Slush machines, as we know them today, were invented in the late 1950s. They became popular among younger generations starting in the 1970s. The ice drink was a popular choice for businesses, and they became more profitable.
Slush has been a favorite cold treat for generations as it gained popularity over the years. The commercial slush machines continue to thrive and are now a popular feature in many shops, supermarkets cafes, cafes concession stands kiosks and snack bars.
It is essential to learn how a Slushie Maker works, and what you should look for when selecting the right one for your business.
This buying guide is designed to provide all the information you need about the equipment, the components and the different features.
What is Slush?
These popular frozen beverages consist of water, sugar, flavour, and colour. The unique texture strikes the perfect balance between a chilled drink and a solid pop. This has drawn devoted slush fans for years.
These drinks are typically served from a cup and served with a straw and a spoon.
Customers and businesses love these drinks for their cold, refreshing, and taste-bud-bursting qualities.
Slush machines are considered impulse buys. They are commonly found in a dominant position on countertops or near tills.
Slush Machines are a great investment.
A commercial slushy machine is a unit that can create and dispense slush. You can update your beverage menu and increase your drink selection with the help of slushy makers.
A frozen slushy, granita or granita maker can make a big marketing impact. It is a great way to draw customers’ attention and create a focal point. Furthermore, unlike refrigerated drink dispensers that must always be emptied at night and refilled the next day, slush can remain in the machine overnight.
Slushies can be expensive to purchase and difficult to set-up. This is something you should consider if you are considering entering the market. This shouldn’t discourage you from exploring the slushie market. Although the initial investment may seem high, slush drinks are durable and can withstand substantial mark-ups. You will soon reap the benefits and enjoy a large return on investment (ROI).
What can you put into a Slushie Machine
Slush, as the name implies, is the most commonly used ingredient. However, frozen beverage machines can sometimes offer greater versatility. Cocktails, iced coffees and teas, frappuccinos as well milkshakes, regular chilled water, and granita are all popular uses. A separate machine is required if you wish to profit from the latest trend of carbonated slush or fizzy drinks.
You can find a wide variety of slushy flavours. While this ensures that you are able to accommodate all the most popular flavors, it also gives you the opportunity to think visually about your display. Apart from its distinctive texture and full flavour, slush is known for the vibrant colours. You can use this to your advantage in order to attract custom. Your slush can be made standout by using contrasting colors for multiple tank models.
How do commercial slushie makers work?
Understanding how commercial slush machines work is key. It’s important to understand each component, their function, and what role they play in creating and dispensing slush.
The machine’s base is the main body and houses the compressor, condenser and refrigeration system. It’s the heart of slushie makers that allows you to create flavoured slushie ice. It can be levelled to provide a steady support for the tank and ensure smooth operation.
Drip Tray
Drip trays, which are placed at the base of your machine, catch any drips or spillages and keep surrounding surfaces clean. Drip trays can generally be removed so that they can be quickly empty and cleaned as necessary.
Handle & Slush Dispenser Tape
Most equipment has a pull- or push handle, which allows the slush to flow to the tap. For easy cleaning, each component can be removed. This will allow for food safety and hygiene.
Central Cooling/Freezing Cylinder
Slush machines don’t have the horizontal refrigeration tube found in juice dispensers. They use a horizontal cylinder instead. This evenly distributes the freezing temperatures throughout the slush tanks and into the mixture, ensuring the desired results.
Stirrers
The stirrers are also called agitators. They attach to the central freezing cylindrical in a circular fashion to evenly circulate and mix slush. While all slush machines use horizontal stirrers to mix the slush back and forth, some models also have vertical stirrers that move up and down.
Bowl/Tank
The bowl or tank is the container that contains the freezing cylinder, stirrers, and slush mixture. It also holds the handle and tap. Bowls are made of strong plastic, which is durable and easy to clean.
Slush Mixture
Although it isn’t technically part of the machine’s structure the slush mix is an important ingredient. If the refrigeration system is what drives the machine, then the slush will be its lifeblood. The mixture must contain the right proportion of sugar and water in order to create the perfect consistency.
If you aren’t ready to create your own mix, there are ready-made syrups or slushies that can be made with the right amount of sugar. All that is required to get the desired results is water diluting according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once the mixture is diluted, the mixture must be manually poured into bowls.
Slush Drinks Machines
Many questions must be answered to narrow down the options and select the best slush drinks machine for your company.
How much countertop space are you allowed to use?
You will need to decide where you want to put the equipment. Are you able to use the space you have or do you need to make it? You will need to consider the space available for the slushie machine. This will determine the maximum footprint that the unit can be placed in your home.
How many tanks do you have?
You can only offer so many slush flavours if you have enough tanks. Although customers are generally more likely to choose from multiple flavors, it is not always possible given the space available on your countertop. The larger the size and footprint of your machine, the more flavours you will need.
What are you most passionate about serving?
The obvious answer is slush, but equipment doesn’t necessarily limit what you can do. Some models (but not all) can also be used to make frozen drinks such as iced coffees, frappuccinos, and milkshakes. These drinks all need to be frozen.
You don’t have to stop there. Many manufacturers offer the ability to freeze beverages or refrigerate them. You can make chilled orange juice as well as frozen slush with one device.
How many slush cup servings do you think are necessary?
Once you’ve established the range of flavours that you would like to offer within your business’s footprint, as well as what you want to actually serve, now it is time to estimate how many servings. This will directly affect the size and weight of the bowls and tanks.
The capacity ranges between 5 litres and 12 litres. If you have a low estimate of the expected servings, a smaller capacity is better. A larger tank will need to be used for high turnover. While smaller bowls can serve larger numbers, they will need to be filled more often and will therefore require more manual input.
Slush serving sizes are generally between 7 and 8 oz. (198 ml – 0 d.p. up to 20 oz (568 mg to 0 D.P.). You’ll get more from your tank the smaller you make the serving. The larger the serving size, you’ll get less from a single bowl.
We recommend going for the higher portion of your serving amount. This allows you to ensure that your equipment is able to handle the increased demand for slush.