How do you choose an ice cream maker?
Choose an ice cream maker
There are different types of ice cream makers. if you want to buy an ice cream maker, ask yourself the following questions:
- How fast do you want to make ice cream?
- What types of ice cream do you want to make?
- Which extra options are important to you?
What types of ice cream makers are there?
With cooler: small, but a long waiting time
With an ice cream maker with a cooler, you have to freeze the cooler 24 hours in advance. Add the ice mixture and you have homemade ice cream within 20 to 30 minutes. Keep in mind that your freezer has to be large enough for the cooler. The advantage of an ice cream maker with a cooler is that the machine is smaller, so it takes up less space. In addition, these ice cream makers are more affordable than self-freezing ice cream makers.
Self-freezing: large, but makes ice cream right away
A self-freezing ice cream maker works with a compressor. This means that the ice cream maker freezes the ice cream mixture right away when you turn it on. Because it freezes the ice cream right away, it requires more power than a model with a cooler. You can cool the mixture very easily with a touch of the button. And you can easily make multiple ice cream flavors in a row, because the machine works automatically. These ice cream makers are heavier and larger than models with a cooler.
What kind of ice cream do you want to make?
You can make different types of ice cream with an ice cream maker. Every ice cream maker makes ice cream and sorbet ice cream. Ice cream is made with milk, and you determine which flavor you want to make. Chocolate or vanilla, for example. With sorbet ice cream, you don't use milk. The most important ingredient is fruit. Raspberry or apple sorbet ice cream, for example. In addition to ice cream and sorbet ice cream, there are also ice cream makers that allow you to make soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt. Keep in mind that homemade ice cream from an ice cream maker is softer than the ice cream tubs you can by at the supermarket.
Which extra functions are important to you?
An ice cream maker with a feed tube allows you to easily add extra ingredients during the preparation. You can add pistachios to your pistachio ice cream, for example. Do you like keeping an eye on the process? Have a look at ice cream makers with a transparent lid or see-through window. There are also ice cream machines with automatic programs. With these, you can choose the right setting with a touch of the button. This way, you don't have to set anything yourself.
