Your love for ice cream might push you to the wall, especially when you can’t access it at home. That’s why having an ice cream maker in your home might be handy to help you prepare it when needed.
Besides that, you might also be thinking of having healthy ice cream, like the dairy-free vegan one, among others. There are many brands of ice cream makers in the market.
You might wonder which could be the best ice cream machine. In this post, we have shared some best ice cream maker brands you might want to try.
Find out below.
Best Ice Cream Maker
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What’s the best ice cream maker?
When buying an ice cream maker, your needs matter. How often will you need ice cream? What quantities do you need to prepare? This will help you select an ice cream maker with the right capacity.
You should also consider how often you will be preparing the ice cream. Will you need to make an extra flavor? Check their costs and find out if they are within your budget.
1. Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5 Electric ice cream maker
Do you love ice cream yogurt? The Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5 is all you need for tasty frozen yogurt. It’s great because it only takes 20 minutes or less to prepare your delicious yogurt.
Being an automatic machine, it turns your ingredients into a healthy treat. You can just increase the ingredients to the bowl and switch it on. The device will do the rest.
It is also possible to make frozen treats in at a maximum time of 20 minutes, thanks to its new patent-pending mixing paddle. With this machine, you don’t need ice because it has a double-insulated freezer.
Since it has a large capacity, it can make a maximum of one and a half quarts. It has a lid that you can easily lock. You can as well add ingredients easily without having a mess because of its transparent lid.
This ice cream maker can handle frozen yogurt and ice cream to its heavy-duty and robust motor at the base.
2. Cuisinart ICE-100 ice cream maker machine
Want to prepare some rich, creamy gelato and some ice cream? Cuisinart ICE 100 ice cream maker is yet another equipment to help you get mouthwatering results at the comfort of your home.
If you are planning to make ice cream in large portions, you will benefit from this as it is a commercial-style compressor. It has a capacity of 1-1/2 quart. With its 60-minute countdown timer, there’s no doubt that you will achieve ideal consistency.
The machine also has two distinct mixing paddles, which makes your work quicker. The two paddles are the ice cream paddle and the gelato paddle. You can get more information about preparing other flavors from the free recipe book that comes with it.
After a complete countdown timer, the keep cool feature starts keeping your ice cream cold. The ice cream maker is fully automatic. It also has a transparent lid, making it easy to add ingredients.
You can add your mix-ins and toppings like nuts, chips, and chocolate as the freezing cycle continues.
3. Hamilton Beach 68330N Automatic Ice Cream Maker
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Do you have some cold treats that you would like to prepare? Whether you want frozen yogurt, ice cream, gelato, or Herbert, the point is you need a quality ice cream maker.
Hamilton Beach 68330N will not disappoint you in that. It’s one of the most versatile equipment since it can prepare a variety of things. You don’t need to use any string as it is fully automatic.
When you add ingredients like rock salt and ice, it will work on the rest then stop when it’s ready. Even if you are a beginner, this machine is easy to use, thanks to its smart design.
It comes with more than 20 recipes to prepare. You can try them or come up with your own, depending on your preferences. It’s the best machine if you are looking for a keto ice cream maker or a soft-serve ice cream maker.
4. Nostalgia WICM4L Electric Ice Cream Maker
Make ice cream quarts a fast as possible using the Nostalgia WICM4L Electric Ice Cream Maker. It has a capacity of 4 quarts, and can make the right amount of ice cream or gelato within a short time.
You don’t need to do any manual work while handling this equipment. As the name suggests, it uses electricity. You only need to place your ingredient on the aluminum canister. Try to put it in the middle of the bucket.
Add a layer of salt and ice, and the electric motor will handle the rest of the work. The function of the electronic motor lock is to safeguard all the parts of the ice cream maker by locking it into place.
It’s also easy to use and clean the bucket and the plastic liner. You can get recipes for making delicious ice cream from the manual and try them. If you like, you can customize them by adding more ingredients for a better test.
5. Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker 68881Z
Your homemade ice cream will never be the same again if you try using an efficient and effective ice cream maker. The Hamilton Beach Ice Cream maker can’t disappoint you for that matter.
It’s versatile and can create frozen yogurt, ice cream, gelato, and delicious sherbet. With its exceptional design, you’ll find it easy to use even if you have never used an ice cream maker before.
You don’t need to use rock salt if you use this machine. It can as well prepare creamy ice cream in less than 20 minutes. It comes with simple recipes that you can easily follow the guidelines.
You can as well add your favorite ingredients on the provided recipes and enjoy your ice cream. It’s also easy to switch it on and off.
You will need to pre-freeze the bowl before making the frozen treats faster. This freezer bowl can easily fit in the freezer.
