Ice cream maker

Home machines come in two main types. Freezer-bowl models use a double-walled bowl filled with coolant that must be frozen solid, usually overnight or longer, before churning. Compressor models have a built-in freezer, so they can make batch after batch without planning ahead.

The base should be thoroughly chilled before it goes in, which helps it freeze faster and with finer crystals. Most batches churn in about 20 to 30 minutes to a soft-serve texture, then firm up in the freezer for a few hours.