If you love homemade ice cream but don’t love waiting hours for a freezer bowl to chill, the Instant Pot Instant Chill might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
When I first heard about the new Instant Pot Instant Chill ice cream maker, I was intrigued—but also a little skeptical. It claims you can make homemade ice cream in about 20 minutes without pre-freezing a bowl. That sounded almost too good to be true.
So I picked one up and put it to the test.
After making my very first batch of vanilla ice cream, here’s everything I learned, what I liked, what could be better, and whether I think the Instant Pot Instant Chill is worth buying.
BUY the Instant Pot InstantChill Ice Cream Machine Here!
NOTE: The above link is an affiliate link; as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases.
What Is the Instant Pot Instant Chill?
The Instant Pot InstantChill is Instant Pot’s newest countertop ice cream maker. Unlike many traditional ice cream machines that require freezing a bowl overnight, the InstantChill has a built-in cooling system that freezes your ice cream as it churns.
That means:
- No freezing bowls ahead of time – this is a huge bonus, especially if you want ice cream and you forget to pre-freeze the bowl
- No waiting 12 to 24 hours before making ice cream – again, another bonus if you are craving ice cream right away
- Fresh homemade ice cream in roughly 20 minutes – soft serve consistency, then freeze it for 2 hours for a firmer texture
Besides traditional ice cream, it can also make:
- Sorbet
- Frozen yogurt
- Rolled ice cream
One of the first things I noticed was the colorful packaging and quality feel. Instant Pot has built a strong reputation over the years, so I had pretty high expectations going into this review.
My First Test: Simple Vanilla Ice Cream
For my first batch, I decided to keep things simple with the basic vanilla recipe.
I used:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- â…“ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of sea salt
One thing I really appreciated is that you don’t have to premix the ingredients.
Just pour everything directly into the machine, attach the lid, press the Ice Cream button, and let the Instant Pot InstantChill do the work.
That alone makes the process incredibly beginner-friendly.
How Does the Instant Pot InstantChill Work?
One thing I found interesting was watching the different cycles.
During the first couple of minutes, the machine mixes everything together fairly quickly.
Then it automatically slows down into the churning cycle, where it gradually freezes and thickens the mixture.
Once the 20-minute cycle is complete, it switches into a cooling mode that keeps the ice cream cold until you’re ready to scoop it.
Everything happens automatically without any guesswork.
Did It Actually Make Ice Cream in 20 Minutes?
Yes!
Honestly, this surprised me.
I went into this review with doubts because making ice cream that quickly without pre-freezing anything sounded unrealistic.
Twenty minutes later…
I opened the lid and was greeted with freshly made vanilla ice cream.
The consistency landed somewhere between soft serve and traditional scoopable ice cream.
The bottom layer was even firmer thanks to the chilled freezing plate. Other batches that I tried, basically doubling the recipe, resulted in a less firm bottom.
If you prefer harder, scoop-shop style ice cream, simply transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze it for another hour or two.
How Did The Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Taste?
This was probably the biggest surprise.
It was delicious.
Even though the recipe only used five simple ingredients, the flavor was rich, creamy, and incredibly smooth.
Sometimes simple recipes really are the best.
I honestly couldn’t believe how good homemade vanilla ice cream could taste with so little effort.
Can You Make Rolled Ice Cream?
The Instant Pot Instant Chill also includes a rolled ice cream setting.
I experimented a little by trying to scrape up some of the frozen ice cream left on the cooling plate.
It didn’t really roll very well—but that’s mostly because I wasn’t using the proper rolled ice cream recipe or setting.
The machine actually includes a separate setting specifically designed for rolled ice cream, so I’ll definitely be testing that in a future recipe.
It’s a fun feature that makes this machine more versatile than a standard ice cream maker.
How Much Ice Cream Does It Make?
This is probably my biggest criticism.
The Instant Pot Instant Chill doesn’t produce a huge batch. The most it can make is 2 pints, which is okay, but not a lot. With that said, the benefit is that because it makes ice cream so quickly, you can make a batch, put it in the freezer, and while that is freezing, immediately make another batch, because you don’t have to prefreeze the container to make another batch.
My recipe made enough for roughly two generous servings. It was half of a normal 2-pint recipe.
You can increase the recipe somewhat, but you still need to leave enough room inside the bowl for the mixture to expand while churning, hence the 2-pint capacity.
If you’re regularly serving a large family or hosting parties, you’ll probably need to make multiple batches. Which is not too big a detail for the reasons mentioned above.
For couples or small families, however, the capacity feels just right.
Pros and Cons of the Instant Pot InstantChill
Pros
- No pre-freezing required – This is HUGE!
- Ice cream in about 20 minutes – yes, that is right!
- Very easy to use
- Ingredients go directly into the machine, no premixing required!
- Great-tasting homemade ice cream
- Built-in cooling system
- Multiple frozen dessert options – Extremely versatile.
- Trusted Instant Pot quality
- Really easy to clean
Cons
- Smaller batch size – 2 pints maximum
- Firmer ice cream still benefits from additional freezer time
- Rolled ice cream takes some practice and the correct recipe
Is the Instant Pot Instant Chill Worth It?
After my very first use, I came away genuinely impressed. So I made ice cream over and over again; check out this awesome cookies and cream ice cream I did in it and Orange Sorbet!
I’ll admit I had my doubts before trying it.
Making homemade ice cream in only 20 minutes without freezing anything beforehand sounded like marketing hype.
But the Instant Pot Instant Chill actually delivered.
The machine was simple to operate, the ice cream tasted fantastic, and cleanup was straightforward.
For anyone who enjoys making frozen desserts at home without planning a day in advance, this machine solves one of the biggest frustrations of traditional ice cream makers. I absolutely love mine and will use it often!
Final Verdict: Is the Instant Pot InstantChill the Best New Ice Cream Machine?
So…is the Instant Pot Instant Chill the best new ice cream machine on the market?
After using it several times now, I’d say it’s certainly one of the most exciting new ice cream makers available. I will admit, though, I have not used every style of ice cream maker, but am very familiar with them, and this one does not disappoint!
Its biggest advantage is convenience. Being able to make fresh homemade ice cream in about 20 minutes without pre-freezing a bowl is a game changer.
While I would have liked a slightly larger capacity, the ease of use, creamy results, and built-in refrigeration more than make up for it.
I’m looking forward to experimenting with more ice cream flavors, fruit sorbets, frozen yogurt, and even rolled ice cream in future recipes.
BUY the Instant Pot InstantChill Ice Cream Machine Here!
NOTE: The above link is an affiliate link; as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn on qualifying purchases.
Watch the video review below and see this machine in action!
