VEVOR 8218 Ice Cream Machine: Full Review

The VEVOR 8218 is a compact countertop ice cream maker that allows you to make homemade ice cream, yogurt, sorbet and more. This versatile machine is suitable for home use and small businesses such as cafes or restaurants.

The VEVOR 8218 features a simple one-click button control that makes operation easy. It has a built-in self-cooling compressor so no pre-freezing of the bowl is required. The stainless steel body and polycarbonate bowl make it stylish, durable and easy to clean.

This review will provide an overview of the key features and capabilities of the VEVOR 8218 ice cream maker. We will look at the design, capacity, ease of use, noise level and ice cream quality. Pros and cons will be covered to help you decide if this is the right ice cream machine for your needs.

Design & Build Quality

The VEVOR 8218 ice cream maker has a sleek stainless steel exterior that gives it a premium, commercial look and feel. The stainless steel construction makes it very durable and easy to keep clean.

The base of the unit is made of heavy-duty ABS plastic which feels sturdy and stable. It doesn't shake or wobble during operation. The plastic components like the hopper, dashers, and dispensing handle are also made of good quality materials that can withstand frequent use.

The machine has a solid overall build quality with no flimsy parts. The hopper fits snugly onto the freezing bowl without any gaps or wiggle room. The dispensing paddle connects securely to the hopper as well.

All the parts are well-constructed and seem like they will hold up well over time. The materials used don't feel cheap or thin. Overall the VEVOR 8218 has a commercial grade build quality that makes it suitable for frequent ice cream making.

In addition to the VEVOR 8218, another excellent choice is the Narcissus BL300. This model features efficient cooling technology and a user-friendly interface, ensuring a delightful ice cream-making experience. Its compact design is perfect for home use, while still offering impressive performance and consistency. The strong build quality also guarantees durability, making it a stylish and functional addition to any kitchen.

Capacity

The VEVOR 8218 ice cream maker can make up to 1.5 quarts or 1.4 liters of ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, sorbet or any other frozen dessert in a single batch. This is a decent capacity for a countertop ice cream machine and suitable for most home uses. With 1.5 quarts per batch, you can make enough ice cream to serve 4-6 people comfortably. The removable freeze bowl holds this 1.5 quart capacity and needs to be frozen for 8-22 hours before use depending on your freezer temperature. Once frozen, you can make batch after batch as long as you allow the freeze bowl to re-freeze in between. Overall, the 1.5 quart capacity per batch makes this an ideal countertop ice cream maker for families or small gatherings.

In addition, the Secura BL300 offers similar benefits with a slightly different approach. This model features a built-in compressor, meaning you don't have to pre-freeze any bowls, allowing for continuous ice cream making. It also produces 1.5 quarts of frozen treats, making it just as versatile for family use. Its user-friendly controls and sleek design make it an attractive addition to any kitchen, providing a seamless ice cream-making experience for gatherings or just a treat at home.

Ease of Use

The VEVOR 8218 ice cream maker is designed for simplicity and ease of use. The control panel features an LED display and touch buttons to select your desired ice cream texture, with options for soft serve, medium creaminess, and gelato-style hardness. Users mention the buttons are responsive and easy to operate.

Setting up the machine is straightforward - the bowl, beater, and scraper all fit into position intuitively. The bowl has a built-in refrigerant liquid to provide continuous freezing. You don't need to pre-freeze the bowl like some ice cream machines, allowing you to make ice cream on demand.

Cleaning is simple thanks to the detachable, dishwasher-safe parts. The beater and scraper pop off the housing for easy rinsing. The bowl is removable and has a drain for pouring out excess mix. Users comment that cleanup only takes about 5 minutes. The housing just needs a quick wipe down.

Overall, the well-designed controls, no pre-freezing, and dishwasher-safe parts make this an user-friendly ice cream maker with minimal effort required.

Noise Level

The VEVOR 8218 ice cream maker operates at a moderate noise level. When the freezing cycle starts, the compressor kicks on and produces a low hum. This persists while the bowl freezes to the ideal ice cream making temperature.

Once the temperature is reached, the compressor cycles off and the noise reduces significantly. According to most reviews, the noise level is not intrusive or overly loud. Some owners note you can carry on a conversation nearby without having to raise your voice.

The main noise while churning comes from the motor turning the paddle to stir the ice cream mixture. This operates at a low level - a bit louder than a stand mixer. But it's not loud enough to be disruptive.

Overall, the VEVOR 8218 ice cream maker noise level is reasonable for a countertop appliance. While not silent, it produces a manageable hum and churning noise. Most users find it operates quietly enough for kitchen use without becoming a nuisance.

