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Pacojet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pacojet International AG
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryProfessional cooking appliances
Founded1988; 38 years ago (1988)
HeadquartersRotkreuz, Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsPacojet systems
ParentGroupe SEB
Websitepacojet.com

Pacojet International AG is a Swiss company that manufactures and sells the Pacojet, a professional kitchen appliance that micro-purees deep-frozen foods into ultra-fine textures (such as sorbets, ice creams, farces, mousses, sauces, soups, concentrates, doughs and masses) without thawing.

Pacojet systems are sold worldwide for hotel, restaurant and catering gastronomy. The company is headquartered in Rotkreuz, Switzerland and is supported by a network of importers and distributors around the world.[1][2]

On May 5, 2023, French company Groupe SEB acquired Pacojet.[3][4]

History

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A Pacojet system on a countertop

The Pacojet was invented by Swiss engineer Wilhelm Maurer in the early 1980s by adapting a drill press to function as an ice cream maker.[5]

The Pacojet was introduced in Europe in 1992.[6] It was first test marketed in the United States in 1996 and became available the following year.[7]

In 2012, the Pacojet 2 was introduced, the first major redesign of the appliance, and featured a redesigned motor, additional sensors, and a touchscreen interface.[8] Pacojet Junior, a lower-cost model, was introduced in 2017.[9] Pacojet 2 Plus was introduced in 2018 and featured a repeat function.[10] In October 2022, timed to commemorate the company's 30th anniversary, the Pacojet 4 was released, with new features including a large touchscreen with a animated user assistance.[11][12]

Operation

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Ingredients are placed into the Pacojet beaker and frozen for at least 24 hours at −22 °C (−8 °F). The beaker is then attached to the Pacojet machine and the number of portions desired is selected.[13] Its blade spins downward at 2,000 revolutions a minute, shaving a micro-thin layer off the top of the block of deep-frozen ingredients.[14] This process is called "pacotizing", a verb coined to describe the unique function of the Pacojet.[15] The Pacojet operates in a sealed mode with a pressure of 1.2 bars (17 psi)[16] The Pacojet produces smaller ice crystals than traditional ice cream makers, resulting in smoother and creamier textures.[7]

In the press

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In the 21st century, the Pacojet has been lauded by chefs and food writers.[17][18][19] It has remained uncommon outside of commercial kitchens, in part due to its high cost.[20]

SharkNinja released the Ninja Creami ice cream maker in 2022, which Wired referred to as a "fairly shameless (and much cheaper) knockoff of a Pacojet" in its review.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "About Pacojet". Pacojet Shop. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  2. ^ "About Us". Pacojet USA. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  3. ^ "SEB SA (ENXTPA:SK) acquired Pacojet International AG". Market Screener. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  4. ^ Briard, Clotilde (5 May 2023). "Le groupe SEB s'invite toujours plus dans la cuisine des restaurants" [Groupe SEB is increasingly inviting itself into restaurant kitchens]. Les Echos (in French).
  5. ^ Fabricant, Florence (1996-07-17). "Sorbet Made in 10 Minutes From Canned (Really!) Fruit". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2020-06-07. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  6. ^ Nicholls, Walter (August 22, 2001). "Ice in the Fast Lane". The Washington Post.
  7. ^ a b Gomes, Lee. "The $4,000 Ice Cream Maker". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  8. ^ restaurantonline.co.uk. "Pacojet 2 is launched, first upgrade in 25 years". restaurantonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  9. ^ "Pacojet Junior, focusing on essentials". so good.. magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  10. ^ "Pacojet frozen micro puree mixer updated with repeat function". Catering Insight. October 25, 2018.
  11. ^ "Pacojet 4 | 137623-000-00". Pacojet Shop. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
  12. ^ Pacojet 4 Launch, retrieved 2023-01-04
  13. ^ Perez-Simons, Mariela. "Pacojet - The Culinary Professionals' Choice For Making Gourmet Sorbet, Ice Cream, Gelato, And More". Article Dashboard. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  14. ^ Duffy, Jill (May 28, 2011). "15 High Tech Cooking Tools for BBQ Season". PCMag.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  15. ^ Lowell, Jennifer (June 27, 2008). "Super Sorbet Shaver". CNET.com.
  16. ^ "Pacojet 2 PLUS". Pacojet USA. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  17. ^ Delucia, Matt (May 2005). "Technology in Restaurants". Restaurant Insider. Archived from the original on 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  18. ^ Gomes, Lee (October 14, 2010). "The $4,000 Ice Cream Maker". Forbes. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  19. ^ Myhrvold, Nathan; Young, Chris; Bilet, Maxime (2011). Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking. The Cooking Lab. ISBN 978-0-9827610-0-7.
  20. ^ Uudet suomalaiset ravintolat esittäytyvät (New Finnish restaurants in limelight) Archived 2014-08-19 at the Wayback Machine, Kauppalehti ("you also need the Pacojet, not yet common at homes") accessed 29.3.2012 (in Finnish)
  21. ^ "This Countertop Ice Cream Machine Churns Out Tasty Frozen Treats". WIRED. Retrieved 2023-04-25.

Further reading

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