What Equipment Do You Need To Make Homemade Ice Cream?

Thinking of churning up your own homemade ice cream? You’re in the right place. We’ll take you through all the equipment you’ll need to whip up your own delicious Homemade Ice Cream.

There’s a certain joy that comes with creating your very own ice cream from scratch. An opportunity to customise your flavours, experiment with ingredients, craft delicious, healthful food for yourself and your loved ones and the very best part, you get to savour the sweet fruits of your labour.

Whether you’re creating classic vanilla, experimenting with fruity flavours, or going full-on cookies-and-cream, having the right tools can turn your frozen dessert dreams into creamy, scoopable reality.

The good news? You don’t need a high-tech kitchen or fancy gadgets. With a few reliable pieces of equipment and a sprinkle of creativity, anyone can make delicious homemade ice cream—right from their own kitchen.

Why Make Homemade Ice Cream?

Making homemade ice cream offers an exciting, experimental and fun chance to create something delicious and personalised, and anyone can do it.

Whether you are a novice or a more seasoned home chef, it’s far easier than you might think.

Aside from the joy of the process itself (and licking the spoon), there are plenty of reasons to make DIY ice cream:

✅ Freshness & Ingredient Control

• Choose high-quality dairy or non-dairy alternatives
• Skip the preservatives and artificial extras
• Control the sugar, sweeteners, and add-ins

✅ Endless Flavour Possibilities

• From classics like vanilla bean or mint choc chip
• To creative twists like honey lavender or miso caramel
• Or… bacon and maple syrup, anyone?

✅ Customisation & Creativity

• Mix in chocolate chips, brownie chunks, or nutty swirls
• Add sprinkles, sauces, or a cheeky drizzle of Biscoff
• Make it your own—down to the texture and colour

✅ Fun for the Whole Family

• Get the kids involved—whisking, pouring, decorating
• Make memories while making dessert
• Perfect for birthdays, weekends, or rainy day fun

So now you’re thinking, what do you need to make homemade ice cream? What equipment do I need? Below is a list of all the equipment and utensils you could possibly need.

Essential Equipment for Homemade Ice Cream

You don’t need every gadget under the sun, but a few key tools will make your ice cream-making smoother and more satisfying. Below is a handy list of recommended gear, with easy links in case you’re missing anything.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that we may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 

We’ve listed below what you need to make homemade ice cream:

• Ice Cream Makers:

An ice cream maker is a valuable investment for crafting consistently creamy ice cream.

There are various types available, including electric and manual churn models. Electric ice cream makers are more convenient, automating the churning process, while manual churn models require a bit more effort, but can be just as effective.

===> Click on this link to see a wide range of Ice Cream makers

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• Mixing Bowls:

Mixing bowls are essential for combining your ice cream base ingredients, whether it’s a custard-based recipe or a simpler no-churn option.

It’s always a good idea to have a handful of mixing bowls to hand.

===> Click on this link to see a wide selection of Mixing Bowls

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• Whisk or Electric mixer:

A whisk or electric mixer is often needed to blend the ingredients and create a smooth mixture.

===> Click on this link to see a wide selection of Whisks

===> Click here for electric hand mixers

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• Blender or Food Processor:

Required to puree fruits and ingredients to ensure a creamier texture and finish to your ice creams.

===> Click on this link to see a wide selection of Blenders

===> Click on this link to see a selection of Food processors

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• Measuring cups / weighing scales:

Measuring cups or weighing scales are essential for accurately measuring the ingredients for the ice cream mixture.

===> Click here to see a selection of Measuring Cups

===> Click here to see a selection of weighing scales

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• Spoons:

Always have lots of spoons to hand for tasting your ice cream at different stages of the process (we don’t want double dipping!)

===> Click here to see a selection of spoons

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• Spatulas:

For making sure you get all the ice cream out of each vestibule (saucepan, mixing bowls) and there’s no waste.

===> Click here to see a selection of spatulas

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• Saucepan or Double Boiler:

If you’re making custard-based ice cream, you’ll need a saucepan or double boiler to heat and thicken the custard mixture.

A double boiler is preferable for more controlled and gentle heat distribution.

===> Click here for a selection of saucepans

===> Click here for a selection of double boilers

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• Freezer-Safe Containers:

Once your ice cream is churned, it needs to be transferred to a freezer-safe container for further firming. Choose a lidded container that’s the right size for the amount of ice cream you’re making. A container with an airtight seal will help prevent ice crystals from forming.

===> Click here to see a selection of freezer-safe containers

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• Ice Cream Scoops:

Ice cream scoops – speak for themselves, needed to scoop and serve all your delicious ice cream creations!

===> Click here to see a selection of Ice Cream Scoops

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• Microplane Grater or Zester:

In some cases, you’ll use one of these for zesting citrus fruits.

===> Click here to see a selection of Microplane Graters

===> Click here to see a selection of Zesters

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• Fine-Mesh Sieve:

A fine-mesh sieve is useful for straining your custard base to remove any cooked egg bits or other solids, resulting in a smoother texture.

===> Click here to see a selection of fine mesh sieves

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With these essential equipment pieces in hand, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on your homemade ice cream journey, creating frozen desserts that will leave your taste buds wanting more.

Overall, it’s not an exhaustive list of equipment/utensils that you’ll require, and you will likely have most of these already.

