The Final Ice Cream Maker Assessment has every part you should know to decide on the perfect ice cream maker for YOU!
Having revealed effectively over 100 ice cream recipes, I get requested a LOT of questions on ice cream makers. So, right here’s my assessment of the perfect and the worst ice cream makers available on the market in 2024.
Proper after, “Which machine do YOU suggest?” The preferred query I get is whether or not it’s doable to make ice cream with out a machine. The reply is YES. You can also make ice cream with out a machine. Find the full directions here!
There are such a lot of completely different ice cream makers available on the market, it may be onerous to even know the place to start. With the knowledge right here, you could find the perfect ice cream maker on your wants and begin making your favourite frozen treats at residence.
I’ve personally examined all of those machines, basing my selections for testing on buyer evaluations, and selecting the highest-rated machines in every class.
The identical homemade ice cream recipe was used for each batch examined in these machines.
From ice cream compressors to creating ice cream in a bag, I’ve received your frozen treats coated to be able to make the perfect buy choice to fulfill all your ice cream cravings!
Ice Cream Maker Opinions
- Electrical Ice Cream Makers – frozen bowl, no ice required
- Electrical Ice Cream Makers – add ice and salt
- Hand Crank Ice Cream Makers – add ice and salt
- Tender Serve Ice Cream Maker, Instantaneous Ice Cream Maker, Ice Cream Ball, and Ice Cream In A Bag
- Compressor Ice Cream Makers – freezer compressor unit, no ice or frozen bowl required
Finest Ice Cream Maker Outcomes
Finest Ice Cream Maker below $75
In order for you an ice cream maker that produces constant, high quality outcomes, and also you don’t thoughts shopping for ice and salt if you’re able to make ice cream, the Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker is the machine for you.
It makes 4-quarts of ice cream at a time (superior for a crowd) and the ice cream texture is constant all through your complete batch.
Nonetheless, if you happen to don’t wish to mess with ice and salt, and you’ve got a KitchenAid mixer, the KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment is the way in which to go. The ice cream is clean and creamy with none of the inconsistent texture seen with different freezer bowl choices.
In case you do not need a KitchenAid, and also you need an electrical ice cream maker that doesn’t require ice or salt, the Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5-Quart is the best choice.
Finest Compressor Ice Cream Maker
The Cuisinart Compressor Ice Cream Maker is a strong high-end ice cream machine choice at below $300. In a nutshell, it churns the ice cream quicker in facet by facet testing and is a really shut match to the ice cream from the Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker.
In case you’ve recognized me for lengthy, you seemingly know that I usually name the Breville “my beloved” and it’s no secret that this has been my favourite kitchen equipment for over 10 years now – and it’s nonetheless going sturdy. The Breville is admittedly an indulgence buy at the next value. Whereas the Breville’s ice cream is creamier than the Cuisinart’s, it actually isn’t THAT a lot creamier.
My suggestion for the common residence cook dinner is for the Cuisinart. The one actual con to this machine is that it’s a contact louder than the Breville and it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the opposite.
NEW CONTENDER for 2024: I’ve been testing and utilizing the KUMIO 2.2-Quart Ice Cream Maker with Compressor side-by-side with my Breville for nearly a 12 months now. This one was a tremendous discover (unknown model to me) final 12 months and it’s had strong use with zero complaints.
I do dislike the churning paddle, nobody else has one nearly as good because the Breville, however that’s a small problem for a bigger machine (2.2 quarts) at almost half the value of the Breville (1.5 quarts). It’s my go-to machine anytime I think the batch will likely be bigger than common.
That is now my suggestion, each for the bigger dimension and the outcomes I’ve seen to this point. That mentioned, the Cuisinart is the extra well-known model, they usually’re each strong selections.
Nonetheless, if you wish to splurge and plan to make ice cream greater than as soon as a month, I’m at all times going to like my Breville greatest. So, there’s that.
Electrical Ice Cream Maker – frozen bowl, no ice required
The Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker (the Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart – $80 ) is a very talked-about choice for making ice cream at residence. That is most likely probably the most generally used ice cream maker right this moment.
