How to Clean a Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine
Soft serve ice cream is a delicious and classic dessert to treat that after-dinner sweet tooth. The best way to ensure that ice cream is up to serving standards is by making sure to thoroughly clean machines at the end of the day. Below we will go over how to clean a soft serve ice cream machine to help you keep appliances clean and sanitary for serving the next scoop. We also go over a Hydra Rinse system that makes cleaning soft serve machines quick and easy.
Hydra Rinse Cleaning
An easy and efficient way to clean your soft serve ice cream machine is using a Hydra Rinse system to help clean and sanitize internal components. The system helps you avoid manually scrubbing every single part in the machine, so you only have a few parts and hoppers to wipe down and clean. Learn more with our guide on What is a Hydra Rinse and How to Use It.
Manual Cleaning
The following steps are general guidelines on cleaning and maintaining soft serve machines. For model-specific cleaning instructions always consult your manufacturer’s manual.
- Step 1. Drain product from machine - Start by removing any excess food product from the machines. Use a large container to drain the soft serve for an easy process.
- Step 2. Remove lids and removable parts - Remove the lids and any other removable parts like valves, gaskets, pins, caps and more.
- Step 3. Wash parts and lids - Wash any parts and lids that you removed and set them aside on a clean surface. These will be sanitized at a later point.
- Step 4. Add cleaning solution/mix to hoppers - Follow the recommended ratio and use a cleaning solution mixture to add to the hoppers. Put the machine into the WASH cycle if yours has a wash setting.
- Step 5. Drain cleaning solution - After waiting the solution’s recommended time or the end of the wash cycle, drain the solution from the machine.
- Step 6. Scrub down hoppers and internal components - Using a brush, scrub the hopper and all the internal parts. Make sure to thoroughly scrub every component to ensure the inside is clean.
- Step 7. Scrub the dispensing spouts - Gently scrub and wipe down the dispensing spouts to ensure that they are clean and free of leftover food product.
- Step 8. Sanitize all components and hoppers - Either use a spray bottle with sanitizer or a cloth damped with sanitizer and wipe down the hoppers and internal components.
- Step 9. Sanitize removed parts - Take the removable parts from earlier and use the same sanitizing solution to sanitize these parts.
- Step 10. Wipe down and sanitize the exterior - Wipe down the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth. If the exterior is stainless steel, make sure to wipe with the grain to prevent streaks.