Snow Cone Machine for home or a Snow Cone Business

I am a sucker for a good snow cone. I can remember that commercial to the right and also remember begging for one of those machines for Christmas. I eventually did get one a few years later and remember being quite disappointed with it. It seems the commercial was more hype than the product.

If you've never had a snow cone then you're missing out on a flavorful and refreshing treat. I know I must be crazy writing about snow cones in the middle of winter when there's 10 inches of snow sitting outside my door. But I was just looking through some vacation photos from a trip to Charleston, SC this past summer and reminicing about that fluffy white ice covered in a sweet and tangy syrup and topped with some cream and so wish I had a snow cone machine here for the house, you know for the kids.

There’s no longer a need to wait for a special occasion to have one of these refreshing treats.  Countertop snow cone machines can be purchased for less than $40 and give you an endless supply of enjoyment. 

Snow cone machines are easy to use. Just take a scoop of ice cubes and pour them in the top container, close the lids and turn the machine on.  Depending on the type of snow cone machine you purchase, you will either get crushed or shaved ice.  House hold ice shavers normally just use ice cubes and give you the best consistency in ice.  The snow is fluffy and absorbs the syrups instead of it running to the bottom of the cup. 

Machines that finely crush the ice are nearly as good as the shavers though the snow cones they produce usually require more syrup.  However they are great for making slushy drinks and when adding yogurt or fruit to the mix for some real tasty treats.

There are many ice shavers on the market and many are for home use.  However, if you choose to go with a more commercial unit so you can take to school or church events, these units will normally require the use of blocks of ice instead of ice cubes.  Blocks of ice are easy to get and most people that have these higher grade ice shavers make their own blocks using forms. 

The larger, or more commercial, ice shavers give the best results for snow cones.  When shaving blocks of ice instead of cubes, there is less of a chance for getting small chips of ice in the mix.  When shaving a block of ice, you get the best consistency of light fluffy snow.  A light fluffy snow will absorb the syrups much better.  If you’ve ever had a slushy drink then you know that most of the syrup falls right to the bottom of the cup and once that’s gone all you have left is a cup of flavorless ice.

I lived in the southern states of Mississippi and South Carolina for about 14 years and I can tell you that snow cones are a booming business down there. These treats sell like crazy at special events, flea markets and even in the front yard.

Most places I have seen are no more than a 150 square foot shacks and many were much smaller than that. When we were raising funds for the community theater at a local event, I borrowed a Snowie 1000 which used ice cubes and we only had a table, a tent, and a small selection of syrups. During that 2 day even we raised nearly $3000. It just so happens that it was a very hot weekend in South Carolina and the event was catered towards young children. Our total investment was less than $300 so I would say it was a great success.

Most snow cone stands can be built and placed for less that a few thousand dollars. These, of course are considered semi-permanent and you can often negotiate placement in the corner of another businesses parking lot. You’ll also have to check with your local health department and obtain any required health and business permits.

Check out Snowie for some ready to go snow cone businesses.