Ice Cream Freezers and Gelato Freezers
Before you purchase a freezer for displaying and storing gelato and ice cream it is important to know the differences between ice cream and gelato as well as what style of cream display freezer is best suited to your requirements.
Ice cream has plenty of cream and often contains egg yolks. It has a high fat content, usually about 10%. Ice cream isn’t just made of water and sugar. It contains air bubbles, which give it its lightness and soft texture. When the ice cream is frozen, the fat solidifies first, trapping the air inside. This creates small pockets of air that expand when the ice cream melts, giving it a fluffy texture.
Gelato uses more milk than cream and doesn't use any eggs, meaning that it has a lower fat content and a higher water content than ice cream. Gelato is made using a slow churning method that introduces less air into the base, making the gelato denser and creamier. If you were to store gelato at the same temp as ice cream, the water will crystalise and the gelato will become very hard, hence gelato needs to be served at a warmer temperature. Likewise, ice cream served at gelato temperature will be soft and runny.
ENLAKE's range of freezers listed on this page have temperature adjustability meaning that you can tailor the temperature to suit either ice cream or gelato, but it is critical that ice cream and gelato are served from separate cabinets.
Type of Ice Cream and Gelato Freezers
Gelato and Ice Cream Freezers - Dedicated Display Cabinets
For dedicated ice creameries and gelato shops, these freezers perfectly showcase your product. Thanks to the large glass front and the use of LEDs, light becomes a key element in vastly enhancing the product and attracting the attention of your customers.
One downside to this style of ice cream cabinet is that they are subject to ice build up, meaning that each night you will need to transfer your stock into a storage freezer and defrost the ice cream display cabinet.
Gelato and Ice Cream Freezers - Chest Freezers with Canopies
For stores where ice cream and gelato are a sideline, this style of freezer will be your best choice. These freezers keep the display tubs inside the chest freezer where it is nice and cold. They also have sliding lids that keep the cold in and air out. Keeping air out reduces ice build up and means that you won't have to defrost as often. Other benefits include a cheaper price and extra storage capacity in the bottom of the cavity. The downside is that this style of freezer won't showcase your product as well as a dedicated display cabinet.
Ice Cream Chest Freezers
If you want a merchandising ice cream freezer to sell individual ice creams and icy poles then these will be your best choice. Most of these cabinets have an angled or curved lid which helps customers to easily view what you have for sale. These freezers are also suitable for the overnight storage of ice cream and gelato.