How to prime a Taylor Soft Serve Machine - Gravity Fed
This priming procedure works for most gravity-fed Taylor soft serve machines, including models 142, 150, 152, 161, 162, 168, 336, 337, 338, 339, 750, 751, 754, 774, 791, 794, C152, C161, C713, C707, C717, C723, C791, and C794.
💡 Not sure if your machine is gravity-fed? Look for a mix feed tube in the hopper — pressurized models won’t have one.
🔧 Before You Begin
Priming ensures your freezing cylinder is filled with fresh soft serve mix and free of sanitizing solution.
Always prime with fresh, chilled mix. Never reuse mix or use anything that’s been sitting at room temperature.
You’ll need:
• 2.5 gallons of fresh mix per side
• A sanitized mix hopper
• An empty mix pail or bucket to collect rinse solution
▶️ Priming Procedure (Step-by-Step)
1. Prep the mix hopper
With the prime plug in the up position, pour 2.5 gallons of fresh soft serve mix into the hopper. Let it flow into the freezing cylinder.
2. Flush out sanitizer
Place a clean pail under the draw spouts. Open the draw valve to remove the sanitizer. Close the valve when fresh mix flows.
3. Prime plug down
When mix begins flowing from the plug at the bottom of the door, press the prime plug down.
4. Insert feed tube
When bubbling stops in the freezing cylinder, insert the feed tube (hole-end down) into the mix inlet hole. Make sure the air orifice is attached correctly.
5. Set to AUTO
On the control panel, select the AUTO mode to begin normal freezing operation.
6. Top off mix
Fill the hopper the rest of the way with mix and replace the cover.
7. Repeat
Follow the same steps for the other side of the machine if applicable.
✅ Tip: Always use fresh mix. Reused or warm mix can lead to machine clogs, poor product texture, and safety issues.