To prepare ice cream at home professionally, choose your favorite ingredients. Here are the best ice cream makers to buy and how to choose the best model for your needs.
With the arrival of summer, one of the most desired foods for adults and children is ice cream, better if artisanal and made with natural products. The ice cream maker for the home can become the best appliance to ensure the quality of the products used for ice cream production, especially if you have any intolerance or allergy.
You will no longer have to analyze the labels to be sure to buy gluten-free or lactose-free ice cream, and those who want to indulge themselves can try making vegan or organic ice cream in their kitchen.
Furthermore, electric ice cream makers have optimized the preparation process compared to traditional crank ice cream makers. To produce the ice cream, it was necessary to exert physical effort to operate the blade inside through a crank to be operated for at least 15 minutes.
On the other hand, modern electric ice cream makers are powered by electricity; the main advantage is that you will have the certainty of the speed of movement of the blade, always guaranteeing an ice cream with an optimal consistency.
The best ice cream makers are also equipped with preset programs to prepare ice creams, sorbets, and yogurt, making different foods easy and intuitive and allowing you to vary your menu and experiment with more recipes.
Table of Contents
How to choose the ice cream maker: Types and Characteristics
To choose the best ice cream maker for your needs, it is good first to consider the type and then analyze the other characteristics, such as capacity, performance, speed, ease of use, and value for money.
Type
We have already mentioned the differences between artisanal and electric ice cream makers, but there are two types: accumulation and compression for the latter category.
The difference between these ice cream makers is the cooling mode, the motor power, and the appliance structure.
Accumulation ice cream maker
The accumulation ice cream maker uses the motor to drive the whipping blade and a double-walled basket. A coolant accumulates and releases the cold during preparation, making the ingredients cool during the whisking.
To reach the ideal temperature of -0.4°F for the preparation of ice cream, must leave the basket in the freezer for several hours; depending on the capacity of the basket, this period can be more or less long, but usually, we speak of a minimum of 8 hours up to more than 24 hours.
The freezing times indicated by the manufacturers reference a freezer temperature of -0.4°F, which means that depending on the temperatures, the freezer can reach can reduce this time by even a few hours.
This means that you have to plan the ice cream preparation, which cannot do out of the blue unless you have enough space in the freezer to store the basket so it is always ready to use.
Preparation time with an accumulation ice cream maker
Once the basket has cooled, preparation can take 15 to 20 minutes to use a powerful model with a medium-small basket or exceed 30 minutes for a less powerful model or with a basket with a larger capacity.
Consumption and Power of a storage ice cream maker
The storage ice cream maker’s consumption is much lower than that of a compressor. The accumulation ice cream maker uses the cold created by the freezer to cool the basket in which the ice cream will be prepared, while the motor will only be used to operate the shovel.
For this reason, these ice cream machines have a low cost and a power between 7W, under which the motor risks overheating, and 12W, beyond which the power is superfluous, as they do not have to deal with the cooling of the basket. It must be borne in mind that the lower the ice cream maker’s power, the lower the quantity of ice cream produced in a single time.
Ice cream maker with compressor or self-cooling
The self-cooling compressor ice cream maker does not need a pre-cooling process to make ice cream in the freezer. This is because it has a structure in which the motor and the compressor are enclosed, and the basket is proportionally smaller than the structure itself.
It will be sufficient to connect it to the electric current to start the refrigeration process, allowing you to prepare the ice cream with processing times between 20 and 60 minutes.
These models allow you to prepare ice cream without preparing the basket in advance, as in accumulation ice cream makers.
Ice cream maker with compressor or self-cooling
The self-cooling compressor ice cream maker does not need a pre-cooling process to make ice cream in the freezer. This is because it has a structure in which the motor and the compressor are enclosed, and the basket is proportionally smaller than the structure itself.
It will be sufficient to connect it to the electric current to start the refrigeration process, allowing you to prepare the ice cream with processing times between 20 and 60 minutes. In addition, these models allow you to prepare ice cream when you want without preparing the basket in advance, as happens in accumulation ice cream makers.
Consumption and Power of a self-refrigerating ice cream maker
A low-power self-cooling ice cream maker will have a motor with less than 150W. A medium-power ice cream machine will have a motor with power between 150W and 170W, while a high-power ice cream maker will have values between 170W to 200W.
The ice cream maker with a compressor has a more powerful motor than a storage ice cream maker, guaranteeing the ideal temperature to prepare ice cream.
The difference in power depends on the quantity of ice cream produced, the functions present, and the price range of the ice cream maker.
