# Best hard ice cream and gelato machines for small shops Source: https://scoopandchurn.com/best/best-commercial-ice-cream-machine Publisher: Scoop & Churn. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://scoopandchurn.com/how-we-pick A small shop making scoopable hard ice cream or gelato needs a batch freezer, not a soft serve dispenser. A batch freezer fills a refrigerated cylinder with mix, freezes it with a dasher, and you pull the finished batch into pans for the dipping case. The numbers that decide whether a machine fits your shop are hourly output, cylinder size, which sets how much you make per batch, and the power it draws, since many shops are limited to standard 110V outlets. Cleaning matters too, because you will clean the cylinder daily. This guide compares the hard ice cream machines in our candidate pool, from a 2.8 liter countertop unit to a 17 liter floor model, on the output, cylinder, wattage, voltage and cleaning features their listings state. Where a listing leaves a figure out, the table says Not stated so you can confirm it with the seller before ordering. ## Picks ### 1. Kolice ETL Certificate Commercial Hard ice Cream Machine Gelato ice Cream Making Machine Italian Water ice Maker-Italy Designed Extra Strong Door, 9-11 Gal Per Hour Output per hour: 9 to 11 gallons; Cylinder: Not stated; Power: 2200W; Voltage: 110V, US plug; Cleaning: Auto washing An ETL-certified Kolice gelato and hard ice cream batch freezer that the listing says passed NSF testing, rated at 9 to 11 gallons per hour on 110V. The best fit for a shop making its own case of flavors. What the listing offers: - 9 to 11 gallons per hour on a 110V US plug, per the listing. - ETL certified and listed as having passed NSF testing, which helps with health inspections. - You can feed chocolate, biscuits, nuts or fruit into the batch while the machine runs. Limits to know: - At 231 lb and about 52 inches tall, it needs floor space and help to install. - The listing does not state the cylinder capacity. ### 2. VEVOR Commercial Hard Ice Cream Machine, 2000W 3.17-5.28 Gal/Hour, Countertop Gelato Hard Serve Ice Cream Maker with 6L 304 Stainless Steel Cylinder, Auto Clean LED Panel for Snack Bar Restaurants Output per hour: 3.17 to 5.28 gallons; Cylinder: 6 L, 304 stainless; Power: 2000W; Voltage: Not stated; Cleaning: One-touch cleaning A countertop hard ice cream machine with a 6 liter 304 stainless cylinder and a touchscreen, rated at 3.17 to 5.28 gallons per hour. A strong value for cafes and small dipping shops. What the listing offers: - The 6 liter cylinder is the largest among the countertop picks here. - Hard ice cream in 20 to 30 minutes per batch, according to the listing. - A touchscreen with automatic mode, one-touch cleaning and timer settings. Limits to know: - The listing does not state the voltage, so confirm your outlet can handle 2000W. - The body is 201 stainless; only the cylinder is food-grade 304. ### 3. Kolice Commercial Desktop Hard ice Cream Machine, Counter top Hard ice Cream Maker, Ice Cream Machine, Snack Food Machine for Restaurant, Snack Bar, Ice Cream Shop Output per hour: 4 gallons; Cylinder: 4.5 L; Power: 1400W; Voltage: 110V; Cleaning: One-key auto washing A 110V countertop hard ice cream machine with a 4.5 liter cylinder, a transparent door and one-key washing, rated at 4 gallons per hour. Suits food trucks and small cafes on standard power. What the listing offers: - Runs on 110V at 1400W with a 4.5 liter cylinder, per the listing. - A full transparent door lets staff watch the batch freeze. - One-key automatic running, one-key washing and current overload protection. Limits to know: - At 110 lb it is heavy for a countertop unit. - The listing does not mention ETL or NSF certification for this model. ### 4. Commercial Ice Cream Machine 1400W, 20 L/H Yield Countertop Hard Serve Ice Cream Maker with 4.5L Stainless Steel Cylinder, LED Panel & Timer, for Restaurants Snack cafes (21.13 Qt) Output per hour: 4.2 to 5.3 gallons; Cylinder: 4.5 L, SUS304; Power: 1400W; Voltage: Not stated; Cleaning: Not stated A 1400W