Ice machine test 2022: 3 test winners and recommendations

The temperatures are rising and so is the desire for delicious ice cream. If you don’t want to do without a summer snack at home, it’s worth having an ice cream maker. GIGA presents the test winners from Stiftung Warentest and other recommendations and provides you with useful tips on purchasing.

Summer is almost here, and there’s nothing more fitting than a delicious ice cream. But if you don’t want to stand in line at the ice cream parlor forever in the warm temperatures, you need an ice cream machine. So that you too at home around the clock with your favorite ice cream flavors can provide, we present you the best ice cream machines and tell you what you should look out for when buying an ice cream machine.

The best ice cream machines of 2022: All models at a glance

Price tip without compressor: WMF kitchen minis ice cream maker 3in1

advantages

• Good results when preparing ice cream and sorbet
• Also suitable as an ice cube tray
• Integrated timer function

Disadvantages

• Capacity only 0.3 liters

If you only occasionally feel like having an ice cream and don’t want to supply a multi-family household with ice cream, sorbet & Co., that’s enough an ice machine without a compressor out. In this category, Stiftung Warentest chose the WMF kitchen minis ice cream maker 3in1 (view at Amazon) as the winner. As the name already implies, the model can be used to prepare ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt. The device does well with the first two dishes, but there is some room for improvement with frozen yoghurt.

The capacity is only 0.3 liters, but the ice cream machine is small and compact and can therefore also as an ice cube tray be used. Noise level and energy efficiency score well, but ice programs have to be dispensed with here. In terms of equipment, the ice cream machine from WMF is very spartan: a power button and a timer function are the only features. You will also receive an ice cream spoon.

Test winner with compressor: Medion MD18387

Medion MD 18387

With the ice cream machine from Medion, you can set when the ice cream should be ready thanks to a timer.

The price may be higher now. Price from 07/15/2022 12:50 p.m

advantages

• Excellent results when preparing ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt
• Timer function with individual setting options
• Low operating volume

Disadvantages

• Accessories not dishwasher safe
• Hard ingredients cause easy difficulties

The Medion MD18387 (see Otto) was able to win the best ice cream machine and the title for the best price-performance ratio in the test by Stiftung Warentest. The ice machine with compressor holds 1.5 liters and prepares Ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt with the perfect consistency to. The maximum processing quantity is 0.8 liters. Only when hard ingredients such as chocolate or nuts are added are there slight quality deductions.

The model performs well both in terms of operating volume and energy efficiency. At the maximum fill level, this is Freeze time around 42 minutes. With the rotary switch you can set the preparation time individually up to 60 minutes. Fruit, nuts and similar ingredients can be added during the preparation process via the opening at the top. The ice bucket and stirrer are not dishwasher safe. The device is operated with the refrigerant R600a. The scope of delivery also includes measuring cups and spatulas.

The all-rounder: DeLonghi Gelataio ICK 6000

De’Longhi ice machine ICK 6000

With this ice cream maker, ice cream is not only prepared quickly, but is also very easy to use.

The price may be higher now. Price from 07/14/2022 21:51

advantages

• Easy handling
• Easy cleaning
• Fast working

Disadvantages

• Metal container cools down rapidly
• Expensive

If an ice cream maker is required that is above all fast, then the DeLonghi Gelataio ICK 6000 (see on Amazon) steps into the limelight. Although the ice cream machine is anything but cheap, according to AllesBeste.de it really is easy to use and clean. Advantage: While the machine is making the ice cream, you can taste at any time whether the consistency is right.

You only have to be careful if you finally want to enjoy the result: the metal container in which the finished ice cream is located gets very cold during preparation. But if you get the ice out quickly, nothing should happen. And for the leftovers in the metal container, the manufacturer also has included an ice scraper.

You can find more interesting buying advice for kitchen appliances here:

The best ice cream machines of 2022: this is how we selected them

ice machines have to not necessarily an expensive investment represent. However, if you are willing to dig a little deeper into your wallet, the purchase should be well considered. Therefore, we recommend that you inform yourself sufficiently about ice cream machines before you buy them. In order to simplify this research for you and to present you with the best models, we have relied on our own editorial experience as well as the opinions of external test institutions and user experiences.

Sources used: Stiftung Warentest (Edition 04/2021), AllesBeste.de

Would you like to know how our purchase advice comes about? In this article, GIGA Editor-in-Chief Claudio explains how we work:

Buying an ice cream machine: what do I have to consider?

type of ice machine

There are generally two types of ice machines: Compressor and non-compressor ice machines. If you don’t want to dig too deep into your wallet and only want to make ice cream occasionally, an ice cream machine without a compressor will do. Here, however, it must be remembered that the ice cream container must be placed in the freezer one day in advance. In contrast, models with a compressor can start preparing immediately and usually have additional functions such as a timer or special preparation modes. Ice machines with a compressor can therefore produce much creamier ice cream, but also cost more than the compressor-free machines.

range of functions

Some ice machines offer more functions than others. Most models, whether with or without a compressor, can now prepare ice cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt. However, since some models are better at preparing some dishes than others, you should be aware of what you want to prepare with them. A look at a corresponding test often helps. In addition, some models feature via a timer or additional functionswhich let you, for example, set the degree of hardness of the prepared food.

capacity

Confusion can quickly arise when it comes to the volume of an ice cream machine, since there is an indication of the volume of the cooling container as well as the maximum processing quantity. With some ice cream machines, both values ​​match, but they often vary. For example, the container of the Severin EZ 7405 holds two liters, but has a maximum processing volume of 1.2 liters. The simple reason for this is that the ice cream machine often needs some space in the container so that the stirring rod does not overload the motor and the ice cream too contemporary and in the desired consistency can be prepared. So if you want to prepare ice cream for the whole family, you should use a device with a slightly higher processing capacity.

cooking time

The time it takes to prepare ice cream naturally depends on the recipe and the ingredients on the one hand, but the ice cream machine can also play its part here. Most models can be found with their preparation time between 20 and 45 minutes again. So if you often want to prepare ice cream, sorbet or frozen yoghurt, a few minutes less could possibly be decisive.

volume

If you live in a flat share or a family household, some roommates who are sensitive to noise could be irritated by the volume of an ice cream machine. Especially with the ice machines with compressor, it is worth checking in advance take a look at the volume of the device to throw, as the compressors can get a little louder. However, really loud devices are an exception.

Dimensions

We recommend the for kitchens where there is already a lack of space Go for a compact model. Because ice machines, especially the compressor models, usually require a lot of space and weigh up to twelve or thirteen kilograms, which makes constant rearranging exhausting. A model such as the presented WMF kitchen minis ice cream maker 3in1 can work wonders. Due to the small, compact shape and the removable container, which fits even in many low freezer compartments, the ice cream maker is easy to store and takes up less space than many competitors.

processing

The processing of the ice machine gives you conclusions about the quality of work and service life your device. While cheap models made of plastic don’t appear to be very robust, the machines in the higher price ranges look like true stainless steel giants that should provide a tasty experience for a few years.

cleaning

Cleaning the ice cream machine after preparation is essential, otherwise Germs or mold in the device can accumulate. With most devices, the individual parts can be removed for cleaning, which is practical. In rare cases, the individual parts are also dishwasher-safe, which makes work a lot easier.