Additional functions of ice cream makers with compressor
Some models of self-refrigerating ice cream makers have a cold maintenance function that allows the ice cream to be kept out of the fridge for a period set by the model.
This function allows you to bring the ice cream to the table without risking that it melts, but the times may vary depending on the type of ice cream made and the outside temperature.
The Basket
The average capacity is 50 ounces, producing 28 ounces of ice cream, suitable for six portions. Depending on the number of people who will prepare the ice cream, a model with a more or less large basket will have to be chosen, remembering that the ratio between liters and grams of ice cream produced is not 1:1.
You could choose a 1-liter capacity basket capable of producing about 18 ounces of ice cream, which is ideal for couples or small families.
For larger families or very greedy children, opting for an ice cream maker with a 2-liter capacity basket to prepare more than 35 ounces of ice cream at a time is advisable. In addition, some ice cream makers allow you to use multiple baskets to prepare different ice cream flavors at a time, one in the removable basket and, subsequently, another in the fixed basket.
Among the professional ice cream maker’s models, it is possible to find compressor ice cream makers with double baskets that simultaneously prepare two flavors.
Weight and Size
The accumulation ice cream makers weigh 35 ounces up to 140 ounces, much lower than the ice cream makers with the compressor. In addition, being equipped only with the bowl and the motor, the dimensions are also smaller overall.
Ice cream makers with compressors have an average weight of about 24 lbs, as they have larger dimensions since they must also contain the compressor and the motor. For this reason, it is good to immediately find an arrangement in the kitchen for the ice cream maker, as the weight makes it difficult to move.
Cleaning
After each use, it is recommended to thoroughly wash the basket, the whipping blade, and all the parts that have come into contact with the ingredients during preparation. It is necessary to check if the various components can be washed in the dishwasher because, although most of the baskets are made of stainless steel, some products require hand washing by passing a damp cloth.
An ice cream maker with a compressor should check whether the basket type is fixed or removable. The latter will certainly be easier to clean.
Other functions
Some models also include sorbets, slushes, yogurt, frozen yogurt, and ice cream. The purchase of a multifunction model allows you to take advantage of the ice cream maker even during the rest of the year and vary the number of recipes served.
Power cord
A feature not to be underestimated is the length of the power cable and the presence of a cable reel compartment, which allows you to conveniently withdraw the cable at the end of use to maintain order on the kitchen counter.
Stability
The ice cream maker should be equipped with non-slip rubber feet that ensure the machine’s stability when operating on the work surface.
LCD Display
In compressor ice cream makers, you can find an LCD screen that allows you to check how much time is left to the end of preparation, making selecting the various machine functions easier.
Some advanced ice cream makers have a touch screen that makes the user experience easier and more intuitive.
Accessories
The ice cream spoons will give it the classic ball shape among the accessories that can be found supplied. Also, a measuring cup to always insert the right ingredients, and the paper recipe book will start preparing ice cream immediately, even if you have no experience.
Ice cream makers with removable baskets often find a plastic lid to store the ice cream directly in the basket in the freezer.
Materials
Accumulation ice cream makers usually have a plastic body capable of absorbing the batch freezer’s movement’s vibrations. A basket with an outer wall and an inner wall in stainless steel can keep colder and not subject to wear over time.
The presence of plastic outside the basket guarantees to take the basket out of the freezer without risking cold burns, as could happen if it were completely made of stainless steel.
Depending on the model’s price range, the machine body can be plastic or steel in compressor ice cream makers, while the basket is always stainless steel. In the case of a removable basket, these are often equipped with an aluminum handle to avoid the problem of cold burns.
Price
The price of an ice cream maker depends mainly on the type: storage ice cream makers are cheaper than those with compressors, but these have the advantage of preparing ice cream quickly and without making any preparation. Depending on the frequency and quantity of ice cream you want to produce, you can choose one or the other option.
How to prepare ice cream with the ice cream maker
The ice cream makers are straightforward, and most models have a basic recipe book to guide beginners in making ice cream.
Prepare the ingredients
First, you need to choose the ingredients necessary to prepare ice cream. Then, depending on the flavor you want, you can choose between fresh products or powdered ingredients.
The basic ingredients to be prepared are milk, cream, sugar, and water, to which fruit, cocoa powder or chocolate, eggs, and other ingredients of your choice will be added, depending on your preferences.
The mixing
Depending on the recipe you want to make and the available ice cream maker, you can choose whether to mix the ingredients cold or hot. Hot mixing is usually provided in recipes that use eggs and prepared yogurt.
