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How Does an Ice Cream Maker Work? Unveiling the Sweet Science & Mechanics

Editorial Team
Editorial Team
Editorial Team
Editorial Team
How does an Ice Cream Maker Work?

Discover the magic behind your favorite frozen treat: how does an ice cream maker work? This ingenious device not only churns and cools a central canister to transform custard into ice cream but also serves as a versatile kitchen tool for creating sorbet, gelato, and dairy-free alternatives. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global ice cream market size was valued at USD 62.4 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow, indicating a rising demand for homemade ice cream. With an array of recipes utilizing diverse ingredients, a conventional ice cream maker can cater to every palate, offering a personalized dessert experience. Whether you're a culinary enthusiast or a sweet tooth savant, understanding the function of an ice cream maker is key to crafting delectable frozen delights right at home.

Custard is churned until it makes ice cream.
Custard is churned until it makes ice cream.

There are three primary parts to the machine. An external drum opens so that a canister for the ice cream mix can be placed inside. A central churn is pushed into the drum, so that the mixture will be stirred. Traditionally, the canister holding the ice cream remains still, while the churn rotates around the inside, scraping down the sides and redistributing the chilled portions of the mixture. Alternately, some versions use a motor to rotate a frozen canister, while the churn stays still. Either way, as the custard is churned and chilled, it thickens, ultimately turning into ice cream.

An ice cream maker has three main parts that work together to form custard.
An ice cream maker has three main parts that work together to form custard.

Several techniques are used for chilling the mixture. The traditional method is ice, which is packed with rock salt to lower the freezing point, making it even colder. The ice is packed between the drum and the canister, and periodically replenished as it melts down. Home kitchen machines may also have a canister with liquid in its walls that can be frozen, so there's no need to add ice. Other ice cream makers use an electric cooling system, as is the case with the large continuous batch machines used by commercial ice cream companies.

Domestic ice cream and sorbet makers use a rotating central churn.
Domestic ice cream and sorbet makers use a rotating central churn.

A small hand cranked device will produce ice cream in around 20 minutes, although a team of people to crank it is highly recommended. After the ice cream is made, it is typically allowed to rest before being served. An electric machine may operate more quickly, and allows people to perform other tasks while the ice cream is being made.

To make classic rich custard style ice cream, a cook can beat five egg yolks together with 2/3 cup (about 150 g) sugar and heat the mixture over a double boiler, adding two crushed vanilla pods and 1 cup (236.5 ml) of half and half. The cook should heat the mixture until it thickens, strain it to get the vanilla pods out, and stir in 2 tablespoons (28.4 g) of butter and 1 cup (236.5 ml) of whipping cream, along with 1 tablespoon (17.7 ml) of vanilla. The custard should be allowed to cool before it is poured it into the ice cream maker, where it should be made following the manufacturer's directions. The flavor can easily be altered with the addition of inclusions like chocolate chips, nuts, fruit, and other flavorings such as mint, or rum.

Some commercial ice cream makers use a motor to rotate the canister.
Some commercial ice cream makers use a motor to rotate the canister.

To make sorbet, a cook can puree approximately 2 pounds (1 kilogram) of the fruit with 1/2 cup (118.2 ml) of citrus juice such as lemon or lime, and add a sugar syrup made from 2/3 cup (about 150 g) superfine sugar and 1 cup (236.5 ml) of water. The syrup should be heated on low until the sugar dissolves and then boiled for one minute before being allowed to cool. The sorbet mixture can be churned as directed by the manufacturer.

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Discussion Comments

dill1971

@gardenturtle: I have another ice cream recipe that doesn’t have eggs in it and it is really good. You need ½ gallon milk, 1 cup sugar, 2 small packages of vanilla pudding (instant), 1 medium sized container of cool whip, and 2 cups fresh fruit of your choice.

Mix all of the ingredients except for the fruit and add them to your ice cream freezer. When it starts to freeze, add the fruit.

cmsmith10

@gardenturtle: Homemade ice cream with egg yolks in it is often referred to as “custard”. Ice cream without eggs and that requires no cooking is referred to as “Philadelphia” (also known as New York or American).

This is a really good recipe that doesn’t have any eggs in it:

1 qt. half and half, 2 cups sugar, 1 qt. heavy whipping cream, 1 Tbsp. vanilla, and 2 cups of fruit of your choice (pureed).

Mix all ingredients well and freeze in your ice cream maker.

GardenTurtle

Does anyone have a recipe for homemade ice cream that doesn't call for eggs?

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    • Custard is churned until it makes ice cream.
      By: lingill
      Custard is churned until it makes ice cream.
    • An ice cream maker has three main parts that work together to form custard.
      By: ptnphotof
      An ice cream maker has three main parts that work together to form custard.
    • Domestic ice cream and sorbet makers use a rotating central churn.
      By: jmpoure
      Domestic ice cream and sorbet makers use a rotating central churn.
    • Some commercial ice cream makers use a motor to rotate the canister.
      By: ACBahn
      Some commercial ice cream makers use a motor to rotate the canister.
    • An ice cream cone.
      By: dim@dim
      An ice cream cone.
    • Dried vanilla beans. Classic vanilla ice cream is often made with vanilla pods.
      By: Picture Partners
      Dried vanilla beans. Classic vanilla ice cream is often made with vanilla pods.
    • Rock salt for use in an ice cream maker.
      By: dja65
      Rock salt for use in an ice cream maker.