Contactless ice-cream, refrigerated counters and frozen drinks on tap: the best new cool kitchen kit

Thanks to the recent bout of good weather across the UK, hospitality operators hoping to make hay while the sun shines need look no further.

 

Venues may want to invest in equipment that broadens their drink and ice-cream offers or overhaul their back of house to ensure they can cope with rising temperatures.

 

From serving frozen cocktails to updating your refrigeration, we have rounded up the latest and greatest cool kit for your commercial kitchen.

 

Find quick fixes for all your refrigeration and cool serve needs below.

 

Super-efficient counters

Williams Jade refrigerated counters have been updated to A+ ratings and now have a smaller footprint. Both refrigerated and freezer counters are available in three sizes: two-, three- and four-door, with capacities of 317 litres, 469 litres and 622 litres respectively. All can accommodate 1/1 GN shelves. The counters have been tested to Climate Class 5 and are capable of operating in ambient temperatures up to 43°C. All include Willams’ updated CoolSmart controller, which monitors the internal temperature and minimises energy use by only running the system when required.

 

Price JC2 refrigerator, from £4,370

 

Contactless soft-serve

Carpigiani UK is offering a semi-automatic soft-serve ice-cream machine with contactless payment. The customer places a cup in the holder, taps their card and, once the payment is authorised, the machine automatically fills the cup with soft-serve ice-cream, sorbet or frozen yogurt, including dairy and plant-based options. The new model, the 241 SA PSP, can produce up to 320 servings of 75g of soft-serve in one hour and has a hopper capacity of 12 litres. An automatic self-pasteurisation system means operators can choose when to schedule machine washing, up to a maximum interval of 42 days.

 

Price 241 SA PSP, £18,500

 

Refrigerated prep stations

Aquilo Refrigeration has launched the American Series range of counter fridges. The nine-model stainless steel series has capacities starting at 187 litres up to 460 litres. Six of the models are designed for use as prep stations and feature removable nylon cutting boards and insulated raised pan holders, enabling contents to stay fresh. Temperature settings range from 0.5°C to 5°C.

 

Price AC29-H-PR single door counter refrigerator with saladette, from £1,693

 

Instant frozen cocktails

FEM has added the made in Italy Ugolini range of frozen drink machines to its line-up in two formats: the compact Icon 3 and the large capacity NG Easy. Both countertop units are designed to be easy to install and can be used to make frozen drinks, cold creams, frozen desserts and cocktails. The Icon 3 is available in three models, with single, double or triple dispensing. The compact single bowl version is 180mm wide by 440mm deep and 490mm high, but still holds 2.8 litres. Larger NG Easy models come in six sizes from 6 to 30 litres.

 

Price Icon 3 single bowl model, from £1,400

 

Reduced energy refrigeration

Nisbets’ Polar brand has released new, more efficient models in its C-Series and U-Series ranges. C-Series fridges now have an A or A+ rating, while within the premium U-Series range, many display and counter fridges now achieve an A or B energy class. Both ranges include upright, undercounter, display and deli display fridges, while the U-Series also encompasses ice-cream serve over cabinet freezers and pâtisserie counters. Most products in the range now come with a free extended two-year warranty.

 

Price GL003, from £469