How it works
The machine heats the mix in the hopper and cylinder, holds the temperature and then cools back down to serving temperature. On Nissei machines: 72 °C, at least 35 minutes; the whole cycle runs automatically, usually at night (according to Nissei). In the morning the machine is ready without anyone dismantling it.
What it means day to day
| Without pasteurisation | With pasteurisation | |
|---|---|---|
| Dismantle and clean | Every few days | Every 6 weeks, according to Nissei |
| At our kiosk, 5-month season | About 50 cleanings | About 4 cleanings |
| Mix lost per cleaning | About 10 litres | Rarely |
| Working time per cleaning | About 2 hours | Only at the big cleaning |
Powder or liquid mix?
Most businesses, including ours, work with powder mix: easy to store, long shelf life. With pasteurisation, powder mix even becomes more even, because sugar and protein dissolve completely; the first portions afterwards often taste especially smooth. If you want even less effort, use pasteurised liquid mix, for example from NIC.
Three misconceptions
- “Pasteurisation spoils the taste.” Our experience is the opposite.
- “Cleaning every three days is part of the job.” Not with pasteurisation.
- “You cannot pasteurise yogurt.” You can: Nissei even builds its own frozen yogurt series with pasteurisation.
Hygiene and inspections
For families and children, hygiene in soft serve is a matter of trust. A machine that pasteurises automatically and logs it also makes official inspections easier. LGL Bavaria summarises which values apply to soft serve (see sources).
Related
Frequently asked questions
How often does a pasteurising soft serve machine need cleaning?
According to Nissei, fully dismantle and clean every six weeks. In between, the machine pasteurises automatically.
Does pasteurisation change the taste?
In our experience, for the better: sugar and protein dissolve completely and the ice cream gets smoother.
Does pasteurisation pay off for small businesses too?
Especially where little is sold: the mix stays good longer and you pour away less. There are compact countertop machines with pasteurisation.
Sources
We quote makers’ figures with their source. Experience from our kiosk is marked as such.
