Machines for frozen block
They freeze the mix into a block and then shave it at high speed. The Ninja CREAMi made the system popular, but it is no longer alone.
Frequently asked questions
How does it differ from a conventional ice cream maker?
You do not churn: you freeze the tub with the base inside and the machine lowers a blade that shaves the block at high speed until it becomes cream. In an ice cream maker, the cold and the paddles work at the same time on the still-liquid mix.
How long does the base need to freeze?
A whole day and flat. The blade works from the top down on a solid block, so the tub goes into the freezer level and stays there until it is hard all the way through; if it is soft inside, the texture comes out uneven.
Do the same formulas work as with a compressor?
They are worth adjusting. In our reviews, when you pick a block machine we never ask for colder than −10 °C and we drop the stabiliser to 80 % of the dose: with shaving, a mix designed for −15 °C comes out too hard.
Can I make two batches in a row?
Yes, as long as you have another tub already frozen. The machine generates no cold: all of it comes from the block, so a freshly made base needs its hours in the freezer before it goes under the blade.
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