The original Cuisinart machine was the primary ice cream maker I purchased about 8 years in the past (the Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5-Quart – $69) and I used it endlessly. The mannequin pictured under is the upgraded mannequin and makes a bigger batch, however in fact? I don’t prefer it as a lot as my older machine.
In case you’re in search of a dependable electrical ice cream maker below $75, you don’t personal a KitchenAid mixer already and don’t wish to mess with salt and ice, the unique Cuisinart ICE-21 is your greatest wager for cash spent. That mentioned, please learn by the entire assessment as that is my least favourite of all of the machines I examined.
There are just a few downsides to this machine. The bowl have to be frozen strong earlier than churning a batch of ice cream. You’re restricted to a single batch of ice cream and might want to refreeze the bowl for 8-12 hours till frozen strong earlier than churning a brand new batch of ice cream.
Regardless of its reputation, this machine produces the least uniform consistency of all of the ice cream makers right here. The freezing isn’t at all times constant and even, as a result of liquid usually freezes to the edges of the bowl as pictured under.
This makes it troublesome to get every part out of the bowl. And if you happen to do get every part out of the bowl, there will likely be just a few bizarre “buttery” chunks or slivers within the ice cream.
The Cuisinart machine delivers selfmade ice cream and it’s scrumptious. However, given what number of different choices can be found, this stays my least favourite machine on the checklist.
The Cuisinart was the primary electrical ice cream maker I purchased years in the past and I used it endlessly the primary summer time I used to be creating recipes for this web site. So, it does work and it makes nice ice cream.
I gave that unique machine to a good friend years in the past, however picked one other one up final week with a view to do all the facet by facet comparisons for this text. (And gave the brand new one away as quickly as I used to be executed with the testing.)
Stand Mixer Attachment Ice Cream Maker – frozen bowl, no ice required
In case you have a KitchenAid and don’t wish to add one other equipment to your kitchen, the KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment at $69 is a terrific ice cream making choice for you.
In a lot the identical method that the Cuisinart works, the bowl is frozen earlier than ice cream will be churned. As soon as frozen, it attaches to the stand mixer and is ready to churn 2-quarts of ice cream.
If you have already got a KitchenAid mixer, it is a much better choice than the Cuisinart, palms down. I examined the 2 machines facet by facet and I’ll let you know proper now that the Cuisinart can’t contact the creaminess and constant texture of the KitchenAid.
In case you have loads of freezer house, it is a nice choice and produces dependable soft-serve outcomes. For scoopable ice cream, simply pop the completed ice cream into an hermetic container within the freezer till agency.
Electrical Ice Cream Maker – simply add ice and salt
The Hamilton Beach Electric Ice Cream Maker at $49 is the least costly ice cream maker on this checklist and it really works surprisingly effectively. It is a fundamental, plug it in and churn electrical ice cream machine.
No controls, no changes, simply pour within the ice cream combine, fill the edges with ice and salt, and plug it in. (Please don’t buy this machine with out studying this complete assessment!)
The ice cream comes out of this machine as gentle serve, however nonetheless spoonable. In case you want firmer ice cream, it may be transferred to an hermetic container and frozen till agency sufficient to scoop.
HOWEVER, the Hamilton Seashore Electrical Ice Cream Maker is loud. As in, loopy unbelievably loud sort of loud. I can ignore a variety of noise, however this machine really had me placing in earplugs simply to get by the churning course of.
I additionally examined the Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker at $54. Facet by facet with the above Hamilton Seashore mannequin, I didn’t discover any noticeable distinction within the churned ice cream. Each batches of ice cream had been fluffy, creamy, just about excellent batches.
One huge perk (and severely, it’s a authentic perk) to the Nostalgia mannequin is the clear lid on the ice cream canister. It is vitally useful to have the ability to see how the ice cream is churning and whether it is virtually executed!
