Skip to content
23 Shares
Cinnamon ice cream recipe

Everybody loves ice cream, and now more than ever, it’s easier to make ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt at home. While people have been making ice cream before the advent of electricity (so yes, you can make ice cream without a machine), there are several options in various price ranges that make the job easier, with results that your friends and family will love.

There are a few options to consider when buying an ice cream maker, but rest assured there’s one that’ll fit every budget. I’ve got additional information in my book, The Perfect Scoop, the best-selling guide to making ice cream at home, but here is some additional information about the various ice cream machines that are available to help you make your decision.

(Note that this post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using a link from this page.)

Cuisinart ice cream machine

Cuisinart ICE-100

My first machine with a built-in compressor was Cuisinart ice cream machine, which I used for over a decade with very good results. That model (the ICE-50) had few features and their latest model is the Cuisinart ICE-100 which I haven’t used. The ICE-50 was a sturdy workhorse, which was loud, but churned out a lot of ice cream for me in the two decades that I owned it. I also used it for developing and testing the recipes in The Perfect Scoop.

I recently purchased a Breville Smart Scoop machine, which comes with more options, and also comes at a higher price point than the Cuisinart machine. It offers the ability to pre-cool the machine, change speeds, and will keep the ice cream frozen after churning, if you want to serve later.

Outside of the U.S., these machines are sometimes sold under the Sage brand. I got mine on Amazon (France) during a flash sale when they were half price and I’m really enjoying using it. It’s a lot quieter than my previous Cuisinart machine and has several helpful options, including the ability to pre-chill the churning chamber, and you can set the firmness of your frozen dessert, from frozen yogurt and gelato, to sorbet and ice cream.

Cuisinart ICE-21

A lower priced option is a machine where you pre-freeze the canister 24 hours in advance before churning, so it requires a little patience, and sufficient freezer room, if you use one.

The upside is the price. These types of machines cost less than $100 (at the time of this writing, the machine above is selling for $69), and machine makes great ice cream as well as being affordable. Krups makes a similar machine, as does Hamilton Beach. (Hamilton Beach also makes a large capacity machine, that lets you freeze 4 quarts at a time, but requires you to add ice and rock salt. White Mountain, founded in 1853, also makes large-capacity machines that require ice and rock salt, and come in both electric and hand-cranked models.)

KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment

If you have a KitchenAid mixer, their excellent KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment works very well. I’ve used one extensively and it churns ice cream quickly, and you can adjust the speed easily.

Like other machines that don’t have a built-in compressor, you need to pre-freeze the canister at least 24 hours before you plan to churn your ice cream. So make sure you’ve got the freezer space for it.

Note: If you live outside the United States, KitchenAid mixers have different safety features and the U.S. ice cream attachment may not be compatible with them.

Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker

A new kid on the block is the Ninja Creami ice cream maker. Unlike traditional ice cream churning machines, this one works on the same principle as a Pacojet, a pricey machine used by professionals that can cost up to $8000! In these machines, you freeze the base in a pint container overnight, then place it in the machine and a rotating blade shaves the ice cream into a scoopable mass. The Ninja machine costs around $200 and although I haven’t used one, from what I’ve read people are happy with the results.

You can also find more of my recommendations for machines and ice cream making equipment, as well as recipes for all your favorite ice creams, sorbets, granitas, toppings, swirls, and more in my book, The Perfect Scoop, revised and updated!

23 Shares

A

Get David's newsletter sent right to your Inbox!

15987

Sign up for my newsletter and get my FREE guidebook to the best bakeries and pastry shops in Paris...