Buying a small soft-serve machine.
A compact soft-serve machine fits on almost any counter and opens up new offers, from soft serve for guests to dog ice cream. We sell machines ourselves and use them every day. Here is what matters when you buy.
In short
Small businesses are best served by compact single-flavour countertop machines. What matters is capacity at peak times, the power supply, space for airflow, simple daily cleaning and reachable service. If you serve both guest soft serve and dog ice cream, two separate machines, or a small one just for the dog ice cream, work best. For places that do not focus on ice cream, a compact crema, milkshake and slush machine like Patty is often the better fit.
Types of machine
Compact countertop, one flavour
Sits on the counter, needs only a socket and is made for smaller volumes. Ideal for cafés, kiosks, salons or as a separate dog ice cream station.
Countertop, two flavours
Two flavours and usually a twist. More choice, but more space, cleaning and a higher price.
Floor-standing machine
For high volumes at ice cream shops, lidos or large businesses. Needs more space and often a stronger power supply.
Slush and crema machines
Compact machines such as Patty, or CAB Faby Cream, Blaze Maxi and Blaze Mini from Italy. For creams and slush, flexible for drinks and desserts too.
What to check before you buy
These points decide whether a machine suits your daily routine.
- Capacity
- How many portions per hour, and how fast is it ready again after a rush? Plan for your busiest day.
- Hopper
- A bigger hopper means less refilling. For small volumes a small hopper is enough and keeps the mix fresher.
- Cooling
- Air-cooled machines need clearance for airflow and release heat into the room. Plan the space accordingly.
- Power supply
- Many countertop machines run on a normal socket. Larger machines may need a stronger connection. Check before you buy.
- Cleaning
- How much work is daily cleaning, how many parts come apart? A simple routine saves time every day.
- Service and parts
- Is there a dealer near you, spare parts and help if something jams in high season?
New, used or rented?
New
Warranty, current technology and dealer service. The safe choice if the machine runs every day.
Used
Cheaper, but check condition, seals, cooling and spare parts. Ask to see the machine running.
Rental or leasing
Easier on cash flow and good if you first want to test how the offer goes.
Advice before buying
Send us a photo of your counter. We will tell you honestly which machine fits, even if it is not one of ours.
Patty: not a classic soft-serve machine
Patty is really a compact machine for coffee crema, milkshakes and slush. It freezes down to −8 °C, which is enough for Molly: a little softer than from a soft-serve machine, but good quality.
For places that do not focus on ice cream it is often the better choice: it is small, its parts go in the dishwasher, and hardly anything is left over when cleaning. Unlike a soft-serve machine, you can use almost all of the mix. It also has a night mode that keeps the mix fresh and saves power, so you do not have to clean it every day. At our place in Pertisau it runs every day for Molly.
Besides Patty we offer small single-flavour soft-serve machines and compact CAB slush and crema machines, or help you find the right one.
Patty in service
When the machine pays off
Enter the investment for your machine and see after how many trading days it is recovered. Enter your own figures. All amounts are net, excluding VAT. The pre-filled numbers are a worked example, not a price list or a forecast.
- Contribution per portion
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- Contribution per day
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- Net turnover per season
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- Contribution per season
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- Investment recovered after
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Not included: staff costs, financing, depreciation and general overheads. Talk to us for an actual proposal.
Common questions about soft-serve machines
Soft-serve machine or crema and slush machine?
If you sell a lot of soft serve, you need a real soft-serve machine. For places that do not focus on ice cream, a compact crema and slush machine like Patty is often the better choice: small, dishwasher-safe parts, freezes down to −8 °C and leaves hardly any waste when cleaning. The ice cream is a little softer but still good quality.
How much does a small soft-serve machine cost?
That depends a lot on type, output and features. A compact countertop machine costs much less than a two-flavour floor model. We are happy to prepare a current quote.
Can I make guest soft serve and dog ice cream in the same machine?
Only with clear separation, for example set times and cleaning in between. A small machine just for dog ice cream is simpler and safer.
Does the machine need cleaning every day?
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For many soft-serve machines regular, thorough cleaning is part of the daily routine. Ask how long it takes before you buy. Patty has a night mode that keeps the mix fresh and saves power, so it does not need cleaning every day.
Is a normal socket enough?
For many compact countertop machines, yes. Larger machines may need a stronger connection. Check the data sheet.
Is a used machine worth it?
It can be, if condition, cooling and spare parts are right. Ask to see it running and ask for the service history.
Help shape Molly, with preferential terms for life.
Our first pilot partners test Molly in real service, help decide flavours and packaging, and receive preferential terms on Molly products for good.