Want to Make Ice Lollies or Frozen Yoghurts?

No problem! Head over to our article – Chill Out with Homemade Frozen Yoghurts: Easy Recipes and Tips – for ideas, tips and tricks for making these delicious treats.

You’ll need a few extras, and we’ve listed them below with useful links:

• Ice Lolly Moulds: Ice lolly moulds come in various shapes and sizes, and they are perfect for creating frozen yoghurt lollies. Choose moulds that are easy for little hands to hold and release the lollies easily once they are frozen.

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• Wooden or Plastic Ice Lolly Sticks: These sticks are inserted into the ice cream moulds, providing a handle for the frozen yoghurt lollies. Ensure they are sturdy and child-friendly.

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• Plastic Squeeze Bottles: These bottles are fantastic for drizzling sauces, adding fruit purees, or creating colourful swirls in the frozen yoghurt. Kids will love using them to add their unique touch to the lollies.

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• Toppings Galore: Set up a toppings station with a variety of sprinkles, crushed nuts, fresh fruits, chocolate chips, and other favourite toppings. This allows kids to customise their frozen yoghurt lollies to their liking.

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• Mixing Bowls:  If you’re preparing different flavoured yoghurt bases or toppings, you’ll need mixing bowls and whisks for the kids to create their masterpieces.

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• Whisks: You’ll need whisks to mix all your combined ingredients to ensure everything is properly incorporated.

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• Aprons: Making frozen yoghurt lollies can get a little messy, so consider providing aprons for the kids to wear.

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• Transporting your Ice Creams: There have been many occasions where I have made a batch of ice creams for family events, or friend’s parties and have needed to transport pots of Ice Creams. Now, fortunately, I live in the UK, so we’ll rarely have sweltering ice cream melting temperatures, however, if you are lucky enough to enjoy warmer climates, then you may require a food-safe container for transportation, much like the bags you’ll see Deliveroo or Uber eats using. They generally can keep food hot and/or cold.

Make Your Own Waffle Cones & Bowls

Want to take your homemade ice cream to the next level? Why not make your own waffle cones or bowls for the ultimate finishing touch!

Ice Cream Waffle Cone Makers

A waffle cone maker lets you create freshly baked cones at home. These compact machines work like mini waffle irons—just pour, cook, and roll.

===> Click here to see a selection of Ice Cream Waffle Cone Makers

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Cone Moulds / Rollers

To get that perfect cone shape, you’ll need a cone roller or mould. Some waffle cone makers come with one, but you can buy them separately too.

===> Click here to see a selection of Ice Cream Waffle Cone Moulds / Rollers

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Waffle Bowls

Prefer to serve your ice cream in a crispy edible bowl? Some machines come with bowl moulds or you can shape warm waffles in a small bowl.

===> Click here to see a selection of Ice Cream Waffle Cone Bowls

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Accessories You May Love:

• Cone stands (great for parties and presentation)

===> Click here to see a selection of Waffle Cone Making Accessories

Homemade cones not only taste incredible, but they also fill your kitchen with the warm, sweet smell of fresh waffles – who could resist that?

👉🏽 Want to make your own ice cream waffle cones? It’s super easy and adds a special touch to your homemade ice cream. Head over to our article – Learn How to Make Homemade Ice Cream Waffle Cones

Other Items You May Find You Need

• Cleaning Supplies: Working with kids, you’ll want to have cleaning supplies on hand to tidy up afterwards.
• Cake Pop Sticks and Stands: These can be used to make Ice Cream Cake Pops (see our article – Learn How To Make Homemade Ice Cream Cakes)

The Role of Colour in Ice Cream

We eat with our eyes first, and we are naturally drawn to visually appealing foods and ice cream is no exception. The enticing colours of classic flavours like strawberry, chocolate, and mint green set a standard in our minds, and we subconsciously anticipate these colours when presented with these well-loved flavours.

A rich yellow mango sorbet or mint-green scoop can instantly trigger a craving, even before the first bite.

Something you’ll find with Homemade Ice Cream is that some ingredients don’t produce the colour we expect. Take bananas, for example – once ripe (and sweetest!), they may turn your ice cream a little beige.

That’s where natural food colourings come in.

Used thoughtfully, they can elevate the appeal of your ice creams without compromising their integrity.

===> Click here to see a selection of natural colourings available

🍌 Fun Fact:

We once made banana ice cream using red (paprika-based) colouring – people thought it was strawberry! Proof that colour can completely shift expectations.

Experimentation Is Part of the Fun

Don’t be afraid to:

• Try new mix-ins
• Play with colours and textures
• Make the odd mistake – it’s how the best flavour combos are born

The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become – and before you know it, you’ll be the go-to ice cream maker for every occasion.

The Final Scoop

You don’t need a professional kitchen to make professional-level ice cream. With a few quality tools and a curious spirit, you’ll be crafting frozen desserts that are uniquely yours.

Whether you’re whisking with the kids or whipping up something indulgent for yourself, homemade ice cream is a joy from start to scoop.

If you have any questions about the equipment mentioned or want to share your homemade setup, we’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below and join the community of fellow scoopers.

We hope this list of accessories, with useful links, proves to be helpful to you in creating your own Delicious Homemade Ice Creams. Please feel free to drop us a comment below if you have any questions.

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