Ice Cream Machines

Last Updated: August 25, 2001

What follows is a summary of the ice cream machines with which I am familiar. For web vendors of machines, check out the equipment section of my links page (but be aware that not every machine I discuss below is available from the web vendors on my links page).

General Information

I am aware of three primary styles of machines (based on the method of freezing):

Ice freezing. A double layer of buckets. In the inner bucket, you put the ice cream mix. In the outer bucket, you put ice and salt (the salt lowers the temperature of the ice). These machines come either hand cranked or mechanically cranked. This is how a White Mountain Ice Cream Machine works. Expect to pay over $100 US for one of these, although cheaper variations are probably available.
Here are some instructions that give the ratio of salt-to-ice and other such details. I've never tried them, so try, experiement, and let me know how to improve it!
Anti-freeze bucket. This style uses a bucket that has anti-freeze sealed within its walls. You place this bucket in your freezer overnight, then when ready to make the ice cream, you take the bucket out of the freezer, assemble the machine, pour the ice cream mix in the bucket, and crank it. There are both hand cranked version (such as the Donvier model) and mechnically cranked (such as the Krups model). These machines to not make high volume, and you can only make one batch per bucket per day. These machines cost around $60 US.
There is also a disk style version of this machine (I don't remember the brand, though). Rather than use a bucket (which takes up a lot of space in your freezer) this uses a disk that fits on the bottom of a plastic bucket in which you churn the ice cream. The version of this that I saw, however, did a poor job of freezing the mix (i.e., it couldn't get it cold enough to freeze more than a slush). That's based on only one batch of ice cream, so your milage may vary.
Mechnical freezer. This style of machine has a compressor, etc., for cooling. I've only seen mechnically cranked (the compressor is expensive, so why not!). Our labs Ugolini machine is an example of one of these. Expect to pay around $500 US for one of these.

Damerow's book provides a nice summary that's a bit more than I've described above.

Specific Brands

I'll comment on what I know about the machines that I've heard of. Also, check out epinions page on ice cream makers.

Cuisinart. Similar to the Krups machine listed below, but available in Canada. It's also available on at least one web page.
Donvier. A hand cranked, freezer bucket variety. The plastic is a bit cheap (i.e., it's easy to break if you apply too much force). The two tricks to using this machine are
- put the rubber ring on the bucket before you put it in the freezer
- in the begining, crank every minute, and then easy off to 2 or 3 minutes later. This avoids the problem of having the mix freeze too much in the beginning when the bucket is colder, and having to apply so much force to turn the crank that you risk breaking the plastic.
Krups. A mechnically cranked, freezer bucket variety. My current favorite for home use. Unfortunately, I am told (October 28, 1997) that this machine is not distributed in Canada. However, it is available in the US.
DeLonghi. Similar to the Krups and Cuisinart. Info online.
Ugolini. Our Ugolini machine (a ``Motogelatiera Mod. MINIGEL L 4,'') has two problems:
- it's too vigorous when it cranks, so if you use a high-fat mixture then the machine will churn it enough to create bits of butter
- it's a pain to clean since the bucket is not removable.
That said, it's otherwise easy to use: just put in the mix and push the button. The plastic piece that fits on the blade is a bit too fragile, and we still don't know how to order a replacement. However, we did find some blades that were a "close fit". A bit of trimming, and soaking in hot water to soften one and it works fine.
White Mountain Ice Cream Freezers. These are the salt-and-ice variety. I've never used them, but they're the well known brand. They're now owned by Rival, and can be reached by phone at 1-800-343-0065.
Wasatch Recreation makes a "totally tot-able ice cream maker, no batteries or electricity required." It's a salt-and-ice machine that you strap to "anything that moves." I haven't used one, so no comments on how good it is.

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