What is the most efficient way to hand make ice cream?

hand crank ice cream maker image

joe s

like, in big batches. In school we made ice cream in ziploc bags, but thats not big enough, and electric ice cream makers are like thousands of dollars. And just out of curiosity, does anyone know how ice cream men make it, do they purchace those super expensive machines too?

Answer
You can purchase ice cream makers from just about any department store. They range in size, the biggest is a 4 quart -- and the electric type will cost about $30, but the hand crank type will cost about $200.

Companies that mass produce ice cream have a series of machines, and yes they cost 100's of thousands of dollars.

For in the home, you could produce anywhere from 12 - 15 gallons of ice cream in one day -- a single batch in a 4 quart maker only takes 45 minutes to process. And if you had more than one, the amount would increase.

What is the most "worth it" home made ice-cream machine on the market?

hand crank ice cream maker image

emily Rose

I don't care if it is a hand crank or machine, but i want the most frugal (<$100) purchase of a reliable ice cream machine. I want a couple quarts (3-5) each time.

Answer
It is not available right now, but will be on July 5. It can make up to six quarts of ice cream each time. Here are some of the customer reviews, might help you decide:

Frosty, September 10, 2008
By Curtis G. Mclamb "Dixie Boy" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This ice cream maker is well made for the price and it is much quieter than my older unit with the plastic ice bucket. The ice cream is more firm when it is done than with some of the other makers I have used. It makes enough ice cream for the neighborhood at one time. I also like having the option to use either the electric motor or the hand crank.

Ice Cream Freezer, January 6, 2009
By Sharron S. Metzger - See all my reviews

Ordered this ice cream freezer from Amazon.com a week before Christmas. It was delivered to my house in time for the big day. Ice Cream Freezer was the biggest hit. We made several batches of ice cream during the holidays and everyone had a great time eating and making the wonderful dessert. The kids got a big kick out of cranking and helping to make this treat. Then the motor kicked in and finished the job. What a great idea to help keep everyone happy and excited to eat ice cream.

Works Slicker than Snot on a door knob!!, June 28, 2009
By GRUMPYOLDMAN46 "Grumpyoldman46" (NE Ohio) - See all my reviews
I bought this item on 5/28/2009, Read all the instructions, few days later I tried it out, only thing was I did not have enough ice to fill it all the way up, but it worked pretty good for a first time.
The next weekend I bought a big bag of ice and more half& half & whipping cream and made up a big batch of butter pecan ice cream. Everybody raved at how rich& creamy it was and so delicious!!! I make ice cream about every 2 weeks now takes about 20-25 min. once its all in the maker.

Good reviews, out of the six current opinions for the product. You can read more about this product (as well as the rest of the reviews) at the link I provided below: