What are ice cream makers?

We’ve posted a number of blogs and recipes that require an ice cream maker. But how many of us have access to one? Do you know their types, what they look like, or what they do? Check out these pictures below to know what to look for.

An ice cream maker aerates the cream by churning it, all while freezing it. Manual machines are inexpensive but messy. They consist of an outer bowl and a smaller inner bowl with a hand crank. This crank turns a paddle to stir the mixture. The outer bowl is filled with salt and ice that must later be tossed out. Each new batch of ice cream requires a new batch of the ice and salt.

Electric machines have an electric motor that drives either the bowl or the paddle. Counter-top machines cost around $100. They use a double-walled bowl, between which is a cooling solution. The mixture gradually freezes while it churns because of its contact with this inner frozen bowl. By the time the ice cream is done, the frozen solution has thawed. In order to make a new batch, the solution must be frozen again. Another type of machine is a small freezer-unit one that sits in a freezer and operates similar to a food processor, but very slowly The paddles turn every few seconds to stir the cream and prevent large ice crystals from forming. When the ice cream is done, the paddles lift. Much larger machines have a built-in freezing mechanism and don't require a pre-chilled bowl. They work by turning on the cooling system, adding the mixture a few minutes later, and then turning on the paddle. Ice cream will be ready in about a half hour and any number of batches can be made without delay.