Best Ice Cream Makers in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 23, 2024
Homemade ice cream is a real cold pleasure that tastes awesome! With a high-quality ice cream maker, you can make exceptionally delicious soft and creamy frozen treats. What more is there to say? Look through our ice cream maker review and take your pick! ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Operation Principle
Cooking
Freezing Method
Freezing Time
Bowl Capacity
Usability
Material
Weight
Warranty
 
PROS

This model comes with an ice cream paddle and patent-pending gelato/sorbet paddle. With the first one, you can create soft and smooth ice cream or yoghurt, while the second one gives richly-textured results with intense flavour. 

CONS

The unit is rather bulky. 

OUR VERDICT

The Cuisinart ICE-100 ice cream and gelato maker combines great performance with modern technology, allowing you to savour your favourite frozen desserts without putting in much effort. It's well made and looks very high tech, so it'll surely become the focal point of any modern kitchen.

detailed parameters
Operation Principle

Fully automatic

Cooking

Ice cream, Frozen yoghurt, Sorbet, Gelato

Freezing Method

Сompressor Freezer

Freezing Time

40 minutes

Bowl Capacity

1.5 L

Usability

Digital LCD screen display, Removable bowl, Easy-lock lid with refill opening, Ice cream paddle, Gelato paddle, Keep cool feature, Recipe book

Material

Removable stainless steel bowl with lift-out handle, Plastic lid, Plastic paddles

Weight

10.2 kg

Warranty

5 years

PROS

This 135-watt machine can deliver perfect ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yoghurt in just an hour. With that, it consumes very little power and won't hit your electricity bills that much.

CONS

There are only 3 recipes in the instruction booklet. 

OUR VERDICT

The compact dimensions of the VonShef Ice Cream maker make it an ideal choice for confined kitchens and caravans. What's more, the unit is energy-saving, yet it makes the kind of desserts no one will be able to resist. 

detailed parameters
Operation Principle

Fully automatic

Cooking

Ice cream, Frozen yogurt, Sorbet, Gelato

Freezing Method

Сompressor Freezer

Freezing Time

60 minutes

Bowl Capacity

1 L

Usability

Removable bowl with handle, Easy-to-open lid, Removable paddles, Non-slip feet, Essential recipe booklet included

Material

Stainless steel bowl, Plastic lid, Plastic paddles

Weight

~ 6 kg

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The included wide blade ensures thorough and quick mixing of ingredients. With that, it scrapes mixture from the bowl walls, thus, ensuring even consistency and resulting in less waste.

CONS

Pouring ingredients isn't that convenient.

OUR VERDICT

The Duronic IM540 is a great entry-level ice cream making machine that will meet the needs of both newbies and more seasoned users. It is not expensive but the manufacturer hasn't cut corners so you can be sure that you get a durable thing that will last you for many years.

detailed parameters
Operation Principle

Semi-automatic

Cooking

Ice cream, Sorbet, Frozen yoghurt

Freezing Method

Freezer Bowl

Freezing Time

15-30 minutes

Bowl Capacity

1.5 L

Usability

Top-down motor with removable paddle, Detachable transparent lid and freezer bowl

Material

Plastic housing, Stainless steel bowl, Plastic lid

Weight

2.4 kg

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

This kitchen appliance consists of four removable parts, so it's very easy to disassemble and clean. All parts are well-made and highly impact-resistant. And the fact that the company offers 2-year 100% satisfaction guarantee proves this.

CONS

The texture of ice cream could be a bit thicker.

OUR VERDICT

With the Sensio ice cream maker, you'll be able to create a great number of frozen desserts. It comes bundled with e-Book recipes so even if you've just recently got into the thing, it won't take you long to get the hang of the process.

detailed parameters
Operation Principle

Semi-automatic

Cooking

Ice cream, Sorbet, Frozen yoghurt

Freezing Method

Freezer Bowl

Freezing Time

20 minutes

Bowl Capacity

1.4 L

Usability

Transparent lid with refill opening, Removable lid, Stirrer and freezer bowl, Includes e-Book recipes

Material

Plastic housing, Stainless steel bowl, Plastic lid

Weight

2.81 kg

Warranty

2 years

PROS

Thanks to the large ingredient funnel, you'll be able to easily add extra ingredients while the ice maker is running. The ice cream bowl is very easy to remove for serving or storing in a freezer.

CONS

The lid is not completely detachable from the plug, which causes difficulty when cleaning. 

OUR VERDICT

The Andrew James ice cream maker is a practical purchase for every lover of frozen desserts and ice cream. The appliance is very sleek-looking and intuitive to use. With that, it doesn't take up much space on the kitchen counter.

detailed parameters
Operation Principle

Semi-automatic

Cooking

Ice cream, Sorbet, Frozen yoghurt

Freezing Method

Freezer Bowl

Freezing Time

20-30 minutes

Bowl Capacity

1.5 L

Usability

Removable bowl, Easy-to-open transparent lid, Large ingredient funnel, Removable mixing paddle, Non-slip feet, 6 recipes included

Material

Plastic housing, Stainless steel bowl, Plastic lid

Weight

2.53 kg

Warranty

2 years

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Cuisinart ICE100BCU

Two Paddles Are Better Than One

The Cuisinart ICE-100BCU is a heavy-duty ice cream and gelato maker that is ideal for big families and those who often host big parties. It boasts a commercial-style compressor which freezes ice cream and other treats while also mixing them.

