The ice cream maker is a very practical household appliance that allows you to make your own ice cream and above all to control the origin of the ingredients. As you probably know, too many industrial ice creams are made with chemical colourings or artificial flavours. These same ice creams are often packaged in non-recyclable plastic containers and this is quite harmful for the environment.
Buying an ice cream maker is therefore an eco-responsible and sustainable purchase. And it’s also very economical because even if you buy very good ingredients, it’s still much cheaper per kilo than industrial ice cream, which requires you to pay for marketing, transport and all the packaging that goes with it.
But it is true that there are many different models of ice cream makers on the market and it is often difficult to make a choice. As a home chef and pastry chef by trade, I have had the opportunity to try many different ice cream makers.
So I decided to use this professional experience to help you choose your future ice cream maker by offering you a complete buying guide and a comparison table.
What are the best ice turbines in 2022?
This Whynter lives up to its name, it is a true professional quality ice cream maker. Whether you like light and fluffy Italian ice cream, traditional ice cream, refreshing sorbets or granita, this ice cream maker will make all your ice creams easily and quickly thanks to its integrated cooling unit.
There is no LCD screen here, as the emphasis is on simplicity of use: 1 button = 1 function. Especially since this ice cream maker has a fixed bowl and a removable bowl to link two preparations more quickly. There is also a preservation mode that will keep your ice cream cold for 2 hours, as well as an automatic stop and a pause mode to easily add ingredients with the removable lid.
I loved using this ice cream maker, I found it very efficient and fast, in almost 30 minutes my ice cream was ready to be eaten. It also takes up very little space, which is quite practical, especially as it is not very light (almost 24lbs). As far as noise is concerned, it emits a maximum of 65 dB, but this is still acceptable.
The price is a little higher than the average ice cream maker, but considering the performance and quality of the device, it is quite coherent.
Are you on a lower budget for this ice cream maker? Then this ice cream maker from Whynter should totally appeal to you! First of all, it’s very easy to use thanks to its touch-sensitive control panel and LCD screen. But also because it has a very efficient cooling system and a large capacity of 2 litres if you are an ice cream lover.
This Whynter ICM-200LS ice cream maker fits perfectly in this comparison. Firstly, because it is equipped with a powerful and robust integrated cooling unit that perfectly controls low temperatures. But also because its all stainless steel design gives it a very strong professional look. The mixing blade has been designed to limit the formation of lumps and crystals during preparation. When in use, it is quite quiet, although a slight whistling sound can sometimes be heard.
The nice 70oz capacity will suit most users. Especially since the unit is very easy to use and easy to clean.
I finish with an ice cream maker that is not without interest, especially for its price that I found very attractive. This is an ice cream maker that allows you to make up to 1 L of ice cream. In just 50 minutes, you can obtain different types of frozen desserts quite simply.
As far as use is concerned, it remains quite simple and intuitive, especially thanks to the small LCD screen that allows you to follow the progress of the recipe. Note that this ice cream maker emits a beep and turns itself off when your preparation is finished.
How to choose the best ice cream maker or ice turbine?
First of all, it is important to differentiate between the types of appliances that can be used to make ice cream:
- The ice cream maker with cold accumulator :
It is a machine which allows to stir the preparation for the ice cream but whose tank must be placed in the freezer beforehand during several hours. The main advantage of this system is the lower price than the ice cream machines.
- The ice turbine (or self-contained / compressor ice cream maker) :
This more powerful device generates cold on its own without having to use your freezer during the manufacturing process. This machine will take care of stirring and cooling simultaneously to save you time. The preparation of your ice creams will be faster but the cost to buy a little higher than an ice cream maker with cold accumulator.
You will have to choose between these two types of ice cream makers, the choice will be made according to your needs but especially your budget. The ice cream maker is more efficient and will allow you to make your ice creams more quickly and without having to place a vat for many hours in the freezer.
It will also be important to pay particular attention to the following criteria:
- The capacity
This will be expressed in litres. This is an important feature because it will determine how much ice cream you can make at one time. Generally speaking, ice cream makers have a capacity of 1 to 2 litres. Choose an ice cream maker with a total capacity of 2 litres. Preferably, it is better to take a removable tank because it is much more convenient to use.
- Cooling rate and power
The faster and more efficient your ice cream maker is, the less time you’ll have to let pass between each ice cream preparation. This is especially important if you are an ice cream lover or if the machine is meant for a family. In terms of power, you should choose a device with a minimum power of 150 watts.
- Convenience and options
An ice cream maker is such a practical appliance that you will probably use it frequently, especially in the summer. Therefore, you should choose a machine that is practical and intuitive to use. An LCD display is nice, and you can opt for a machine that stops automatically, has a cooling function, a timer, two bowls and a pause mode, or a removable lid to add ingredients during the process.
- Noise level
It is also important to pay special attention to the noise emitted by the appliance during operation. If you plan to use the ice cream maker in an open room or near a living area, it is best to choose a quieter model. By this I mean a model that emits no more than 65 or 70 dB in operation. We all love ice cream, but not so much the noise emitted by these appliances.
- The price
You can find ice cream makers from about 50 euros to more than 1000 euros for professional models. The choice will depend on whether you use it occasionally or regularly. In any case, I suggest that you do not choose a low-end model. These machines are very noisy, do not make enough cold, the blades break easily and the life span of these models is often very short. This could turn out to be an unprofitable investment.
Also, be aware of the prices displayed in stores. It is not uncommon for prices to be inflated before or during the spring/summer season as well as during the holiday season. And sometimes you can find old models, probably in an attempt to sell off some old stock. As a general rule, the best deals are found on websites like Amazon.
A few tips from the pros on how to use an ice cream maker with cold storage:
If you are using a cold storage tank, you will first have to cool your preparation well before pouring it into the tank. This step is not necessary in an ice cream maker because the machine has an integrated cooling unit.
The same applies to the bowl, which is usually placed in the freezer for up to 24 hours before use (or less if the instructions indicate this).
How to clean your ice cream machine?
It is very easy to maintain an ice cream maker as there are not many different parts to clean.
- Cleaning the tank :
The tank can be removable, if this is the case it will make cleaning much easier. You can remove it and clean it in a sink. But most of the time these tanks can be washed in the dishwasher.
If the tank is integrated into the appliance, it will be necessary to clean it with a sponge, taking care to unplug the appliance first.
If you are using a cold storage appliance, you should never wash it with hot water. Using hot water can damage the isothermal coating of the tank and considerably alter the quality of your future ice creams. Therefore, the tank should be washed with cold water after waiting for it to come back to room temperature.
- Cleaning the walls :
Cleaning the body of the appliance is also very simple, especially if your ice cream maker has a stainless steel body. You can use a soft cloth and a little soap or washing-up liquid to clean the walls. Be careful, here again, we will turn off the device before unplugging it to avoid any risk if a little water had to infiltrate. Of course no dishwasher as it is an electric appliance.
