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 most affordable option. These devices are available starting at around €30. They use a cooling container to chill the ice cream mixture. Some of these cooling containers are also available as accessories for food processors like KitchenAid. This cooling container needs to be frozen for 24-48 hours before you can make ice cream.
The results aren't perfect, as the ice cream often isn't fully frozen before the cooling unit loses its effectiveness. Also, you can only make one flavor at a time, and the unit needs to be refrozen afterward. For those unsure about ice cream making, this offers an inexpensive entry point. However, in the long run, upgrading to a compressor ice cream maker is worthwhile.
Household ice cream machine with compressor
These machines have their own built-in compressor that ensures a constant and sufficient cooling. This allows you to quickly make several flavors of ice cream in succession. These machines work on the following principle: constant stirring during cooling keeps the ice crystals relatively small, resulting in a beautifully creamy ice cream. Preparation time is approximately 50-70 minutes.
The mixing arms are usually made of plastic. These can be removed along with the cooling bowl and easily cleaned in the dishwasher. The ice cream makers produce good results, and the price-performance ratio is excellent. They are available for around €200-300. There are many manufacturers such as Unold, Springlane, Medion, Caso, etc. Most of these are essentially the same machines with slightly different designs. We recommend the Unold Profi/Exklusiv or Unold Gusto ice cream makers.
Both devices are also available from Springlane, Medion, and Caso, albeit under different brand names. Comparing the appearance, capacity, and wattage is key to determining which devices are comparable, as there are often significant price differences.
Gastro ice cream machines with compressor
The difference between this ice cream maker and a household ice cream maker lies in the final ice cream quality. Thanks to the more powerful motor and the design, the ice cream texture is even smoother. These machines have a metal dasher and no removable cooling bowl. The ice cream isn't just churned; a layer of ice forms in the cooling bowl, from which the dasher removes thin layers.
This results in even smaller ice crystals than with a standard household ice cream maker, and the ice cream is smoother and creamier. Thanks to their slightly more powerful compressor, these machines freeze ice cream faster. Preparation time is approximately 20-30 minutes. Expect to pay upwards of €650. We recommend the machines from Musso or Cube. You can find a review of both here. Musso versus Cube – Which is the better ice cream machine
Filling quantity in ice cream machines – small trick, big effect
When it comes to household ice cream makers, the size is usually given in liters. However, this generally refers to the volume of the ice cream container. The machines should only be filled to about 50% of this capacity.
So if you buy a machine with a 1,5-liter capacity, you should fill it with approximately 0,75 liters. You can find more information at [link to relevant page]. 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 choose according to their personal needs.
Sure, commercial ice cream makers have a slight advantage, but they also come at a price. Ultimately, you can be perfectly happy with a home ice cream maker. In the end, all the options mentioned do their job, and... 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 PerfectoThe advantage of this product is that the ice cream can be frozen after churning and doesn't need to be scraped each time. Normally, with this type of ice cream machine, the ice cream has to be churned and scraped after every batch.
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!