6. Whynter ICM-201sb 2.1 Quart Upright Stainless Steel Bowl Ice Cream Maker
An excellent DIY ice cream is the one that you have fully customized according to your desired taste. Fortunately, that is possible if you have the right ice cream maker. The Whynter ICM0201 Quart Upright Stainless Steel Bowl can’t let you down.
This is an easy to use ice cream machine with a design of small footprint and an upright profile. You don’t need to worry about space as it can fit any countertop.
The presence of the pause button in this ice cream machine helps you to add your best fruit flavor using the pause button.
You can as well stop this button temporarily and check the ice cream consistency. The stainless steel used to make this machine lasts long and helps it not to get rust.
You should note that this equipment operates in three suitable modes. There’s the mixing only mode, ice cream mode, and the cooling only mode.
7. Dash My Pin Small Ice Cream Maker
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Make your ice cream easily with Dash My Pin Electric Ice Cream maker. Even if you are trying to prepare it for the first time, you don’t need to worry. This is an easy to use an ice cream machine.
With a single touch button, the appliance will start and prepare the ice cream.
You don’t need to monitor it. You just need the recipe and ingredients. Follow the instructions, and Dash my pint will do the rest of the work. This equipment has a capacity of up to 1.6 cups of ice cream.
However, for efficient results, you are required to freeze the ice cream bowl overnight. You can then put your mixture of ice cream.
All you need is to wait for 30 minutes as the machine does the work. Besides the recipe, this ice cream maker also comes with a scooping spoon that you can use to eat the ice cream.
8. DASH DIC700AQ Everyday Popsicle Ice Cream Maker
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There’s nothing as exciting as making your DIY ice cream at home and enjoying it as if you bought it from a 5-star ice cream shop. The Dash DIC700AQ is all you need to make ice cream using simple steps.
This is the perfect 2-in-1 frozen treat maker. With this top-rated ice cream maker, you can make the ice cream of your choice. There’s no doubt that it’s not easy to get healthy ice cream in the market for those on specific diets.
Whether you are looking for something non-dairy, organic, or classic vanilla ice cream, it will ensure that you enjoy it to the fullest. It has an ingredient spout that enables you to add ingredients.
This ingredient spout makes it easy to use and simplifies the preparation of ice cream. This machine also has minimal parts, which simplifies the cleaning process. You can wash the nonelectrical parts on a dishwasher since its safe.
9. Gourmia GSI280 Automatic Ice Cream Maker
Sometimes pre-freezing the ice cream maker’s bowl can be an issue if you tend to be busy. If you are looking for an ice cream maker with an internal cooling system, you need this.
The Gourmia GS1280 Automatic Ice Cream Maker has an internal cooling system that you won’t need to pre-freeze the bowl. It’s versatile equipment that can prepare many things.
For example, you can make gelato, soft and hard serve ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. Being an electric machine, it does everything for you. All you need is to prepare the ice cream mixture from available ingredients.
It has a capacity of 1.5 pints and takes about 60 minutes. Since it comes with a cookbook, even newbie’s can gather the ingredients and prepare anything written in them.
The cookbooks have tasty flavors like blueberry cheesecake, black forest chocolate cherry: Mango sorbet, mint chocolate chip, cream, and cookies, among others.
10. Oster 4-Quart Wood Bucket Ice Cream Maker
Enjoy your homemade ice cream with the Oster 4-Quart Wood Bucket Ice Cream Maker. This ice cream machine has a capacity of 4 quarts and can prepare frozen treats at a maximum of 40 minutes or less.
Being a versatile ice cream machine, it can prepare sherbet, ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. You can customize your frozen treats by adding ingredients you love.
Its slats have also been connected well with each other. The inside of the bucket cannot experience friction since it has been lubricated with silicone.
Types of ice cream makers
There are various categories of ice cream makers in the market. It’s crucial to know them to choose the best.
- Ice & salt ice cream makers
These cake makers look like a bucket that has a crank on top. Some models available in the market currently have a modern outlook and are more colorful compared to the traditional ones.
They were used many years ago and still bring excellent results even now. Even though they are affordable, you will need to do more work while using them compared to other recent models.
Before using it, ensure that you have enough ice and salt. These ice cream makers give you more control during the whole process. To get the temperature right, you can experiment with some ice and salt.
As for the manual models, it’s possible to manage the speed of the ice cream makers. If you would love to prepare ice cream the traditional way, this is the right equipment for you.
- Electric Frozen Bowl Ice Cream Maker
With this type of ice cream maker, you don’t have to deal with ice and salt. Instead, you deal with putting the machine bowl inside the freezer a day before preparing the ice cream.
The purpose of putting the bowl in the freezer is to make it cold. You can then later add the ingredients and switch on the machine. This is easy to use the tool and gives excellent results.
It’s also affordable, and kids can use it. The only drawback is that you need to be patient. You also don’t have much control over it, like the salt and ice models.
