The Basket Machine It is one of the most essential equipment in the modern ice cream and pastry industry. Thanks to the growth in cone consumption, crunchy cones and wafers, Both small entrepreneurs and industrial factories are looking for a machine capable of producing uniform nacelles, aesthetic and with a perfect texture. In you will discover everything you need to know: what is a nacelle machine, how it works, what are its technical characteristics, What types exist, what mistakes to avoid, how to choose a good model and what trends dominate the market.
1. What is a Pod Machine?
A Basket Machine It is equipment designed to produce cones, crispy cones or wafers by baking a liquid mixture (similar to waffle batter). These machines can be operated manually, semi-automatic or fully automatic, depending on the level of production required.
It is also known as:
- Nacelle making machine
- Barquillo machine
- Ice cream cones
- Cone making machine
- Industrial nacelle machine
- Waffle cone maker (english term)
- automatic nacelle machine
Although the names change by region, the principle is the same: produce a strong cone or nacelle, golden and crispy to serve ice cream, creams or cold desserts.
2. How does a Wafer Making Machine work??
The operation of a nacelle machine may vary depending on the model, but the general process is quite similar:
2.1 MIX PREPARATION
The mix usually includes:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Oil or butter
- Agua
- Essences (like vanilla)
In industrial models, The mixture can be fed automatically by metering pumps.
2.2 Baked
Heated molds close and apply even heat. In this step, the liquid dough is flattened and cooked until it achieves a toasted texture.
2.3 Graduated
Once the sheet is baked, is rolled or molded into a cone or basket shape before it hardens.
2.4 Drying and cooling
Cooling allows the basket to remain firm and crispy.
2.5 Stacked and packed
In automatic machines, The nacelles are stacked and packed directly without human intervention.
3. Types of Basket Machines
The choice depends on the volume of production and the type of business.
3.1 Manual Cargo Machine
- Ideal for artisanal ice cream parlors and small businesses.
- Low cost and easy operation.
- Production per unit.
- Requires operator skill.
3.2 Semi-Automatic Cargo Machine
- Allows medium production.
- The operator loads the mixture and removes the finished product.
- Ideal for medium-sized businesses and stores looking to improve efficiency.
3.3 Automatic Cargo Machine
- For factories or industrial production.
- Integrates dosing, baked, rotary molds, automatic forming and stacking.
- Capacity to produce thousands of pods per hour.
- Greater investment, but with great return.
3.4 Industrial Rotating Cone Machine
This type is very common in large manufacturers.
Characteristics:
- Multiple rotating molds
- Even cooking
- High production capacity
- Cone compatible, baskets and tulips
4. Advantages of Using a Professional Barbell Machine
4.1 Product standardization
Uniformity in size, thickness, color and texture.
4.2 Better flavor and freshness
The freshly made baskets surpass the industrial supermarket ones in aroma and crunchiness.
4.3 Cost savings
Producing nacelles internally reduces long-term purchasing costs.
4.4 Greater speed and efficiency
Industrial machines allow you to work without interruptions.
4.5 More business options
With a wafer machine you can produce:
- Classic cones
- double cones
- Baskets or tulips
- mini nacelles
- Cones decorated with chocolate
5. Commercial Applications of the Pod Machine
The tray machine is not only limited to ice cream parlors. This equipment is used by:
5.1 Ice cream cone factories
Mass production to supply supermarkets, ice cream parlors and franchises.
5.2 Pastry shops and bakeries
Dessert baskets, fruits, pastry cream or artisanal ice cream.
5.3 snack business
Cream filled wafers, chocolate or dulce de leche.
5.4 Restaurants and hotels
Gourmet presentations and premium desserts.
5.5 Street entrepreneurs
Handcrafted cones in front of the customer's view.
6. Technical Factors for Choosing a Basket Machine
Before buying, evaluate the following key points:
6.1 Production capacity
How many boats per hour do you need??
- Small (50–150 units/hour)
- Medium (300–800 units/hour)
- Industrial (2000–8000 units/hour)
6.2 Energy consumption
An efficient machine reduces operating costs.
6.3 Material and quality
- Stainless steel
- Long-lasting heating plates
- Non-stick molds
6.4 Temperature control
Essential to maintain the perfect color and texture.
6.5 Mold type
Depending on the nacelle design:
- Classic cone
- Fire
- large cone
- Mini cone
- decorative square cone
6.6 Ease of cleaning
Sugar residue can burn and affect the flavor.
6.7 Availability of spare parts and technical service
Essential for industrial models.
7. Common Mistakes When Using a Wafer Machine
To avoid losses, manufacturers recommend:
✘ Using mixture with incorrect proportions
Too much sugar → basket that burns
Too much water → soft basket
✘ Do not preheat the machine
Causes pale, shapeless nacelles.
✘ Excess mixing
Causes deformed cones and cracks.
✘ Do not clean the molds
Leftovers can affect the final flavor and texture..
✘ Open the mold too soon
Break the foil before it is firm.
8. Maintenance of a Basket Machine
8.1 Daily cleaning
- Remove remains of charred dough
- Use soft brushes
- Avoid metal or corrosive chemicals
8.2 Lubrication of moving parts
In rotating industrial machines.
8.3 Resistors and cables review
Important to avoid electrical failures.
8.4 Replacement of molds from time to time
To maintain product quality.
9. Price of a Barquilla Machine
Cost depends on size and level of automation:
| Machine type | Approximate price range |
|---|---|
| Manual | 80 – 300 USD |
| Semi -automatic | 500 – 2,000 USD |
| Industrial | 10,000 – 80,000 USD |
| Complete line | 100,000 USD onwards |
Prices may vary depending on materials, number of molds, heating system, manufacturer's capacity and brand.
10. Who needs a Barquilla Machine?
The answer is simple: any business that wants to sell ice cream professionally or produce premium quality cones.
Recommended for:
- Artisanal ice cream shops
- cone factories
- dessert chains
- Catering companies
- Bakeries and pastries
- Entrepreneurs who want to start a profitable business
11. Tips to Obtain Perfect Nacelles
✔ Keep the temperature stable
Uniform golden color depends on constant heat.
✔ Use fresh ingredients
The quality of the mixture defines the final flavor.
✔ Control the thickness
Very thick nacelles are hard; very thin they break.
✔ Cool well before packaging
Prevents humidity and loss of crunchiness.
✔ Store in airtight containers
Humidity is the number one enemy of wafers.
12. Trends in the Barquillas and Cones Market
New trends include:
colored cones
Verde (matcha tea), negro (activated carbon), rojo (red fruits).
Vegan cones
Dairy free, no egg, sin gluten.
gourmet cones
Decorated with chocolate, nuts or sprinkles.
Giant soft ice cream cones
Very popular in Spain, Chile, Peru and Mexico.
Industrial automation
Factories seek to reduce labor and increase production with automatic nacelle machines.
13. Is it worth investing in an Industrial Cart Machine?
Yeah, especially if your goal is:
- Sell to ice cream parlors
- Sell to supermarkets
- Export cones
- Create your own brand of nacelles
- Mass produce with stable quality
Demand for ice cream cones never decreases, even in cold seasons, which makes it a stable and profitable industry.
Basket Machine
The Basket Machines It is an essential tool for any business looking to produce high quality crispy cones or wafers.. From manual machines for small entrepreneurs to industrial lines that produce thousands of units per hour, there is an option for every need.
Investing in a good machine not only guarantees uniform and delicious wafers, but also allows us to expand production capacity, reduce costs and improve the professional image of the business.