Magimix Ice Turbine: Test & Reviews

Making your own homemade ice cream like at the ice cream parlor is possible with the Magimix ice cream maker "Gelato Expert". For this article, I prepared a delicious vanilla ice cream with the turbine, and I give you my opinion on its use.

Ice cream is a delicious dessert whatever the season: whether it's a light sorbet or a creamy ice cream, it's always a hit! For a few years now, I've been making "homemade" ice creams : it has become very simple to create the ice cream that we like.

Before I used a simple little ice cream maker, today I present to you the one I use: the Magimix ice cream maker. If I decided to dedicate this article to him, it is because I was amazed by the quality ice created. To give you a complete opinion, I carried out a photo test.

What is the difference between an ice cream maker and an ice cream maker?

This is the cold distribution which is mainly different in the two machines. The ice cream maker accumulates the cold thanks to a disk that must be placed in the freezer for about 10 hours before being able to use it. The turbine, for its part, has an autonomous integrated refrigeration system, which generates the cold on demand. In this sense, the turbine is the closest thing to a professional machine.

Le preparation time therefore differs between an ice cream maker and an ice cream maker. In fact, to operate the ice cream maker, it suffices to turn on its refrigeration system and pour in the preparation. For the ice cream maker, remember to put the disc in the freezer well beforehand.

Le weight is another factor to consider: an ice cream maker weighs a lot more than an ice cream maker since it incorporates a cold block (a sort of mini refrigerator in short). We don't move it every day either so it's not really a disadvantage.

What are the characteristics of the Magimix ice cream maker?

La Gelato Expert Magimix ice cream maker has 3 automatic functions: Italian ice cream - artisanal ice cream - granita. The mode is to be chosen according to the consistency of the ice cream desired, from the softest to the most icy. For the more expert, there is also a manual function that allows full control of the machine.

The machine is delivered with its accessories : removable stainless steel tank + fixed stainless steel tank (to be able to combine preparations) + blades + spatula + book of 85 Magimix ice cream recipes. An application is also available on smartphones for more recipes.

You should know that you can pour 1 liter of preparation into each tank, so two flavors one after the other, to obtain approximately 1.5 liters of ice cream in each tank.

The turbine is matt chrome-colored, its size is more imposing than an ice cream maker. It weighs 10kg: let me tell you that once you have placed it on the worktop, you don't want to put it away right away. This is not a Magimix specificity, it is a characteristic common to ice cream makers in general.

How to use the Magimix ice cream maker?

To show you the Magimix ice cream maker in action, I chose to make one of the recipes from the book that came with the machine: vanilla ice cream (simple but effective!). Of course, the possibilities of recipes to make with this machine are endless, but let's start with the basics to show you what you can get first with a traditional recipe.

Ice cream preparation

Ideally, the liquid preparation should be carried out a few hours before starting the machine, it should be really very cold when it will be poured into the tank in order to optimize the setting of the ice cream. So I made my preparation the night before, then I kept it in the fridge until the next morning.

 Turning on the turbine

It will be necessary to start the machine (cooling unit) 5 minutes before to pour the preparation. The latter must be very cold to be able to turn into ice properly.

I pour the preparation into the removable tank, I select my program (artisanal ice cream) and off I go for about 20 minutes of turbining. At this time the blade performs a rotary movement which, coupled with the cold, will create the famous ice cream : the key to an ice cream that is both airy and creamy, which will also allow it to gain in volume and consistency.

La Magimix ice cream maker is rather quiet once it's running (in any case less noisy than a food processor in action). During this time, we don't have to worry about anything! If we want to add pieces of chocolate, fruit, sweets, it's best to add them just before the end of the program.

When the ice cream is ready, the machine stops automatically and starts conservation mode which keeps the ice cream cool for up to 2 hours. This function is particularly practical if you want to serve ice cream to your guests: you start the automatic program at the beginning of the meal, and the ice cream is waiting patiently for dessert...

So when the program stops there are two options: consume ice cream immediately or put in the freezer. The two options are equal: the ice cream is tasted perfectly right out of the machine, where it is particularly smooth.

It can also be served in cones by shaping nice firm balls. According to the manufacturer, the shelf life is 1 week for a sorbet, 2 weeks for an ice cream.

My opinion on the Gelato Expert Magimix

The number 1 advantage of this Magimix ice cream maker is the resulting texture : airy & creamy. From my point of view, this texture is comparable to that of an artisan ice cream maker. But an ice cream made at home, with our recipes, our gourmet desires.

Simplicity et speed are the other two assets of this machine. This is what struck me the most when switching from a classic ice cream maker to the ice cream turbine.

• no disc to put in the freezer the day before
• automatic programs that avoid having to regularly monitor your machine to check the consistency of the ice cream
• possibility of chaining two ice cream flavors with the double tank
• simplified cleaning of the detachable bowl and its blade

Certainly, the purchase price of this ice turbine is superior to that of an ice cream maker. However, this is more of an investment, like investing in a good food processor. This turbine is a robust, reliable and durable device, worthy of the Magimix brand image.

Other quality ice cream makers at lower prices

• Professional ice cream maker KOENIG 2L
• CUISINART ice cream maker 1,5L