Ugolini Granita Machines and Juice Dispensers: Use and Care

Which manual covers your Ugolini machine

Ugolini's granita and juice dispenser line includes several series, each with its own instruction manual. The GIANT double-bowl granita machine (item 49080) is covered by a dedicated manual. The MT1 single-bowl (49081), MT2 double-bowl (49082), and MT3 triple-bowl (49083) granita machines share a single manual. The Arctic Compact juice dispensers with two bowls (49085) and three bowls (49086) have their own manual, while the Arctic Deluxe impeller juice dispensers with one, two, three, or four bowls (items 49087 through 49090) are covered by a separate manual. All manuals contain the same core safety, installation, operation, and cleaning procedures, with differences noted for each series.

Before using any machine, read the entire manual for your model. The instructions below summarize the key steps, but always defer to the specific figures and warnings in the manufacturer's documentation. If you need a copy of the manual for your unit, ask Norpex.

Installation requirements

Unpack the machine and inspect for damage immediately. The manuals for all Ugolini models instruct you to keep the original packaging for possible future transport. When lifting the unit, never grasp it by the bowls or evaporator cylinders. Place the dispenser on a countertop that can support the combined weight of the machine and its full product load. The GIANT model weighs 134.5 lbs (61 kg) empty; the MT3 weighs 108 lbs (49 kg); the Arctic Deluxe four-bowl weighs 63.9 lbs (29 kg).

Every Ugolini machine requires a minimum of 15 cm (6 inches) of free air space on all sides to ensure adequate ventilation. Screw the legs tightly into the base; if 100 mm (4-inch) legs are provided, replace the standard legs with them. A qualified, licensed electrician must connect the unit to a grounded, protected single-phase electrical supply that matches the data plate rating—all models listed run on 110–120 V / 60 Hz / 1 phase. Do not use an extension cord. The plug must be easily accessible after installation.

The machines do not arrive sanitized from the factory. Before serving any product, you must disassemble, clean, and sanitize the dispenser following the steps in the cleaning section of the manual. The installation section of each manual emphasizes that failure to provide proper electrical ground can result in serious shock hazard.

Daily operation and controls

Granita machines (GIANT, MT1, MT2, MT3) have a power switch, a light switch, and individual mixer/refrigeration switches for each bowl. The power switch (position I) energizes the fan motor and enables the other controls. The light switch turns the top cover lights on or off. Each bowl's mixer/refrigeration switch has three positions: 0 (off), I (soft drink mode—mixer and refrigeration on, temperature controlled by the thermostat), and II (granita mode—mixer and refrigeration on, viscosity controlled by the adjustment screw). The thermostat knob is turned clockwise to decrease temperature and counterclockwise to increase it. Granita viscosity is adjusted with a standard screwdriver at the rear wall of each container: clockwise for thicker product, counterclockwise for thinner.

To start a granita bowl, set the power switch to I, then set the mixer/refrigeration switch to II for granita or I for a chilled soft drink. Fill the bowl with product only to the maximum level mark; do not overfill. The exact quantity is shown by marks on the bowl. For products that require dilution, pour potable water first, then add the concentrate. The manual states that granita mix must have a Brix (sugar percent content) of at least 13. For natural juices or sugarless products like coffee, dissolve 150–200 grams of sugar per litre. Always leave the dispenser on: refrigeration stops automatically when granita reaches the correct thickness, but the mixers continue to turn.

Juice dispensers (Arctic Compact and Arctic Deluxe) are simpler. The power switch (position I) turns on the fan motor and enables the mixing device switches. Each bowl has its own mixing device switch (I = on, 0 = off). There is no separate refrigeration switch; cooling runs automatically and stops when the beverage reaches the preset temperature. The proper temperature is factory set and can only be reset by a technician. Fill bowls to the maximum mark, install covers, and keep the unit running overnight to maintain flavour. The Arctic Deluxe manual notes that on machines with a lighted top cover, turning the cover 180 degrees switches the light off.

Several operating hints apply across all models. Pre-chill product to shorten cooling or freeze-down time. Refill bowls when the product level drops below half of the evaporator cylinder and at the start of each day. For granita machines, if product remains in the bowls overnight, run the unit in soft drink mode (position I) to prevent ice blocks from forming; if ice blocks do form, remove them before restarting the mixers. Never turn off the mixers while frozen product is in the bowl—the product can freeze solid and damage the mixers or motor upon restart. The magnetic drive acts as an intelligent clutch: if mixers seize, an intermittent dull noise warns you. Unplug the machine immediately, empty the bowl, and clear the obstruction.

Cleaning and sanitizing procedures

The manufacturer recommends daily cleaning and sanitizing to preserve product taste and machine efficiency. Always disconnect the dispenser from its power source by unplugging it or switching off the 2-pole wall breaker before any disassembly. First, empty the bowls: set the power switch to I, set mixer/refrigeration switches to I (soft drink mode) to melt any frozen product, drain all product through the faucets into a pail, then set all switches to 0.

