Can An Ice Cream Machine Make Gelato?

Gelato is a delicious Italian delicacy similar to ice cream. Its silky, rich texture and deep natural flavor have made it a unique and popular dessert all over the world. If you run a restaurant, cafe or other food service business and are thinking about expanding your menu to include gelato, you may be wondering: can an ice cream machine make gelato? The answer is not just in the machine itself; it’s in the product. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between ice cream and gelato, explore the pros and cons of different machines, and tell you everything you need to know to sell a gelato that is authentic, flavorful, and delicious so your customers will keep coming back for more. 

Ice Cream vs. Gelato

Ice cream and gelato are both delicious and popular frozen desserts, but they differ in several important ways. 

Ice cream is a frozen dessert made with a custard base composed of milk, cream, sugar, and often, egg yolks. It has a higher milk fat content than gelato, ranging from 10-18%, which helps give it a smooth, creamy texture. Ice cream also has a higher overrun (meaning more air is introduced during the churning process) than gelato, which makes it lighter and fluffier. Ice cream is served slightly colder than gelato, around 0℉. 

Gelato, on the other hand, starts with a lower-fat base made with less cream and no egg yolks. This results in a lower milk fat content (between 4-8%). It’s churned at a lower speed than ice cream with a lower overrun, resulting in a denser, silkier product. Gelato is traditionally made with natural flavors like dark chocolate and sea salt, amarena cherry, coconut, or pistachio. It is served warmer than ice cream (at around 10-20℉) which helps these natural ingredients stand out and gives the treat a more intense flavor. Gelato is enjoyed as a unique treat in many artisanal shops worldwide. 

When shopping for a gelato maker for your business, it’s important to consider these differences. They play a crucial role in deciding what kind of machine will meet your needs! 

Soft-Serve Machines

Can a commercial soft-serve machine make gelato? It’s not typically recommended. You can produce something similar to gelato in a soft-serve ice cream maker, but it won’t be real Italian gelato. Soft-serve machines are designed to incorporate more air while churning, which makes the product lighter and fluffier. If used to make gelato, the product would end up too light. Additionally, soft-serve machines are kept too cold for gelato, which could result in texture difficulties and iciness. So, while a soft-serve machine could produce something similar to gelato, it might not be the best choice for making authentic Italian gelato. If your customers have had the real thing, they’ll know the difference. 

Batch Freezers

What about commercial batch freezers? Batch freezers are designed to make ice cream, meaning they are programmed to have a higher overrun and colder temperature. If your machine allows you to manually control the churning time, temperature, and overrun, you could produce something close to gelato. If not, you’ll probably end up with a product that may taste good but won’t be authentic. 

One issue you may encounter in using an ice cream maker to produce gelato is timing. Many gelato machines have an automatic storage mode, so the finished gelato can stay in the machine for a longer period of time before you move it to a display case. This gives you more flexibility in your production and preserves the unique texture of the gelato. Batch freezers aren’t programmed with this feature, so you risk the gelato becoming too hard or icy if you don’t transfer it immediately after the cycle finishes. 

If you want gelato to be a part of your frozen dessert business and you are not concerned with producing true Italian-style gelato just yet, a batch freezer can be a good option. A batch freezer, like the SaniServ Model B-5 or the SaniServ Model B-10, would give you the flexibility to produce both ice cream and gelato, without the expense of investing in a separate machine for each dessert. If eventually you find yourself wanting to produce higher quality gelato, then you can think about upgrading to a gelato machine.

Gelato Machines

Finally, we have the gelato machine. These machines are made to produce authentic, quality gelato for your business that has the perfect texture, flavor, and temperature.

Many customers buy gelato for the experience and are often willing to pay more for quality. When you prioritize producing a high quality product by using the right machine, you can feel confident that you are selling your customers an authentic Italian experience worth paying for. Investing in a professional machine will allow you to deliver the kind of gelato that will keep your customers coming back for more. 

When shopping for a gelato maker for your business, it’s important to look for one with low overrun capability, precise temperature control, and overall durability and dependability. If you want authentic Italian gelato, a gelato machine is the way to go.

Should you invest?

So, should you invest in a professional gelato machine? The answer will depend on your situation and how much you are willing to invest in your business. If you are aiming to produce premium or artisanal gelato, a quality gelato maker is a must. The results you get from a commercial gelato machine are simply unmatched. For smaller businesses, a countertop machine like the Nemox 5K or Nemox 6K can be a good option. On the other hand, the Nemox 12K floor model gelato machine is a great option for business owners who are ready to take their gelato production to the next level. Nemox machines are Italian-made and give you excellent control and flexibility when it comes to mixing and freezing to produce premium, quality gelato, every time. 

As mentioned before, it is possible to make gelato in a batch freezer; it just won’t give you the same results as a commercial gelato maker. Maybe you are starting small and want the ability to produce both ice cream and gelato without having to invest in two different machines. A batch freezer can be a great way to test gelato as a part of your business before making that investment. If you eventually want to produce a more authentic, high-quality gelato, then you can think about upgrading to a gelato machine. 

Conclusion

Italian gelato is a delicious and popular dessert, and when done right can be extremely profitable for your business. While some commercial batch freezers may offer you the flexibility to produce different types of products, if your primary focus is on producing gelato then your best bet will be to invest in a professional gelato machine to ensure that you capture gelato’s classic dense texture, intense natural flavor, and delicious, melt-in-your-mouth experience. If you have questions about gelato or which type of frozen dessert machine is right for your business, you can contact Frozen Equipment Supply’s support team at support@frozenequipment.com and they’ll be happy to help!