| Comparing Features and Models Of Ice Cream Makers |
| Written by John Allen | |
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If you are going to buy an ice cream maker it’s important to understand the basic features and some of the differences between the models on the market. Basically all ice cream makers do the same thing. They make ice cream when the recipe is churned and frozen at the same time. You prepare the recipe; pour the mixture into a container and this container is either immersed in a rock salt and water mixture or put into an ice cream maker that has its own freezing system. At this point if you have a manual machine, you turn the crank. With an electric machine you plug it in. Any recipe can be used in any machine so if you buy a particular brand, the recipe won’t matter. Freezing Makes A DifferenceLet’s face it, if the ice cream base doesn’t freeze—its cold soup…not ice cream. In a rock salt and ice application some of the result is a technique and developed skill. You will simply get better at determining when you need to add more ice, more salt, or both.This is your basic “freezer”—rock salt and ice. This method is still used by many of the machines on the market. The ice and salt is packed around the container holding the ice cream mixture and this method keeps the temperature in the ice cream maker below freezing. Generally all hand-crank makers will use this method and many electric models will as well. Some ice cream makers that utilize this method will create up to six quarts of ice cream…enough for a family reunion. Just make sure you keep plenty of rock salt on hand. The process can be messy, and you can’t just fill the bucket up and go. You do need to monitor both the ice and salt and keep adding both to the bucket. Another type freezing system that you will find in ice cream makers is a freezer bowl. This is a double-walled, insulated bowl that has a freezing solution housed between the bowls layers. This freezer bowl is put into the freezer as much as twenty-four hours before you want to use it. Basically if you shake the bowl and hear a liquid sloshing sound…it’s not ready. The bowl must be frozen solid for you to use it in the machine. Most of the freezer bowls make less than two quarts of ice cream at a time. The largest benefit to this type of freezer system is that you don’t have the salt water mess. The next type of ice cream maker offers a self-contained compressor freezer. As a professional unit would do, these makers have their own freezer system and will allow you to just add the ice cream solution to the maker and turn it on. This ice cream maker will produce consistently creamy ice cream that is more frozen than soft serve. They are generally heavy and more bulky than other ice cream makers. These models are more expensive than the other types. Features To Look ForIf you’ve never owned an ice cream maker before here are a few suggestions on features that will either make your life easier or will help you make better ice cream.
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