Company:Pacojet

From HandWiki
Pacojet International AG
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.[1]

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.[2][3]

On May 5, 2023, Groupe SEB completed the acquisition of Pacojet.[4]

History

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]

Pacojet systems have no set retail price, and quoted prices vary from customer to customer.[8]

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.[9] Pacojet Junior, a lower-cost model, was introduced in 2017.[10] Pacojet 2 Plus was introduced in 2018 and featured a repeat function.[11] In October 2022, to commemorate its 30th anniversary, the Pacojet 4 was released. The Pacojet 4 comes with a large LC touchscreen providing the user with guidance with an animated assistance feature; as well as a new smart device detection mode to protect against misuse and damage to the Pacojet.[12][13]

In May 2023, Groupe SEB acquired Pacojet AG.[14]

Operation

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.[15] 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.[16] This process is called "pacotizing", a verb coined to describe the unique function of the Pacojet.[17] The Pacojet operates in a sealed mode with a pressure of 1.2 bars (17 psi)[18] The Pacojet produces smaller ice crystals than traditional ice cream makers, resulting in smoother and creamier textures.[7]

In the press

In May 2005, chef Shea Gallante referred to the Pacojet as "one of the premiere inventions of the past 10 to 15 years."[19]

In October 2010, Forbes wrote that the Pacojet "has developed a bit of a cult following among tech-obsessed foodies without cash-flow issues… The PacoJet turns the ice cream making process inside out, using a lot of exquisitely calibrated machinery in the process."[20]

In 2011, Modernist Cuisine named Pacojet "must-have tool for the modernist kitchen" in its top-ten list.[21]

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.[22]

References

  1. Uudet suomalaiset ravintolat esittäytyvät (New Finnish restaurants in limelight) , Kauppalehti ("you also need the Pacojet, not yet common at homes") accessed 29.3.2012 (in Finnish)
  2. "About Pacojet" (in en-GB). https://pacojet.com/en-GB/Company/About-us/. 
  3. "About Us" (in en). https://www.pacojetusa.com/about-us. 
  4. "SEB SA (ENXTPA:SK) acquired Pacojet International AG." (in en). https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/SEB-S-A-4701/news/SEB-SA-ENXTPA-SK-acquired-Pacojet-International-AG-43767683/. 
  5. Fabricant, Florence (1996-07-17). "Sorbet Made in 10 Minutes From Canned (Really!) Fruit" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/17/garden/sorbet-made-in-10-minutes-from-canned-really-fruit.html. 
  6. Nicholls, Walter (August 22, 2001). "Ice in the Fast Lane". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/food/2001/08/22/ice-in-the-fast-lane/d470685e-9412-48d7-bc5b-0c0e3c4b2b22/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Gomes, Lee. "The $4,000 Ice Cream Maker" (in en). https://www.forbes.com/2010/10/06/pacojet-high-end-technology-smart-luxury-icecream-maker.html. 
  8. "General Terms" (in en-GB). https://pacojet.com/en-GB/General-Terms/. 
  9. restaurantonline.co.uk. "Pacojet 2 is launched, first upgrade in 25 years" (in en-GB). https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2013/03/04/Pacojet-2-is-launched-first-upgrade-in-25-years. 
  10. "Pacojet Junior, focusing on essentials" (in en-US). https://www.sogoodmagazine.com/pastry-tools/pastry-equipment-machinery/pacojet-junior-focusing-on-essentials/. 
  11. "Pacojet frozen micro puree mixer updated with repeat function". October 25, 2018. https://www.cateringinsight.com/pacojet-frozen-micro-puree-mixer-updated-with-repeat-function/. 
  12. "Pacojet 4 | 137623-000-00" (in en-GB). https://pacojet.com/en-GB/Pacojet-4/137623-000-00. 
  13. (in en) Pacojet 4 Launch, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHEesw0KZME, retrieved 2023-01-04 
  14. Briard, Clotilde (5 May 2023). "Le groupe SEB s'invite toujours plus dans la cuisine des restaurants" (in fr). Les Echos. https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/conso-distribution/le-groupe-seb-sinvite-toujours-plus-dans-la-cuisine-des-restaurants-1940925. 
  15. Perez-Simons, Mariela. "Pacojet - The Culinary Professionals' Choice For Making Gourmet Sorbet, Ice Cream, Gelato, And More". Article Dashboard. http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Pacojet-The-Culinary-Professionals-Choice-For-Making-Gourmet-Sorbet-Ice-Cream-Gelato-And-More/1528522. Retrieved 1 June 2012. 
  16. Duffy, Jill (May 28, 2011). "15 High Tech Cooking Tools for BBQ Season". PCMag.com. https://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/264785/15-high-tech-cooking-tools-for-bbq-season/14. 
  17. Lowell, Jennifer (June 27, 2008). "Super Sorbet Shaver". CNET.com. http://www.cnet.com/8301-13553_1-9978953-32.html. 
  18. "Pacojet 2 PLUS" (in en). https://www.pacojetusa.com/pacojet-2-plus. 
  19. Delucia, Matt (May 2005). "Technology in Restaurants". Restaurant Insider. http://www.nyrestaurantinsider.com/may2005_technology.asp. 
  20. Gomes, Lee (October 14, 2010). "The $4,000 Ice Cream Maker". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/2010/10/06/pacojet-high-end-technology-smart-luxury-icecream-maker.html. Retrieved 1 June 2012. 
  21. Myhrvold, Nathan; Young, Chris; Bilet, Maxime (2011). Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking. The Cooking Lab. ISBN 978-0-9827610-0-7. https://modernistcuisine.com/. 
  22. "This Countertop Ice Cream Machine Churns Out Tasty Frozen Treats" (in en-US). WIRED. https://www.wired.com/review/ninja-creami/. Retrieved 2023-04-25. 

Further reading