Ice cream makers FAQs
What type of ice cream maker should I buy?
A freeze-first ice cream maker uses a double-walled bowl filled with a freezing agent – like a massive ice pack. Once you’ve frozen the bowl, you re-attach it to the ice cream maker and it cools the mixture as a paddle churns it in the bowl. With this type of machine, you’ll need space in your freezer, and you’ll need to prep and chill your ice cream base for several hours before you want to make it.
This type of machine can be a good option if you have lots of freezer space and can leave the bowl in there permanently, so it’s ready to go when you want it. It’s less than ideal if your freezer is so full that things tend to fall out when you open it, or you want to be able to whip up a batch of soft-serve on a whim.
The other most common type of ice cream maker is an all-in-one machine that does the freezing for you as it churns the mixture. Self-freezing ice cream makers are generally more expensive than the first option because they cut out the need to pre-freeze a bowl beforehand, which allows you to be more spontaneous. They also tend to be quite bulky to allow for the integrated freezer compressor, but some of these machines look so smart they can take pride of place on the countertop if you’ve got the space to spare.
You’ll also find some ice cream makers that require you to freeze the mixture itself before it’s churned. The machine then whips up the mixture from frozen, using metal blades. While super quick, these are usually best for creating ice-cream-style desserts rather than authentic, creamy ice-creams. As such, they’re less popular with ice cream aficionados.
What to consider when buying an ice cream maker
- Freeze first or self freezing? – If you’re shopping on a budget or plan to use your ice cream maker just occasionally, freeze-first models are a great option, but they can be more time-consuming, as they require you to pre-freeze the bowl and therefore have room in your freezer. Self-freezing models are much higher in price but create professional-quality results and are better suited if you want to make multiple batches a day.
- Capacity – Ice cream makers are available in a range of sizes, so consider your needs before investing. You can buy from an individual-serving-sized maker to up to 2l.
- Size – Take into account your kitchen workspace or cupboard size before committing to an ice cream maker. It’s also worth noting the space in your freezer, as bulkier designs can need pre-freezing, taking up a lot of room.
- Affordability – As with any home appliance, there’s a range of ice cream makers to cater to all budgets. Smaller, freeze-first models are cheaper, as are individual makers, beginning from as little as £24.99, whereas more expensive self-freezing machines cost hundreds of pounds.
- Ease of use – Depending on the machine, some require you to simply throw in your ingredients and let it get to work with the click of a button. Many have a clear screen, so you can check on progress. Others are more fiddly, especially if you’re using an attachment connected to an existing stand mixer.
- Timings – Some ice cream makers can whip up gelato, sorbet and more in a matter of 10 minutes, while others can take hours of preparation time, especially freeze-first designs that require as long as 16 hours in the freezer before you actually make the ice cream.
- Ease of cleaning – Most ice cream attachments need to be hand-washed – check if the model you’re interested in is safe for the dishwasher before you buy.
- Noise level – If you have flatmates or young children, and want to use an ice cream maker in the evenings or early morning, opt for a quieter mixer to suit your surroundings.
What else can I make with an ice cream maker?
The basic ingredients needed for most ice cream recipes we tested are double cream, whole milk and sugar – and you’ll need plenty of each. Many recipes also call for four or five egg yolks, and these require you to heat the mixture on the hob beforehand, to make a thin, custard base, then chill for several hours – or overnight – before you can churn your ice cream.
With every ice cream maker we tested, we found the longer this base mixture chilled, the better the end result. We also found the recipes with egg yolks made a richer, creamier ice cream that the adults enjoyed, while the kids preferred the egg-free options. Ice cream makers can also make sorbets, which are even easier to prepare, as well as granita, smoothie bowls, frozen yoghurts, and milkshakes.
When you’re choosing an ice cream maker, pay close attention to the capacity, which is usually in litres. Bowl sizes vary, so consider a larger bowl size – or a machine with two bowls – if you’re making ice cream for a larger family or using it for entertaining. We found all the ice cream makers we tested made enough for four people, but there were some that produced far more than this. Whatever you do, check the dimensions of the bowl itself before you buy, to check you can squeeze it in your freezer.
The verdict: Ice cream makers
Ultimately our best buy went to Cuisinart’s ice cream and gelato professional, because it did everything well at a palatable price. But the Magimix gelato expert only very narrowly missed out to the top spot due to the higher price. Special mention also goes to the Ninja creami for its impressive versatility.
If you’re more of a savoury snacker, read our guide to the best indoor pizza ovens, for a slice of Italy at home
