What's the best ice cream maker for you? Almost everyone believes there's something special about homemade ice cream, and that the easiest way to make it is with an ice cream maker. But not everyone will decide on which is the best machine. Finding the best one for you depends very much on your family and your style of doing things.

If you've never owned one before, you may think it's just a matter of searching for the best rated machines and buying one of the top ones. Sounds good, but that's actually second step of the process. Many people don't realize that there different kinds of machines until they start looking for one and discover themselves up against a myriad of distinctive choices.

Do you want a manual or an electric model? A top of the line self-cooling compressor machine or an old created bucket fridge freezer?

More importantly, does it make any difference?

Yes, it does. The kind of machine you choose will affect how you make it, how much time it takes and how smooth and light it turns out. It will make any ice cream makers difference in the noise level in your kitchen and especially in how much advance planning you'll need which causes the area get started.

Electric gel-canister models need you to plan a day ahead. The biggest ones only make 2 quarts. But they're affordable and easy to clean. If you want to turn out 6 quarts at a time, on the other hand, you'll need a fridge freezer bucket and will have make sure you have lots (and I am talking about lots! ) of ice and salt on hand.

With a compressor ice cream maker, there's no advance preparation required and the results will be so far beyond anything you've ever made, you won't believe it. But you'll have to provide enough storage room and then cover the high cost of one.

If this sounds confusing, it doesn't have to be. It's a matter of figuring out your priorities:

Trying to find spur of the moment gourmet results (compressor model) or for an afternoon of family fun with the kids, churning away like Laura Ingalls Wilder? (old-fashioned handcrank model). Are you on a budget (an electric gel-canister machine or simple manual model), or is money no object (a compressor model -- lucky you! )?