These electrical machines are 4-quart ice cream makers, so you may make a variety of ice cream at one time. The draw back to that is that the machines don’t at all times work as effectively for smaller batches. You’ll wish to plan on not less than doubling most traditional (1.5-quart) selfmade ice cream recipes for greatest outcomes.
I like to recommend the Nostalgia Ice Cream Maker over the Hamilton Seashore for the ear safety alone and for that clear lid. However if you happen to don’t thoughts the noise and may presumably churn your ice cream close to an outlet on the again porch?
The marginally cheaper one does work each bit in addition to the costlier choice. (Though, Sean was inserting bets on how rapidly the screeching grinding motor on a budget one will final. It actually does sound unreal.)
Hand Crank Ice Cream Maker
That is the old style fashion ice cream maker that many people keep in mind from childhood. I can keep in mind “serving to” my grandpa churn my grandma’s Six Threes Ice Cream of their storage whereas visiting them in the summertime.
There’s a huge distinction within the hand crank ice cream makers available on the market and to be blunt right here, you get what you pay for. In case you luck into an quaint hand-crank machine at a yard sale or goodwill, BUY IT if it’s low-cost. Critically. You simply would possibly get fortunate and discover a gem.
Once I first began making ice cream at residence, I attempted a pair completely different hand-crank machines (thanks to eBay and the native Goodwill the place I used to be capable of finding them for a steal – ha, now I do know why) and let me simply let you know now that they leaked water and ice all over the place they usually had been rusted as will be. They had been a large number to make use of and clear up was a ache, however they churned ice cream, so I assumed it was cool.
I attempted to search out two hand-crank machines to check facet by facet for this function, however sadly, the evaluations of most hand-crank machines available on the market now are really horrible. I couldn’t see spending the cash simply to substantiate what so many reviewers have already mentioned in regards to the different hand-crank machines.
That mentioned, I’ve needed a real workhorse of a hand crank ice cream maker for years and this summer time, I purchased one. The hand crank Immergood Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker at $406 is a DREAM of an ice cream maker.
This hand-crank machine churns 4 occasions as a lot ice cream in much less time than the electrical ice cream makers! 6 quarts of soft-serve ice cream in exactly 20 minutes?! Sure, PLEASE!
Critically, if there’s a heaven for ice cream makers, this ice cream maker has earned a spot there. I’ve little question that that is one thing my boys will likely be utilizing with their households sometime. The standard is unbelievable.
I debated this buy for a very long time (years, really) earlier than shopping for this ice cream maker and I’ve no regrets. This machine is offered in 4-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart choices and now we have already put it to nice use with household visiting this summer time.
I LOVE that we are able to make ice cream for a crowd so simply and so rapidly! And it’s simply plain enjoyable to make use of the hand crank to churn your ice cream. That is additionally a terrific choice for tenting and out of doors actions when electrical energy isn’t out there.
And in another nod to the unbelievable high quality right here, the bucket is so thick and effectively insulated that it required not fairly ten kilos of ice to fill this large bucket across the ice cream canister. The ice barely melted whereas we had been churning too!
(As compared, the electrical machines that we examined with ice required a 7-lb bag of ice every for his or her batches and it was half water in about 20 minutes for the skinny plastic bucket on the Hamilton Seashore machine.)
My youngest son churned a batch with a good friend final week and it was frozen to gentle serve in about 20 minutes. My oldest son and his uncle churned a batch in about the identical time this weekend.
That is the EASIEST hand crank ice cream churn we’ve ever used and I like that it produced a lot unbelievable selfmade ice cream. The quantity of power required isn’t actually an element, although the youngsters did develop uninterested in churning each couple of minutes and traded off.
We’ve got the 8-quart Immergood Stainless Metal Ice Cream Maker and it’ll churn a quadruple batch of selfmade ice cream in about 20 minutes. The ensuing ice cream is soft-serve selfmade consistency and will be transferred to an hermetic container and positioned within the freezer for scoopable firmness.
