Forget the hand crank ice cream machines of days past; modern technology has made ice cream making easy and affordable.
Ice cream makers can be purchased online or at a local store. However, buying your ice cream machine isn't all that simple, there are probably upwards of fifty different types and models to choose from. Here I will try to give you a basic breakdown of the types of ice cream makers and then a few reccomendations.
1) - Manual machines
Manual ice cream makers are your first option. These homemade ice cream makers require a lot of "homemade" hard work. They require ice and rock salt, which also make the process quite messy. But if you are on a budget, or just don't make ice cream all that often; then a manual machine may be the best choice.
Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker
Of the manual ice cream machine genre, the "play and freeze ice cream maker" is quite unique. It doesn't produce too much ice cream, it does take quite a bit of work, but it definately is a fun project for kids wanting to learn to make ice cream. Or if you don't have kids, it can provide you with a great workout! (you'll need it, with all that delicious ice cream you will be making!)
2) - Basic Electric Machines
Entry level electric ice cream makers will save you a lot of time and work. These makers are affordably priced, and an electric paddle will do all the churning for you. The only thing I don't like about these machines is that the bowl has to be put in the freezer before use; and if you do not have a lot of room in your freezer, it can pose a problem. Otherwise, these are probably the most popular ice cream makers around, and I definately reccomend them over the manual makers.
Cuisinart 1 and 1/2 Quart Automatic Ice Cream Maker
Cuisinart is known for good quality, and this electric ice cream machine won't let you down. It is built well, and is backed by a 3 year warranty. It really makes a good amount of ice cream (1 and 1/2 quarts), and it should only take twenty minutes to churn up a batch.
3) - Self Freezing Electric Ice Cream Makers
If you intend on making a lot of homemade ice cream, then its really worth it to invest in a self freezing electric ice cream maker. The price for one of these machines is a little steep, but If you value convenience, the price is well worth it.
You don't have to worry about ice and salt, or finding room to put a huge bowl in your freezer; you just throw your ice cream into one of these machines, and press the on button. Its really as simple and easy as that!
My favorite thing about these makers is; if you want to make a few batches right after one another; you can do that too. With a basic electric model, you have to keep refreezing the bowl in between batches, and this can really be a pain if you want to make a few quarts for some friends or family. When I'm in the ice cream making "zone" I usually don't stop after making just one type of ice cream, so the self freezing electric ice cream maker is definately my top choice.
Lello 4070 Gelato Junior
I've been using the Lello 4070 for about 3 years now, and I can't say I have any complaints. It is the cheapest self refrigerating unit on the market, and makes a delicious one quart bowl of ice cream. I really like the self timer function which beeps nice and loud when the ice cream is done.
Cuisinart ICE-50BC Supreme Ice Cream Maker
This cuisinart ice-50bc is a bit more expensive than the lello ice cream maker. I do not own this ice cream maker and therefore it is hard for me to say much about it. Yet I have read that it is a very reliable and well made ice cream maker. It makes half a quart more ice cream than the lello, so that is a definate plus. This maker functions very similarly to the Lello, and one major difference is that more of the parts are made from metal than plastic. However, if you take good care of the Lello I see no problem with the fact that a lot of it is constructed with plastic. Both of these ice cream makers are well built and produce great homemade ice cream; they are definately great long term investments and will produce hundreds of batches of delicious homemade ice cream.
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