How to Choose the Best Ice Cream Maker?
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Top Best Ice Cream Makers Based on Reviews and Price
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How to Choose an Ice Cream Maker?
Ice creams and sorbets are among the most popular desserts or snacks for children and adults, especially during the hot seasons. To reduce expenditure on supplies every day or week, it is better to invest in an ice machine.
There are many ice cream makers or ice turbines on the market. And to make your choice easier, we have provided this guide which brings together the most important features and criteria to look for in an ice machine.
After the type of machine, take into account the characteristics of the different models available in stock before making your final choice. Check whether its capacities will meet your expectations and your need for ice cream or sorbet.
Check the full criteria to consider below:
9 Factors to Consider When Buying an Ice Cream Maker
1. Types of Ice Cream Maker
Different types of ice cream makers meet different needs. Have a better understanding of each type enables to pick the right one.
Ice Cream Machines with a Freezer Bowl
The freezer bowl is the separate piece that we must freeze between 8-24 hours before using it. In fact, the machines that have this system are usually cheaper than those that have a built-in freezer. But some find this especially tedious.
Ice Cream Machine with Built-in Freezer
These types of machines are easier to use. In fact, it is not necessary to freeze your bowl before using them. However, they are more expensive. Of course, in a few minutes and without prior elaboration, it lets you prepare ice cream in a simple way.
Compressor Machines
Compressor machines have a ” compressor” which is a device that allows the tank to cool in a few minutes. This makes it ideal for the most impatient or for those cooks who need to save time.
Ice Cream Machines with a Gel Container
Some machines have the so-called gel container. It is a compartment that we must pre-freeze. That will allow us to make ice cream with two flavors at the same time.
Traditional Ice Cream Machines
Based on ice and salt, traditional machines maintain a constant temperature in the bucket. By rotating the bucket where the ice cream is housed, it ends up getting great results. However, it can be a bit tedious (about 20-30 minutes or so) to use them, as the crank must be moved throughout the entire process. Although, in some cases, it is mechanical.
Portable Ice Cream Machines
They are machines that you can take anywhere. They are ideal therefore for summer and when you want to go to the beach. It forms ice cream by stirring the ingredients inside.
Creamy Ice Cream Machines
Yes, really almost any machine gives you the option of creating creamy ice cream. But this is not always the case. This type of ice cream maker also serves to create frozen yogurts and even sorbets. There are even advanced models with special dispensers. With these, you can add chocolate, make rainbow designs, pearls, and much more.
2. Materials
For now, plastic is not usually a good material for the structure. It is very easy to break and could deteriorate as time passes. You must bet on better quality material, with good robustness, and resistance to the passage of time.
Aluminum is usually good material. It helps to make the ice cream cold and transfer more quickly throughout the composition. Also, it holds moisture very well.
If you are going to use the machines to make cheap ice cream at a commercial level, as well as at a particular level, we recommend that you choose a transparent lid. This will make it easier to control what happens inside at all times.
For example, you can know the exact period in which the ice cream will be made. You can know the number of ingredients that must be introduced at what time or any other related detail.
3. Frequency of Use
The first thing you have to evaluate when choosing a machine is the use you are going to give it. For example, if you are going to give it a rather occasional use, you do not need to invest in a machine that is too powerful.
Now, if you are going to prepare ice cream for a large family, you should choose a model that is capable of preparing an amount of ice cream between 4-6L or thereabout.
4. Self-freezing or Non-freezing Machine?
You have to choose between a self-cooling model and a model without self-cooling features.
For the self-cooling model, the appliance is equipped with a container that can cool down during the movement of the blades.
Meanwhile, for the non-freezing machine, the container to be used must be kept in the freezer for a few hours.
But while the refrigerant ones are suitable, especially for those who love making ice cream frequently, the non-refrigerant ones are ideal for those who consume ice cream rarely. Another difference concerns the fact that the non-freezing machine is less expensive. They are lighter and less bulky.
However, self-cooling ones offer more advantages. One of these concerns the possibility of not necessarily cooling the bowl before using it. This not only reduces production times. It also allows you to make ice cream several times in a row with low electricity consumption. In any case, these are expensive machines, which require a lot of space, with a greater impact on the environment.
In case we had to choose a non-refrigerating model, we have to check how long it takes for the container to cool. And consequently, what are the dimensions of the latter since we do not always have the space available in the freezer.
5. Production Capacity
The ice cream makers, on average, have a capacity ranging from 270ml to 2 liters at a time. The majority range from about 1 to 1.5 liters.
Many ice cream makers allow you to make a few quantities of ice cream. So you have to think about how much ice cream you would like to make at a time.
The recipe book that is sold along with the machines should give you the appropriate quantities to use. And it’s important to stick to the capacity recommended.
If you fill the container to the brim, when the ice cream starts to freeze and expand, you will end up finding all the ice cream on the work surface. If you use recipes from other sources, adjust the quantities for optimal results to prevent ice cream from overflowing.
However, some ice cream makers don’t tell you how much ice cream they can do. This means that you will simply need to follow their recipes. Try to understand how much ice cream they make and then adjust it to suit your use.
6. Ease of Cleaning
This device is going to get stained. And if you do not remove the remains, especially dairy, it could be completely damaged. Therefore, you need an ice cream maker that is easy to clean. You need one that can be disassembled into several pieces, such as the container, on the one hand, the lid, and the blades.
Some models can be washed in the dishwasher, something even more practical. With this, you wouldn’t have to worry about cleaning, except to disassemble and assemble.
7. Storage
Have you already thought about where you are going to place the machine? Well, this is a key detail that must be contemplated. For example, if we choose a machine that has a compressive capacity, we will need much more space to store it, especially if we are going to place it on the countertop. If we choose a model that occupies a lot of space, it will also be more complicated to have it stored.
Do you already have a “team” of appliances that press together for a little space in the closet or on the work surface? Well, there is a considerable difference in the size of the various models.
The smaller model has a footprint similar to that of a kettle. But the largest can be as wide as food processors. There are ice cream makers that have a diameter that has more or less the same size as a plate. Before buying them, however, check that the container of these machines enters your freezer.
At the other extreme, self-cooling ice cream makers are usually large, bulky, heavy and difficult to move.
8. Noise Level
Everyone likes ice cream, but not the noise from the machines. This criterion has more to do with the location of use. For commercial use, noise may not be a major problem. But there has to be a limit to the decibels of noise your home-use ice cream or gelato machine makes.
Irrespective of the type of machine, the noise decibel must not exceed 65-70dB. Anything more than this is unsafe for human ears, especially during prolonged use.
When ordering, many sellers include the noise level, especially when they’re not high. However, if you can’t find this detail, ask the seller!
9. Accessories
As for the subject of accessories, we can find a whole host of elements that should also be considered.
- Some models have timers. These make it perfect to control at all times when your dessert could be ready.
- Some models have spare containers. These help you to be able to make several tubes of ice cream at the same time.
- A spare shovel helps to achieve the best results in terms of textures, improved covers.
Even the special recipe books are important. Although these can complement those, we can find on the Internet.
Takeaway
Regardless of the choice we make, we must always opt for machines that have sturdiness and resistance. But above all, choose machines that can ensure substantial capacity.
Better a large container that allows you to mix more quantities of ingredients. The best ice cream maker would be the one with proven and simple usability. They are those simple to use with a 30-minute preparation.
Don’t forget the necessary presence of an instruction booklet. This must be not only exhaustive but also simple to follow.
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