Tender Serve Ice Cream Maker
The Cuisinart Soft Serve 1.5QT Ice Cream Maker at $124 is the one semi-reliable (per buyer evaluations) gentle serve machine available on the market and I selected to not take a look at this one. So far as I’m involved, there are WAY too many components that may should be washed and handled each time you wish to make ice cream.
To be completely trustworthy, the entire machine seems to be far too gimmicky. Even for take a look at functions, I couldn’t deliver myself to spend cash on this one. I’d a lot quite simply churn ice cream to soft-serve consistency in an ordinary machine after which sprinkle on or stir in no matter toppings we like.
If I’d discovered a non-commercial priced gentle serve machine with strong evaluations, I fortunately would’ve examined it (good day – ice cream lover right here) however after doing in depth analysis, I’m satisfied that there isn’t a soft-serve machine available on the market (for below a thousand {dollars}) that’s well worth the funding.
Critically, if you’d like gentle serve, purchase any of the machines right here and revel in. In response to many of the evaluations, I discovered on-line, the lovable dispenser seemingly won’t even work.
Ice Cream Ball
I’ve tried this methodology previously and it was an epic fail, so I merely couldn’t deliver myself to purchase one other Ice Cream Ball at $54 simply to check it. Sure, it freezes a bit, but it surely took a strong half-hour of rolling the ball forwards and backwards or shaking it and the tip outcome was mainly slush.
That is extra a youngsters’ toy than an ice cream maker so far as I’m involved.
Instantaneous Ice Cream Maker
Have you ever heard of this one? The Chef’n Sweet Spot Instant Ice Cream Maker at $39 was a shock discover whereas I used to be researching this text. With even a slim chance of creating rolled ice cream at residence, how may I resist? (Plus, it was half off on sale when I discovered it.)
Because it seems, it doesn’t actually type ice cream rolls as you would possibly hope (and honestly, I didn’t anticipate it to) this was a enjoyable little choice for making a fast ice cream deal with. It does really work. It freezes a tiny ½ cup serving at a time and we managed to get about 3 servings made earlier than it was too heat to work.
You retain the tray within the freezer and simply pour a serving value of ice cream combine within the tray if you’re able to make ice cream. The ice cream begins to freeze instantly and inside about two minutes, you’ll be able to scrape it up in frozen bits for a enjoyable “on the spot” bowl of ice cream.
It is a enjoyable method for teenagers to simply add in their very own toppings and “chop” them into the ice cream too.
After all, if you happen to’re actually making greater than the tiniest little bit of ice cream? or want ice cream for greater than a few youngsters? This isn’t very sensible in any respect as an ice cream maker.
Whenever you’re executed, simply rinse the nonetheless chilly tray in heat water, dry it, and re-freeze for subsequent time. Whereas it’s a neat trick to have the ability to make ice cream this manner, it’s actually extra toy than device.
Nonetheless, if you happen to luck into discovering it on sale, it’s neat to have within the freezer. However for the usual full listed value? This one is a strong nope from me.
Ice Cream In A Bag
Do you know you may make ice cream with simply a few zip-close freezer baggage? Sure, it’s doable. Is it the identical? In my expertise, probably not, however after a while within the freezer it does agency up a bit. No complaints right here although. I like ice cream in just about any type in any respect, even slushy.
It’s sort of enjoyable for a crowd of youngsters although and we’ve executed this (or tried this) previously whereas tenting. Wish to strive it your self?
How To Make Ice Cream In A Bag
- Pour ½ cup of any ice cream recipe combination right into a quart-size freezer-safe zip-close bag. Seal tightly, eradicating as a lot air as doable.
- Put a scoop of ice, 3 tablespoons ice cream rock salt, and the bag containing the milk-cream combination right into a gallon-size resealable plastic bag; seal tightly.
- Rock the bag forwards and backwards – there’s no have to shake the bag onerous – till the combination thickens into soft-serve ice cream, about 10 minutes.
Two issues to notice about this “recipe” – it actually solely works effectively with the listed ½ cup of ice cream combine, and that does make a reasonably small portion.
