Top 10 Best Hand Crank Ice Cream Makers for 2022

Having a soft, rich scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day is one of the best things life has to offer. But you can’t enjoy that ice cream if you don’t have an ice cream maker.

Although there are many different kinds of ice cream makers available, we believe that the best hand crank ice cream makers are:

List of 10 best hand crank ice cream makers

#1: Elite Gourmet Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Maker

The hand-crafted solid pine wood bucket is the most beautiful thing about this ice cream maker. It makes fresh ice cream in just 40 minutes. The classic die-cast hand crank has a powerful electric motor-driven paddle that is equipped with over-heat protection. This machine comes with an additional plastic freezer bowl and an aluminum freezing cylinder. It also comes with a built-in automatic start/stop motorized paddle that automatically shuts off when the freezing process is complete. The two mixing paddles allow you to mix two different flavors at once.

Moreover, the machine will automatically stop mixing when the ice cream is ready to be removed from the freezer bowl. To ensure that your ice cream does not melt, this machine features a built-in cooling fan that circulates cold air around the freezing bowl to make sure that your ice cream does not melt until it is ready to be served.

This is also one of the easiest ice cream makers to clean because of its easy-to-clean plastic bucket and aluminum canister. You will have no difficulty in cleaning this product after each use because it comes with a removable bucket liner and a lid with a rubber seal that prevents leakage. All you need to do is remove the bucket from the canister and clean it with warm soapy water. The canister and paddles of this machine can be detached for easy cleaning by hand.

Highlighted features:

• Comes with a built-in ice cream scoop of medium size with a scoop handle
• Powerful 500-watt motor that delivers the perfect product every time
• PLC control that allows you to set your ice cream flavor and texture preferences, including soft serve and frozen yogurt toppings
• Comes with an LED display making it easier to read the time and manufacturer information
• Pulse mode that mixes the ingredients to make soft-serve ice cream or chunky sorbet
• Compact design saves counter space and makes it easy to store in.

#2: Donvier 1-Quart Ice Cream Maker

This makes one quart of smooth, delicious ice cream in about 20 minutes. A freezer bowl that you keep in your freezer at all times does away with a need for ice and salt. The bowl contains a special cooling liquid that freezes the ingredients as they are churned and thickens the mixture as it freezes.

With no salt or ice to add, this is one of the easiest ways to make homemade ice cream.

The machine comes with basic instructions and recipes, but if you want more elaborate recipes, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Most users find the machine easy to use and clean, though some say they wished they could churn two quarts at once to satisfy their families’ appetites. This is a good choice for someone who wants an easy-to-use entry-level machine.

Highlighted features:

• V-shaped blade cuts through the mixture, making a creamy ice cream
• Bowl has a special liquid that freezes ingredients as they are churned
• Safe internal parts
• Easy to use and clean
•  Small footprint

#3: 6 qt Country Ice Cream Maker – Classic Wooden Tub – Hand Crank

This traditional ice cream maker from Aroma Housewares is a perfect blend of contemporary technology and country charm. The attractive four-quart bucket is made of solid fir wood and features an aluminum mixing canister. The mixer works with both the convenient electric motor and old-fashioned die-cast hand crank.

This ice cream maker comes with recipes for classic favorite ice cream flavors, including vanilla, strawberry and rocky road. You can also experiment to create new flavors you’ll love. The manufacturer recommends that you freeze the canister overnight before use, but once frozen, it will take just 20 minutes to whip up a batch of creamy, delicious ice cream.

The Aroma ice cream maker has received mostly positive reviews from consumers who have purchased it on Amazon.com. Some reviewers have found that this product requires more time than others to make a batch of ice cream; however, most agree it makes quality ice cream that is well worth the wait.

Highlighted features:

• Holds 4 quarts of ice cream
• Includes recipes and instructions
• Includes the mixer, hand crank, recipes, and instructions
• 12 spoons
• One-year limited warranty
• Hand wash only

#4: Aroma Housewares 4-Quart Traditional Ice Cream Maker, Fir Wood

This is the perfect addition to your family. This unit is great for those who want a premium ice cream maker that will last for years to come. It is crafted with high-quality materials and has been tested to ensure it’s ready for the most extreme conditions.

This hand crank model features rustproof zinc gear and high-quality materials that are built to last. It’s also backed by our 100% guarantee!

This product includes heavy-duty zinc gear that is rust-proof so you can count on this item for years of use. This hand crank model also features a one-piece dasher that is less likely to break than other models on the market! Plus it’s made from stainless steel which makes cleaning up easy and hassle-free!

