The question arises time and again: "Which ice cream maker is the right one?" With this article, we'd like to shed some light on the matter. There are an incredible number of ways to make your own ice cream, and generally, there's no right or wrong. Likewise, there's no such thing as the best ice cream maker. We think there's always room for improvement, and it's also a matter of taste.
But what types of ice cream machines are there, and what are the differences? Which one is right for you?
Battery ice machine
The battery-powered ice cream maker is the cheapest of the options. The devices are available from just 30 euros. A cooling container is used to cool down the ice cream mixture. Such batteries are also sometimes available as an addition to food processors such as KitchenAid etc. This cooling pack container must be frozen in the freezer for 24-48 hours. Then you can use it to make ice cream. You have to make compromises with the result, as the ice cream is often not 100% ready before the battery loses its cooling power. You can also only make one type of ice cream and then the battery has to be frozen again. If you are unsure about making ice cream, this is an inexpensive way to get started in the world of ice cream making. In the long run, however, it is worth switching to a compressor ice cream maker.
Household ice cream machine with compressor
These devices have their own compressor, which constantly provides sufficient cooling. This enables you to quickly make a few types of ice cream in a row. These machines work according to the following principle: By constant stirring while cooling, the ice crystals that form remain relatively small and a nice, creamy ice cream is created. The preparation time is around 50-70 minutes. The agitator arms are usually made of plastic. These can be taken out together with the cooling container and simply cleaned in the dishwasher. The ice cream results of the devices are good and the price-performance ratio is great. The devices are available for around € 200-300. There are many manufacturers such as Unold, Springlane, Medion, Caso, etc. Most of the time, the same devices with slightly different optics are behind them. Our recommendation here are the ice machines of the Unold Profi / Exclusive or Unold Gusto class. Both devices are also comparable from Springlane, Medion, Caso, but only under different names. Here you can compare the optics, the number of liters and the wattage to see which devices are comparable. Because there are often big differences in price.
Gastro ice cream machines with compressor
The difference of this ice maker to the household ice maker lies in the end result of the ice quality. The more powerful motor and design make the ice texture even smoother. These machines have a metal agitator and no removable cooling bowl. The ice is not only stirred, but a layer of ice forms in the cooling trough, from which the stirring arm removes fine layers. This way we get even smaller ice crystals than with the household ice cream machine and the ice is velvety and creamy. Due to the somewhat stronger compressor performance, these devices are faster in freezing ice. The preparation time is about 20-30 minutes. In terms of price, you have to reckon with upwards of 650 euros. Our recommendation are the devices from Musso or Cube. You can find a test report for both devices here. Musso versus Cube – Which is the better ice cream machine
Filling quantity in ice cream machines – small trick, big effect
In household ice machines, the size of liters is usually spoken of. But this usually means how much volume the ice container has. The devices should only be filled with around 50% of it. So if you buy a machine with 1,5 liters, you should fill it with around 0,75 liters. You can find more information at FAQ. In the case of gastro ice cream machines, one speaks of a maximum filling, i.e. how much can be put in at the maximum.
Which is diWhat is the right ice cream maker size for me?
The size of the ice cream maker that's right for you depends on the amount of finished ice cream you want to make per batch. Of course, how much ice cream you and your family eat is also important. Here's a brief breakdown of how much each machine makes:
Now the question arises: which ice cream maker is the right one? Here, we've shown you the different ice cream makers, and each one has its merits. There are many options, and everyone should decide based on their personal needs. Commercial-grade machines certainly have a slight advantage, but they also come at a price. Ultimately, you can be very happy with a home ice cream maker. Ultimately, all of the options mentioned do their job, and a ??? Perfecto Ice cream ???
Icy greetings,
your Eis-Perfecto-Team
A small addition to the ice cream machines:
Meanwhile, a new device, the ninja creamy, has been launched and is currently causing quite a stir. You can also conjure up delicious ice cream with the Ninja Creami, but the principle works a little differently here. The ice cream mix is first frozen in a special container. Once completely frozen, it is transferred to the Ninja Creami ice cream maker, where the frozen ice cream mix is freshly scraped and whipped.
The advantage of the Ninja Creami in combination with our Perfectoproducts is that the ice cream can be frozen after whipping and does not have to be scraped again each time. Normally, with this ice cream maker, the ice cream has to be whipped and scraped again after each preparation. Thanks to our Perfecto-Ice cream products, this step is omitted. You prepare the ice cream once with the Ninja Creami, freeze the leftovers that you don't need right away, and can portion them out again later, similar to traditional ice cream machines.
The Ninja Creami, with 500 grams of ice cream mix for small amounts of ice cream, is a good alternative to the classic ice cream maker. Here you can find a detailed article on the topic Ninja Creami Recipes!
