It looks like you can not add in nuts, chocolate chips etc during the making of the ice cream, is that correct? I would think it would be difficult to add once it is frozen. If you can, how?
1074558
That is NOT correct. The lid has a small hatch which you can open to add ingredients like nuts and chips, but it is small, so the pieces need to be small or added just a few pieces at a time.
1074559
There is a small opening in the lid for adding ingredients but, since the mixture is fairly near the end of freezing, it is usually easier to add gravel stuff manually with a spatula after removing the mixture from the freezer.
1074560
The lid opening is small!!! We add in chopped candies etc. when we are spooning the "frozen" ice cream into our containers one layer at a time.
1282869
We've had this for a month or two - and so far with our experience it seems to depend on the recipe of ice cream you use. The "cook" recipes where you prepare something on the stove top the day before then refrigerate it and mix the following day in the maker seems to be very hard like store-bought ice cream after it's in the freezer for a night. But the ice cream we've made that does not require any cooking has stayed relatively soft in the freezer even after several days. We've only made maybe 3 or 4 different recipes though so it may just be the recipes we're using.
1315478
Our family has made ice cream in Ice/salt solution freezers for decades and the best consistency is like a thick milkshake. It takes a little time to harden it but it is also perfect for adding fruit, candy, nuts, etc. before hardening then enjoying something extra special.
845230
Hi Cherie. I just leave mine in the freezer all summer...I think it says somewhere in the manual that it takes up to overnight to be really frozen enough to do the job. I don't like having to think ahead like that...if I want to make ice cream, I want to make ice cream! So mine is always ready to go another round after I've finished making a batch.
2107027
No, simply freeze the metal insert in the freezer (I recommend a full 24-hours) and take out of the freezer as soon as you have all the items from the recipe you are using mixed together. Then take the metal insert out of the freezer and pour in your mix and follow the instructions. The key is to take out the insert as soon as you are ready to start making the ice cream. Hope this helps.
646114
I've been using store bought ice, it takes about half a bag to turn a quart of ingredients into ice cream. Better to make a few batches in advance if you're using trays!
6431
I bought two bowls for that same reason. After ice cream in gone, wash bowl and stick it back in freezer for over night. You can use bowl many times over
563229
I agree with the other replies. It depends on the recipe and timing as to how fluffy the ice cream is. I would say my efforts have been more dense than fluffy. I usually stop the machine just past soft serve so I can scoop into individual containers and put in the freezer to finish. We love this machine! One of my favorites over the holidays was getting a quart of eggnog and just pouring it into the machine. Easy ice cream with little fuss.
1888042
The same thing happened to me. The ice cream mix must also be very cold. I always make custard which is cooked. It takes several hours to cool sufficiently - overnite is best. I love this machine but it is not a spur of the moment dessert. Hope this helps.
1777877
You have to remove it and freeze for about 24 hrs before you make the ice cream. I store my empty bowl in the freezer so it is always ready when I get in the mood to make ice cream.
2015307
Even with commercial I.C. machines you can take the ice cream out when it just begins to firm up, and freeze it. Generally speaking IC is not meant to go from machine to table. It needs to finish freezing in the freezer. If you get grainy-ness in your vanilla, try not churning it as long, or use less fat ( more milk or half/half, less cream) the cream is churning into butter, that is the grainy-ness. I just bought this machine for my wife, she makes homemade yogurt, and hopefully she will enjoy it.
1110035
Not sure I have not done that one yet. I have done lots of frozen foods just follow the recipe chart. I love that all my food always turns out great (sometimes you may have to adjust cooking times). I say use the chart and go for it.
1344051
When storing ice cream in your home freezer, it will not have the consistency of store bought ice cream, which has stabilizers and additives to keep it creamy and scoopable. Depending on the recipe you use, and the temp at which your freezer is set, you may in fact wind up with a brick that needs to be thawed a bit before scooping. You can soften your final ice cream product by understanding a little about the science of ice cream, and what lowers the freezing point of your ice cream so that it is firm, yet scoopable. Basically, sugar or alcohol can be used to lower the freezing point, because it binds with water in the mix and prevents it from turning into ice, and prevent a brick from forming in your freezer. You may need to adjust your additives, like sugar and corn starch to determine what works best. I personally make more gelato that ice cream (less fat, less air and therefore denser and more intense flavors), using a custard base (which is one that uses eggs). I also use about 2.5 tbs of a flavorless alcohol (like vodka) to 1 quart of gelato (or ice cream) and I get a wonderfully creamy product, easily scooped from the freezer.
816897
My husband and I could not figure that out either. We use heavy whipping cream, and the ice creams we've made have been delicious.
639099
you freeze the insert before hand & it will make the ice cream in 30 min or so, then I transfer to a container with a top this doesn't have one so if you have leftover you have to put it in something else but I love mine it's easy & quick & the chocolate that comes in the little book that requires no cooking in yummy!!!..........but no it makes on the counter, it has to be plugged in
2222439
Yes, I froze it all the time, in small servings. It does mess with the consistency a bit; I was blending it in smoothies and it wasn't a problem.
1091507
No. We have been using it since December 2013 when we got it. We have probably used it 10 times. It is only a soft serve. No matter what we have done, it has never came out as a hard ice cream. We make ours and put it in the freezer overnight, and it's been fine. Not so rock hard we couldn't get it out of the bowl. It's hard, but nice. Lately that's what we have been doing. Letting the kids make it and putting it in the freezer overnight and eating it the next day. It's never gotten too hard for us and had to be softened before we could eat it. My kids still really like making the ice cream.