This step is significant because having a homogeneous mixture will allow correct freezing with the ice cream maker. Next, we recommend using an immersion blender to dissolve the sugar and mix all the elements well.
The Whipping
Once you have your blend, you must begin the freezing process. In the case of a self-refrigerating ice cream maker, this step can be skipped, while ice cream makers without this function must leave the container with the mixture to rest in the freezer for a few hours.
It is necessary to allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge in the hot mixing case. Once the necessary time has elapsed, pour the mixture into the ice cream maker’s basket for freezing. This process varies according to the recipe and the ingredients but generally takes 20 and 50 minutes.
Processing Control
Many ice cream makers have a transparent lid with a small opening to control the freezing process and add ingredients during processing, such as chocolate flakes or small fruit pieces. The best ice cream makers also present on the LCD information on the times and speed set for the preparation of ice cream, to always know at what stage of processing the ice cream.
Hardening
As soon as whipped, the ice cream is very soft and can obtain the right hardness. However, resting for at least 30 minutes in the freezer is best before serving. Some ice cream makers have a removable basket that allows you to store the ice cream in the freezer if it is not finished.
However, it must be borne in mind that, in this case, if you do not have another basket available, preparing more ice cream for the next day will not be possible.
In the case of an accumulation ice cream maker, after finishing the ice cream, it is advisable to wash the basket quickly and put it back in the freezer immediately to speed up the cooling time of the basket itself and to be able to prepare more ice cream within a few hours, or in anticipation of a day after.
The best ice cream makers to buy
To make your choice easier, these are the best ice cream makers to buy right now, selected based on the type and characteristics and included in a price range between $50 and $500.
- SUPERIOR FUNCTIONALITY: This brushed stainless steel fully automatic heavy-duty motor...
- MUST-HAVE FEATURES: Large ingredient spout for easily adding favorite mix-ins including a...
- INCLUDED: Comes with replacement lid, a double insulated freezer bowl that holds up to 2...
- HOMEMADE ICE CREAM: Enjoy a fun ice cream experience with modern convenience with our ice...
- NOSTALGIA ICE CREAM KITS: Our ice cream machines for home pair perfectly with all...
- QUICK AND EASY: Make homemade ice cream in 20 minutes. The powerful electric motor does...
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: The new patent-pending mixing paddle makes frozen treats in 20 minutes...
- COOL FEATURE: Double-insulated freezer bowl eliminates the need for ice
- CAPACITY: Makes up to 1-½-quarts of your favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt
- 6-QUART CAPACITY: Freeze up to 6 Quarts of cold and creamy ice cream, gelato, frozen...
- EASY 3 STEP PROCESS: 1) Mix your favorite ingredients and place in canister, 2) assemble...
- QUICK & EASY TO USE: The ice cream and dessert maker is simple to use. Simply add the...
- 4-QUART CAPACITY: Freeze up to 4 Quarts of cold and creamy ice cream, gelato, frozen...
- WATER PROOF LINED INTERIOR: Hand-crafted solid pine wooden bucket with a solid plastic...
- EASY 3 STEP PROCESS: 1) Mix your favorite ingredients and place in canister, 2) assemble...
- FUNCTIONALITY: With the Ninja CREAMi, you can transform everyday ingredients into ice...
- CUSTOMIZATION: With the Ninja CREAMi, you can have total control of your ingredients from...
- EASY TO USE: Easy-to-use functionality allows for the whole family to enjoy making frozen...
- ADDED PROGRAMS: Unlock a variety of CREAMi frozen treats with 5 new programs.
- XL CAPACITY: Family-sized treats for everyone to enjoy. New 24 oz. CREAMi XL Tubs hold 50%...
- DUAL PROCESSING: Use the same base to make two separate mix-in flavors—add candy to the...
- Make thick and creamy ice cream at home, in small batches, and enjoy right out the bowl.
- Fits all KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixers, except Artisan Mini models - KSM3316 and...
- Our 2 quart bowl lets you make your favorite ice creams, gelatos or sorbets in less than...
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: Create two quarts of delicious frozen treats in just 20 minutes with an...
- CAPACITY: Makes 2-quarts of your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato or sorbet
- MUST-HAVE FEATURES: LCD screen, 3 settings with multiple speeds and a countdown timer with...
- SUPERIOR FUNCTION: The new patent-pending mixing paddle makes frozen treats in 20 minutes...
- COOL FEATURE: Double-insulated freezer bowl eliminates the need for ice
- CAPACITY: Makes up to 1-½-quarts of your favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt
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