How to display and store ice cream

Ice cream is one of Earth’s most magical foods. It’s incredible that in a world of such technological sophistication, some carefully whipped, cooled and stored dairy can bring so much joy. But it can. It’s one of those rare treats that sparks joy and draws crowds of all ages.

But behind every scoop served perfectly chilled lies careful storage and smart displays, thanks to your ice cream freezer. Get the right unit and invest in maintaining it, and you’ll keep customers happy, stock fresh, and your business running smoothly.

Keep it cool. Creamy. And consistent

Ice cream’s biggest enemy is temperature fluctuation. If it melts even slightly and refreezes, it loses texture, taste and quality. That’s because ice crystals form and give the ice cream that harsh, rough feeling. That means ruined batches and wasted money.

To avoid this, keep your ice cream freezer at the right temperature. The ice cream itself shouldn’t rise above -18 °C. Ideally, aim for -20 °C. This temperature keeps ice cream firm but scoopable, exactly how you want it. Use a reliable, commercial freezer designed for ice cream storage instead of a generic freezer. Others simply can’t keep up with the strict temperature requirements.

Check and record temperatures on a regular basis using probe thermometers placed near the coldest spot and around the unit. Consistent monitoring helps catch issues early before your stock takes a hit. Remember, even small fluctuations can lead to ice crystals forming and the texture declining.

And on the subject of temperature, don’t neglect the door seals. Although they’re a relatively minor consideration, worn or damaged gaskets let warm air in, causing frost buildup and temperature swings. We recommend a simple test: put a piece of paper between the door and close it. If it slips out easily, it’s time to replace the gasket.

And finally, avoid overfilling your freezer with ice cream containers. Good airflow inside the unit means even cooling and prevents hot spots. Leave space between tubs or containers and develop a workflow that prevents you from overloading your freezer. Your ice cream (and your customers) will thank you.

Display to sell (and preserve)

You’re running a business, and marketing is critical. Showing your ice cream in its best light helps customers notice it more easily. Your ice cream display freezers need to keep your products cold and accessible while showing off your range in the best light.

That’s a very fiddly balance, and that’s why dedicated ice cream display freezers are so important. For example, use display freezers with glass lids, domes or sliding tops. These naturally provide better insulation without compromising easy access for staff and customers. Open-top freezers work well for some self-service applications (catering businesses or certain restaurants), but monitor the temperature closely. If anything goes wrong, it’ll drop quickly.

Lighting makes a massive difference. Modern LED lights generate less heat and keep the freezer cooler, unlike traditional bulbs. They also tend to be brighter, meaning they make your ice cream colours pop. And that’s what might first catch a customer’s eye.

Even tub organisation plays an important role. It’s best practice to arrange tubs with popular flavours (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, raspberry ripple, lemon meringue, mint choc chip, cookie dough – you know the deal) front and centre. Label everything clearly with allergen info and ingredients. A neat, organised display reduces the time customers and staff spend searching, cutting down door openings and temperature spikes.

Finally, take the time to train your team to keep lids closed as much as possible. There are several ways to do this. Just ensure that you don’t come across as condescending.

For instance, train new starters from day one to treat closing freezer lids as part of the natural flow of service, rather than just a rule to remember. Explain that keeping the cold in protects texture, saves stock, and avoids temperature spikes, and that protecting the ice cream helps the whole team. Lead by example during busy shifts, and when someone does it right, a quick “nice one” goes way further than a scolding reminder.

Handle reserve stock with care

Although your ice cream needs to be stored and displayed carefully in the front-of-house, you’ll also have storage freezers in your kitchen, ready to top up your customer-facing stock when it gets low. And your ice cream stock needs just as much care as what’s out front.

The same temperature requirements apply just as much here. In fact, they’re arguably even more important, because you might not notice if something’s slightly off. Keep the ice cream freezer between -18 °C and -20 °C.

Always store new deliveries at the correct temperature straight away. Don’t leave tubs out while sorting other items, as even brief exposure can permanently affect the texture. There’s no way to get those ice crystals out once they’ve formed! As always, keep your stock organised using FIFO (first-in, first-out).

Never allow tubs to thaw and refreeze. If any start to soften in the reserve freezer, use them promptly or consider marking them down before quality drops. And if that’s happening, make sure you have a backup on hand immediately to prevent losing everything. Then, investigate and diagnose the problem.

That leads us nicely into TLC for ice cream freezers (both display and storage). Stay on top of the maintenance. Clean the condenser coils monthly to maintain cooling efficiency. Manually defrost when frost builds up – too much ice blocks airflow and leads to uneven temperatures, which your stock won’t handle well.

The ice cream freezer in your rear-of-house doesn’t need to be display-focused. You could use a standard stainless steel upright model, but chest freezers are more ideal. As long as it has excellent ventilation, above-par reliability and can hold a consistently cold temperature when the door opens, you should be fine.

If you’re ready to upgrade your ice cream storage or display freezers, Fridgesmart is here to help. We supply reliable, commercial-grade freezers designed for all kinds of food, drink, and ice cream parlour businesses across the UK. Take a look at our range online or get in touch to find the perfect fit for your space and needs.