There is a certain charm to hand crank ice cream makers. Besides providing a nostalgic feeling, it is the element of fun that encourages people to buy them.
Making ice cream with these makers is a great activity to do with your family or friends, but it’s mostly the promise of delicious homemade ice cream that has made these devices so popular.
Last update on 2021-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Use a Hand Crank Ice Cream Maker?
It’s really easy to use a hand crank ice cream maker, especially if you are tired of the complex automatic machines. Not only do these manual machines provide a great consistency, but they also ensure the ideal texture of your homemade ice cream.
So, if you are using this machine for the first time, here is all that you need to know about using it.
- Simply fill the bucket or the bowl with ice.
- Sprinkle rock salt on the ice as it will help to slow down the ice melting process.
- Pour your ice cream ingredients in the cold canister and make sure no ice or salt falls inside.
- Cover the canister and start turning. If you are making homemade ice cream with your family, you can take turns to crank the handle.
- Continue churning the mixture for 20-25 minutes (depending on the model you have) and then you can enjoy your favorite ice cream in the comfort of your own home!
Sounds easy enough, right?
It surely is, but what makes the process easier is having the best hand crank ice cream maker at your disposal.
If you have the right machine, it can help you make your favorite ice cream immediately and without much hassle.
So, let’s take a look at some of the best hand crank ice cream makers in the market that users love!
The 4 Best Hand Crank Ice Cream Makers
AMERIHOME ICM6C 6-Quart Old Fashion Ice Cream Maker
Weight: 16 pounds
Size: 13.5 x 21 x 20 inches
Material: Pine Wood
You want to welcome summer the right way, and with a small family gathering, you can start the season with some festivities.
The AmeriHome ICM6C Ice Cream Maker is perfect for large gatherings as it can help you make a big batch of homemade ice cream in one go.
What users love the most about this hand crank ice cream maker is that it offers them the option of making ice cream the old-fashioned way, with a crank handle. With this model, you can also avail the convenience of switching to the electric motor.
This model is one of the best hand crank ice cream makers as it has a large capacity. 6 quarts of homemade ice cream is sufficient for a medium to a large gathering. So, whether your guests prefer ice cream or sorbet, you can use AmeriHome ICM6C Ice Cream Maker to make them all happy.
The helpful features of the model have made it a fan-favorite among ice cream enthusiasts.
It has an aluminum can as the ice cream canister, and the clear lid allows you to see the churning process in real-time.
Another feature that has helped bring this model to the top of the list is the convenient carrying handle.
It’s super easy to transport AmeriHome ICM6C Ice Cream Maker with the help of the handle. So, whether you’re using it at a home party or for a fun picnic at the park, carrying it around will not be an issue.
With the long list of great features, you may be convinced that this is the right choice for you. It surely is but you also need to take a look at some of the things that users weren’t satisfied with.
Sure, the model can cater to a large gathering because of its large capacity, but that also means that the ice cream maker tends to take up too much storage and surface space.
Another thing that left the users dissatisfied was the flimsy quality of the plastic gears in the crank.
Pros
- 6 quarts capacity
- Dual functioning
- Tall and slim design
- Carrying handle enhances portability
- Aluminum canister for efficient freezing
Cons
- Flimsy plastic gears in the crank
- Large size can cause storage problems
Elite Gourmet 4 Quart Hand Crank Ice Cream Maker
Weight: 10 pounds
Size: 3.4 X 18.5 X 13.4 inches
Material: Maple
If you are looking for a family-friendly ice cream maker, then you will love the Elite Gourmet 4 Quart Hand Crank Ice Cream Maker.
With a handful of features that ensure an easy process for homemade ice cream, this model has been winning hearts all over the world.
The 4-quart capacity means it can easily cater to a small to a medium gathering. All you need is some ice and the right ingredients to make all your family gatherings a fun experience for everyone.
Users love this hand-crank ice cream maker as it offers dual modes.
It features a powerful electric motor that means you can have your favorite homemade ice cream with the push of a button.
When using the machine in the electric mode, overheating is a common occurrence. But that’s where Elite Gourmet 4 Quart Hand Crank Ice Cream Maker surpasses all the other options.
The model includes an overheat protection feature that ensures the ice cream maker works efficiently in the electric mode.
On the other hand, the classic hand crank also offers the option of making ice cream the old-fashioned way.
If you want to make ice cream-making a fun experience for your guests, you can have them taking turns at the hand crank, and your favorite frozen dessert will be ready in no time.
The heavy-duty aluminum canister is one of the best features of the model. It ensures that the mixture gets cold during the churning process and once that happens, the metal canister keeps your ice cream cool, preventing it from melting.
The bucket is handcrafted and is easy to clean after each use. Just take a damp cloth and wipe the bucket thoroughly.
The long list of features should be enough to convince you that this is the hand crank ice cream maker for you but to make the final decision you need to take a look at the honest reviews that users have given about this model.
Some of the users reported that during use, the bucket leaked, but this isn’t a common complaint across the board.
Some other users found that the ice cream doesn’t freeze properly in the aluminum canister.
In contrast to these two claims, there are many other users who are delighted with the product and have had no complaints so far.
