Ice cream maker for home: how to choose the right device, how automatic and semi-automatic versions work

Children, especially in summer, often want to enjoy ice cream, and among adults there are many fans of this dessert. But here's the trouble - the product sold in the store is stuffed with dyes and preservatives, and preparing it by hand takes a huge amount of time. In this case, an ice cream maker for the home can help out - a device that will simplify or automate the preparation of cold treats. There are versions for every taste and price - choose wisely.

Principle of operation

Delicious and airy ice cream can be obtained only by slowly and evenly cooling the whipped ingredients. In the old days, it was prepared by thoroughly mixing the contents of a container placed in a bowl of ice. The principle of how a home ice cream maker works is very similar: a mass of the necessary products is placed in the bowl of the appliance, after which it is slowly stirred and whipped for 30-40 minutes. At the same time, the walls of the container are very cold, freezing temperatures, due to which the mixture is frozen.

Beat and grind the ice cream mass many times during cooking. This is necessary for the same cooling of the entire mixture, therefore, with manual cooking, the hostess will not have to get out of the kitchen during the whole process. In addition, ice crystals often remain in the finished product, which spoils the taste. The purchase of an ice cream maker will save you from all these problems and will allow you to prepare a delicious delicacy in half an hour without store-bought chemicals, which is especially important for children.

Types of devices

There are three types of ice cream makers: vending machines with a built-in mini-refrigerator; semiautomatic devices for which you need to keep the container in the freezer before use; and mechanical, cooled to the required temperature due to pre-prepared ice crumbs. They differ significantly both in price and in functionality. To choose the most suitable option, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of all these devices.

Mechanical devices: "the old fashioned way"

The definite advantages of this option include very low cost and the ability to work without electricity. Such a device is a double-walled bowl. You need to put a mass for ice cream in it, and pour a mixture of crushed ice and salt between the walls. After everything is ready, the device is covered with a lid, on which there is a special handle that turns stirring paddles: it must be rotated every 2-3 minutes throughout the entire preparation product.

Thus, making ice cream is quite time consuming: you need to monitor the device for as long as 30-40 minutes, and even prepare ice crumbs in advance. Nevertheless, it is still much faster and more convenient than cooking this delicacy without an ice cream maker at all.

It is worth stopping at this type of appliance when the budget is very limited, but you still want to make homemade ice cream, despite the indicated inconveniences. Otherwise, other options are worth considering.

Semi-automatic machines: the golden mean

Such ice cream makers also have a bowl with a double wall, but they do not need ice, since there is already a refrigerant in the space between the walls. It must be pre-frozen in the freezer at a temperature of -16 to -18 for about 12 hours. These devices take over the task of mixing and whipping ice cream, and in 20-40 minutes you can already enjoy the finished product.

The pluses of this type include affordable price, compact size and low power consumption. The disadvantage is that you can cook only one portion of the treat at a time, then the bowl will have to be cooled again. In addition, it is worth considering the need for an almost constant location of the container in the freezer - it is worth preparing a separate place for it in advance.

Many of those who choose an ice cream maker for home stop at this option: it is convenient and does not hit the family's budget. Unfortunately, he is not suitable for preparing large quantities of ice cream for guests or a children's party, because it will take him weeks to do this.

But you and your child will be able to enjoy a fresh portion of cold dessert every day without much money.

Automatic devices: expensive

Automatic ice cream makers, also called compressor ones, include the function of a mini-refrigerator and are capable of cooling the contents of the product container themselves. Before using them, you should turn them on for 5-10 minutes for preliminary cooling, and then load one after another portions of ice cream in any quantity. The process is fully automated: the owner of the device only needs to prepare a mixture of the necessary ingredients and put it in a bowl.

Such ice cream makers are very expensive.. In addition to the price, their disadvantages include heavy weight, impressive size (about the size of a microwave oven) and relatively high energy consumption. To understand which option is best, evaluate your budget and decide if the time and opportunity to cook are worth the savings. there are many portions at once that the automatic ice cream maker offers, increasing its price compared to the semiautomatic device.

Criterias of choice

Even between ice cream makers of the same type, there can be significant differences in cost and quality. Of course, the price is determined to some extent by the brand, but there are other criteria by which these devices may differ. To understand how to choose the right ice cream maker for your home, it's worth taking a look at all of them:

• The volume of the bowl, which affects the size of the portion of the treat in one go and the dimensions of the household appliance. The capacity of ice cream containers usually varies from 0.5 to 2 liters, but it costs much less to load food there, since they increase in volume during preparation.
• The height of the bowl is very important, especially if you opted for the semi-automatic option. Usually compact devices of such a plan increase the volume precisely due to the height - it can reach 20 cm, but it is worth remembering that too high a capacity may not fit in the freezer, where it is needed keep.
• Body and container materials. Most often it is stainless steel or plastic. They do not affect the taste of the product, but they differ in the degree of strength and safety, therefore they can create a significant difference in the price of the device.
• Mixing paddle material. Again, they come in plastic and metal. The former are short-lived and break easily if the mass comes out a little thicker than necessary, the latter are stronger, but more expensive.
• The power of the device. The larger and more powerful it is, the higher the electricity consumption. It is worth saying that this device is unlikely to cause problems with electricity: the power of semi-automatic versions is only 4-35 W, automatic - 150-200, and it takes only half an hour to prepare a portion work. However, you need to pay attention to this if you are going to use your automatic ice cream maker for a very long time and often.

In addition, the presence of optional, but useful functions in everyday life can add prices to the subject of household appliances. For example, many expensive automatic models, due to different operating modes, combine the functions of an ice cream maker and a yogurt maker, and can also prepare cocktails, sorbets and other sweets.

There are also smaller, but helping in everyday life, additions, which include:

• An additional bowl for the machine, in which you can start making ice cream with a different flavor without interruption.
• Suitable portion cups for serving ready meals.
• Transparent window through which you can watch the cooking process.
• Timer with a sound signal that goes off after the end of the device.
• The ability to run on batteries directly in the freezer for semi-automatic ice cream makers, which eliminates the need to cool the bowl every time.
• A compartment on the case for convenient storage of the power cable.

Ice cream makers are very different, from the simplest hand-held appliances to sophisticated multifunctional household appliances. They vary in price, quality, function and usability. Paying attention to all the features, you will certainly be able to find an option that suits you, and you can delight yourself and your family for a long time with a delicious treat prepared at home.