7 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Ice Cream Maker
Thinking of buying a new ice cream maker? For ice cream lovers, buying a machine can help you save a significant amount of money in the long run. For those who are health conscious, you can finally control the ingredients that go into your dessert and enjoy it with less guilt. There are countless reasons why one should buy an ice cream maker. However, before you jump in to get one, you need to make sure that you have chosen the right one. So what are some factors to consider when getting one?
Price
The machines vary greatly in price. Some are as low as $10, while others can cost as much as $100,000. You should first consider your goal for getting one. Are you buying one for the occasional family gathering when your nieces and nephews come over? If you are only going to use your machine occasionally, you should consider buying a cheaper one. On the other hand, if you have a sweet tooth and intend to use your machine every other day, it may be worth shelling out a little more money to get a fully automated one.
Manual vs Electric
There are two main types of ice cream makers, manual and electric. Manual machines require you to stir the base yourself during the freezing process. Electric machines come with a motor that does the stirring for you.
Electric machines are certainly simpler and save more time. However, they are less fun to use (children prefer manual machines) and because they require electrical power, they are more dangerous for children to use alone.
Noise
Some electrical machines can be very noisy. They’re not loud enough to wake your next-door neighbors, but possibly loud enough to frustrate you. For those who have a low tolerance for noise, a manual machine or perhaps a high-end electric machine is a better option for you.
freezing method
Most machines use salt and ice or a freezer container to freeze the base.
Machines that use salt and ice require a ready supply of crushed ice and salt. They are often very complicated to use as a large amount of salt solution is produced in the process.
On the other hand, machines that use a freezer container require the container to be frozen for 8 to 24 hours before use. This method is much easier than the salt/ice method. However, it can be a problem if your fridge freezer is often full of food or is too small to accommodate a freezer container.
There are other high-end machines that come with a built-in freezer. These machines are definitely the most convenient but also the most expensive.
Quality of ice cream produced
Conditions such as the rate of beating, as well as the method of freezing the base, can have an impact on the quality of the dessert produced. Always make sure that the machine you are considering can produce quality ice cream. The best way is to consult with friends who have used the machine before. Alternatively, you can search the internet for reviews on Google.
Other frozen desserts?
Some machines can only produce ice cream. Others are capable of producing ice cream, sherbet, and other frozen desserts as well. If you’re a fan of other types of parfaits, consider paying a little more for an all-in-one machine.
Quantity of ice cream produced
Do you prepare desserts for your family on weekends? Or are you preparing ice cream for a carnival? The machines differ in capacities, from 1 quart to 6 quarts. Choose the capacity that best suits your needs.