What to do with your ice cream freezers in winter

The clocks have gone back, the sun’s packed up early and your customers have started to wear  woolly hats. For businesses built around warm-weather treats, that first quiet week in November can raise a familiar question: What are we doing with the ice cream freezers this winter?

They’re still sitting there, humming along, using energy. Some of them are nearly empty. Others are doing nothing at all. But the good news is, there’s no need to let that carry on. Your ice cream freezers can be an extremely valuable commodity this winter.

Here’s how we recommend food and drink businesses across the UK keep their ice cream units working smarter through the colder months.

Can you use your ice cream freezer for other products during winter?

An ice cream freezer can earn its keep in other ways, and winter brings fresh opportunities, especially with all those Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day parties.

There are all sorts of ideas to start with here, but let’s first consider luxury frozen desserts. Think cheesecakes, Belgian waffles, traybakes, roulades and tubs of premium gelato. They’re perfect for cafés, pubs, restaurants and even corner shops looking to offer indulgent options for December trade, for all those families looking to impress when they host their friends and in-laws. Tuck them into an ice cream freezer near the till, and they’ll start to shift themselves.

Another excellent use of an ice cream freezer in winter, particularly for supermarkets and convenience stores, is frozen party food. You know the sort: samosas and bhajis, sausage rolls and so on. And then frozen party desserts, like profiteroles, mini desserts, ice cream bites and brand-led specials. These are all quick wins for the Christmas crowd.

And if you’re a pub or bistro, don’t forget plated frozen desserts that can be heated and served straight to your customers. These could include brownie slices, sticky toffee pudding or apple crumble. Here’s a quick tick list of other winter-friendly products to try:

• Mini ice cream tubs or stick bars for children’s menus
• Premium desserts for dine-in or takeaway
• Frozen cocktail ingredients or garnishes
• Festive dessert specials
• Vegan or dairy-free frozen items to widen your appeal 

Should you switch off and service your ice cream freezers for winter?

If your ice cream freezer is doing nothing and you have nothing for it to do, your fallback option is to give it a proper break. Ice cream parlours, beachfront cafés, rural tearooms or event-based traders are likely to see more benefits from this approach, because there are no alternative products to sell throughout winter.

If you do decide to not use your freezer, go all in. Unplug your ice cream freezer and use the time to do a deep cleaning and maintenance session, including a service from a trusted and recognised technician. Make sure you store it in a safe place where it won’t get damaged or trap moisture, which can lead to mould, odours and electrical issues. Here’s what to do:

1. Empty it completely – remove all the ice cream, all the trays and anything else you have stored inside it.
2. Defrost it by using an auto-defrost function. If your ice cream freezer doesn’t have this, melt off any ice build-up and remove the moisture.
3. Clean it thoroughly – use food-safe cleaner for internal surfaces and then take the time to fully dry it.
4. Switch it off safely – unplug it or isolate it at the breaker.
5. Leave the lid open – without fans, you need this to stop smells and mould building up inside.
6. Book a service check – get a refrigeration engineer to inspect your unit’s fans, seals and refrigerant levels. 

Is it worth keeping ice cream on sale in winter?

Plenty of people still eat ice cream when it’s cold outside. In winter, we see more parties where ice cream is a favourite for adults and children alike. Ice cream is also a comfort food for many. The dark, grey months make it much sought after, even when the temperature outside is close to zero.

In fact, over 30% of ice cream sales happen outside the summer months.

So, if your ice cream freezer is doing nothing right now, it’s time to make a call. Either put it into proper hibernation with a clean and a service, or rethink what you stock and push seasonal favourites for the months ahead.

Whatever you decide, we’ve got you sorted. At Fridgesmart, we supply businesses all around the UK with some of the best ice cream freezers money can buy. Plus, with excellent warranties, next-day delivery options, and servicing options, we’ve got you covered.

Browse our range online today and get in touch for any questions you might have. We look forward to hearing from you. Find our contact details below.