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Best Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine For At-Home Parties
Modified: December 6, 2023
Ever want to make homemade frozen desserts at home? Make prep times easy by buying a soft serve ice cream machine! Discover the best selections today.
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Most, if not all, love the cold and rich taste of soft serve ice cream. It is a simple dessert, but almost everyone enjoys it as it comes with a wide range of flavors. This is why many people would serve ice cream at get-togethers and house parties. You can purchase large tubs of it in groceries, but would it not be better to make one at home? This way you can choose the ingredients and adjust the flavor. You just need a soft serve ice cream machine to make one.
Advantages of Having a Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine at Home
Although you can make homemade ice cream without a machine, the process would be much easier and faster if you have one. Now, you do not have to buy a bulky machine, similar to the ones used in dessert shops, but compact ice cream makers that can fit in your kitchen cabinets. Aside from its space-saving benefits, there are more advantages to having a soft serve ice cream machine at home.
Read more: How Much Is A Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine
Convenience of Use
You can make ice cream in less than half an hour with a soft serve ice cream machine. Most models have automatic beaters to agitate and freeze the ice cream. Some also come with machine hoppers or feed tanks to store soft serve ice at a safe temperature range. This ensures that the liquid mix will not go bad after pouring it into the machine. Is it not this much more convenient than mixing the ingredients manually and leaving the ice cream to freeze overnight?
Customization of Your Ice Cream
Most store-bought ice cream contains preservatives and high sugar content. This is why you should consider making the chilly treat at home. It might require some effort, but having a soft serve ice cream machine helps reduce the time to prepare the ice cream. Some models can even accommodate two flavors of soft serve ice cream, while others have additional features like a crusher for candies, nuts, and more. This allows one to customize their frozen dessert to suit their taste better and even make a healthier version.
Make More than Just Ice Cream
Investing in a soft serve ice cream machine is worth it as it has various controls that allow one to make different kinds of frozen desserts. Is your family health conscious? You can use the machine to make a fresh and deliciously creamy yogurt. Is someone allergic to milk or any dairy products? Use the machine to make a vegan frozen dessert like sorbet.
Best Soft Serve Ice Cream Machines for Home Use
Want to buy yourself a soft serve ice cream machine? Check out our product recommendation list below.
The Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker is a gravity type of ice cream machine. From the name itself, it uses gravitational force to pour the soft serve mix into the internal freezing unit of the ice cream machine. This allows the machine to add overrun or the amount of air incorporated in the soft serve mix to create a smooth, deliciously creamy texture. Another advantage of using a gravity type of ice cream machine is it is easier to clean and maintain than a pump-fed ice cream machine. This is because the former has fewer parts, which are also removable.
Key Features
- Easy lock lid
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Condiment containers
Specifications
- Weighs 16.7 pounds
- Measures 9.86 inches (L) x 7.75 inches (W) x 17.25 inches (H)
- Holds 1.5 quarts of soft serve ice cream
Pros
- Holds stacks of cone holders
- Double-insulated walls for faster cooling
- Removable drip tray for easy cleaning
Cons
- Difficult to dispense large mix-ins
Some ice cream makers do not have detachable parts so cleaning can be difficult. The VEVOR Soft Ice Cream Machine also lacks removable parts but cleaning it is simple. You just have to pour water into the hopper (or the refrigerated tank), press the clean button, and pull down the handle to release the water. This soft serve ice cream machine also has an LCD touch screen that allows one to adjust the time, temperature, and amount of ice cream to be made. Moreover, it has an external cone holder to avoid the ice cream cones from getting wet.
Key Features
- External cone holder
- Stainless steel hoppers
- LCD touch screen
Specifications
- Voltage power: 110V 2200W
- Uses an R410A Refrigerating Fluid
- Produces 7.4 gallons of soft serve ice cream
- Measures 27.5 inches x 21 inches x 38 inches
Pros
- Overnight preservation function
- Can make three flavors of soft serve
- Ideal for both commercial and home use
Cons
- Loud motor noise
As homeowners, we want our kitchen to look clean and organized, so we avoid overstuffing the countertop with so many bulky appliances. With that, a space-saving ice cream machine like the Ninja Ice Cream Maker would be ideal. It is one of the soft serve ice cream machines on this list with a compact design, so it fits well in small kitchen islands. Aside from this, it also comes with seven preset programs, allowing one to make different kinds of frozen desserts
Key Features
- 7 preset programs
- Pint with storage lid
- Compact size
Specifications
- Produces 16 ounces of ice cream
- Measures 6.52 inches x 12.07 inches x 15.95 inches
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Customizable frozen desserts
- Helps save kitchen space
- Makes frozen treats in minutes
Cons
- Ice cream mix requires pre-freezing
The Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is the simpler version of the Ninja Ice Cream Maker. It does not have a versatile preset program, but it has a powerful motor and automatic mixing paddle, allowing one to make frozen desserts in just half an hour! However, since it does not have a refrigerated tank, unlike a gravity-fed ice cream machine, the ice cream mix must be frozen in the fridge first, before being churned in the ice cream maker. Despite this drawback, the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is still a good choice if one is looking for a compact and convenient soft serve ice cream machine.
