Before I dive in to some tried and true homemade ice cream recipes, I thought it is best to outline some basics on using home use ice cream machines. We have two different kinds. One is a basic store bought variety machine and the other is a Cuisinart. We like both equally and still don't have a preference, and since I'm not reviewing the machines that is the last I will speak of them. On to the basics!
First off, one standard ice cream recipe that you find online will not always fit one standard ice cream machine. Shocker! Not all recipes are created for ice cream machines (some can be done by freezing and hand churning or hand mixing between freezing cycles). Also, I swear that some recipe creators do it just to laugh at our pain as we watch the ice cream maker seize, cough, sputter, overflow and eventually fail to make that single batch as per recipe. What to do? Get a second machine! This is not overkill as you will thank yourselves later if you love ice cream as much as we do because if you plan to make two different kinds with one machine you will have to wait 24hrs to refreeze the main chamber.
Secondly, there are many different types of containers to use once your ice cream has been churned by your machines and is ready to freeze. You can buy the cardboard wax lined store variety online, or you can get a reusable one. We tend to like the reusable ones as they end up being more cost effective (since you pay for shipping each time with the cardboard pint containers once you need to reorder).
Finally, as soon as you are done using your machine clean it out immediately. There are two reasons for this. 1) It is WAY easier to clean while the ice cream is still cold to run it under warm water and watch it all melt away. 2) You will be refreezing that container tub as soon as you wash it so it is sitting ready to go next time you have an itch to make your own frozen treat (if you don't do this you will be waiting for 24hrs for it to freeze after you've already bought your ingredients on a whim with a craving for an icy treat).
I hope you enjoy reading along as we test out recipes and eat our way through some unique flavors.
First off, one standard ice cream recipe that you find online will not always fit one standard ice cream machine. Shocker! Not all recipes are created for ice cream machines (some can be done by freezing and hand churning or hand mixing between freezing cycles). Also, I swear that some recipe creators do it just to laugh at our pain as we watch the ice cream maker seize, cough, sputter, overflow and eventually fail to make that single batch as per recipe. What to do? Get a second machine! This is not overkill as you will thank yourselves later if you love ice cream as much as we do because if you plan to make two different kinds with one machine you will have to wait 24hrs to refreeze the main chamber.
Secondly, there are many different types of containers to use once your ice cream has been churned by your machines and is ready to freeze. You can buy the cardboard wax lined store variety online, or you can get a reusable one. We tend to like the reusable ones as they end up being more cost effective (since you pay for shipping each time with the cardboard pint containers once you need to reorder).
Finally, as soon as you are done using your machine clean it out immediately. There are two reasons for this. 1) It is WAY easier to clean while the ice cream is still cold to run it under warm water and watch it all melt away. 2) You will be refreezing that container tub as soon as you wash it so it is sitting ready to go next time you have an itch to make your own frozen treat (if you don't do this you will be waiting for 24hrs for it to freeze after you've already bought your ingredients on a whim with a craving for an icy treat).
I hope you enjoy reading along as we test out recipes and eat our way through some unique flavors.
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