Highlighted features:

• One-piece dasher
• Rustproof zinc gear
•  Stainless steel gears
• High-quality materials built to last

#5: Homeplace 6 qt LIFETIME Ice Cream Maker – Hand Crank

This provides a classic method for making delicious homemade ice cream. Deeply chilled ice and rock salt surround the inner bucket, which holds up to 6 quarts of frozen treat. The inner parts are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

This old-fashioned 6-qt. hand-crank ice cream maker is a great way to bond with your family and friends in the kitchen. Cranking out batches of homemade ice cream is a fun activity for summer parties, reunions, and picnics. You can make ice cream as quickly as 20 minutes!

Highlighted features:

• Ideal for home use
•  Makes 6 quarts of ice cream
•  Removable bucket allows the use of your own recipes
•  Dishwasher safe materials
•  Dishwasher safe bucket

#6: White Mountain F64306-X 6-Quart Hand-Crank Ice Cream Freezer

This hand crank ice cream maker is a simple but versatile ice cream maker. It allows you to make up to 6 quarts of the best homemade ice cream, sorbet and gelato possible. This rugged ice cream maker takes advantage of the original design that has been used for more than 100 years.

The design uses a galvanized tub with a double-insulated aluminum canister and durable triple motion action dasher. It’s all powered by a high-torque 12:1 gear reduction motor so you won’t have to worry about not having enough power to get your ice cream made.

This maker is easy to use and comes with a complete instruction booklet that includes recipes and tips on how to get the most out of your ice cream maker and make it last longer. If you need more recipes, you can visit their site online at WhiteMountainProducts.com.

This is one of the best-rated hand crank makers on the market today and it comes with a 5-year warranty on all parts including the canister, motor, and gearbox assembly as well as the bucket.

Highlighted features:

• Complete the instruction book with recipes
• 5-year warranty on all parts including the canister, motor, and gearbox assembly
• Triple motion dasher makes scooping ice cream as easy as putting a spoon in a bowl
•  Hand crank mechanism allows you to make up to 6 quarts of ice cream without electricity or an electrical outlet
• Stainless steel or aluminum bucket and lid
• Vibration resistant design for durability that will last for many years of use
• Lifetime warranty on the motor and gearbox assembly
• Heavy-duty construction made for.

#7: Norpro 6840 Ice Cream Maker, Multicolored

These are the perfect addition to your summer kitchen. They are easy to use and look great on the countertop or in a summer barbeque. This comes in many different shapes and sizes, but they all work the same way. The ice cream maker will spin around and churn the ice cream mixture until it is thick and creamy. After you have made your ice cream, you can store it in an airtight container until you are ready to serve it. You can also freeze it if you would like to have some fun later on in the year.

There are many different functions of these hand-crank ice cream makers that make them so popular. These machines have an automatic shut-off feature that will prevent the machine from spinning when it is not being used. This helps keep your family safe while ensuring that the ice cream maker does its job properly.

Most of these machines also have a timer feature that will allow you to set how long you want the machine to run for before shutting off automatically. There are some models that even allow you to set up automatic timers so that you can be sure that your ice cream maker is working when you need it to be working.

When using these hand-crank ice cream makers, be sure that you have a container that is large enough to hold the mixture. You will also want to make sure that the ice cream maker is able to spin freely in the bowl or on your countertop. This way you can be assured that the mixture has been churned enough to get a creamy texture.

Highlighted features:

• Multiple functions
• Automatic shut-off feature
• Durable construction
• Easy to use

#8: Lehman’s Best Ice Cream Freezer 8qt

When it comes to hand-crank ice cream makers, you won’t find better quality than this product. It has rugged construction with top-of-the-line parts and careful attention to detail. The superior performance means it will provide years of delicious ice cream enjoyment.

This heavy-duty stainless steel ice cream maker features adjustable bands, so it can be used by children or adults alike. The package includes the freezer bucket with lid, inner cylinder, filler cap, crank assembly and paddles along with full instructions and recipes. With this easy-to-use ice cream maker, you can make delicious ice cream right at home without a lot of fuss or mess.

Highlighted features:

• Hand crank ice cream maker
• 8 qt freezer/ice cream maker with crank-style manual churn
• Includes removable and washable freezer bucket, inner cylinder, filler cap and paddles
• Easy to use crank turns 360 degrees
• 72-oz. ice cream container with lid

#9: PREMIUM 6 qt. – Immergood Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker – Hand Crank

If you love the taste of homemade ice cream but hate the hassle of making it, this is the ice cream maker for you!

This is made by hand, one at a time, in a small factory in Northern Indiana. The design comes from years of seeing what works and what doesn’t. It has been built to last and will provide years of worry-free use.

It is also the only hand-cranked ice cream maker on the market that uses all stainless steel hardware (gears and housing). This makes it 100% rust-proof. You can store it outside or bring it camping without fear. You won’t find this feature on any other hand-cranked ice cream maker!

