components, and descaling if you have a water-cooled model. Always follow the manufacturer’s specific maintenance schedule to avoid breakdowns.
Can I make gelato in a standard commercial ice cream maker?
It depends on the machine. Traditional ice cream has a higher overrun (more air) than gelato. While you can make a denser product in a standard ice cream machine by adjusting the recipe and shortening the churn time, a true gelato machine is specifically engineered for this. It has more precise temperature controls and often a slower-churning dasher to incorporate less air. If gelato is a core part of your business plan, investing in a machine designed for it is highly recommended.
How important is a built-in pasteurizer?
A built-in pasteurizer (or batch pasteurizer) is a significant feature that adds to the cost but also adds a lot of control. It allows you to pasteurize your own base mixture right in the machine before freezing it. This is fantastic for shops that want to create completely custom recipes from raw ingredients. However, many shops choose to purchase pre-pasteurized ice cream mix from a dairy supplier, which is perfectly safe and high-quality, making a built-in pasteurizer an unnecessary expense for their operation.
What is the typical warranty on these machines?
Warranties can be a good indicator of the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. A typical warranty for a commercial ice cream maker is one year on parts and labor. However, many brands offer extended warranties on the compressor, which is the most critical and expensive component, sometimes for up to 3-5 years. Always read the warranty details carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered, and what your responsibilities are for maintaining the warranty validity.