What Is an Ice Cream Machine?

An ice cream maker is a device that is used to make ice cream in smaller batches for personal use. These devices are available with either an electric motor or a hand cranking mechanism. A domestic icicle maker is a handy addition to any kitchen and is perfect for the home user who likes to make ice-cream quickly and easily. It is ideal for making a small batch of icy delights.

The ice cream maker should have separate buttons for freezing and churning. The latter should be on at the same time, as this will prevent the ice cream from freezing solid and damaging the dasher blades. Generally, a good ICE-cream maker comes with a timer and a dial, but the dials are not precise to the minute. If you want to make a large batch, choose a large capacity slushie maker.

Counter-top ice cream makers use a double-walled bowl filled with a solution, typically distilled water and urea. The solution should be frozen at below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which can take as long as 24 hours in a domestic freezer. After the bowl is frozen, it is added to the machine's paddles. The paddles inside the machine mix the mixture as it freezes through contact with the double-wall solution. The double-walled bowl is usually pre-frozen, and the ice cream is ready in 20 minutes or less depending on the recipe.