Ice-cream makers: How to buy
Which type is right for me?
There are two basic types of ice-cream maker. The one that is right for you will depend on your budget, how often you plan to use it and how organised you are.
Freezer bowl
First you freeze the inner bowl, then you put your mixture in to freeze
These use a bowl that’s pre-frozen for around 12 to 24 hours – this cools your ice cream mixture as it’s stirred.
They are the cheapest type to buy, costing less than £50, and don't require much electricity because they simply run the paddle. All of the pricey freezing is done by your freezer, which is always on anyway.
You need to be fairly organised to use this type of ice-cream maker. You'll have to plan to pre-freeze the bowl and have space in your freezer for it.
You should wait until the bowl has returned to room temperature before washing it out with warm (not hot) water, or you could damage it. This, plus the pre-freezing time, means it's not a great choice for anyone who wants to make more than one batch of ice cream at a time.
Built-in freezer
A built-in freezer means you can make iced desserts spontaneously
These freeze the mixture as the paddle turns, so no pre-freezing of the bowl’s required.
Some come with removable bowls which you can wash as soon as the ice cream is removed, making them perfect for people who want to make another batch of ice cream straight away. If you use the fixed bowl, you usually need to wait for it to return to room temperature before you can clean it.
You don't necessarily need to pre-chill your ice-cream mixture, although this will reduce the amount of time that it takes to freeze in the machine.
They create their own freezing power, which uses more electricity than the versions that just power the paddle. Making each batch uses the electricity equivalent of running a bright light bulb for an hour.
These models are quite expensive, usually costing between £200 and £300. Although more convenient to use than freezer bowl types, we've found that the in-bowl freezing time is actually slightly longer for built-in freezer models.
Where will you store it?
From large to small - there's an ice-cream maker for every appetite
If you already have a platoon of appliances jostling for cupboard or worktop space, it’s worth noting there’s a considerable difference in size between models. The smallest has a footprint similar to a jug kettle’s.
Most freezer bowl machines have a diameter about the same size as a dinner plate. Check that these machines’ bowls will fit in your freezer - you’ll find the details in our tables at the bottom of each individual product review.
At the other extreme, built-in freezer models are large, boxy, heavy and awkward to move.
Where to buy
Ice-cream makers are a seasonal and niche product. They are easier to track down in summer or around Christmas and you might not find a wide number of models to choose from.
- Supermarket and catalogue stores: These may offer a limited range of cheaper ice-cream makers.
- Department stores: These usually stock higher-priced, best-selling models.
- Online: The internet is an excellent place to track down niche products like ice-cream makers. You'll find a wider range to choose from and should be able to compare features and accessories.