Tips For Using Your Shaved Ice Machine To Create Delicious Treats
There's nothing quite like shaved ice. The thinly shaved ice topped with sweet syrup is a Hawaiian specialty, and if you buy your own shaved ice machine, you can enjoy it in your own home — or even serve it to customers. Sometimes, however, there is a bit of a learning curve when you first start using your shaved ice machine. Here are some tips to help you get great results once you start churning out those desserts.
1. Temper your ice.
If you take your block of ice straight out of a deep freezer and put it in the shaved ice machine, the shavings may be more like chips, and the dessert won't be as fluffy as it could be. You'll get fluffier snow if you let the block sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before you begin shaving. The ice should just be starting to melt on the surface. On a hot day, if you do not have air conditioning, you may only need to rest the ice for about 5 to 10 minutes — but this rest is still essential.
2. Adjust the blade.
Most shaved ice machines come with adjustable blades. You can turn a screw to change the angle of the blade. If the blade is at a sharper angle relative to the ice, you will get larger chunks, giving your dessert a texture more like that of a snow cone. That's not really what you want; you want a fluffier dessert. Turn the screw to reduce the angle between the blade and ice block, and you'll get fluffier results. Experiment with adjusting the blade and shaving a little ice at a time until you discover the perfect setting for your tastes.
3. Make enough ice for a few desserts at once.
This is especially important if you are making and serving shaved ice in a shop or restaurant. Shave enough ice for a few desserts at once so you're not constantly having to turn the machine on and off. This will save you time and also reduce wear and tear on the machine. The cooled holding area around your machine should keep the snow frozen for at least a half-hour, so you can make plenty of shaved ice ahead of time even if your flow of customers is not totally consistent.
With the tips above, you'll have an easier time making truly delectable shaved ice.
Contact a shaved ice machine supplier for more information.