countertop hard serve machine with a 4.5 liter SUS304 cylinder and dual beaters, rated at 16 to 20 liters per hour. A lower-cost pick for concession stands and food trucks. What the listing offers: - 16 to 20 liters per hour from a 4.5 liter cylinder, at one of the lowest prices here. - A fast 10 to 35 minute freeze with dual beaters, per the listing. - A sloped LCD panel shows production time and quantity at a glance. Limits to know: - The listing does not state voltage or describe an auto-clean function. - The listing warns that too much alcohol will stop the base from freezing. ### 5. Kolice Heavy Duty ETL Certificate Commercial Gelato Hard ice Cream Machine, Sorbettos Making Machine, Italian water Ice Cream Machine,12-15 Gal/Hour Output per hour: 12 to 15 gallons; Cylinder: 17 L; Power: 2800W, double compressors; Voltage: 110V; Cleaning: Auto washing A heavy-duty ETL-certified batch freezer with a 17 liter cylinder and double compressors, rated at 12 to 15 gallons per hour. For shops that already sell enough to fill a large dipping case daily. What the listing offers: - 12 to 15 gallons per hour is the highest output in this guide. - Double commercial compressors and a 17 liter cylinder, per the listing. - Vertical feeding lets you add mix-ins while the machine runs. Limits to know: - At 286 lb and about 56 inches tall, it is a floor machine, not a countertop unit. - It is the most expensive pick, and more than most small shops need. ### 6. VEVOR Commercial Ice Cream Machine 1400W 20/5.3 Gph Hard Serve Ice Cream Maker with LED Display Screen Auto Shut-Off Timer One Flavors Perfect for Restaurants Snack bar Supermarkets Output per hour: 4.2 to 5.3 gallons; Cylinder: 4.2 L; Power: 1400W; Voltage: Not stated; Cleaning: One-click cleaning A 1400W hard serve machine with a 4.2 liter cylinder, copper tube condenser and one-click cleaning in a compact countertop body. Suits shops with limited counter depth. What the listing offers: - Compact at about 15.7 x 19.6 x 27.5 inches, the narrowest stated width in this guide. - A copper tube condenser and side ventilation help heat dissipation. - A sloped LCD panel with auto refrigeration, one-click cleaning and timer. Limits to know: - The listing does not state voltage, so confirm your outlet first. - Output matches the FOHERE, which costs less. ### 7. AnyDoor Commercial Hard Ice Cream Maker Machine 1400W 110V 3 to 4 Gallons Per Hour Gelato Ice Cream Machine with Auto Clean LED Panel Perfect for Snack Bar Restaurants Output per hour: 3.2 gallons; Cylinder: Not stated; Power: 1400W; 1290W compressor; Voltage: 110V; Cleaning: Auto clean A 110V hard ice cream and gelato machine with a 1290W compressor, 304 stainless cylinder and auto clean, rated at 12 liters per hour. Suits snack bars that need a modest, plug-in batch freezer. What the listing offers: - Runs on 110V with a stated 1290W compressor. - The cylinder is food-grade 304 stainless steel, per the listing. - Copper condenser, high-speed mixer and a large exhaust system are listed. Limits to know: - The listing calls the cylinder extra-large but gives no volume. - At 3.2 gallons per hour it trails the 4 liter class machines. ### 8. VEVOR Commercial Hard Ice Cream Machine, 500W 1.32 Gal/Hour, Gelato Hard Serve Ice Cream Maker with 2.8L 304 Stainless Steel Cylinder, Auto Clean LED Panel High Productivity for Snack Bar Restaurants Output per hour: 1.32 gallons; Cylinder: 2.8 L, 304 stainless; Power: 500W; Voltage: Not stated; Cleaning: Auto clean A small 500W hard ice cream machine with a 2.8 liter cylinder, rated at 1.32 gallons per hour. Suits testing recipes, a cafe adding a few flavors, or large home batches. What the listing offers: - Electronic controls for mixing, freezing, hard ice cream, milkshake and storage. - Hard ice cream or milkshakes in 15 to 40 minutes, per the listing. - At 500W it draws far less power than the other machines here. Limits to know: - 1.32 gallons per hour is too little for a busy dipping case. - Voltage is not stated, and the body is 201 stainless. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.