We are living in an ever changing world. Some decades ago, ice cream wasn’t very popular. This has changed over the years. Frozen desserts are now becoming a very tempting treat not only along the beach but also in homes. The love towards this creamy treat is having a ripple effect on ice cream makers with more companies venturing into the market.
Whether you prefer the refreshing fruit sorbet or crunchy cones topped with creamy ice cream, you will attest to the fact that electric ice cream makers deliver high quality treats. The modern makers are efficient, convenient and easy to use.
History: The Origin Of Electric Ice Cream Machines
The ice cream machines that were in use in early 1800s were huge and slow. As the years went by, smaller makers were introduced. The ice cream machines consisted of an inner pail with a crank (attached paddle) and a wooden bucket. The bucket hosted the running parts as well as the freezing mixture (rock salt and ice).
Continuous freezing was invented in 1926. This is a technology that made it possible to produce ice cream on a large scale. It now only opened avenues for commercial ice cream production but also sent innovators back to their drawing boards.
The invention of continuous-process freezers was the genesis of the modern frozen dessert industry. Hundreds of modern ice cream makers have mushroomed in every corner of the globe with every company trying to win the market. This makes it necessary to understand these incredible appliances, how they operate and how to settle on the best model.
What Comprises An Electric Ice Cream Maker?
The Freezer Bowl
This is the shell of the ice cream machine. It is made up of two layers. The two layers facilitate cooling. A specially formulated fluid is placed between the two layers. When this fluid freezes, it turns the ice cream mixture into sorbet or ice cream.
Lid
The lid serves as the maker’s cover. It fits securely on the canister top. The lids are designed to snap into place with ease.
Spout
This is a hole on top of the lid. It allows you to continue adding ingredients as the maker runs. Ingredients such as cookies, nuts and chunks of fruits can be added to make tasty sorbets.
Dasher
The dasher serves as the mixing arm. It sits in the freezer bowl. It continually turns and mixes the mixture until when it freezes.
Controls
Most electric machines come with controls. These are the knobs and buttons that make it easy to enter commands and direct the machine’s operations. Most models will only have the on and off button but the advanced models have more functionalities.
Base
The base supports the frozen dessert maker. It also houses the motor. It can thus be referred to as the power house. It is at this part that the electrical code will be attached.
Non-Slip Feet
The bottom part of the machine is fitted with non-slip feet. These are meant to keep the appliance securely on the floor or counter top.
Which Are The Best Electric Ice Cream Makers?
There are many factors that you need to consider to settle on the best ice cream maker. What may sound like the best appliance may literally fail to work for another. This is because our needs, tastes and preferences are different.
Having considered all these factors, we have settled on the best electric frozen dessert makers. We have reviewed the best maker for every major you need to put into consideration when buying your maker.
Old-School Bucket Electric Ice Cream Machine
6 Quart White Mountain Electric Ice Cream Machine
Ice cream making doesn’t have to be a full day engagement. This is an activity that should take the shortest time possible. This hasn’t been practical with the old-fashioned ice cream makers. Well, the advent of electric ice cream makers such as the White Mountain made it a reality.
The White Mountain is known for its record 25 minutes ice cream making capabilities. The quick turnaround has made it a favorite for Amazon shoppers. One buyer particularly remarks about the time it takes to make and freeze the ice cream.
This maker will in doubt make your desserts in 25 minutes. You need to ensure that you are not stalling the motor. Running the machine for 30 minutes stalls the motor. This is because the ice cream freezes to the point where the motor can no longer run.
Product Specifications
- Size : 20.6×13.4×13.3 inches
- Weight : 19.2 lbs.
- Material : pine wood
- Color : brown
- Capacity : 6 quarts
- Warranty : 5 years
Product features
- Triple action dasher
- 12000 RPM universal motor
- Stainless steel canister
- Hand-crafted bucket
- Recipe included
Motor
The enhanced 12000 RPM motor provides enough power to make creamy treats. This is a motor that will stop midway to allow you add fruits, chocolate or berries and restart without a hassle.
Triple Motion Dasher
The unique dasher is characterized by Beachwood blades that are self-adjusting. The dasher scraps the canister walls and mixes the ice cream mixture uniformly. The dasher is made of heavy duty cast iron. It is further electroplated to give it longer life.
Heavy Duty Bucket
The high quality bucket is crafted from specially selected pine. This pine originates from New England. It is then bound with electroplated fittings and galvanized hoops. These go a long way in ensuring durability and stability.
Pros
- Makes high quality ice cream
- It is fast
- Has a strong motor
- Its durable
- Has a huge capacity
Cons
- Experiences leaks
Easiest To Clean Electric Frozen Dessert Machine
Breville BCI600XL Smart Scoop
Ice cream quality is as good as the maker’s hygiene. Having an ice cream machine at home means that you want to try out different flavors. A clean maker will be the only way of ensuring that you are getting the desired flavor.
Breville smart scoop is one of the makers that will let you explore and try out different ice cream flavors. The maker has multiple settings giving you more functionality.
The modern machine has a capacity of 1.5 quarts. This may not be the biggest machine but will definitely deliver enough ice cream for a small family. Furthermore, it can make several batches continuously.
Breville smart scoop can sense ice cream hardness automatically. This enables it make the ice cream based on 12 selections. It can make frozen yogurt, ice cream, gelato, sorbet among others. It consists of a mix in feature. This feature beeps to remind the user to add their favorite nuts, berries or swirls.
