Lab – Icekkub ice roll machine: a fun but limited use

Rolled ice cream, or ice rolls, quésaco? If you have traveled to Thailand or if you are a fan of networks, you surely know the concept: thin strips of ice cream rolled on themselves, the scent of which is almost endless. With the Icekkub IKB-1 Silver, this little treat comes to you. The machine may even steal the show from ice cream makers and impose itself during our long summer meals. And precisely, since the Indian summer is rearing its head, the opportunity was too good to test this ice machine of a new kind and to delight the editorial buddies in the process.

Easy to use but cumbersome

Icekkub is a first on the market. There were already plates to be placed in the freezer, with a very limited autonomy, or devices for professionals. With this new machine, it is the practical, fast and family aspects that the brand favors.

At first glance, the machine ice rolls seems imposing. This stainless steel block, equipped with a cooling plate, weighs almost 11 kg. This is surely what is needed to reach a temperature of -14 ° in 8 to 10 minutes. We have also timed a period of 9:25 for the machine to be operational. Regarding stability, four suction cups reinforce the grip of the machine on surfaces, even if, once installed, it is then very complicated to change its position. Positive point: its sleek design counterbalances its size, which makes it, very subjectively, a visually pleasing device.

On the controls side, it’s very simple since there is only one on / off button that you just need to press to start the machine. When the led turns green, the Icekkub is ready for use. Note that it is not possible to adjust the temperature. It is therefore up to the user to adapt the quantity of ingredients to the machine. To obtain the ideal texture, pay attention to the cream: if there is too much, the ice cream will have difficulty setting; on the contrary, if there is not enough, the ice may freeze too quickly.

To form beautiful rolls, the brand provides two stainless steel spatulas. For those who are not very skilled, the operation can be complicated. With an object in each hand, you must scrape the plate to loosen the preparation, bring it back to the center, and this, until the mixture begins to freeze. Well, at first you will probably sprinkle cream, chocolate and fruit of all kinds on your countertop. Don’t panic, it’s a blow to take.

Limited use

The fateful hour has arrived, our colleagues are asking us for the famous rolled ice creams. We plug in the device, we prepare liquid cream, sweetened condensed milk and raspberries. The noise is more than bearable since the sound level reaches 55 dB (A), the equivalent of a normal conversation. The indicator light turns green: let’s go. We grab the spatulas and, with a quick movement, we chop the fruits to mix them with the cream. The preparation freezes quickly. We scrape the plate, bring the preparation to the center and spread everything evenly.

So far, everything has been fine. Then comes the time to form the rolls. It is then necessary to pre-cut strips with the spatulas, place the object at the edge of the plate and shovel. First attempt: bitter failure. The ice cream does not want to cooperate and the strips stay as is; whether they are spread in a thin or thick layer, barely frozen or completely frozen. It took us several tries to obtain the promised result.

The temperature differences on the plate make the operation even more delicate. The machine does not cool evenly: the cream is therefore too frozen in the center while it is still liquid at the ends. As proof, we find temperatures ranging from -3.4 ° C to -21.3 ° C.

Above all, the Icekkub sometimes “pauses” during use. The light remains green, but the engine stops and the preparation no longer freezes. Take your pain patiently …

As for the recipes, the base remains the same, namely cream and sugar. It is possible to use whole cream, light cream, soy cream, custard, fromage blanc, Greek yogurt; honey, sugar or sweetened condensed milk. All diets will be satisfied. If you opt for sugar, it will nevertheless be necessary to heat it with the cream so that it can melt, before spreading it on the baking sheet. Regarding the garnish, let your imagination run wild. It’s up to you to choose and mix fruits (fresh or frozen), cookies, coulis… In short, the combinations are endless.

Icekkub promises us a recipe book that can be downloaded from their website which remains, for the moment, untraceable. We have contacted them and they claim to send the e-book to all of their customers. If you wish, it is also possible to write to [email protected] to receive it. Perhaps it should have been attached directly to the machine.

A perfectible maintenance

Once the ice rolls done (and eaten!), it’s time to clean the machine. To do this: a sponge, washing up liquid and a little elbow grease. Yes, the plate does not separate from the machine. It is impossible to put it in the dishwasher, unlike spatulas. Then wait for the Icekkub to come back to room temperature and it’s your turn to play.

Conclusion

The Icekkub IKB-1 Silver is an alternative to ice cream makers. Faster and easier to use, it will delight beginners in the kitchen or impatient gourmets. It’s also a fun way to make ice cream with the kids. They will have fun mixing more and more ingredients and colors. But the machine risks disappointing fine nozzles. The smoothness of an ice cream is not always there and sorbets are obviously to be banned. Finally, with its rather bulky size, little hope of leaving it on the worktop.
Gadget or new way to make ice cream? You be the judge. You will need to invest € 319 in the beast. Note that the brand is currently making a reduction of € 30, thus lowering the price to € 289.