Home made ice cream is the best. This is the second ice cream maker I have featured on the blog. The first was the Musso 4080 Dessert Maker. That unit costs about $590 dollars while this one only costs $249. This is a great deal for unit with a compressor. Ice cream makers come in a variety of types. The lower end unit lack a refrigeration compressor so the ice cream must either be frozen through storing it in the freezer or rather arcane mixture of ice and salt. These are relatively inexpensive. The higher end units have the own compressors, allowing them to make batches of ice cream more quickly as they can complete the freezing process. Finding a good deal on a compressor based unit is the way to go as quickly frozen ice cream is often better. This iso one of the only truly affordable compressor models on the marketplace. Most run well over $500.
Some tips on Using an Ice Cream Maker:
1. The first batch I made was a simple recipe from the instructions which contained no eggs. While it turned out OK, it couldn't compare with custard-based ice creams that include egg yolks. The custard bases consistently result in smoother, creamier, and richer ice cream.
2. Try to make the ice cream base the night before you'll be freezing it (especially custard bases). It allows the flavors to blend and ensures the base is cold. A cold base will freeze more rapidly and is less likely to develop ice crystals.
3. When making chocolate ice cream, using quality chocolate rather than cocoa gives a richer flavor.
4. It's much easier to make ice cream when there's no need to have lots of ice and rock salt or remember to pre-freeze bowl wich may or may not fit in the freezer.
5. It also can freeze sorbets and sherberts and make slushies for the kids. I suppose you could make frozen drinks with it, but I'll stick to the blender for those.
Product Links:
Cuisinart ICE-50BC Supreme Ice Cream Maker for $249 - 37% Off - A Savings of $149
Ice Cream Makers
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book - Make Ice Cream the Ben & Jerrys way!
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