The major selling point is that the machine comes with two mixing paddles - one for ice cream or frozen yoghurt and the other for sorbet or gelato. These two paddles can mix and aerate the ingredients in different ways. The dasher for churning gelato or sorbet brings less air into your mixture, creating richly textured desserts with intense flavour. The other dasher enriches ice cream with more air to give it a lighter and fluffier consistency. Both mixing paddles rotate evenly, blending and aerating all ingredients perfectly for silky texture without ice crystals.

The lid of the appliance is fully transparent so that you can watch the mixing process in action anytime you want. Also, there is an additional mix-in opening on the lid, allowing you to add different toppings, chocolate chunks, nuts, or fruit without interrupting the freezing process.

The powerful motor along with a high-quality freezer can whip up a whole batch of ice cream in less than an hour. The dessert gets very smooth and extremely creamy. So, if you need an incredibly easy-to-use, capacious, and quick machine for making creamy desserts for big companies, the Cuisinart ICE-100BCU is a perfect option.

Review of Cuisinart ICE100BCU Gelato and Ice Cream Maker

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £248.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B00ARETWDK

 

VonShef ‎2000017 1L Compact

For Limited Spaces

If free kitchen space is an issue for you or you just often travel in your caravan and need a space-saving and cost-effective ice making machine, the VonShef ‎2000017 will meet your needs. Compared to the majority of ice makers available on the market, this one is one of the most compact, quietest, and cost-efficient models. With 135 watts of power, it won't hit your electricity bills that much while quickly delivering tasty ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yoghurt. Actually, traditional ice cream takes around 50 minutes, whereas frozen yoghurts need even less time.

Ideally, you should chill the mix before pouring it inside this machine, but don’t panic - even if it's of room temperature, the VonShef ‎2000017 will still do its job flawlessly producing no crystals or any other lumps. And if you're new to this type of appliance, the manufacturer provides a recipe booklet with the purchase. The booklet includes three basic recipes for strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream.

The only slight issue you may encounter is that the paddle makes it difficult to get all the ice cream off the pot. But using a teaspoon around the paddle will solve the problem.

Other than that, the VonShef ‎2000017 is the perfect little ice maker that is ideal for small kitchens, caravans, and camping sites. Compared to most other models, it takes very little space and requires very little electricity.

Review of VonShef ‎2000017 1L Compact Ice Cream Machine

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £114.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07H978N4L

 

Duronic IM540

Great Value

Duronic is a UK-based brand that manufactures household products for very competitive price tags, and the IM540 ice cream maker is one of them. Inspired by new technological advances, it's still a bit cheaper than most other ice cream makers, so we believe it can become a great start of a healthier diet. It'll let you make frozen yoghurts, ice cream, and gelatos that will be less fatty and more nutritious than those offered in shops.

What also makes this machine attractive for beginners is the fact that it's very easy to operate. It already comes with clear instructions and helpful recipes to start your ice making experience. In fact, all you need to do to enjoy healthy desserts is pour the mixture into and out of the machine. Take note that there is no timer and the appliance will stop on its own once the mixture gets sufficiently thick. That'll happen when the paddle won't be able to rotate any longer.

Speaking of which, the paddle here effectively scoops away the mixture from the bowl walls, thus, ensuring even consistency and preventing waste from sticking to the side. The top-down motor smoothly controls the paddle movement and prevents the mixture from overflowing the bowl and going everywhere. When the process is completed, you can easily remove the paddle and bowl for washing.

On the whole, the Duronic IM540 is a good value for the price. It's easy to use and capable of making ice cream with a nice texture. A good entry-level model!

Review of Duronic IM540 Ice Cream Maker

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £31.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00IZGNYWC

 

Sensio Home

Easy to Use and Maintain

The Sensio Ice Cream Maker is a decent mini machine that is easy to maintain and works quickly to prepare a batch of delicious, frozen desserts. Actually, it can make ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and yoghurt in just 20 minutes. And during that time, you're free to open the lid and pour different add-ons and toppings to create your perfect mix.

That being said, the preparation may take you considerable time. Not only will you have to freeze the inner tub for a minimum of 12 hours before use, but you will also need to pre-chill your mixed ingredients in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Afterwards, you should put the freezer bowl in the appliance and connect the stirrer and the lid. Though, the assembly could not be any simpler. Owing to easy-to-follow instructions, the ice cream maker will be up and running in mere minutes.

