The Best Ice Cream Maker (Review) in 2020

Buying our own ice cream maker can seem a little challenging, yet it can provide hours of joy once it becomes part of your kitchen. Before you start enjoying all those tasty treats however, you need to know how to buy the right one from you from the plethora that are on offer. Read on for tips on buying the best ice cream maker for your needs.

How Does an Ice Cream Maker Work?

The principle behind an ice cream maker is a relatively simple one. A central canister is turned and chilled allowing the mixture inside to become ice cream. The same basic principles apply to creating gelato, sorbet, and frozen yogurt. Different ingredients can be added to the basic mixture to develop different tastes and textures within the frozen dessert you are making.

Ice cream makers consist of three primary parts – external drum, canister and central churn. The central churn is placed inside the canister holding the ice cream mixture. This is then placed inside the external drum. The churn rotates inside the canister stirring and scraping the mixture away from the sides of the canister. In doing this it redistributes the mixture ensuring it is evenly chilled and stirred. However, it is more common now for ice cream makers to have motors that rotate the canister, and for the churn to stay still.

As well as being stirred to thicken the mixture, it also needs to be chilled, and there are several ways this can be achieved. Traditionally ice and rock salt are packed into the space between the outer drum and the canister to lower the temperature. Where this method is used, the ice and salt need to be replenished as the ice melts. Another method used is to have the canister or bowl double insulated and the space between the walls filled with a liquid that can be frozen. This removes the need for ice but means that the canister needs to be placed in the freezer, usually for 24 hours, before it can be used. A third way in which the temperature of the mixture can be lowered is with an electronic cooling system. This system is an integrated part of the ice cream maker, removing the need for ice or pre-cooling.

Features to Look For

• Capacity

Ice cream makers differ greatly in shape, size and capacity, so it is important that you get the right one for you. Most machines state their maximum capacity, and while they can make less, they work best when filled to that capacity.

• Method of production

Ice cream makers can be manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic. They type you choose determines the amount of effort you need to put in to create the perfect ice cream, as well as the length of time it takes for the ice cream to be ready.

• Cooling method

Ice cream makers cool the ingredients to freezing point either through using ice, a pre-cooled canister or using an electronic cooling system. The latter tend to be the more expensive models, but require less preparation and no pre-cooling time, so you can make your ice cream without having to prepare your bowl in advance.

• Locking lid

The last thing you want is for you ice cream ingredients to shoot out everywhere as you turn on your machine. A locking lid helps prevent this. Choosing an ice cream maker with either a clear panel in the lid, or a digital timer, reduces the need to open the lid to check on the progress of your ice cream. Not only does this reduce the risk of mess and spills, but also ensures the process takes less time and creates a smoother ice cream.

• Ingredients spout

Purchasing an ice cream maker with an ingredients spout means you can add to your basic mixture without interrupting the freezing and stirring process. It also means that your sprinkles, nuts or other additions are mixed thoroughly and evenly throughout your ice cream mixture.

• LCD display

This makes it much easier to know how long your mixture has left before it is ready. It also makes choosing and checking your settings easier, reducing the risk of mistakes that could turn your gelato into a solid lump.

• Program modes

Most ice cream makers are multi-purpose, but it is essential that you check that the model you are considering creates the frozen treat that you want. Different ingredients and outcomes require different temperatures and mixing speeds to create.

Can You Make More Than One Flavor at a Time?

You can only make one flavor at a time in a single canister ice cream maker, but once you have mastered the basic ice cream recipe you can experiment to your hearts content, creating a different combination each time.

Getting the basic recipe right, is however essential. If the base for your ice cream is wrong, then the flavor, consistency and texture will also be wrong.

For a basic vanilla ice cream, you need eggs, sugar, pinch of salt, milk, cream and vanilla. You will also need access to a mixing bowl, whisk, measuring spoons and cups, colander and a saucepan. You will of course also need your ice cream maker – with the canister or bowl pre-cooled if required.

The most complex part of the process is creating the custard that goes into the ice cream maker, and it is vital that you do not rush this part of the process. Start by whisking the eggs, sugar and salt together until light and frothy. Next, heat the milk and cream gently until it starts to simmer. Add this mixture to the eggs slowly, while whisking constantly. If you add the milt too quickly you will end up with scrambled eggs.

Once combined place back in a saucepan and heat gently until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. This takes around 5 – 8 minutes. When ready strain the mixture through the colander and allow to cool before adding the vanilla.

Make sure the mixture is completely cool before adding to your ice cream maker and following the manufacturers instructions to create your perfect ice cream.

Tips When Using an Ice Cream Maker

• Read the instructions

It may sound obvious but reading the instructions through before you start preparing your ice cream mix can help you to avoid complete disaster. It can be tempting to acquaint yourself with the finer points of the workings of the machine as you go along but doing this can lead to more of the mixture ending up over you and your kitchen, than actually makes it into the machine.

• Use the right ingredients

While it is possible to make almost any flavor of ice cream, it is important to start with the right basic ingredients. If you are new to making ice cream don’t try to experiment with low fat options, such as using half and half, until you are confident using full fat milk and cream. The fat content of the basic ingredients affects the consistency and creaminess of the finished product. Quality is also important. What ever ingredients you use, make sure they a of good quality as this too affects the taste and appearance of the completed ice cream.

• Let it cool

Make sure your custard mix is completely cool before you place it in your ice cream maker. If you are using a maker with a pre-cool bowl, then it also needs to be cooled properly before use. This usually takes between 12 and 24 hours. Where you need to use ice and salt to cool the mixture, ensure that you have enough to replenish the drum as the ice melts.

• Add flavors at the right time

Always ensure that the custard mixture has completely cooled before adding flavors, particularly if using extracts or alcohols. Adding them while the mixture is still warm will cause the flavor to deteriorate. The same care needs to be take if you are adding extras through a pouring spout during the ice cream making process. Too few and you will be hunting for the extras. Too many and you will lose the taste and consistency of the original ice cream. Also ensure that the piece you add are chopped to the size of a regular chocolate chip. If the pieces are too big they could interfere with the stirring and cooling process.

• Starting the motor first

This is particularly important if you are using a machine with a pre-cooled bowl or canister. Having the motor on before pouring in the custard mixture stops the mixture from freezing to the sides of the bowl on contact and creating lumpy ice cream that is full of ice crystals.

• Check the lid

It is a simple mistake to make, especially if you are busy. If your ice cream machine lid is not locked in place, then not only will the cold air escape but so too could the mixture.