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Have you ever tried to make ice cream at home using electric ice cream makers? If not, I think that you have missed something enjoyable and interesting.
Anyway, you landed here in the right place to reveal all that you should know about the home ice cream maker.
Various Types Of Ice Cream Makers
Indeed, you should be informed that you have to choose between 3 various types of ice cream makers. Specifically, they are countertop, small freezer unit, and large units with a freezing built-in mechanism.
Type (1): Counter Top Electric Ice Cream Makers:
Practically, countertop electric ice cream makers use a double-walled bowl, which should be frozen in the freezer before you can add the ice cream mixture. Later on, when the bowl is well-frozen, it should be placed in the machine, the mixture is added, and the maker is turned on.
There is a paddle in the center of the maker that rotates and this stirs the mixture as it gradually freezes through contact with the frozen bowl.
Indeed, no one can define a fixed time for this purpose. However, it is a question of 20 to 30 minutes. After that, you will be able to enjoy the marvelous taste of your frozen delight.
How much does would this machine typically cost?
Surely, it depends on whether you like to buy a new or used machine. I would opt for a new machine as I have bad experiences with these used automatic ice cream makers from eBay. The price range on a new ice cream maker can run from less than $100 to $700 or more..
What should you consider before paying even $1?
When it comes to paying your hard-earned money to buy an ice maker, you should check the following factors:
- Is your target machine easy to use?
- Is your target machine easy to clean?
- Does it have an automatic shut off when the ice is ready?
- Did you find 3 independent online reviews that recommend this model?
Type (2): Small Freezer Electric Ice Cream Makers:
Its paddle rotates after a predefined time duration, usually a few seconds, to stir the mixture. When the ice cream is ready for you, a mechanism will stop the paddle and the ice cream will be lifted.
What is the drawback of this process?
Indeed, making ice cream using small freezer electric ice cream makers is a bit time-consuming. Roughly calculated, these ice cream makers need around 20% more time than countertop machines.
What should you take into account?
If you decide to look into this type of electric ice cream maker, bear in mind that most come with a cord and you will have to close the freezer door over the cord.
However, some refrigerators come with a specialized electrical plug that can be used with freezer unit makers. You can also purchase battery operated small freezer makers. These units usually cost approximately one hundred dollars.
Type (3): Large Units with Built-in Freezing Mechanism Electric Ice Cream Makers:
Though these machines are relatively large, they usually come with a built-in freezing mechanism. As a result, there is no need to pre-chill a bowl or to position anything into the freezer.
Do you know how these ice cream makers work?
Practically, you just need to turn on the machine, add the mixture. Then, 30 minutes later, you should be ready to eat very delicious ice cream.
What is the big advantage here?
What I most likely in this kind of machine is how easy it is to get your ice cream done. If you adopt this art of ice cream makers, then all these hard preparations will be something from the past.
How much does this machine cost?
Indeed, here we have a large wide of prices. However, as far as I know, below $200 you will not get a good unit. If you are looking for large size machines with full-options as it is the case for commercial purposes, then you should be ready to invest around $1200.
What are my golden tips for you?
There are many new and old fashioned ice cream makers on the market. Hence, to choose the best one, you should target a company that has been around in this business for several years.
Based on my personal experiences and recommendations from friends, you can start with good names like KitchenAid, Cuisinart ice cream maker, and Lello.
What is the mistake that most people do?
When it comes to buying electric ice cream makers or hand-crank ice cream makers, you should never forget to check the warranty of the company. Also, check if they offer a return policy that one can rely on.
The Top 3 Models Of Electric Ice Cream Makers
Model (1): Cuisinart ICE-100
They are very popular and most come with a three-year warranty, a nice plus. The Cuisinart ICE-100 consistently gets good reviews from users. It has a large opening in the top for pouring the ingredients and it includes an automatic shut off that prevents the motor from overheating.
The Cuisinart ICE-100 has a compressor freezer and also gets very strong recommendations especially for making great tasting ice cream and being easy to use. In few words, this is the first recommended machine by most ice cream maker reviews.
For more information on this electric ice cream maker, including an additional photo gallery, you will find it on the Amazon website here.
Model (2): KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
This machine makes a mixer with an electric ice cream maker attachment. This also gets very high reviews from users. The machine is pretty quiet and if you follow the simple directions you will have smooth, great tasting ice cream in about 25 minutes.
For more information about KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment, including an additional photo gallery, you will find it on the Amazon website here.
Though the strong recommendations and the high ice cream maker ratings, the KitchenAid machine is not as good as Cuisinart electric ice cream makers.
Model (3): Lello 4080 Musso Lussino
It is an Italian ice cream maker that is extremely quiet. The self-contained freezer unit version can make up to 3 quarts of ice cream per hour. You can also make sorbets, sherbets, frozen drinks, and frozen yogurt.
For more information about the Lello 4080 Musso Lussino, including an additional photo gallery, you will find it on the Amazon website here.
Cleaning The Lello 4080 Musso Lussino Ice Cream Maker
Which factors should help you to decide?
- Reputability of the company.
- Your defined budget.
- Shipping costs.