Freeze Bowl vs. Compressor

The VEVOR 8218 ice cream maker uses a freeze bowl design, which differs from compressor ice cream makers. Here's an overview of the pros and cons of each cooling method:

Freeze Bowl

• Pros:
  • Less expensive than compressor models
  • Simple design with no moving parts
  • Quieter operation
  • Pre-freeze bowl for at least 24 hours before using
• Cons:
  • Requires significant pre-freezing time
  • Limited continuous churn time before bowl warms up
  • Not ideal for frequent or batch ice cream making
  • Less powerful freezing than compressor models

Compressor

• Pros:
  • No pre-freezing required
  • Make multiple batches in a row
  • Fast and powerful freezing
  • Consistent freezing temperatures
• Cons:
  • More expensive
  • Larger and heavier
  • Louder operation
  • Higher electricity usage
  • More potential for mechanical issues

The VEVOR 8218 fits the freeze bowl design, which works well for occasional ice cream making. But compressor models allow unlimited batches without waiting. So serious ice cream makers may want to invest in a compressor machine.

Ice Cream Quality

The VEVOR 8218 produces ice cream with a smooth, creamy texture thanks to its powerful compressor that churns and aerates the mixture. The consistency is rich and dense, unlike some cheaper machines that tend to produce icy, crystallized results.

Flavor infusion is excellent since the mixing paddle thoroughly incorporates any mix-ins like chocolate chunks, swirls, or fruit. The compressor delivers constant freezing to ensure all ingredients bind together into a cohesive blend.

Compared to pre-made store-bought ice cream, the VEVOR allows you to control the quality of ingredients and amount of air incorporated, customizing each batch to your taste. Homemade ice cream on this machine achieves an ultra-rich mouthfeel and dense texture you won't find in most retail pints.

The powerful freezing results in a scoopable ice cream within 20-30 minutes. There's no ice crystal formation, just a smooth, velvety mouthfeel that melts slowly on the tongue. You can craft interesting flavors like honey lavender or brown butter pecan that you won't find at the store.

Overall, the VEVOR 8218 consistently produces premium ice cream quality from the texture to flavor. It's a worthwhile investment for ice cream lovers who want total customization and restaurant-quality results at home.

Cleanup and Maintenance

The VEVOR 8218 commercial countertop ice cream maker is designed for easy cleanup and maintenance after each use. The stainless steel bowl and dasher can be removed and washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The bowl should be thoroughly dried before replacing in the machine to prevent any water from getting into the freeze mechanism.

The housing of the machine can be wiped down with a damp cloth to keep the exterior clean. It's a good idea to wipe any ice cream drips from the base as soon as you notice them to prevent residue buildup. The drip tray under the spout is removable and dishwasher safe as well.

One of the biggest advantages of this ice cream maker is the built-in automatic cleaning function. After each use, you simply pour water into the bowl up to the cleaning line and turn on the self-cleaning mode. The machine will run a wash cycle to rinse away any remaining ice cream residue. No scrubbing is required! This self-cleaning operation only takes about 5 minutes and ensures the bowl is sparkling clean for your next batch.

Overall, the cleanup on the VEVOR commercial countertop ice cream maker is very minimal. The stainless steel components can be washed easily by hand or dishwasher. And the built-in self-cleaning function eliminates the hassle of scrubbing out frozen ice cream residue after each use.

Warranty

The VEVOR 8218 ice cream maker comes with a 1 year warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. This is decent for an ice cream maker in this price range as many only come with 6 month warranties.

VEVOR as a company receives mixed reviews on their customer service response time and ability to resolve warranty issues. Some customers report quick resolution and replacement of faulty parts while others had difficulties getting issues addressed under warranty.

It seems response time and service can vary. Important factors are to keep all documentation related to your purchase and contact VEVOR customer support right away if any problems develop within the 1 year warranty window. Have your order information and specifics of the issue ready to share. Follow up regularly if needed until the matter is resolved to your satisfaction.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact countertop design saves space
• Large 1.5 quart capacity for batches of ice cream
• Easy to use - add ingredients, turn on machine, and wait
• Quiet motor operation compared to some models
• Freeze bowl design provides consistent chilling
• Produces creamy ice cream texture and consistency
• Removable bowl and parts make cleanup simple
• Decent 1 year warranty

Cons

• Freeze bowl must be frozen overnight before each use
• Limited to making 1.5 quarts per batch
• Texture and consistency not as good as ice cream makers with built-in compressor
• Short 1 year warranty period
• No self-contained refrigeration for continuous use
• Texture may become icy if recipe, ingredients, or quantities are off