Summer without ice cream wouldn't be the same, even though we can enjoy it all year round. Making our own recipes can be very easy, but it's clear that we'll get the best results with an ice cream maker. Now, with so many machines on the market, which ice cream maker is best to buy? It depends, as always, on several factors.
Good ice cream is the result of the balance of its ingredients and the mixing, aeration, and freezing process. There are several methods and tricks to reduce and break up ice crystals, but an ice cream maker will make the job much easier and give us results that are impossible to achieve by hand. The type of machine will depend on our budget and the available space in the kitchen.
Ice cream has changed a lot since the primitive versions of ice and juice made in ancient times. Professionals know that it's not easy to achieve the perfect formula that gives that irresistible creaminess with a balanced flavor without being overly fatty or sweet, and that's where an ice cream machine plays a crucial role.
The first manual devices began to change the concept of ice cream preparation with the first industrial revolution, soon giving rise to increasingly complex machinery that supported the boom of a new industry. The secret to perfect ice cream lies in the combination of good ingredients in the right proportions and optimal processing, which only a good machine can provide.
Why will we never achieve the same result without an ice cream maker? Because by hand, all we can do is break up the ice crystals by crushing or beating the ice cream as it freezes. A machine incorporates air as it cools and freezes the mixture, trapping those invisible air bubbles that add volume, lightness, and creaminess.
What to consider when choosing an ice cream maker
An ice cream maker is a machine consisting of two basic elements: a refrigerated container where the mixture of ingredients is placed, and paddles driven by a motor that mix continuously as the ice cream freezes. This process is known as churning and is crucial for achieving a quality result. These paddles incorporate air, adding volume, and making it difficult for ice crystals to form.
Ice cream without air doesn't have the same creaminess or flavor, although you shouldn't overdo it either. Some industrial manufacturers add more air than necessary to save costs on the final product, effectively selling less ice cream for the same price. But without air, we won't enjoy truly irresistible ice cream.
In any case, especially if we opt for a high-priced model, it's advisable to check if the manufacturer offers the separate sale of parts and spare parts, in case any component needs replacing in the future. To extend the life of the ice cream maker, you need to handle the bowl carefully - never use metal or sharp utensils - and wash it gently with a non-abrasive scrubber and mild soap.
The ice cream makers available in the domestic market fall into two main types, with significant price differences between them: compressor and bowl models. Most include at least a small recipe book to guide initial use, although it's worth checking, especially if we're complete beginners. Let's look at the characteristics of each in more detail.
Compressor ice cream makers
These machines have the refrigeration unit integrated into the body itself, meaning the bowl itself is kept at the optimal temperature for making ice cream. So to speak, they have their own freezer, making the ice cream-making process much faster, more direct, and more controlled.
This cooling capacity is also maintained consistently throughout the entire process, without temperature drops after it has been running for a while. This also allows you to make several batches of ice cream in the same session and avoids having to work quickly. It doesn't matter if it's a very hot day; the compressor ice cream maker guarantees that churning always occurs at the right temperature.
The main disadvantage is the price, which is much higher than other types of machines. Models that approach professional use can significantly increase the cost, as they are complex, high-performance appliances. They also tend to be bulkier, although this has another advantage, as there are large-capacity models for making more ice cream at once.
It's preferable to choose machines made from quality metal, including the bowl and the mixing paddles, although many still use plastic for this part.
Accumulator or bowl ice cream makers
These machines have a removable bowl with a double wall filled with liquid that must be frozen at least 24 hours in advance to make the ice cream. As they don't have a compressor, we have to provide the cooling capacity manually.
Once the container is frozen, it's placed back into the machine's body to quickly make the ice cream, with the motor working to turn the paddles. The cold from the frozen bowl transfers to the mixture, lowering its temperature and gradually freezing it to a certain point. During this process, air is also incorporated following the same principle as compressor ice cream makers.
The advantages and disadvantages of these models are the same as the previous ones, but in reverse. There are very affordable models that give good results, with designs increasingly focused on integrating into a modern kitchen, being compact and adding a decorative touch. There are also food processors that offer an ice cream maker as an additional purchase.
