Is the Ice Cream Machine at your McDonalds Broken?

[Koolau]

You can also go through the self checkout at many stores and just pour coins into the machine. I wouldn't do a hundred bucks at a time, though.

I asked my local bank about the "coin shortage" and they hadn't heard of it. I mentioned I had a fair supply of coins and they offered me plastic bags to put them in. They told me to "drop them off and the bank would get around to counting them in a day or two." I'm more of a "Trust but verify" type person, so I used the bags for sink garbage. The coins are still in their respective jars on my desk. Could easily top $100. YMMV

 

[GalaxyBoy]

What are “coins”?

Hehe, I found a dime the other day and was surprised at how long it’s been since I saw one.

 

[travelover]

I asked my local bank about the "coin shortage" and they hadn't heard of it. I mentioned I had a fair supply of coins and they offered me plastic bags to put them in. They told me to "drop them off and the bank would get around to counting them in a day or two." I'm more of a "Trust but verify" type person, so I used the bags for sink garbage. The coins are still in their respective jars on my desk. Could easily top $100. YMMV

Coinstar, at some locations, will give you full value in the form of an Amazon credit. I had a 5 pound coffee can full of pennies that I traded in this way.

 

[Koolau]

What are “coins”?

Hehe, I found a dime the other day and was surprised at how long it’s been since I saw one.

Coins are one penalty for still using that dirty stuff called "cash." We use CCs a lot, but I still like to spend cash. It feels more "real" and tends to limit frivolous spending. Large purchases are strictly CC, but small ones (fast food, resale shops, "impulse" buys, etc.) are better controlled (for me) using cash.

The other reason I like some cash is that our grid is a bit tenuous. Many stores still know how to sell stuff for cash if the electricity goes down. Very handy! YMMV

 

[Chuckanut]

So how do I get a McFlurry at MacDonalds for the grands? Use coins?

 

[Bamaman]

Our McDonalds ice cream machine is working just fine, and so are those in our city. We usually hit it twice a week for a $1.69 ice cream cone.

 

[aja8888]

Our McDonalds ice cream machine is working just fine, and so are those in our city. We usually hit it twice a week for a $1.69 ice cream cone.

That's odd, cones around here are still $1.00 at MickyD's.

 

[MC Rider]

Is that stuff even actual ice cream? I think not. A pint of Kroger ice cream is $1.25 or $1.59 ish. I go for that.



Mickey D's burgers are marginally almost edible. I do like the muffin sausage egg cheese biscuit and hash browns. The coffee is also good and not overpriced.



Starbucks is banned from my world. No foo foo coffee here. Or foo foo food for that matter.

 

[Koolau]

So how do I get a McFlurry at MacDonalds for the grands? Use coins?

Apparently, only if you are lucky enough to find a McD with a functioning ice cream machine.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

Our McDonalds ice cream machine is working just fine, and so are those in our city. We usually hit it twice a week for a $1.69 ice cream cone.

Or maybe not.

 

[Chuckanut]

Ars Technical has an article on Ifixit’s attempt to understand the McDonalds ice cream machine and why it breaks so often. They also delve into why it’s hard to get it fixed.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...ardown-shows-error-codes-dmca-keep-it-broken/

So forget about space travel, AI powered machines, and the next breakthrough in battery tech, and get up to date on something worthwhile - getting reliable ice cream service at McDonalds.

They also make a case for the right to repair a machine you own

The other is to obtain one of the Taylor ice cream machines used by McDonald’s franchises, tear it down, and marvel at how it could be so unreliable.

 

[F.I.R.E User]

I havevt been to McDonald’s in 20 some years. If I am going to have a cheat meal and have ice cream then I am definitely going to a specialty ice cream shop. I know it will be more but I am ok with that.

 

[old medic]

I havevt been to McDonald’s in 20 some years.

I have been in a McDonalds TWICE in the last 10 years... that will teach them to rip me off at the drive thru... both times was to use the bathroom.

 

[audreyh1]

I have been in a McDonalds TWICE in the last 10 years... that will teach them to rip me off at the drive thru... both times was to use the bathroom.

Yeah, that’s me. Although one of those two times I did buy a coffee.