- Length of the warranty.
- The quietness of the machine.
- Return policy of the company.
- Speed of the machine.
- The simplicity of cleaning and using.
When does an electric ice cream make sense?
Having this kitchen aid is a must, if you:
- like to entertain your children.
- are sick of expensive ice creams.
- are excited to try special ice cream flavors.
How to use an ice cream maker?
All-electric ice cream makers work by churning and freezing a mixture of ingredients. In most cases, you will get the machine associated with a recipe book that includes many different varieties for you to try.
This way, you will avoid crashing your machine. Also, if you are not that creative about making ice cream, then this book will help you.
How Full To Fill Ice Cream Maker?
The ice cream maker should not be overfilled since it will not allow the ice cream to aerate properly. The best results can be obtained by filling Three quarters.
The Most Popular Types Of Electric Ice Cream Makers
The two most popular types are ones that include a freezer bowl and ones that have a self-contained freezer. It is really hard to say which one is better, however, let us have a deeper look at both.
Type (1): Makers that use a freezer bowl:
Based on my personal experiences, electric ice creams that use a freezer bowl are relatively simple to use. All that you have to do is to place the bowl inside your freezer for a few hours till 24 hours before you are ready to make your ice cream.
When it is the time to start, you should pour your mixture in and your electric ice cream maker does all the work.
What are the great benefits behind this art of machines?
It does not take much effort to put a bowl in the freezer or to pour some ingredients into it. The result is great tasting ice cream, which contains your favorite components for a very reasonable price.
When you follow the instructions, these makers work great and they are reasonably priced. If you are interested to get such a machine, then you should invest around $100.
Type (2): Makers that have self-contained freezer:
The self-contained compressor freezer electric ice cream makers are very professional. You simply pour your mixture into them and turn them on. They are easy to use, they are convenient and you can make another batch immediately after the first batch is finished.
What are my golden tips for you here?
You will never feel sorry for using this kind of machine. I would advise you to opt for machines that own a transparent lid. It is a lot of fun and entertaining to watch your ice cream being made.
Furthermore, check if your target model has a timer to avoid being in stupid situations because of letting the machine on for a long time. In this context, an auto safety shut-off is also a cool feature that you should have.
Hand Crank versus Electric Ice Cream Makers: The Right Selection!
If you enjoy making your ice cream, you will love having an electric ice cream maker. These appliances are easy to use and are a fun way to make custom ice cream flavors from the comfort of your own home.
Which questions should you ask before you buy it?
- What capacity will you need?
- Will the size and weight that you choose fit on your countertop?
- How quickly does the maker churn a batch of ice cream?
- Are the spare parts available on the market?
And, finally the last interesting question is:
Should you buy hand crank or electric ice cream makers?
First of all, an ice cream maker, whether hand-cranked or electric, does something few other appliances can; and that is to grace you with memories of great tasting ice cream and the fun you had making it for years to come.
Practically, no one can give a definite answer to this question as it depends on your needs. However, let us have a deeper look at both types.
Practically, there are some other differences you may or may not have thought about.
Noise:
Practically, some people do not like noise at all. Their decision to buy is mainly affected by this factor. In this manner, you should be informed that electric ice cream makers are a bit noisy.
Equipment Failure:
From the technical point of view, a hand crank ice maker is less often damaged or crashed. This is due to the absence of any complicated devices in it.
As the name states, it works manually. And, as a natural result, it is really hard to get it crashed due to the robust mechanical mechanisms.
On the other hand, electric ice cream makers can be crashed due to any failure related to their main control or their motor. Also, sudden high voltage may lead to some damages to your machine.
Portability:
Have you ever thought about the idea to make ice cream after a grilling party under the sun? It is a good idea, but for this, you need a portable ice maker.
Here, hand-crank ice cream makers offer a nice advantage. They are portable and can be easily taken anywhere with you since they need no electricity.
Speed :
This is one of the points in which electric ice cream makers offer an advantage. Practically, they need around 30 minutes to offer you a delicious ice cream.
On the other hand, hand-crank ice makers need some physical work from your side. As a result, you will not be as fast as using an electric machine.
Cost :
When you have to make some physical work, then you will pay less than usual. For example, the 6 quart Immergood hand-crank ice cream maker runs $50 – $60 less than the similar-sized electric driven model.
Best Electric Ice Cream Makers
Machine Name | Sold By | Weight | Dimensions | Material Type | Color | Price |
Cuisinart ICE-100 | Cuisinart | 23.7 lbs | 16.73 x 12 x 9.33 in | Steel | Silver | CHECK IT OUT |
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment | KitchenAid | 11 pounds | X | X | White | CHECK IT OUT |
Lello 4080 Musso Lussino | Musso | 38 lbs | 17.72 x 11.81 x 10.63 in | Stainless Steel | Silver | CHECK IT OUT |
Conclusion
There are many new and old fashioned ice cream makers on the market. Hence, to choose the best one, you should target a company that has been around in this business for several years.
When it comes to buying electric ice cream makers or hand-crank ice cream makers, you should never forget to check the warranty of the company. Also, check if they offer a return policy that one can rely on.
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