And when you’re done, clean-up is a breeze! Simply wipe down with a damp cloth and store away for next time!

Highlighted features:

• Made in the USA
• Thrifty and easy to use
• No spoon stirring
• Hand-cranked ice cream maker to create your own unique flavors
• 100% rustproof stainless steel gears and housing (no plastic parts to break)
• Stainless steel cover available for outdoor storage or rental use

#10: AMERIHOME ICM6C 6-Quart Old Fashion Ice Cream Maker,Brown

This is a nostalgic, fun addition to your summer activities. The old-fashioned ice cream maker has a unique combo design that combines the convenience of an electric motor with the traditional ice and salt method for freezing ice cream. The electric motor does all the churning for you so you do not have to spend hours cranking. Just add your ingredients and let the machine do the rest of the work.

In just 30 minutes, you can have up to 6 quarts of delicious homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet! There are many recipes included in the product manual to get you started.

The ice cream maker has an aluminum can with a clear plastic lid that allows you to watch your ingredients turn into a yummy treat. It also comes with a sealed pine tub, an ice crusher, and a mixing paddle.

Highlighted features:

• 6 Quart Can
• Aluminum Canister with Removable Plastic Lid
• Wooden Crank and Handles
• Plastic Lid Cover
• Clear Tub for Your Ice Cream
• Ice Crusher/Ice Tongs and Plastic Mixing Paddle Included

Things to consider when purchasing a hand crank ice maker

When looking for an ice cream maker, consider capacity, materials and price range.

Capacity

Ice cream makers come in different sizes. The capacity of the ice cream maker is important to consider when purchasing one, because it determines how much ice cream you can make at a time. For instance, if you have a small family and will only be making ice cream for a few people, then you probably don’t need a large machine.

Types of ice cream makers

There are three main types of hand crank ice cream makers: electric, manual and rock salt and ice. Electric machines use an electric motor to turn the churn paddle, whereas manual machines require you to crank the paddle yourself. Rock salt and ice machines are used with rock salt and ice to freeze the mixture inside the canister.

Materials

The canister that houses the mixture is made from plastic or metal. Plastic is lighter than metal, but it also might not keep the mixture cold enough to freeze it efficiently as some users report on Amazon.com. However, plastic is less expensive than metal, with prices ranging anywhere from $15 to $40 as of 2010. Metal canisters tend to be more expensive with prices ranging from $50 to $130, but they’re also more durable than plastic ones since they have fewer moving parts that could break or crack.

Price range

The recommended price range for ice cream makers is $20 to $50. You might be able to find a hand-crank ice cream maker on sale, but you should know that it may not make the best ice cream you have ever tasted. So, if you are going to be making large amounts of ice cream, it would be best to look into a large machine.

FAQs

How long does it take for homemade ice cream to make?

It’s really hard to say how long it will take to make your homemade ice cream. The most common type of ice cream maker is the kind that you have to freeze before using, and that takes about 8 hours. However, there are some newer models that don’t require freezing at all. Those can run anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on your recipe.

Which milk is best for ice cream?

In my opinion, it’s not about the milk—it’s about the cream. If you have good cream, you’re going to have good ice cream, no matter what kind of milk you add.

That said, there are some pretty interesting things that happen when you change the fat content of your milk: the higher the fat content, the thicker and more luxurious the texture will be. And who doesn’t want that?

I recommend using 2% milk for ice cream. It has a lower fat content than whole milk, which means it will freeze with a lighter texture and melt faster, both of which can help keep your ice cream from becoming too hard and icy when it gets frozen.

Why homemade ice cream is icy?

The first reason why homemade ice cream is icy is that it doesn’t contain enough sugar. The sugar in ice cream helps to lower the freezing point of the mixture, so without enough sugar, it will freeze too solid.

Another reason your ice cream could be icy is that it hasn’t been churned long enough at a high enough speed. The churning action, when performed properly, will break up all the ice crystals and create a smooth texture.

A third reason why you may have an icy ice cream is that you didn’t cool the mixture down before putting it into the freezer. Ice cream can’t begin to set if it’s still hot, so cool it down completely before putting it into the freezer to set.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider when buying a hand crank ice cream machine. However, if you go with our picks above, you should be able to find the right fit for your needs. You can’t go wrong with the Lello 4080 Musso Lussino or the Cuisinart ICE-20 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker. They are both excellent machines that produce great ice cream.

If you’re looking at hand crank ice cream makers because your electricity is sporadic or limited, then we recommend the Donvier Manual Ice Cream Maker. It’s not as convenient as an electric machine but it does make some pretty good ice cream!