 

[folivier]

I'm in awe whenever I pass by a McD.'s and see people lined up to buy something there. I haven't been to a McD.'s or BK in over 30 years and don't plan to ever go to one. Unless I need the bathroom
There are so many places to get better food and ice cream. Sure it'll cost more but isn't that what we worked for?
In northern Arizona there was a guy selling Navajo burgers next to a McD. We had an awesome lunch while talking to the guy about people lined up waiting for a McD burger.

 

[Music Lover]

I'm in awe whenever I pass by a McD.'s and see people lined up to buy something there. I haven't been to a McD.'s or BK in over 30 years and don't plan to ever go to one.

I see people lined up at Starbucks and think the same thing.

I've also been to fancy burger places that are no better than McDonald's but cost 4x as much.

 

[Chuckanut]

What I found interesting about the article is how simple the machine it’s not some high-tech wonder.

The machine is a compressor (though many times the power of your home fridge), a motor, a belt, a churning bin, three printed circuit boards and power relays, a dispensing agitator, and a display. There’s no particular reason it should fail at the rate it does, iFixit posits, except for its tendency to overheat under repeated use and its programming that shuts it down whenever a cycle goes awry.

 

[Gumby]

I see people lined up at Starbucks and think the same thing.

I've also been to fancy burger places that are no better than McDonald's but cost 4x as much.

Around here, they line up (in their cars and blocking traffic) for Dunkin Donuts coffee. Why? Make it at home and pour it in a travel mug. It will taste better and be quicker and cheaper.

 

[MarieIG]

Yeah, that’s me. Although one of those two times I did buy a coffee.

When we travel, I also stop at McDonald's for the facilities. But - I have DH pick up a black coffee for me. That's my way of contributing to their overhead.

 

[Dtail]

Starbucks, Dunkin, McD and Chik Fil A always have long lines.

 

[MarieIG]

Around here, they line up (in their cars and blocking traffic) for Dunkin Donuts coffee. Why? Make it at home and pour it in a travel mug. It will taste better and be quicker and cheaper.

I typically make my coffee at home and yes - I do have a travel mug or thermos and it is standard operating procedure to stock the car with such.

When I worked I always took my initial coffee beverage in a thermos - and made more when I got to the office on "in days". I would buy Dunkin Donut coffee for my secretaries now and then although I wouldn't buy it for myself. (My secretaries would offer to make me coffee, but that was not part of their job; and I would only take them up on it in emergency situations i.e. being stuck in a depo or virtual conference/ mediation.)

There were occasions during my work life when I would hit the McDonald's drive through for a black coffee returning from Staten Island or the Bronx. In my defense, the thermos from home only lasted for the morning journey westward: it was insufficient to cover the return trip to the office

 

[ivinsfan]

These threads go the same way every single time. Did anyone read about the deaths causes by improperly cleaned soft serve machines in Tacoma..with the current staff shortage I'm having second thoughts about drive thru ice cream

 

[Badger]

Over the years I have read and heard on the news of all the illnesses that have been the result of poorly cleaned ice cream machines and ice machines that have a build up of bacterial/fungal slime at fast food restaurants and hotels. I avoid using all of them.
I have also tried and don't care for the coffee at McD, Dunkin D, Burger King, etc. etc. etc. I have even found the coffee at Starbucks to have taste that is less than adequate. My wife makes great coffee from Costco even though it is supposed to be a Starbucks coffee. Either she or Costco does something to the blend that makes it much smoother and richer.

Cheers!

 

[audreyh1]

I'm in awe whenever I pass by a McD.'s and see people lined up to buy something there. I haven't been to a McD.'s or BK in over 30 years and don't plan to ever go to one. Unless I need the bathroom
There are so many places to get better food and ice cream. Sure it'll cost more but isn't that what we worked for?
In northern Arizona there was a guy selling Navajo burgers next to a McD. We had an awesome lunch while talking to the guy about people lined up waiting for a McD burger.

What I find amazing is the massive number of fast food restaurants. But clearly there is demand for fast cheap food and that drives the proliferation.

Unfortunately ice cream is off the table for me (low carb). But I never cared for soft serve anyway.

 

[Koolau]

I have been in a McDonalds TWICE in the last 10 years... that will teach them to rip me off at the drive thru... both times was to use the bathroom.

I don't think you can do that at the drive through unless they have changed the rules.