Product Specifications
- Size: 15.8x11x11 inches
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Capacity: 1.5 quarts
Product features
- LCD display
- Self-refrigerating compressor
- 12 hardness settings
- Manual or fully automatic functionality
- Pre-cooling setting
LCD Display
This is an impressive display panel that indicates the input options, consistency and the expected delivery time. The display, combined with ergonomic settings, enables the user to adjust ice cream hardness thus delivering the different types of ice cream.
Pre-Cooling Setting
Cooling is quite vital in ice cream making. The old school ice cream makers require one to freeze the bowl 24 hours prior ice cream making. The pre-cooling setting saves you from this hassle. In a matter of minutes, this ice cream maker will be cold enough to start the ice cream making process.
Pros
- It is easy to clean
- Makes ice cream automatically-no ice or rock salt needed
Cons
- Takes long to make ice cream
Best Frozen Yogurt Electric Ice Cream Machine
Pure Indulgence Cuisinart ICE-30BC Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream And Sorbet Maker
The renowned Cuisinart ICE-30BC is a simple yet sophisticated ice cream maker. This is a very popular machine and there are valid reasons behind the popularity.
The Cuisinart ICE maker features a removable bowl. This bowl is lined with a special gel. This gel hardens and freezes when the bowl is placed in a freezer. The frozen gel controls temperatures when running the maker.
The machine’s body is made from brushed stainless steel. This makes it easy to clean. It also gives it a professional look. The manufacturer’s name and logo are embossed on the maker.
The maker is quite stable on any surface. This stability is guaranteed by the rubber tipped feet. These feet prevent slipping and secure the machine in place as it churns.
The power cable attached at the bottom of the ICE-30BC is 90 cm long. This is long enough for any kitchen. The cable fits comfortably in the small gap at the base of the maker while not in use.
Product Specifications
- Size : 11.26×9.11×8.31 inches
- Weight : 12 lbs.
- Material : stainless steel
- Color : silver
- Capacity : 2 quarts
- Warranty : 3 years
Product features
- Double insulated removable bowl
- Easy-lock lid
- Cord storage gap
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Ergonomic dasher
- Heavy duty motor
Easy-Lock Lid
The easy-lock ICE-30 BC lid is made of transparent plastic. This means that you can see your mixture as it slowly turns into thick creamy ice cream. It has a spout that allows sampling of the mixture and adding of extra ingredients such as cookies, chocolate and berries. The lid also serves as the dasher anchor. The lid has special area where the dasher slots.
Double Insulated Removable Bowl
This is a strong, sturdy and durable bowl that has the capacity to make 2 quarts of ice cream. The bowl measures 19.7 cm in diameter and 16.3 cm in height. This is considerably huge. You therefore need to ensure that you have a huge freezer before making the purchase. If your freezer is small, you may need to check out smaller ice cream makers.
Cuisinart recommends that you leave this bowl to freeze for 12 hours. You may opt to leave it overnight for excellent results.
Ergonomic Dasher
Many ice cream makers are fitted with a dasher that rotates in a stationery bowl. Well, ice cream makers with a removable bowl use a different strategy. With these machines, it is the bowl that rotates. This is the technology adopted by the ICE-30BC.
The ICE-30BC features an ergonomic dasher that churns the ice cream thoroughly. It also scraps the frozen ice from the canister sides. This maintains uniform temperatures throughout the mixture.
Pros
- Impressively built-heavy duty
- It’s simple to use
- It is dependable
- Its affordable
Cons
- The bowl is huge-doesn’t fit in the average freezer
- Requires prior bowl freezing
Powerful Electric Frozen Dessert Maker
Whynter ICM-200LS Ice Cream Maker
Whynter is an incredible appliance manufacturer. It is a company that has cut a niche in the ice cream making with every production taking the market by storm. The Whynter ICM-200LS is a powerful maker that requires no pre-freezing.
The whynter maker is fitted with an LCD display. This hosts the timer and the temperature display. This goes a notch higher in giving the operator more control of the machine.
Automatic shut-off is a feature that every ice cream maker ought to have. As the maker whips your ice cream, you can engage in other activities. Timing can be an issue and in absence of the automatic shut off, quite a lot can go wrong. The automatic shut off saves you the hassle of waiting and timing the machine.
Product Specifications
- Size : 16.8×11.2×10.2 inches
- Weight : 24.2 pounds
- Capacity : 2.1 quarts
- Material : stainless steel
- Color : silver
Product Features
- Stainless steel housing
- Removable churn blade and bowl
- Automatic shut off
- LCD display and timer control
- 180 watts motor
- CFC-Free high efficiency compressor
- Extended cooling
- ETL certified
- Built-in timer
CFC-Free High Efficiency Compressor
Compressor ice cream makers are the way to go. These are machines that give the operator the ability to make continuous batches without the need to pre-freeze. This also has an impact on the taste as it has been found to improve ice cream flavors.
Extended Cooling Function
The extended cooling function is the function that enables the maker to keep ice cream cold for long. It prevents melting thus maintaining the desired consistency.
Automatic Shut Off
Automatic shut off has numerous benefits. It not only lets the user shift his attention from the machine but also saves the machine from overheating. Once the ice cream is ready, the machine will go off preventing the motor from getting damaged.
Conclusion
If you are an ice cream lover, like we are, having high quality ice cream maker is not a luxury. You need to have a maker that will deliver high quality ice cream in the shortest time possible. Electric ice cream makers have proven to be dependable options.
Making delicious and truly rapturous ice cream quarts can easily be equipped to archery. It requires a certain Zen. You definitely need patience, care and technique. With the right ice cream maker, you will be better placed to make quality desserts with ease.
We hope that the electric ice cream machines reviewed here will help you settle on the best model. You may also have a look at more ice cream maker types to understand how they work and how they can serve your needs.