- Compressor Ice Cream Maker
These are the fastest ice cream machines available. You can prepare your homemade ice cream and have it the same day. Remember, when using the other ice cream makers, you have to wait.
However, they are a bit pricey compared to the other models mentioned above. These ice cream makers are easy to use and produce delicious creamy ice cream.
Factors to consider when choosing an ice cream maker
Every ice cream maker is different, and not each of them may suit your needs. Here are the factors you need to consider before selecting any of them.
- Ease of use
The process of preparing ice cream is crucial in giving you excellent results. The ice cream maker should be easy to use so that the process of making the ice cream can run smoothly.
Consider checking the compressor-style machine. The machine should also come with a bowl that freezes quickly. This makes it easy to prepare the ice cream. It should have spontaneous digital displays that help you get the settings when you need them.
- Cost
Ice cream makers vary in prices depending on their ease of use. For example, high-end compressor ice cream makers tend to be more expensive compared to the rest.
But they perform fast and needless of the efforts. Simple ice cream makers like the traditional ones might require more manual efforts while using them.
They also take longer to prepare the ice cream and need patience. You can get the simple ones from as low as $30.
It would be great if you analyzed your budget and find out what you can afford. If you are on a budget, you can use the simple ones but get ready to put an extra effort into them.
- Capacity/ Quarts
What amount of ice cream will you be preparing? You are preparing it at home, how large is your family? Are you preparing it for commercial use?
Large quantities of ice will need a machine that can accommodate a larger capacity of ice cream.
Most ice cream makers that can accommodate a more substantial capacity are slow. You should have some experience before opting for such. Compressor models are faster, but their capacity is small.
If you are willing to spend some more bucks, consider getting compressor models. Salt and ice models can offer a more substantial capacity.
- Texture and consistency
It might be quite hard to test compatibility and taste before buying an ice cream maker. But this is one of the most crucial things you need to check.
The texture of your ice cream will depend on how the machine works. The compressor ice cream maker offers a smooth ice cream texture compared to other models.
With the ice and salt models, you can have extra control over texture by testing different options for the dasher speed.
- Speed
How long would you like it to take to prepare the ice cream? Some ice cream makers take long because they require you to prepare the bowl in advance before putting the ice cream mixture inside.
Should you need the ice cream the same day you prepared it, you might want to use the compressor ice cream maker because it is speedy. You can find the speed of an ice cream machine outlined on the selling point.
- Ease of cleaning
You will need to clean your ice cream maker after use to avoid infections. Consider the steps involved in cleaning each ice cream maker.
For example, you can have a look at the manual of the ice cream maker and see if you are comfortable with the steps offered there. Some ice cream maker parts are dishwasher safe, while others will only need to be wiped. Find out if you are satisfied with the directions of cleaning it.
- Noise
You should expect to get noise from any appliance that uses electricity. An ice cream maker has no exception. However, the level of noise from each ice cream maker is what creates a difference between them. Consider choosing a machine that produces less noise.
- Appearance
What’s the design of the ice cream maker? Remember, the aesthetics of that appliance will have an impact on the outlook of your kitchen. Ensure that you choose a beautiful design that fits with the design of your kitchen.
Features and Extras
- Extra frozen bowl
Some ice cream makers can come with an added frozen bowl. This is important in making it easy to start the preparations of ice cream
- Ready bell
Ice cream makers need to have an available bell, which alerts you that your ice cream is re.
- Stay cool function
You need the stay-cool function so that you don’t have to eat your ice cream immediately. It’s ready. It helps you to eat when you want.
- Hardness options
This machine should have various settings to help you select your desired thickness of the ice cream
- Cool Down Function
The cool down feature helps you to start preparing the ice cream faster. Most compressor machines have this feature.
- Digital display
With the digital display, you can select your settings and look at the temperature too.
Ice cream makers can help you enjoy your DIY ice cream at home. It’s simple to prepare them if you follow the recipe. You need to choose the right ice cream maker, depending on your needs.
If you need one for commercial use, you might want to choose the one with a larger capacity. Your budget matters, as some are quite costly. The above suggestions are among the best ice cream machines you might want to try.
FAQ
The standard sizes that ice cream makers have are 1.5 and 2 quarts. The regular size of ice cream makers in stores is 1.5 quarts. If that doesn’t seem enough, try to buy the one with a capacity of 2 quarts.
The truth is that it’s not a must for you to have one. You can still prepare a homemade ice cream maker in other simple ways. When using an ice cream machine, you have many more options as well.
Churning ice cream is crucial so that it can break down the large crystals of ice that will have formed. They tend to be unpleasant. Remember, they can destroy the texture of the ice cream.
Should you have added alcohol in that ice cream, it will take longer than usual to freeze. You should soften your still-frozen ice cream before you test it.
You can test by running your fingers transversely to the custard. Should the line be thick as required, it will suggest put without running or dripping once you see that, it ready, just; just it from the heat.