Delivery
Machines are delivered and picked up within a 12-mile radius of Cedar Rapids. Delivery and setup is included in the price of the rental. If you live farther away, please consult with me and we can work something out. Iowa City / Coralville and locations outside the 12-mile radius require a $30 delivery fee. During very busy times I do allow for customer pick-up if I am not able to deliver to you due to scheduling. A $250 damage deposit per machine and prepayment of the rental fee is required when they are picked up.
Weight
The machines are very heavy (single flavor ice cream machine @ 170 to 210 pounds, shake machine @ 240 pounds, and the twist machine at a whopping 300 lbs. All will come on a wheeled cart. They can be moved to a sturdy table, if desired. The Flavorburst option is a cabinet that contains the syrup system. It weighs approximately 100 lbs. and stays on the floor.
Electrical Requirements
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
Single flavor and shake machines
The electrical requirements of shake / ice cream machines are significant! They consume approximately 1700-1800 Watts each (110 Volts) and require their own 20-amp electrical circuit. No other devices can be plugged into the same circuit or the circuit breaker will definitely trip. This is especially true if you plan to have electric warmers or crock pots of any kind at your event and you do not know which circuit breaker is wired to which outlet. Tripping a breaker at an event location where you do not have access to the breaker panel can be very problematic. You could be without ice cream AND hot food, so please investigate this ahead of time. Some houses have 15 Amp circuits for their outlets. These are NOT sufficient and will trip when the machine is turned on. Most homes and locations have at least a few 20 amp circuits, so please investigate this prior to your event. I provide up to 100 feet of heavy duty extension cords that should reach to most locations. Please let me know if you believe you will need a significant amount of extension cord as it must be 12 gauge or heaver to function properly. If you are concerned about your location’s electrical capabilities, please consult with me first. I have not come across a location where I cannot make it work, but if planning is done up front it can reduce headaches and stress for everyone at the time of the event.
For your reference, newer wiring in most public locations can be identified as below:
It is possible to have a 20-amp circuit on a plug type shown on the right. It is not very common to have a 15-amp circuit with a plug type on the left, as that is definitely not to local electrical codes.
Twist machines
The twist machine requires a 220 Volt outlet. In homes and rental spaces this can typically be found if there is an electric oven that is not being used. If the twist machine is to be used, then the oven cannot be used at your event. Warmers or hot plates are a possible substitution for an electric oven. In homes with an electric dryer (not gas) then it will be on a 220 Volt circuit that can be utilized for the twist machine. I have several 50 foot 220 volt extension cords that can be utilized to get the machine to the area you need. Please verify that 50 feet of extension cord from either the oven or the dryer is sufficient to locate the twist machine where you want it. Upon booking the twist machine, I will request a photo of your 220 Volt outlet to verify I can plug into it. There are many different types. I have a gas generator that can be used for locations where there is no 220 volt outlet. Please consult with me on the cost of this option.
Ice Cream Mix
I use a real dairy ice cream mix with my machines. I can get it in chocolate and vanilla flavor. It comes in half gallon cartons / bags. For estimation purposes, each carton will make approximately 15 medium sized cones, 15 medium-small sundaes, or about seven 12 ounce shakes. The cost of the mix is $7.00. If you choose the Flavorburst shake or soft serve option, there is a $2.00 charge for the mix per carton ($9.00 total) as this directly correlates to how much flavor syrup is used. I deliver the mix with the machines and do not charge for cartons that are not used. I have been providing a combination of ice cream mixes some of which do not require refrigeration and some which do require it. Please be aware that I do not provide coolers/ice or refrigerators, so please arrange for iced coolers or refrigerator space at your event. The mix is peanut free for those concerned with peanut allergies.
Capacity and Dispensing
The soft serve machines have a 1 liter freezing chamber which is only about 4 cups. The twist machine has two 1 liter freezing chambers. They can dispense about 4-5 servings in rapid succession and then it takes about 2-3 minutes to “catch up”. This typically is not an issue for parties where usage is intermittent, however if the party is very large, it is something you should be aware of. It can continually dispense servings if you wait about 30 seconds between each one. Ice cream is ready for serving about 15 minutes after turning the machine on.
