Machine for processing and storing liquid or semi-liquid food products

A machine for processing and storing liquid or semi-liquid food products, comprising:

• a main frame having at least a top surface;
• at least one container for containing the product to be processed and stored, the top surface of the machine having at least one opening giving access to the container;
• a stirrer mounted inside the container;
• an actuator connected to the stirrer or to the container to drive the stirrer relative to the container or the container relative to the stirrer, respectively, in rotation about a mixing axis;
• a refrigeration system, comprising:
• a closed circuit configured to circulate a heat exchanger fluid, an evaporator associated with the container, a compressor, a condenser and a throttle element, said heat exchanger fluid flowing along the closed circuit through the following, in succession:
• the evaporator, the compressor, the condenser and the throttle element, in that order;
• a cover movable between a closed position, where it closes said opening to deny access to the container, and an open position, where it opens said opening to give access to the container, the cover defining, at the closed position, a space between an inside surface of the cover and the top surface of the main frame;
• a suction system for extracting air from said space, comprising at least one suction unit and one or more suction mouths connected to the suction unit, each suction mouth being in fluid communication with said space;
• a control unit configured to control at least the actuator and the suction unit.