This $80 Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Is The Best For Families
Like the rest of the ICE-21, the base is made from white plastic. Most items come with a limited manufacturer’s warranty. The addition of a Walmart Protection Plan adds extra protection from the date of purchase. Walmart Protection Plans cover the total cost of repair, or replacement, for products, as well as covering delivery charges for the exchange. Walmart Protection Plan options and pricing can be found on the product page, as well as in your cart.
The real value of a compressor unit lies in churning back-to-back quarts of ice cream in a single day, a feature that only the most dedicated ice cream enthusiast will ever need at home. For those who churn only a few quarts every week, canister units are more than up to the task. The ice cream machines took anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour to freeze one quart of ice cream base. We were expecting that the models that took longer to churn ice cream would also have poorly textured ice cream with large ice crystals. We researched dozens of ice cream makers and narrowed the field down to a top 10, which we then pitted against one another to determine which ones are the best. We tested each machine to find models that consistently made the smoothest-textured ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet.
The time is automatically set for each option, but can be adjusted manually. When time is up, the machine automatically shuts off. The unique gelato setting is a standout for our product tester cuisinart soup maker due to its slower churn, one of the hallmarks of genuine gelato. An ice cream maker lets you churn whatever kind of ice cream strikes your fancy, all in the comfort of your own home.
Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
Because the motor is on top of the unit, it’s difficult to peer inside the canister in order to monitor the status of the ice cream churning. The opening for adding mix-ins is very small and located behind the motor, which makes it easy to spill sticky caramel and other mix-ins onto the motor. We worry that the combination of a detachable motor and an opening for mix-ins so close by could make this unit susceptible to breakage. This model automatically stops churning once the ice cream has reached your selected texture by sensing the level of resistance against the paddle as the ice cream freezes and thickens. Once the ice cream is ready, the unit alerts you with classic ice cream truck jingles. The churned ice cream can be held at the chosen texture for up to three hours, making it perfect for dinner parties and for soft-serve ice cream fans.
Finally, once you’re done dishing up your soft-serve, this model is easy to clean with a removable drip tray. Just be warned that it is a bit on the heavy side at 15 pounds, so you’ll want to be careful when moving it around. Aside from its large capacity, customers rank this ice cream maker highly because it’s so easy to use and operates quickly. But hey, moving this ice cream maker around will get you some exercise before you enjoy your dessert. The other benefit of this model is that it has 12 specifically calibrated settings for different levels of softness. You won’t end up with rock hard sherbet or gelato or soft-serve when what you really want is a scoop of vanilla that will hold its own in a root beer float.
Turn frozen bananas, berries, and other fruits—no other ingredients required—into creamy soft serve-like ice cream and sorbets. This model needs 8-pounds of ice, plus plenty of rock salt, to chill and automatically churns up to 4-quarts of ice cream per batch. This unit was the lowest-priced of all the models at the time of testing, making it a good pick for someone who makes ice cream only occasionally. The bowl on this model is easily removable via its sturdy metal handle, allowing for quick cleanup. The lid is also clearly marked, making it easy and quick to slide into place. The wide opening on the lid lets you easily add mix-ins and keep an eye on the ice cream’s progress.