How To Use a Soft Serve Machine: A Simplified Guide

It’s no secret that Brüllen Soft Serve Machines are ahead of the curve. People keep talking about our stylish designs, unbeatable texture, service, and consistency. When you buy a Brüllen, you’re not just getting a machine; you’re becoming part of our family. Together we’ll revolutionise the frozen dessert industry, with no idea being too big! That’s why we invest so much time and energy into educating, training and helping our customers get into the soft serve industry.

We support thousands of businesses in setting up their Brüllen and provide comprehensive training resources. We’ve created a simplified guide for you to keep on file for when you’re looking to train new staff or if you decide to buy a new model.

Before getting started: Assemble your Machine Correctly

If your Brüllen is brand new, you’ll need to make sure your machine is assembled and installed correctly before you can serve delicious soft serves. Please follow all training guides and videos provided to help you set up the machine. If you require further assistance, please call our service team, who will be able to jump on a call with you and walk you through the process step by step. 

Be sure to leave 30cm around the machine to accommodate ventilation. This keeps the condenser ventilated and cool, ensuring creamy soft serve ice cream is produced rather than a runny and inconsistent mixture.

Refer to your machine’s specific user manual to set up your machine for use, then proceed to the next step.

Note: If you have purchased a twin cylinder machine, simply apply the steps below to both hoppers.

Step One: Fill the Machine with Your Chosen Mixture

Once your machine is set up, either choose from our popular range of soft serve mixes or purchase your preferred mix from your preferred mix company. Say you fancy an espresso martini frozen soft serve mix, that’s no problem at all! Let your dessert dreams run wild.

Pour your chosen liquid mixture into the hopper, the container at the top of the machine. Be careful not to overfill the hopper, as this will affect the quality of your soft serve later on and lead to unnecessary wastage. Allow the mixture to flow into the freezing cylinder for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.

Step Two: Start the Freezing Process

Set the machine to production mode, and the mixture will start freezing automatically. After 8 to 10 minutes, the ready light will appear (see image below), indicating it’s time to serve.

If you frequently use your Brüllen, it will likely already have a mixture in it. Before proceeding with the step above, you must first switch your machine back on from night mode. Press stop and dispense 500ml of liquid product into a tub before pouring it back into the hopper. This remixes the product to ensure there are no icy clumps in the mixture. 

Step Three: Dispensing the Soft Serve

Now, here comes the fun part—dispensing your frozen yoghurt, acai, or soft serve ice cream! Place a cup or cone under the nozzle and pull the lever down smoothly. Be careful not to force it down too quickly, as this will affect the consistency of your frozen treat. When you’ve poured the desired amount, release the lever to stop the flow. After dispensing, we recommend adding your desired toppings and serving immediately for best results.

Although most of our models operate in this way, our automatic machines are leverless. If your machine falls into this category, simply place your cup under the nozzle and tap the dispensing icon.

During Operation

Throughout the day, or more specifically, your operating hours, make sure the mixture in the hopper stays above halfway at all times. Running the machine on low to empty can damage it!

Also, monitor the consistency of your soft serve; if it’s too runny, your mixture needs more freezing time, but if it's too hard, you may need to adjust the settings or the rest cycle. How your soft serve turns out will tell you how your machine is coping. Caring for your machine is crucial for ensuring longevity and consistently smooth frozen desserts.

Cleaning and Maintenance

You must clean your machine according to product guidelines. Knowing how to clean your machine is mandatory for maintaining safe food-handling practices and staying open.

To start the cleaning process, remove the hopper cover and the gravity feed tube. Place a tub under the nozzle before switching your machine into wash mode. This will drain the remaining mixture out. Proceed to rinse your machine with lukewarm water and Brüllen-certified chemicals. Holding the wash button down for another two minutes will clean the inside of your machine until the water runs clear.

After this, you can disassemble the removable parts, such as the nozzle and drip tray, and sanitise the parts separately. Now your machine is beautiful, clean, and ready to serve next time!

Needing Further Guidance?

If you’re following the steps and things are still not going to plan, it’s worth taking a look at our training videos. Our expert technicians will guide you through the points above with visual cues tailored to your specific machine. We’ve presented the information in a clear and straightforward format, so you can enjoy exceptional-quality soft serve as soon as possible.

We hope this guide has shed some light on how to use your Brüllen soft serve ice cream machine.

If you have any more questions, please reach out to our expert team, who will help you craft an unforgettable frozen dessert experience.