How much ice cream/frozen yoghurt and frozen fruit do you use to make a Real Fruit Ice Cream?

Use two scoops of ice cream or frozen yoghurt, approx. 60 grams (2 ounces) per scoop (120g in total), then add 1 dessert spoon of frozen fruit, appropriately 30-40 grams (1 -1.5 ounces). Large volume ice cream sellers often pre-cut larger commercial ice cream blocks into 120 gram serving sizes to increase productivity during peak times.

What temperature do you need to keep the ice cream/frozen yoghurt and frozen fruit at?

To make the perfect ice cream, the ice cream/frozen yoghurt needs to be kept at -14 to -16 degrees Celsius (3.2 to 6.8 degrees Fahrenheit). This makes it firm and easy to scoop. The fruit needs to be kept at approx. -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit). You can satisfy both of these temperature requirements in the same freezer by having the ice cream/frozen yoghurt in the lower part of the freezer and the fruit on the top part of the freezer. There is a hard/soft switch on the Little Jem Elite Blender that can help with the blending of ingredients that are at a slightly different temperature to that recommended.

Do you need to prepare the fruit before freezing?

Yes, all large fruits i.e. strawberries, kiwi fruit, mango and banana need to be pre-diced to a size of approx. 1cm x 1cm before freezing.

If you use cherries you need to make 100% sure the stone has been removed from each cherry.

Can I blend something other than fruit with my ice cream/frozen yoghurt?

Yes, you can blend a range of ingredients including:-

• Boysenberry

• Raspberry

• Strawberry

• Blackberry

• Blueberry

• Banana

• Melon

• Pawpaw

• Kiwifruit

• Mango

• Pineapple

• Passionfruit

• Cherries

• Chocolate *

• Coffee (Expresso)

* When using chocolate as an ingredient include chocolate chips or grated chocolate. Keep the chocolate in the freezer as it blends best when frozen.

Whilst there is a great variety of choice for ingredients, berries are the easiest because any colour or flavour carry over between serves has a minimal effect on the next ice cream.

Can I blend nuts with my ice cream/frozen yoghurt?

We strongly recommend against using nuts, or any products containing nuts, in our Little Jem Blenders to avoid any carry over affecting future customers with nut allergies.

Can I use a dairy free alternative to ice cream or frozen yoghurt?

Yes, there are many dairy free alternatives to ice cream and frozen yoghurt, such as soy or coconut based ice cream. Many of these product are suitable for vegans.

Not usually but it depends on how frequently ice creams are being made. Most blender operators do not have to wash the mixing cone and auger If ice creams are being made at regular intervals.

The Elite Blender will conveniently illuminate the red button when the machine has been inactive for 10 minutes or more reminding the operator to wash the mixing cone and auger.

We would recommend owners check any local guidelines/regulations on food safety standards in regards to machine cleansing. Also consider which ingredients are being used e.g. non-dairy alternatives which may require a mixing cone and auger clean prior to use.

How long does it take to clean the Little Jem Ice Cream Blender when required throughout the working day?

It takes approximately 10 seconds to remove the auger, mixing cone, splash guard and drip bowl. Give these a quick wash in hot water and sanitising solution, rinse with cold water, dry and reassemble. Altogether this takes only 1 - 2 minutes.

Additional augers, mixing cones, splash guards and drip bowls are available to purchase on our store page. Having a “spare” set of this components can increase the options for cleaning whilst continuing to make ice creams.

Video - Removing Little Jem Auger, Mixing Cone and Splashguard Assembly

How do I clean the Little Jem Blender at the end of the day?

As above disassembly takes approx. only 10 seconds and all removable parts can go into a dishwasher or can be washed in hot water with a sanitising solution. The rest of the blender requires a wipe down with a soft (non-abrasive) warm, damp cloth with sanitising solution spray. Altogether this takes only a few minutes.

What Blender maintenance is required long-term?

We have designed our Elite Blender to require very little maintenance – simple greasing is required every 10,000 ice creams with the supplied grease gun and operations manual with instructions.

The auger and mixing cone will require replacement after around 25,000 to 30,000 ice creams being made. You can order these from us using the Store page.

Blenders typically pay for themselves after approx. 5,000 ice creams. See our Profit Margin page for a range of scenarios.

What is the best type of freezer to use?

The optimum freezer is especially designed for ice cream, with a glass sliding lid and a length between 1.25m and 1.4m as this allows you ample room and easy access to your ice cream/frozen yoghurt and fruit.

Will the Little Jem Blender work with a portable generator?

The Little Jem Blender will work with a generator. An inverter-type generator such as the Honda EU series is suitable. The full specification for the generator is given in the owner’s manual.

How much does it cost to make a Real Fruit Ice Cream?

Please look at the ice cream making profit margins page for details. We give examples of projected profit and pay back times as well as feedback from a range of existing Little Jem owners.

How can I buy a Little Jem Blender

Please visit the blender purchasing page that has a link to the quote request form and other useful information such as delivery times etc.