07/12/2026
One of our daily tasks at The Dari is the cleaning and upkeep of the Ice Cream Machine. It’s actually a series of multi tasks as several things are done from start up in the morning in preparation for the day, cleaning as we go through the day and then there is the process for shutting down and preparing for the following day! Of course we also can’t forget to mention the “in-between” things done to maintain this TREAT BEAST.
I call it a “Beast” not only because of its amazing function and production of that final product of creamy ice cream everyone loves but it comes from our past business and another piece of equipment we had.
I’m very lucky Ray is so knowledgeable in regards to machines because he saves us not only money but time in regards to any break downs and “down time” which of course every piece of machine has.
If you’ve ever been here when the machine blows a hose you have seen the mess it creates as the product leaks out of the machines cabinet and if not caught IMMEDIATELY and leaks all over the floor! Because of this and to maintain proper management of food safety, it stops our operation for 15-20 minutes as hoses are replaced and the mess is throughly and properly cleaned.
It’s very stressful for everyone when this occurs as we know many people have been waiting in line and there’s no telling when something like this is going to happen! I am extremely grateful for the patience of people and their willingness to wait or even come back as we take care of the situation when it occurs and truly sad when people become upset at this uncontrollable situation and they decide to leave. I understand your time is valuable and of course this often happens at our busiest times but we also have no control of it when it does happen!
Many of you are at the window when the Ice Cream runs low and we simply need to refill the machine, which just takes a minute or two to do. Some people seem surprised to see as we refill the buckets that it actually starts out as a complete liquid when it goes in to the machine!
I wanted to share the inside of the cabinet to show you what it looks like where we fill it.
Because it’s a milk product we make sure it is cleaned continuously which also ensures that great end product! The buckets are scrubbed out, the inside cabinet is cleaned, and the seal around the door is cleaned in detail with a Q-tip to remove any milk and prevent any kind of buildup.
Ray does a complete cleaning process of steps, so all of the hoses running through from bringing the liquid through the machine and back out as Ice Cream are also continuously cleaned!
We are grateful for all that we have learned from the previous owners in regards to the upkeep of this machine, the countless YouTube videos we have watched in regards to the brand of the machine and the processes to keep it running at its best function, and from the repair people from the company that fixes the machine when we need to call them in.