It's harder to achieve an impeccable result with these machines, as the temperature isn't stable or controlled, and they require us to be more attentive and plan the ice cream-making process. Another disadvantage is that some bowls are too bulky for certain freezers, especially in combi refrigerators with a drawer system.
Being more economical, they are also usually made from flimsier materials, almost always entirely of plastic of varying qualities, and the bowls are very susceptible to scratches if not handled properly.
Which model to buy?
It all depends on the financial investment we're willing to make, and the intended use. It doesn't make much sense to spend a lot of money on a powerful compressor ice cream maker if we only make ice cream two or three times a year, or if it will be gathering dust beyond the summer.
If we're not very discerning either, a modest ice cream maker can meet our expectations, but true enthusiasts of artisan ice cream will enjoy a good compressor machine much more. The time saved by not freezing the bowl and the fact that it does practically all the work encourage much more frequent use.
In any case, it's important to consider the machine's dimensions to find space for it at home, the capacity of the bowl - making ice cream for a couple is not the same as for a family of six - and its size. If we opt for an accumulator model, we'll need enough space in the freezer.
Which ice cream maker to buy: accumulator models under 100 euros
The best cheap ice cream makers under 50 euros
With the trend of making ice cream at home, very budget-friendly models have appeared that are attractive to those simply looking for a more occasional treat at home. The materials and finishes are somewhat flimsier, the motor offers less power, and they tend to be small machines, but the mechanism is so simple that they more than adequately fulfill their function.
Zoku Bowl
The Zoku brand has a curious range of accessories for making ice cream, popsicles, and sorbets in the easiest, fastest, and most fun way. This is their attempt to mimic ice cream machines, but without needing any electric motor. From 23.53 euros, in different colors, on Amazon.
The operating principle is the same: freeze the container beforehand to freeze the ice cream mixture. The idea is that you get creamy ice cream in just 10 minutes without using paddles, although those who have used it recommend stirring the mixture by hand occasionally for a creamier result. It's very small, offering one generous serving at a time.
Hoberg D2000801
For just 24.95 euros we have this basic ice cream maker model with a bowl with a 500 ml liquid capacity to prepare up to 1 liter of ice cream or frozen yogurt. It's compact and weighs only 1.65 kilos, has a motor that promises to be quiet, although some users mention it's quite noisy - something common with these machines, and almost inevitable.
Jocca Ice Cream Maker
For 32.67 euros we have a simple and small ice cream maker from the Spanish brand, weighing just 1 kilo, with non-slip feet and a capacity for 400 ml of ice cream, ideal for occasional modest servings.
Taurus Tasty Ncream
With a capacity of 1.5 liters, we have this ice cream maker from Taurus (34.11 euros), with a more elongated profile and also non-slip feet. It also stands out for its high energy efficiency, with an A++ rating, interesting if we're going to use it a lot at home.
Ariete Gran Gelato
Very easy to disassemble, clean, and store, this model at 47.99 euros is very convenient to use, although somewhat noisy, but we can attest that it still works just as well after several years, fulfilling its purpose every summer. The operating system is the usual one, allowing you to add the mixture gradually through the top opening as the paddles churn. It can produce approximately 1 liter of ice cream.
Ice cream makers from 50 to 100 euros
Increasing the price slightly, we find larger models, with higher capacity bowls, more powerful, and with better quality materials, as well as certain additional functions. The brand name also influences the price, of course.
Ultratec Ice Cream Maker
This model has a curious design different from regular ice cream makers, leaving a free space under the bowl to serve the ice cream directly, mimicking the self-serve soft serve machines more typical of other countries, also similar to the texture of frozen yogurt.
It's a small ice cream maker with a metal bowl with a capacity of up to 1000 ml (considering the ice cream once churned, which always increases in volume). It promises to have the recipe ready in 20 minutes, is easy to use, and currently has a final price of 59.74 euros on Amazon.
Krups Perfect Mix 9000
An elegant ice cream maker with a careful design and chrome details, weighing 3.7 kilos and with a capacity for 1 liter total of ice cream. This Krups model, at 66.99 euros, includes a control panel, automatic shut-off with an audible alert when finished, and allows you to monitor the process stages while it's working.
Kitchen Aid Ice Cream Attachment
The popular food processor, stand mixer, - a staple prop in every American TV series - also has its own ice cream attachment, one of the favorites among users
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