Please notice, if you happen to add extra of the ice cream combine to the bag with a view to have a bigger serving of ice cream, it could not freeze. This methodology isn’t simply adjusted, because it’s all in regards to the science of creating it freeze.
Compressor Ice Cream Makers
Till a few years in the past, the Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker was the dreamiest ice cream maker I’ve ever used.
I’ve been recognized to name this equipment “my beloved” and it nonetheless holds true that if I may solely have one of many two, I’d eliminate my KitchenAid mixer with a view to have this machine in my residence ceaselessly. Sure, it’s that incredible.
The sort of ice cream maker makes use of the identical compressor expertise used for fridges and freezers for quick cooling. They don’t want any pre-frozen components or components.
The Breville machine not solely has a self-refrigerating compressor that brings the components to a below-freezing temperature, but it surely additionally has a keep-cool setting that lasts as much as an hour. Along with this, there are 12 hardness settings (with pre-sets for sorbet, frozen yogurt, gelato, and ice cream).
The machine mechanically senses the hardness of the combination primarily based in your choice and retains it prepared till it’s time to serve.
As one of many pricier ice cream makers available on the market, it is a machine for people who find themselves critical about making ice cream. (Be aware the 70+ ice cream recipes on this web site for proof of the place I fall in that class.)
In case you’re in search of the final word in ice cream making choices at residence, that is the machine you need in your wishlist.
The Cuisinart Compressor Ice Cream Maker at $261 remains to be extremely common and it solidly competes with the Breville. And the KUMIO 2.2-Quart Ice Cream Maker with Compressor is one other strong selection at $229 ($279 with a $50 coupon).
Variations between these machines and the Breville? The Cuisinart and the Kumio don’t have a pre-cool function, so when you’ve got hotter ice cream (i.e. cooked ice cream) you’ll want to sit back it within the fridge earlier than churning.
The Cuisinart has a ten-minute preserve cool function whereas the Breville will preserve your ice cream cool for over an hour. The Kumio has a 30 minute preserve cool function.
(I’ve by no means used that function deliberately – simply as soon as once I forgot I used to be making ice cream and it saved the batch.) Neither of these options alone could be a dealbreaker for me.
Which Compressor Model Ice Cream Maker Is Finest?
The Cuisinart and the Kumio machines are strong. So far as I’m involved, Cuisinart redeems their ice cream making cred with this machine. It churns ice cream quicker and is a really shut match to the creaminess of the Breville.
Whereas the ice cream made within the Breville IS a teeny bit creamier, I’m not satisfied it’s value the additional price for many functions.
My suggestion for the house cook dinner is for the Cuisinart or the Kumio. (I’ll go away that selection as much as you, as one has extra title recognition and the opposite has a bigger quantity.) If you wish to splurge and plan to make ice cream greater than as soon as a month, I’m at all times going to like my Breville greatest.
How To Make Ice Cream
First time making ice cream? I like to recommend beginning with the best and easiest homemade ice cream recipe. It’s endlessly adaptable and it lends itself properly to just about any mix-in choices.
Strive including in chopped up blondies or brownies, chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal cookies (sure, add the raisins – the oatmeal raisin ice cream mixture is sooooo good!), chocolate sauce or caramel sauce swirls.
These are my favorite inexpensive containers for storing ice cream. They’re excellent for gifting (who doesn’t love selfmade ice cream?) storage, re-using, and so on. I write the flavors on the lids with a sharpie and it washes off with dish cleaning soap.
I’ve extra ice cream scoops than I can preserve monitor of at this level and I undoubtedly play favorites. This ice cream scoop does the perfect job ever of slicing by agency ice cream and nonetheless delivers a reasonably scoop. It will get bonus factors for being one of many least costly scoops I personal as effectively.
The preferred query I get is whether or not it’s doable to make ice cream with out a machine. The reply is YES. You can also make ice cream with out a machine. Find the full directions here!
initially revealed 7/24/19 – up to date yearly to mirror present pricing and supply extra assessment data for these machines, final up to date 5/10/24
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