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How to Choose and Buy an Ice Cream Maker

Here are some hints and tips on some of the things to consider when choosing and buying an ice cream maker:

Size/Capacity of the Ice Cream Maker

To make having an ice cream maker worthwhile, you’ll want to be able to produce a fair amount of ice cream at one time. Most ice cream makers offer a reasonable 0.7 litre capacity, but there are models which can make in excess of 1.1 litres, so make sure you choose a size that meets your household’s needs.

Pre-Freezing Bowl or Built-in Freezer?

Most models of ice cream maker have a removable bowl that you must pre-freeze before it can be used. These models are reasonably priced, but check the product description before buying one to check how long the bowl must be frozen for, what freezer setting needs to be used, and how long it can be used for before it needs to be placed back in the freezer again.

Although ice cream makers with removable pre-freeze bowls are fairly inexpensive, they do mean that you have to plan your ice cream making in advance. You will also need to ensure that you have space in your freezer for the bowl whenever you need to pre-freeze it.

Some models if ice-cream maker have built-in freezers, so you don’t need to wait until the bowl has frozen. These are much more convenient and mean that you can make ice cream whenever you want to, but this is reflected in the price.

Performance

Depending on the quality of the bowl and the power of the motor, most ice cream makers produce ice cream within 20 to 40 minutes. Check the product description of any model that you are considering to find out the estimated timescale for making ice cream, as if it takes longer than 40 minutes, it may not be worthwhile.

Assembly and Cleaning

Your ice cream maker should be easy to assemble and clean, so have a look at the product description and see if it highlights these points.

Ice Cream Recipe Books

Most of us aren’t experienced chefs, so a recipe book will be useful to say the least! Most models of ice cream maker come with a free recipe book, but make sure you check before buying so that you can start enjoying the product from the moment it arrives.

Warranty

Different makes and models of ice cream maker have different warranties, so check to ensure that you are happy with the length of time that your chosen model is guaranteed for.

Price

Decide on an amount of money that you are prepared to spend on an ice cream maker and stick to it. If you don’t want the hassle of pre-freezing the bowl before use, then you may be better to splash out on a model with a built-in freezer. However, if you are on a tight budget, consider buying a model where you need to pre-freeze the bowl.

On the whole, ice cream makers are fairly reasonably priced, but will only be good value for money if you are a big fan of ice cream and are going to make it at home on a regular basis.

Ice Cream Makers - Extras

Some models of ice cream maker come with extras such as a pouring jug or spatula. Check the product descriptions when you are choosing your ice cream maker to see whether or not any extra items are included, as these can provide added value.

Further Information

If you want to buy an ice cream maker, you can find out more about some of the top online suppliers, including details of their delivery times and postage and packaging costs, in our Where to Buy section.

You can find out about specific brands and models of ice cream maker in our Brands and Top Models sections.

You can learn more about other types of kitchen appliance in our Types section.