Frozen Drink & Soft Serve Machines

These are refrigerated dispensing machines that freeze a liquid mix to a consistent, scoopable or pourable texture. Soft serve machines churn air into a dairy or non-dairy base to produce a light, creamy product. Granita and slush machines keep a sugar-and-water mix in a semi-frozen state. Shake machines and batch freezers serve different but related needs — all fall under this category.

The range covers soft serve machines in countertop and floor-standing configurations, twin-twist and single-flavour models, shake machines with pump feed, batch freezers for custard and ice cream, granita and slush machines in single and multi-bowl formats, and frozen carbonated beverage machines. Brands include Taylor, Carpigiani, Frigomat, Icetro, Nemox, GBG, Staff Ice System, BRAS, Polar and Cofrimell.

Soft serve machines suit cafes, dessert bars and QSR operations where a creamy, dispensed product is the main draw. Granita and slush machines suit venues selling chilled fruit drinks, cocktail-style beverages or kids' drinks, because the product sits in an open bowl and is ladled or poured rather than dispensed under pressure. Some operators run both side by side to cover a wider menu.

A heat treat cycle raises the product temperature inside the barrel to a pasteurisation range, then returns it to serving temperature — all without emptying the machine. This is particularly useful in busy venues where the machine cannot be broken down and cleaned as frequently as food safety codes may require. Several Taylor models in this range include a built-in heat treat cycle as a standard feature.

Think about your peak hour, not your average hour. A single-barrel machine suits a lower-volume outlet or a secondary menu item. Twin-barrel and twin-twist machines let you run two flavours simultaneously or keep one barrel as backup during a rush. Hopper size also matters — a larger hopper means less frequent refilling during a busy service. Most units in this range sit across a broad capacity spread, so match the spec sheet to your busiest session.

Granita and slush machines are generally gravity-fed from their own bowls and need no water line. Soft serve and shake machines vary — some use a gravity-fed hopper while others use a pump feed system. Electrical requirements differ by model and output capacity, so check the individual product spec sheet before your fit-out. Your electrician should confirm the circuit before installation.

Countertop granita machines like the Cofrimell Oasis and Aurora ranges are compact and suited to a bar top or service counter. Floor-standing soft serve machines such as the Taylor C716 need clear floor space and adequate overhead clearance for the hopper. Always check the footprint dimensions on the product listing and allow extra clearance at the rear for ventilation, as most air-cooled units need room to exhaust heat.

Most manufacturers require the product barrel and hopper to be emptied, disassembled and sanitised on a regular cycle — daily in high-volume venues. Models with a heat treat cycle automate part of this process but do not replace a full strip-down clean. Seals, O-rings and scrapers should be inspected each time the machine is broken down. Always follow the cleaning schedule in the machine's manual, as food safety obligations sit with the operator.

Taylor, Carpigiani and Frigomat are established brands with service networks in Australia, and parts such as scrapers, O-rings, drive shafts and mix pumps are generally obtainable through authorised channels. If you are buying a machine for a high-volume venue, confirm local service support before purchasing. Chefs Depot can point you toward the right contacts for the brands we carry.

Pricing spans a wide range across this category. Entry-level single-bowl granita machines sit at a lower price point, while high-capacity floor-standing soft serve machines with heat treat cycles sit considerably higher. Members save off RRP on every machine in this range. Prices are shown on each product listing, and your member discount applies at checkout.