There’s no better way to beat the summer heat than by enjoying a cool, delicious ice cream cone. But why settle for store-bought when you can make your own at home? Homemade ice cream is not only tastier, but you can also control the ingredients and choose healthy alternatives. Plus, it’s a fun activity to do with the kids!
If you’re thinking of making your own ice cream, you’ll need an ice cream maker. In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of cream makers so that you can choose the best one for your needs.
Types of ice cream makers explained
- Cuisinart Pure Indulgence
Cuisinart’s Pure Indulgence is a fully automatic maker that can churn out 2 quarts of ice cream in just 30 minutes. It has a built-in freezer so you don’t need to pre-freeze the bowl, and it comes with an ice cream scoop and recipe book.
Features;
- 2 quart capacity
- 30 minute churn time
- Built in freezer
- Includes ice cream scoop and recipe book
- Fully automatic
Pros: The Cuisinart Pure Indulgence is a great choice for those who want to make large batches of ice cream quickly and easily. It’s also very easy to use – just add your ingredients and let the machine do the work!
Cons: This ice cream maker is on the pricier side, and some users have reported issues with the build quality.
- Nostalgia 4-Quart Electric
The Nostalgia 4-Quart Electric Ice Cream Maker is a classic style ice maker that makes up to 4 quarts of ice cream at a time. It has a durable aluminum canister and an easy-to-clean plastic bucket. The Nostalgia comes with two plastic paddles – one for making ice cream, and one for mixing toppings like chocolate chips or nuts into your batch.
Features:
- 4 quart capacity
- Durable aluminum canister
- Easy to clean plastic bucket
- Includes 2 plastic paddles (one for ice cream, one for mix-ins)
Pros: The Nostalgia 4-Quart Electric is a great choice for those who want a classic ice maker that’s easy to use and clean. It’s also very affordable.
Cons: This maker is manual, so you’ll need to do the work of churning the ice cream yourself. It can also be difficult to get the mix-ins evenly distributed if you’re not careful.
- Whynter ICM-202LS Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker
The Whynter ICM-202LS Stainless Steel Ice Maker is a high-end ice maker that can make 2 quarts of ice cream at a time. It has a stainless steel body and a powerful motor that makes it easy to churn out smooth, creamy ice cream.
Features:
- 2 quart capacity
- Stainless steel body
- Powerful motor
- Comes with plastic scoop and extra freezer bowl
Pros: The Whynter ICM-202LS Stainless Steel Ice Maker is a great choice for those who want a durable and powerful ice cream maker. It’s also very easy to use, and the extra freezer bowl is a nice bonus.
Cons: This ice maker is on the pricier side, and some users have reported issues with the quality of the construction.
- KitchenAid stand mixer
The KitchenAid stand mixer is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for more than just making ice cream. With the optional ice maker attachment, it can churn out up to 2 quarts of ice cream at a time. The KitchenAid stand mixer is also very versatile – you can use it to mix ingredients, knead dough, and even make pasta!
Features:
- Can make up to 2 quarts of ice cream at a time
- Very versatile – can be used for mixing ingredients, kneading dough, and even making pasta
- Optional attachments available for purchase
Pros: The KitchenAid stand mixer is a great choice for those who want a versatile kitchen appliance that can do more than just make ice cream. It’s also very easy to use, and the optional attachments make it even more versatile.
Cons: This ice cream maker is on the pricier side, and some users have reported issues with the quality of the construction.
- Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker
The Breville Smart Scoop Ice Maker is a high-end ice maker that can make up to 1.5 quarts of ice cream at a time. It has a stainless steel body and a powerful motor that makes it easy to churn out smooth, creamy ice cream. The Breville also comes with an automatic self-refrigerating compressor, so you don’t need to pre-freeze the bowl.
Features:
- 1.5 quart capacity
- Stainless steel body
- Powerful motor
- Automatic self-refrigerating compressor
- Comes with plastic scoop
Pros: The Breville Smart Scoop Ice maker is a great choice for those who want a durable and powerful ice cream maker. It’s also very easy to use, and the self-refrigerating compressor is a nice bonus.
Cons: This ice cream maker is on the pricier side, and some users have reported issues with the quality of the construction.
- Ninja CREAMi Single Serve Ice Cream Maker
The Ninja CREAMi Single Serve Ice Maker is a unique ice maker that can make up to 16 ounces of ice cream at a time. It has a single serve cup and lid, so you can make your ice cream right in the cup and eat it on the go. The Ninja CREAMi also comes with a spoon and a recipe book, so you can get started making delicious ice cream right away.
Features:
- 16 ounce capacity
- Single serve cup and lid
- Comes with spoon and recipe book
Pros: The Ninja CREAMi Single Serve Ice Cream Maker is a great choice for those who want an easy to use ice cream maker. It’s also very affordable and comes with everything you need to get started making ice cream.
Cons: This ice maker is manual, so you’ll need to do the work of churning the ice cream yourself. It can also be difficult to get the mix-ins evenly distributed if you’re not careful.
No matter which maker you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious and refreshing homemade ice cream all summer long. Just be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow them closely to avoid any accidents or mishaps. And most importantly, have fun!