All four components (the base, lid, stirrer, and bowl) are also very quick to disassemble and clean. They are very well-made and highly impact-resistant, so even if you happen to drop something, they won't break or crack. If you're not convinced yet, the company offers 2-year 100% satisfaction guarantee, meaning it's confident in the product.

Lastly, we would like to say that the ice maker comes with E-Book recipes to get you started. So, with it, you'll be able to make yummy homemade desserts in many different flavours you fancy.

Review of Sensio Home Ice Cream Maker Machine
Last updated price £33.98
Stock In stock
ASIN B081FF9634

 

Andrew James 1.5L

Sleek and Functional

Would you like to step away from traditional ice cream makers? If so, this model by Andrew James may come to your fancy. Available in a sleek black casing, it looks different from the competition and can become a nice addition to any contemporary kitchen. The casing is made from high-quality BPA-free plastic that is very durable and easy to care for, so most likely, the machine will preserve its top-notch look for long years to come.

Another thing you'll definitely like about the Andrew James ice cream maker is that it's very quiet when running (approximately 60 dBa) and is compact enough to store away when not in use. Still, it can make quite a lot of ice scream per one go. The inner bowl is 150mm in height and 180mm in diameter and can take 1.5 L of ingredients. Just like most other appliances of its type, the bowl should be pre-freezed in the freezer for about 8 hours. Then it needs just 20-30 minutes to prepare ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yoghurt and can be lifted out from the base for easy serving when the process is complete.

If you've long dreamed about getting an ice cream maker but the costs have always put you off, the good news is that Andrew James ice maker comes at an affordable price and delivers yummy desserts with minimum effort required for you. And to help you get started, the bundle includes 6 different recipes.

Overall, it's a very nice ice cream making machine from a reputable brand. It's very sleek-looking and, we bet, it's the thing you wouldn't like to hide at the next party.

Review of Andrew James 1.5L Ice Cream Maker Machine
Last updated price £29.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07B12546L

 

What Is an Ice Cream Maker?

An ice cream maker is a home appliance designed to make homemade ice cream. However, this appliance can be used not only for making ice cream. In fact, you can make a good share of other delicious frozen desserts in it, including milky cocktails, chilly fruit beverages, sorbets, delectable gelatos, and many others. The working principle of an ice cream maker is based on the churning action and aeration so that the mixture you make freezes evenly and without ice crystal formation. This way, all deserts you'll make in an ice cream maker including ice cream, become soft and gain a nice, slightly porous texture.

Aside from ice cream, you may also want to try cooking homemade candy floss. For that purpose, you'll need a candy maker. To help you with your choice, we've picked the five most popular models from reputable brands so you can compare them and choose one that matches your needs perfectly. Another appliance that might come in handy, especially when the summer comes, is an ice maker. It will let you make ice in bulk and make delicious iced tea and other drinks.

What Features to Compare

Operation Principle

When choosing an ice cream maker, the first thing to consider is the operation principle, which primarily depends on the method of freezing. Today, we've got two types of ice cream makers: semi-automatic and automatic devices.

With regards to semi-automatic models, most of these units use the Freezer Bowl method of making ice, requiring pre-freezing the bowl in the freezer prior to each use. The freezing time in these machines usually varies from 8 to 12 hours. Among semi-automatic models, you can also find models that do not need pre-freezing of the bowl at all. Their operation principle is based on a so-called Salt and Ice method, where you need to add ice and rock salt between the bucket and the inner bowl.

When it comes to automatic machines, no pre-freezing or any other manipulations with salt or ice are required. They do all the job for you, freezing the bowl with ice cream mixture to the desired temperature in just 5-10 minutes, depending on the model you choose.

Capacity

Once you decide on the type of ice cream maker you want, turn your attention to the ice cream maker's capacity. This parameter is determined by two things: bowl capacity and freezing time. Luckily, the market has lots of options in all sizes, so it should be quite easy to find a suitable one for any family's needs. In general, if you don't plan to prepare lots of ice cream every other day, a 1/1.5-quart freezer bowl will be enough for you. Meanwhile, if you have a large family and you all love ice cream, it may be better to consider models with at least a 4/6-quart bowl capacity. Speaking of the time required for freezing, it may vary between 20-60 minutes, depending on how much ice cream you produce.

Usability

Last but not least, consider the usability of a device. Even though getting the knack of an ice cream maker is quite easy even for inexperienced users, there are some features that can make its use more convenient, like an LCD screen, built-in timer, adjustable temperature modes, a pause option, etc. Also, consider the weight of an appliance. Unless you don't plan to keep it stationary in your kitchen, make sure it's lightweight and compact enough to be easily stored after use.

Furthermore, you should pay attention to the quality of materials. Ice cream makers can be made from high-quality plastic or metal, with a stainless steel or aluminium inner bowl. Besides that, make sure the device has a reliable lid to prevent ice and rock salt from getting into the bowl (in the case you choose a semi-automatic model) and is fitted with rubber feet to keep it stable during operation. All of these features can greatly contribute to the convenience of use.

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