Is an Ice Cream Maker Worth It?

Whether it’s your next cooking adventure or you simply want to replicate your favorite store-bought flavors, making homemade ice cream is super simple. Once you have your ingredients together (don’t forget the mix-ins!), you have a few avenues open for turning that heavy cream into sweet ice cream. I’ve tried each and every method, and even though it requires a little planning, I always end up reaching for my ice cream maker so I don’t end up with really delicious whipped cream.

What is an ice cream maker?

Ice cream makers are small machines used to craft ice cream in a home kitchen. They come in both manual and electric versions, and have two vital aspects to them. First, they cool down ingredients enough to begin freezing, all the while churning ingredients together to incorporate air and keep the forming ice crystals to a minimum. The first versions were hand-cranked, but today, most are electric and are available in three main styles: frozen bowl, compressor, and a bucket filled with salt and ice.

Can’t I just use a bag or a jar to make ice cream?

Making ice cream in a glass jar or in a bag is a simple way to make homemade ice cream, but it creates really small amounts and you need to shake continuously for minutes. No-churn ice cream recipes also create a larger margin of error since you’re incorporating the air, not the machine.

How do you use an ice cream maker?

If you use a frozen-bowl maker, the drum will need to be placed in the freezer for at least 24 hours to solidify the internal liquid. Compressor and salt-and-ice machines have different setups. The former only needs a pre-chill, but salt-and-ice makers need a significant amount of ice (at least 2 medium-sized bags) and at least 2 cups of rock salt. You’ll layer the two around the metal barrel.  

Whatever kind of ice cream machine you use, you’ll want to chill your base and any mix-ins prior to churning. The key to creamy, not icy, ice cream is keeping the post-churning ice crystals as small as possible. As you transfer your ice cream to the freezer, the water molecules inside the ice cream melt and refreeze. It's the same process that happens with the scooped top of your store-bought ice cream, which is why it can get very icy. 

Can you use ice cream makers for more than just ice cream?

Yes! Ice cream makers are great for making a refreshing sorbet or creamy sherbet, but you can also mix together slushies (non-alcoholic and boozy) and churn other frozen drinks that might get watery in a blender. You can even use a freezer bowl as a tabletop ice bucker for bottles of wine. 

How do I choose an ice cream maker?

Of the three types of ice cream makers, which one works best for you comes down to your needs. If you're searching for a fun activity with the kids, look at frozen-bowl or salt-and-ice models. The latter are especially fun to use during summertime parties. If you're looking to expand your kitchen expertise, frozen-bowl and compressor ice cream makers will serve you better.