Ice Cream Makers

Frozen treats are the best part of summer! Make your own ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt or ices with a home ice cream maker. 

How to Choose

• Consider how eager you are for these frozen treats. Multiple speed models allow you to make all different types of frozen goods. So you if you plan to make more than ice cream, make sure the machine has the options.
• Flavor of the month? How about flavor of the hour? A dual-bowl model allows you to make two flavors at once instead of having to wait for one bowl to freeze before doing the next.
• Price -- most models cost less than $100, but frozen bowl models are significantly less than compressor models.
• Size -- if you're only making ice cream for yourself, a small machine might be enough. But if you're making it as a post-Thanksgiving dessert, you'll need a large capacity machine to feed the whole clan.

There are two main kinds of ice cream makers: rock salt and crank machines  and countertop machines.  Recommendations below are based on Cook's Illustrated (subscription required) which also recommended the now-discontinued Krups La Glaciére in the frozen bowl category.

Rock Salt and Crank Machines

Rock Salt and Crank  The "old fashioned" method of making ice cream; some say it's still the best. Electric versions  (left) are also available, but tend to be noisy. Although they are good for large batches, they can be difficult to operate and a take a lot of work to clean. This might go without saying, but you also have to buy rock salt  to use this type of machine. Manual crank machines don't produce ice cream as high in quality as the electric machines. Recommended: Cook's found that the White Mountain Ice Cream Maker  (pictured) made great ice cream but was extremely noisy.

Countertop Ice Cream Makers
Frozen Bowl  Less expensive than compressor models. The bowl contains a liquid freezing agent; the bowl is frozen and then filled with ice cream base, which is then cranked by hand or motor. Only one batch at a time; bowl needs to refreeze between batches. Batches don't take long and the apparatus is easy to operate and clean. Both manual and electric versions exist, but they overlap significantly in their price range. Stick with an electric one -- they usually make better ice cream.	Compressor  Self-contained; uses a compressor to freeze the ice cream. Multiple batches can be prepared in just a few hours. Often the choice of professionals. Can be pricey - up to $500 or more! Compact, efficient, easy-to-use and easy-to-clean. Most models take up very little counter space. Recommended: Cook's loves the Lussino  (pictured), which they call the "Cadillac of ice cream makers." The $600 price tag is daunting; the desserts are divine.

Work for Your Ice Cream

Exercise Makes Dessert Not Count, Right? What could be better than burning off some calories before indulging in ice cream? The UCO Play and Freeze  is a workout toy and an ice cream maker in one. Fill the inner compartment with ice cream ingredients and the outer compartment with ice and salt, and play catch! After a good long game (20 minutes or so) of rolling, tossing and playing with it, you'll have a batch of ice cream ready to eat. At seven pounds the ball might be a bit heavy for young children.

Major Manufacturers

• Cuisinart 
• Rival 
• Deni 
• Nemox 
• DeLonghi 
• Musso 
• Krups 
• White Mountain 

Serve it up!
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