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We churned through 20 ice cream makers to find the top contenders.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey
We tested 20 different ice cream makers to find the best models for every budget and ice cream style.
Here are the winners.For more information on how we tested ice cream makers, check outour testing processbelow.
We foundthe Ninjato be a high-quality, multifunctional gadget with a sleek, modern aesthetic.
Credit: Amazon
It even helped us troubleshoot, with lights that indicated when the bowl base wasnt in place correctly.
Because it runs on a timer, it doesnt need to be continuously monitored to verify its finished.
However, these were minor inconveniences in the overall scale of our tests.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
There was some slight iciness in the ice cream, but it didnt interfere with the flavor.
However, the intuitive design of thisBreville ice cream makerwill basically do everything for you.
However, the flavor was noticeable and not muted, unlike some other sorbets we tested.
We think if the spin time was shortened by about five minutes, it would produce a perfect sorbet.
The mixing bowl isnt dishwasher safe.
If you have limited counter space in your kitchen,this Cuisinart pickis for you.
We also loved that the manual was very clear and made the process easy to follow.
During the process, it was quiet enough not to disturb anyone trying to work on other tasks nearby.
The process also ran cleanly, with any risk of overflow contained by the locking lid.
However, once we were done, there was some minor mess while trying to remove the mixing paddle.
The setup was a bit awkward and challenging.
Getting the plastic seal to lock in between the canister and base was awkward and frustrating.
We found it to be an easy process, though it became somewhat tedious to pay attention to.
But the churning action itself was easy and didnt require a lot of strength or effort.
In our sorbet test, it required a lot of babysitting.
If we didnt keep churning, the blade would freeze to the sides.
It made no mess during the process and was very easy to clean.
Nostalgia’s 4-quart ice cream makerbrings you back to the days before electric cranks.
This made it a bit tricky to mount the motor while holding the filled freezer canister.
However, this may be easier if you have two people involved.
It was easy to add ice and salt while the machine was running, though a little messy.
Initially, the resulting ice cream was on the softer side, and did not maintain its shape.
The texture was also a little inconsistent, similar toa thick milkshakewith some ice mixed in.
It didnt handle mix-ins well and made a more icy mixture.
Credit: Crate & Barrel
After about 30 minutes, we ended up with ice cream similar to milkshake consistency.
However, we found that the sorbet turned out much better than our ice cream.
It was easy to both use and clean, and it wasnt louder than the usual KitchenAid level.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey
We used the same ice cream base, cookie mix-ins, and sorbet base in each machine.
We followed the manufacturers instructions for preparing the machine and ice cream with mix-ins.
After we made the ice cream, we followed the instructions for cleaning the machine.
The same process was followed for the sorbet making.
Freezer bowl makers come in both electric and manual models.
Compressor models, like theBreville Smart Scoop, don’t require the same amount of prep work.
These quickly freeze the ingredients with a built-in refrigeration system.
However, if you’re willing to splurge, the effectiveness and added features may be worth it.
But you dont need to overload on features.
His key feature is freezing speed, while adjustable speed tweaks are, in his opinion, unnecessary.
The ice cream froze quickly in about 90 seconds, and resulted in a creamy dessert.
However, it did require quite a bit of energy and muscle to make the ice cream.
It was also easy to clean and not too loud while running.
Your Questions, Answered
How fast does an ice cream maker make ice cream?
How fast an ice cream maker can make ice cream depends on the model.
However, some manual models, like theDonvier manual ice cream makercan take almost an hour.
How much does an ice cream maker cost?
Can ice cream makers make other desserts?
Some ice cream makers are able to create otherfrozen desserts, but it depends on the model.
We also interviewedRyan OHara, co-owner of Big Spoon Creamery in Birmingham, Alabama.
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey
Credit: Amazon
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