The shake machine has a 4 liter freezing chamber which is very large. Due to its larger size, it takes about 20 minutes before it is ready to dispense after turning it on. This machine typically has no problem keeping up with demand due to its larger freezing chamber. It is designed for much higher capacity than the soft serve machine. If you are concerned about dispensing rate, I would opt for the shake machine.
Flavors
My twist machine will do two flavors and a combination of both. Flavorburst or twist can also be used for school colors. For example: I’ve added yellow food coloring for the base vanilla color and used cherry syrup to do Iowa State colors at a wedding. My twist machine can have any two colors added to a base vanilla mix to get school colors as well
Chocolate or vanilla mixes are the only two flavors I offer. If you are a strawberry lover you can make your own strawberry flavored ice cream by adding 1 packet of unsweetened strawberry Kool-Aid to each carton of mix and then putting in in the machine. Other flavors of Kool-Aid would work, too, such as raspberry. I've tried it an the flavors come out great.
Cleaning
Not required. I deliver, pick up, drain, and clean the machine. If arrangements are made for pick-up the following day, I do request that ice cream mix is drained from the machine. Water should be run through the machine to rinse out the mix. I will advise on how to do this.
Downloadable Instructions
Below are download-able and printable instructions on filling, starting, and rinsing the machines. If you have any questions on the use of the machines, please do not hesitate to contact me. A Taylor 142 is a beige colored machine, Taylor 152 is a stainless machine, Taylor C152 is stainless with black panel.
Taylor 142
Taylor 152
Miscellaneous
Taylor C152
Tayor Twist Machine
Planning the location of the machine: Please locate the machine as close as you can to an outlet that will not have any other devices plugged into it or that are on the same electrical circuit. If you also rent the hot fudge dispenser, it will need to be on a different circuit, so please keep that in mind. Again, I have extension cords, but if it is a busy day for me, you may want to have some of your own cords on hand for anything you may want to plug in. Also, a fair amount of warm air blows out the right side of the ice cream machine, so it’s best to have the machine on the right side of a table or else it will blow over cups, napkins, or dry out food if it is close. If you locate the machine away from the table a few feet it can be placed on the left side of a serving table, but the right is preferable.
It is not good to run the ice cream machine dry. Doing so can freeze up the machine and do some damage to the mechanical parts / belts / motor. You do not get charged for mix left in the machine when then event is over, so it is not necessary to get as close to empty as possible.
When considering the amount of ice cream mix you will go through, it has my experience that the following factors should be taken into consideration:
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Will ice cream be the main offering or will there be a lot of other options? If there is a lot of other food, then not everyone will have a serving of ice cream. Having other food choices will affect ice cream consumption considerably. Just as a note, my average usage at a graduation party is in the 6-10 carton range. Shakes will use more mix, but that can be controlled by purchasing smaller cups.
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Will there be a lot of young children at the event? If yes, then plan for more usage, especially if the Flavorburst option is used.
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Of course, the weather – if it is hot, you will go through a lot more than if it is cooler.
FAQ
Q: How long does it take for the ice cream to be ready once the machine is filled and turned on?
A: It takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes from the time I arrive to when the ice cream is ready to be served. I typically do not leave the event until the ice cream is ready.
Q: Do you stay and serve the ice cream when I rent a machine from you?
A: No, that is not a service I offer.
Q: My ice cream machine was delivered several days before my party. How do I fill it and get it going for my party?
A: I provide electronic documents for your particular machine. If you didn't get a document sent to you via email, it is on my website. https://iowaicecream.wixsite.com/rental/rental-info Scroll down to Downloadable Instructions and pick the machine you received. I have several models of machines, so we won't know the exact machine you will get until it is delivered.
Q: How many servings of ice cream are in one half gallon of ice cream mix?
A: There are approximately 15 four ounce servings (about 3/4 cup of ice cream) in one carton / bag of ice cream mix.
Q: Is the ice cream mix real dairy?
A: Yes - you're getting real ice cream. Milk, cream, sugar
Q: Do I have to pay for all the mixes you bring to my event?
A: No, you only pay for what is opened and I always bring more than enough, so you will not run out.
Q: What kind of cup/bowl should I get for my event?
A: I encourage the purchase of smaller (8 or 9 ounce) paper sundae cups for your event. Smaller is better for a few reasons. 1) there is less waste of ice cream as people do not overfill and then not eat all of it, 2) in heavy demand situations, it is easier for the machine to keep up when people do not overfill their cups. 3) Remember, guests can always come back for seconds or thirds.