Disassembly steps are similar across models. Remove the cover, then lift the bowl off its fastening hooks and slide it out. For granita machines, slide out the outer spiral and then the inside auger; remove the bowl gasket and dismantle the faucet assembly. For juice dispensers, remove the bowl gasket, take out the pump impeller, and remove the pinch tube or gravity faucet piston. Slide out and empty the drip tray. Do not wash any components in a dishwasher.

Prepare at least two gallons of a mild cleaning solution using warm (45–60 °C / 120–140 °F) potable water and dishwashing detergent suitable for plastic parts. Do not use abrasive cleaners. Using a soft brush, thoroughly clean all disassembled parts, the evaporator cylinders (granita) or evaporator plates (juice), and the undersides of the lighted top covers—never immerse the covers in liquid. Rinse everything with cool clean water. Then prepare a sanitizing solution of 100 PPM available chlorine (1 spoon of sodium hypoclorite diluted with 2 litres of water) at the same warm temperature. Soak the parts for five minutes, wash the cover undersides with the solution, and let all parts air dry on a clean surface. Wipe the exterior with a non-abrasive cleaner.

Reassembly requires food-grade lubricant (the grease supplied by the manufacturer or an approved equivalent). Lubricate the faucet piston, inside auger, and outer spiral (granita) or the faucet piston and impeller (juice). Fit the bowl gasket with its largest brim facing the rear wall (granita) or the drip plate (juice). Insert the auger carefully to the end, install the outer spiral so its front notch engages the auger shaft, and push the bowl firmly into place. For juice dispensers, wet the gasket for easier insertion and ensure the bowl's back hook seats properly. After assembly, chase any remaining sanitizer from the bowl bottoms with fresh product and drain it—do not rinse with water. An optional in-place sanitation step can be performed by running sanitizing solution in the assembled machine for two minutes, then draining and chasing with product.

Routine maintenance

Daily: inspect the machine for product leaks around seals and gaskets. If leaks persist after proper assembly, check for inadequate lubrication or worn parts and replace as needed with original spare parts.

Monthly: for granita models (MT1, MT2, MT3, GIANT), remove dust from the condenser filter. On the MT series, remove the left panel (from the faucet side) by unscrewing the two plastic-coated screws. The GIANT manual similarly instructs removing the left panel. For Arctic Compact and Deluxe juice dispensers, monthly cleaning of internal components, primarily the condenser, must be carried out by qualified service personnel only. They will unplug the unit, remove the front panel, and use compressed air. Condenser fins are very sharp—use extreme caution.

Lighted top cover bulb replacement: on granita machines, remove the fixing screw in the upper part of the cover, lift the socket, and replace the bulb (MT series use a 24–28V 21W max bulb). Reassemble the cover and screw.

Annually, qualified service personnel should remove all panels and clean the interior, including the base, side panels, and condenser. They should also check the auger bushings for wear or ovalization and replace them if necessary. Never remove the insulating jacket from the suction tubing of the evaporator. All plastic parts must be lubricated only with the manufacturer's grease or a lubricant compatible with polycarbonate.

Troubleshooting common issues

The manuals include troubleshooting guidance for operators. If the warning light on the granita machine's switch panel illuminates, it signals insufficient ventilation. Check that the 15 cm (6 in) clearance is maintained on all sides and that the condenser filter is free of dust. If the light stays on after these checks, a service call is required.

An intermittent dull noise from a granita machine indicates that the magnetic drive has disconnected the mixers because they are seized by ice or another obstruction. Immediately unplug the dispenser, empty the bowl, and remove the cause of the seizure before restarting. If the product is not freezing or cooling properly, verify that the room temperature is between +5°C and +32°C, that the mix has the correct sugar content (at least 13 Brix for granita), and that the viscosity or thermostat settings have not been altered. For juice dispensers, if the beverage is not cold enough, confirm that the condenser is clean and that the unit has adequate ventilation; temperature adjustment requires a technician.

Keep air flow through the slotted panels clear of walls and boxes, and leave the anti-splash filters inside those panels in place. For any electrical fault, unplug the machine and contact the manufacturer's authorized service network. Do not attempt internal repairs yourself.

Service and support

All major internal maintenance—including refrigerant circuit service, compressor work, and annual deep cleaning—must be performed by qualified service personnel. The manuals provide detailed procedures for checking refrigerant leaks, discharging, evacuating, and charging the system, but these are intended for trained technicians only.

For service, contact the manufacturer's authorized service network. If you have questions about which manual applies to your model, need replacement parts, or want to confirm a procedure, ask Norpex. Always have your model number and serial number ready; the data plate is located on the dispensing side panel just behind the drip tray (right side drip tray on multiple-bowl models), and the serial number is inside the left switch box.

Common questions