How do you use an ice cream machine?

Whether you have a self-contained freezing ice cream maker or a salt and ice ice cream maker, using an ice cream machine to make your choice of ice cream is nothing but FUN! This is true for many reasons. First, you choose your own fresh ingredients. Second, making ice cream provides great family fun. Third, you can enjoy great rewards with very little work as the ice cream machine really does all the work for you.

You are truly in control of what goes into your ice cream. Choose your own recipe and ingredients. There really is no reason to add any preservative like the store bought brands. Some recipes require you to cook your ice cream mix that is the hardest part. Others simply permit you to place the ingredients in a bowl. The rest of the process is simple. Simply add your favorite ingredients to the mix such as strawberries, blueberries, milk chocolate or whatever you like.

Once your ice cream mixture is ready, then place your ice cream mixture in the ice cream maker chamber. Next, install the paddle, chamber and chamber cover on the machine. If you have an ice cream machine that has a self-contained freezing unit, then you are ready to go.

If you have an ice cream machine that uses a salt and ice mixture to freeze the ice cream then, add a mixture of salt/ice comprised of approximately 75% ice and 25% salt to the salt/ice chamber. Usually, you place such salt and ice mixture between the outside of the ice cream chamber and the inside of the outside cover the ice cream machine.

Your ice cream maker may instruct you how long to mix your ingredients. Or, you may follow your recipe directions for how long to mix your ice cream. Now, turn on your machine.

Waiting for ice cream to be made is a good opportunity to have great conversations with your family. Everyone is so excited while waiting for the ice cream. There are even some ice cream makers that have clear bowls on them where you and the kids can watch the ice cream as it is being made. It is great family fun.

Usually, within about a half hour or so, it is time to shut off your machine. At this time, scoop out your ice cream and place it in a bowl. Usually, the ice cream is a bit soft at this time so it is your choice to serve the ice cream as is or place the bowl in a freezer to harden it.

More often than not, I pour the ice cream in a bowl and place it in a freezer. This gives me some time to clean the ice cream machine. If you have a self-contained freezing machine, then you only need to clean the chamber cover, the chamber itself and chamber paddle. If you have an ice cream machine that uses salt and ice to freeze your ice cream then, you have a few more things to do.

With the salt and ice machines, you will need to clean the ice cream unit itself as well. It is important to do so because salt is very corrosive and can destroy the metal parts of an ice cream machine. Take care to thoroughly clean all parts of the ice cream machine. Additionally, you can spray the metal parts of the ice cream machine with a bit of WD40 to stop any left over salt from corroding your ice cream machine.

Now, that the clean up is done, your fun begins. Scoop out your ice cream and add whatever you would like. Enjoy!