You can get bowls, but I recommend sundae cups. Cones? Yes, but they can be very messy on hot days where soft serve will melt quickly. Also, they are easily dropped.
Here is a sample of cups I would recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Ice-Cream-Cups-Disposable/dp/B07DS99W5F/ref=sr_1_2?crid=FIMRESABSB6D&keywords=sundae%2Bcups%2Bdisposable&qid=1650777245&sprefix=sundae%2Bcups%2Caps%2C626&sr=8-2&th=1
Q: Is the ice cream mix peanut free
A: Yes
Q: How many servings will an ice cream machine hold before you need to refill it?
A: Most of the machines hold about 3 cartons of mix which is about 45 servings. The twist machine is twice that, as there are two hoppers / two freezing chambers. You can add mix whenever you want, provided the hopper can hold a carton. There is a mix low light on the machine which indicates there is about 1 carton left in the hopper (about 10 to 15 servings). Don't let the machine run dry as it is bad for it.
Q: Does the machine come on a cart?
A: Yes, the machine comes on a wheeled cart, but can also be placed on a sturdy table, if desired. However, the twist machine must stay on its cart as it is 300+ lbs.. I prefer the machines stay on the carts, if possible. A single flavor machine is 200 lbs, so if you want to put it on a table, it must be able to hold at least 200 lbs. The twist machine cart is very industrial looking as it needs to support 310 lbs.. You may want to put a skirt on it to make it look a little nicer.
Q: Do you deliver the ice cream mix in a cooler so that it stays cold?
A: Sorry, I do not. The customer will need to have a means to keep the mix refrigerated. I currently use two types of ice cream mixes; one that does not require refrigeration and one that does. A typical party will only need fridge space for 3 to 4 half gallon cartons. The remainder will be the non-refrigerated type.
Q: What forms of payment do you take?
A: I accept cash, checks, and Venmo (account to account transfer). I can take a credit card, if necessary, but let me know in advance that you will be paying with a credit card and there will be a 3% fee for that.
Q: Will you provide an invoice to me?
A: Yes, I use an invoicing app on my phone and you will get an electronic copy sent to your email address.
Q: When do you want to be paid?
A: Payment is due when I come to pick up the machine from your event, since that is when we will know how much mix you used. I do not bill for unopened mixes. If your event is not at your residence, please remember to bring your checkbook or cash with you for payment. Finally, if it is a very busy day for me, I will let you know. In the graduation party season, I know customers often want to get to other parties after theirs is over. Busy days can result in pickups that can be very late or very early in the morning. In those cases, I just need access to the machine and leftover mix, then I will quickly pick up the machine and send an invoice for payment.
Q: What can I do to make sure the rental and ice cream making goes smoothly.
Answer 1: Be sure the power situation is confirmed beforehand! The single flavor machine needs a 20 Amp circuit with nothing else plugged into the same circuit. If you are renting a fudge warmer, it will require a different plug on a different circuit / different breaker. The twist machine will not have this problem. With the twist machine, you just need to be sure you send a photo of the 220 Volt outlet to Iowa Ice Cream before the event and know it is a working outlet.
Answer 2: If a line starts to form at the ice cream machine, there is a chance the machine will not be able to keep up with demand. It has about 6 or 7 servings in it at all times, but if more than that are dispensed in rapid succession, users will need to wait about 3 - 4 minutes before the ice cream will firm up again. The best solution for this is to have a person monitoring the machine. So if your party is large and demand is heavy, best to have a monitor, or better yet a person dispensing the ice cream to guests. Signs posted at the machine do not work. I seldom have issues at graduation parties. Weddings can be more of a challenge for this.
Q: What does a typical graduation party cost?
A: A single flavor machine with no options, that is inside the free delivery area, and 8 cartons of mix will run right at $260. Eight cartons is about average, but it can vary if it is hot, there is a lot of other food available, etc. The twist machine average for the same is about $290. Fees will be higher if options are added and there is a delivery charge. I always disclose the delivery charge in advance and it will be listed in your confirmation email.
Q: Do you supply cups, spoons, or other toppings?
A: At this time I do not supply these items.
Q: Do I need to pay a deposit to make a reservation?