Pros
- 6 fin paddles
- 4-quart capacity
- Hand crafted bucket
- Easy to use and clean
- Over-heat protection feature
- Heavy-duty aluminum canister
- Option to switch from manual to automatic operation
Cons
- Some users have complained that the bucket leaks
- Others found that the ice cream doesn’t freeze properly
White Mountain F64306-X 6-Quart Hand-Crank Ice Cream Freezer
Weight: 16.7 pounds
Szie: 19.2 x 13.9 x 13.2 inches
Material: Pine Wood
If you’re looking for a hand crank ice cream maker that looks attractive and does the job efficiently, then you need to give White Mountain F64306-X 6-Quart Hand-Crank Ice Cream Maker a try.
There is a long list of features that makes this model well known in the industry and a fan favorite. So, let’s take a look at some of the features that ensure a great ice cream making experience for all.
The six-quart capacity is definitely worth mentioning because it means you can make your favorite frozen dessert for a medium to a large gathering.
So, whether you are entertaining family or friends, all you need is the White Mountain F64306-X 6-Quart Hand-Crank Ice Cream Maker to make some delicious frozen dessert for them.
Just one batch would be enough for any large gathering, making sure that you don’t spend all of your time churning up ice cream.
The stainless-steel inner canister is what makes this model such a great device for making ice cream. It ensures the right temperature during the process and even keeps the ice cream cold afterward.
Another great benefit that comes from this feature is that it’s quite easy to clean once you are done with the ice cream making process. Just take a damp cloth and wipe away any spills.
One of the features that users love the most is the old-fashioned look that this model is famous for. It will definitely make you feel nostalgic.
Furthermore, the easy to carry handle means you can easily transport the ice cream maker. So, if you are planning a picnic, you can definitely take White Mountain F64306-X 6-Quart Hand-Crank Ice Cream Maker along with you.
And you don’t have to worry about the quality of the product because the manufacturers offer a five-year warranty!
The Ice cream machine also features a patented dasher system which makes sure the ice cream mixture has the right consistency. It also ensures uniform scrapping to give your homemade ice cream the texture that you love.
In spite of all these great features, there are a few drawbacks to this hand crank ice cream maker. Some of the users reported that the materials used for the hand crank aren’t of optimal quality, which makes the attachment flimsy.
Pros
- 6-quart capacity
- Steel inner bucket
- Five-year warranty
- Three-gear hand crank
- Triple action, iron dasher
Cons
- Flimsy hand crank attachment
Donvier 837450 Manual Ice Cream Maker
Weight: 6.85 pounds
Size: 9.2 x 8.8 x 9.04 inches
Material: Plastic
If you’re looking for a machine that’s budget-friendly, then you need to get your hands on Donvier 837450 Manual Ice Cream Maker.
With this device, you can easily make 1 quart of ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and even frozen drinks. But that’s not the best part of the machine. The manufacturers offer a 1-year warranty that can take care of any repair or maintenance issues that you come across.
The model contains a double-walled aluminum freezer bowl that’s easy to clean, but you do need to pre-freeze it. It’s better to leave it in the freezer overnight so that it freezes properly.
Just add the ingredients after that and within minutes, your favorite frozen dessert will be ready. Users have reported that the model can last a few years and even a decade with proper care.
What may affect the decisions of the buyer is the small capacity of the machine. With just enough space to make 1 quart of frozen dessert at a time, this machine isn’t suitable for families. Also, the flimsy plastic blades of the machine might turn away some customers.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Prepares dessert in 20-25 minutes
- Double-walled aluminum freezer bowl
Cons
- Flimsy plastic blades
- Requires pre-freezing
- Has limited capacity of 1 quart
6 Quart Stainless Steel Hand Crank Ice Cream Maker by Immergood
Weight: 17.95 pounds
Size: 18.8 x 13.7 x 13.5 Inches
Material: Stainless steel
The attractive green color and the countless features make this model stand out.
It offers a 6-quart capacity which makes it the perfect ice cream maker for large gatherings.
The slim structure of the machine means that it saves storage and surface space.
The triple-layer construction of this ice cream maker provides great insulation. This feature not only promotes optimum temperature during the churning process, but it also means the ice cream remains cold and fresh afterward too.
What most users love about the Immergood 6 Quart Stainless Steel Hand Crank Ice Cream Maker are the stainless-steel body and components. These not only prevent leaks but also ensure that the whole churning process is carried out efficiently.
Pros
- 6-quart capacity
- Slim and attractive
- Triple layer construction
- Stainless steel components
- Stainless steel body prevents leaks
Cons
- Stainless steel gears can mean metal shavings in the ice cream
- The stainless steel structure makes it more expensive than other models
Final Thoughts: 5 Best Hand Crank Ice Cream Makers 2021
Now that you know about the best hand crank ice cream makers available in the market today and all the benefits they can provide, you can finally make a well-informed decision.
You may be worried about the labor required to operate these makers, but at least they are easier to handle than all the modern appliances that you can readily get.
So, take a trip down memory lane and use these manual machines to make some delicious homemade ice cream.
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