Ice cream maker recommendations

[Richard Chrz]

I feel like there is always something missing from our gatherings, it’s a consistent easy people enjoy kind of food. Ice Cream seems to be one of those options. Personally I try not to consume much sugar, but would also enjoy even making myself a very small amount at a time and play with it more. o mentioned this to my wife and she thought it could be fun for family gatherings, pizza & ice cream.

I truly do not know what to ask, other than I think I would want to play with frozen yogurt, as well as gelato…so I don’t even know what is a reasonable budget, and pitfalls to avoid. I would rather buy once and enjoy it the entire time, but realistic to my budget.

Recommendations and advice wanted & thank you in advance.

[barelfly]

I know JCBBQ has been slinging some gelato lately, perhaps he can comment on what he is using. I’ve looked at the KitchenAid attachment for the mixer, but just never purchased it because not something I have room for in the freezer.

If you have kids around the neighborhood, you could always buy one of the mixing balls and ask them to come over and roll it around for you I do have memories of watching our kiddos do this years ago at our friends house, actually made decent ice cream!

[Richard Chrz]

He certainly was my first thought.

[Willy]

Cuisinart ICE 21P1--inexpensive, easy to use, and a frequent top pick in "the best ice cream makers" articles. You won't regret it, I promise.

[STEbbq]

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/the-pit-mastery-program/dessert-recipes/1580320-ninja-creami-deluxe-the-screaming-drill-press-that-makes-dessert

I miss MsTwiggy

[jayjordan]

Brings back memories as a kid of taking turns cranking the handle on homemade ice cream. I have always loved ice cream, but don’t buy it often anymore. Blue Bell is my favorite, however the HEB store brand runs a close second.

[Manxman]

I have a Cuisinart 100BCU which is one of my favourite kitchen gadgets, it churns out top notch ice cream simply and easily. Also makes gelato and yoghurt.

Previously I had one that required the bucket to be put in the freezer for 24 hours before use, if I recommend one thing it would be to get one with a built in compressor... it makes life so much easier notwithstanding they are also more expensive! . Ice cream making becomes fun and not a chore.

The Cuisinart 100BCU has now been discontinued and replaced with the 150BCU, may still be a few of the older model around going cheap?

[Willy]

How is it used to make yogurt? I make yogurt and use just a stovetop pot to heat the milk in, plus a sous vide to keep the overnight "aging" in Mason jars at 116 F.

[Manxman]

"How is it used to make yogurt?"

There are recipes in the Manual for ice cream, gelato, sorbet, icy drinks and yoghurt the only one I haven't done myself is yoghurt. On referring back to the booklet the base for the yoghurt recipes is...... Greek Yoghurt! This base makes the likes of Peach Frozen Yoghurt and Honey Frozen Yoghurt so something of a cheat! 😉

[Willy]

Manxman My bad, I thought you were MAKING yogurt with it, as opposed to frozen yogurt.

[Mosca]

I checked FB Marketplace, the KA ice cream maker attachment is readily available around here for between $30 and $50, depending on who’s selling. I haven’t used it myself, but I’ve seen it in action, and it definitely makes ice cream. That might be a good place to start, check locally.

[awsop]

I have KA ice cream making attachment and it works great. You have to freeze the bowl overnight, but it only stays cold enough for one “run.” YMMV.

[surfdog]

Don’t own one myself but have had the results…it seems like a solid choice.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N63J432/?coliid=I55U00SVPK4MS&colid=3K2SLDVJNVZ0B&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I still have a different one somewhere…but the one I had required a metric tonne of salt to bring the temp down.

[BKYDBBQ]

My mom, my sister and I all have the Cuisinart Ice Cream maker that was mentioned by Willy . Mainly because mom bought one and then gave one to my sister and I.

I really like it, and is easy to use. Plus it doesn't make a huge batch and can be used for sorbet and other similar items.

https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-ICE-21-Quart-Frozen-Yogurt-Ice/dp/B003KYSLMW?th=1

[WI Bubba]

Buying an ice cream maker is something I have kicked around before and I've convinced myself that I wouldn't buy one that didn't have a built in compressor. My logic is that if I wanted to do more than one flavor in a day, I would need multiple of the pre-freeze bowls and space in the freezer for them. The one surfdog linked to got a Not Recommended rating from ATK. But this one by the same manufacture was their top pick for the compressor style. What has stopped me from buying one is Ben&Jerry's and the local custard stand.

[JCBBQ]

Here’s a pic of my girlfriends. My Lello Musso gelato maker is incredible. Richard I can see you really getting into it so I think the investment will be worth it. Happy to recommend ice cream cookbooks too.

[Steve B]

Funny thing is I watched a video after posting this on making ice cream and the person was cooking some of the ingredients prior to churning it.

[Manxman]

Most of the Cuisinart recipes involve pre mixing, heating, and cooking (e.g. eggs) before cooling and leaving the mix in the fridge preferably overnight then putting in the ice cream maker.

[JCBBQ]

Manxman yep. 100%

[SheilaAnn]

I have a discontinued Cuisinart one. Beautiful thing about it? It is two 1qt bowls. I can spin one or both. I love it! It’s not very quiet though. I would love to continue this conversation about recipes and all!

that said, I have heard good things about cuisinart and the KA attachment as well.

[Oak Smoke]

I would second that. Great ice cream recipes would make a good new post.

[surfdog]

Hmmm, recipes…

I remember making two batches of mint chocolate chip.

First batch going strong…when it finished, off to the freezer it went.

The second batch started off just as strong…until it came time to add the chips.

“Now I know darn well that I measured those out! What the…?”
“Oh phooey (or something like that),” I added all of the chips to the first batch. Derp
Well, the only sensible thing was to double the chips for the second batch. LOL
Everyone loved it so no harm no foul.

[MattTheGR8]

Follow Willy's advice and get the Cuisinart ICE 21P1. I've had one for 12 years and gotten great results with it. There are reasons it gets such good reviews - it turns out great product and won't break the bank. The only limitation is the canister, which has to be frozen in advance. That means you can only do 1 batch per day, but if you're only experimenting in small batches it will work fine for you.

[SheilaAnn]

JCBBQ is “doing it right”. Make the base and chill it overnight. It totally reduces, if not eliminates, those icey crystals you can sometimes get. Additionally, I also strain my base to remove any little bits of egg bits.

i just realized I basically copied what was stated above…..

[Willy]

There are those who claim a tablespoon or two of, say vodka, also eliminates ice crystals.

[Manxman]

I put a small amount of vodka (1-2 tbsp per litre) in all the ice cream I make, not only eliminates ice crystals but makes it easier to scoop. However when I get around to rum and raisin ice cream some dark rum will be the order of the day!

[SheilaAnn]

Vodka? Really? Good to know…..

[JCBBQ]

Richard your family will love the ice cream and when you make ice cream sandwiches they’ll really go nuts. Recently I made a peanut butter miso cookie w spicy chocolate ice cream. OMG heaven. Over the holidays I made apple pie ice cream w a speculaas cookie. Home run. You’ll have a lot of fun.