Key Features
- Easy-lock lid
- Heavy-duty motor
- Double-insulated freezer bowl
- Automatic mixing arm
Specifications
- Measures 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches x 11.25 inches
- Produces 1.5 quarts of ice cream
Pros
- Non-slip feet
- Sleek, compact design
- Wide spout for easy pouring
- Includes a 3-year warranty
Cons
- Loud motor noise
- Ice cream mix requires pre-freezing
Want to avoid the hassle of preparing and freezing the ice cream overnight? Consider investing in a soft serve ice cream machine with a compressor freezer (just like the one above). This is so convenient as the compressor helps freeze the ice cream mix while being churned in the mixing bowl. Furthermore, ice cream machines like this typically have a removable mixing bowl and churn blades. This makes them easier to clean and store.
What is also unique about this ice cream maker is it has a motor protection function that shuts off the power if the ice cream freezes solid. This helps prevent damaging the motor, ensuring it lasts longer.
Key Features
- Black & Pink color housing
- BPA-free aluminum mixing bowl
- LCD timer control
- Built-in powerful compressor
Specifications
- Measures 10.8 inches x 9.8 inches x 13.8 inches
- Produces 1.5 quarts of ice cream
- Uses an R-134a refrigerant
Pros
- Space-saving design
- Beautiful black & pink housing
- No pre-freezing is needed!
Cons
- Very heavy
Soft serve ice cream is best served with mix-ins! They could be candies, nuts, (or even cookie dough!) that add flavor to ice cream. Although one could add the mix-ins without crushing them first, doing so would be better for a balanced taste. Instead of going through the hassle of crushing them with a meat tenderizer and zip lock bag, use the Nostalgia Electric Ice Maker! It has a built-in candy crusher that allows you to break down the mix-ins with a hand crank. This soft serve ice cream machine also features a large opening on top for you to easily pour in the ice cream mix, as well as, add in ice and salt.
Key Features
- Bottom-drive electric motor
- Detachable ice cream bucket
- Hand crank mix-in crusher
- Turn dial ON/OFF medallion
Specifications
- Measures 9 inches x 8.75 inches x 12.25 inches
- Produces 2 quarts of ice cream
Pros
- Space-saving
- Large opening
- No pre-freezing needed
Cons
- No lid to cover the bucket
Craving for a deliciously healthy dessert? Make one at home by buying the La Reveuse Frozen Dessert Maker. It can turn frozen fruits into soft serve ice cream within just three minutes! In addition, it is simple to use as you only have to push the fruit into the chute to make a soft serve frozen dessert. Just make sure to prepare a bowl or any type of food storage container to catch the dessert! This mini soft serve ice cream machine also has a sleek, compact design, so it does not take too much counter space.
Key Features
- Sleek, compact design
- Powerful motor
Specifications
- Measures 8 inches x 5 inches x 13 inches
- Voltage power: 120V 60Hz
Pros
- Simple to use
- Space-saving
Cons
- Makes a loud noise
When shopping for soft serve ice cream machines, make it a habit to check if the removable parts are BPA-free. BPA or Bisphenol-A is a toxic chemical found in many polycarbonate plastics that are often used to manufacture water bottles and food storage containers. Exposure to such chemicals can lead to detrimental health effects, so it should be avoided at all costs. It is a good thing that the Yonanas Soft Serve Dessert Maker is one of the ice cream machines that has a removable, BPA-free top rack.
Key Features
- Compact design
- Removable parts
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher-safe
Specifications
- Measures 7.5 inches x 6.25 inches x 13.75 inches
- Colors available: Mint, coral, blue, red, silver, and white
Pros
- Space-saving
- Ideal for making vegan soft serve desserts
- Includes a 1-year limited warranty
Cons
- Makes a loud noise
Ice cream machines with liquid coolant inside help ice cream freeze faster, but the coolant could leak and affect the taste of the ice cream. The good news is that there are soft serve ice cream machines that can make frozen desserts without liquid coolant — just like this one from Joymech. It uses a semiconductor freezer with an automatic cooling function, so it is safer to use.
Key Features
- Automatic cooling
- Compact, exquisite design
- Semiconductor freezer
Specifications
- Measures 11.34 inches x 10.55 inches x 7.91 inches
- Produces 15 fl. oz. of ice cream
Looking for a durable soft serve ice cream machine? Look no more as this Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker is guaranteed to last long! It is made from stainless steel, which is a popular material for kitchen appliances as it is hard-wearing and high temperature-resistant. Plus, it has other cool features: a removable, BPA-free mixing bowl and an LCD timer control.
Key Features
- Powerful compressor
- Stainless steel housing
Specifications
- Measures 11.25 inches x 16.75 inches x 10.25 inches
- Produces 2.1 quarts of ice cream
Pros
- No pre-freezing required
- Audible built-in timer
Cons
- Makes a squeaking noise
Buy a Soft Serve Ice Cream Machine Today!
Although a soft serve ice cream machine is unnecessary, having one at home can have several advantages. It can be useful during house parties as most models can make large portions of ice cream. Plus, it allows one to make healthy fruity soft serve ice cream if you’d like sweets all day long! If you want to buy one, just go back and check our product recommendation list above!
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