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expiredmalka posted Oct 17, 2023 07:24 PM
expiredmalka posted Oct 17, 2023 07:24 PM

Costco Members: Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker

+ Free Shipping

$180

Costco Wholesale
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Deal Details
Costco Wholesale has for their Members: Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker (CN501CO) for $179.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member malka for finding this deal.

Note: You need to be an active Costco Member and signed in to your account to purchase at sale price.

Includes:
  • 3x 24 oz. CREAMi Deluxe Pints with Storage Lids
  • Motor Base with Dual-Drive Motors and Creamify Technology that turns almost anything into a frozen treat
  • Deluxe Creamerizer Paddle shaves and churns ice particles into the creamiest frozen treats in minutes
  • Outer bowl and lid to house deluxe pint while processing
  • 11 One-Touch Programs
  • Countdown Display
  • All parts dishwasher safe
  • Recipe inspiration guide with 30 recipes

Editor's Notes

Written by johnny_miller | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This matches the previous +60 Frontpage Deal from earlier this month.
    • Please refer to the forum thread for discussion regarding this deal.
  • About this product:
    • 1-Year Limited Warranty
  • About this store:
    • If you don't have a Costco Warehouse Membership, you can sign-up here

Original Post

Written by malka
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Costco Wholesale has for their Members: Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker (CN501CO) for $179.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member malka for finding this deal.

Note: You need to be an active Costco Member and signed in to your account to purchase at sale price.

Includes:
  • 3x 24 oz. CREAMi Deluxe Pints with Storage Lids
  • Motor Base with Dual-Drive Motors and Creamify Technology that turns almost anything into a frozen treat
  • Deluxe Creamerizer Paddle shaves and churns ice particles into the creamiest frozen treats in minutes
  • Outer bowl and lid to house deluxe pint while processing
  • 11 One-Touch Programs
  • Countdown Display
  • All parts dishwasher safe
  • Recipe inspiration guide with 30 recipes

Editor's Notes

Written by johnny_miller | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This matches the previous +60 Frontpage Deal from earlier this month.
    • Please refer to the forum thread for discussion regarding this deal.
  • About this product:
    • 1-Year Limited Warranty
  • About this store:
    • If you don't have a Costco Warehouse Membership, you can sign-up here

Original Post

Written by malka

Community Voting

Deal Score
+38
Good Deal
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Top Comments

Chris29
472 Posts
189 Reputation
I really really wanted to like this thing. I bought it a few months back expecting to use it all the time - I mean who doesn't love ice cream on demand basically?

Unfortunately, it's not ice cream on demand. This thing, in my humble opinion, is a glorified blender. The process requires planning, pre-freezing the ingredients overnight, etc, etc. It might not sound like much, but I really can't tell you in advance if I'm going to want ice cream tomorrow. It's typically a spur of the moment type of thing, which makes the Ninja Creami useless really.

My family used it maybe twice before shelving it.

It's not a bad deal, just understand what you're buying before you pull the trigger.
kaidomac
87 Posts
101 Reputation
Knowledge bomb time! A few notes for having a successful experience, as a homemade ice cream aficionado. First, the basics:

1. This makes VERY GOOD ICE CREAM but takes PRACTICE to get there! Note that nearly all ice creams require at least 2 or 3 spins in the machine to get to the ideal texture!
2. This machine is VERY LOUD! Be prepared for the noise while running!
3. If you like frozen treats, this makes a HUGE VARIETY! You can do amazing sorbet from frozen mango, smoothie bowls, soft-serve-style ice cream, milkshakes, McFlurries, etc. plus savory stuff like ultra-creamy hummus.

Second, more details:

1. This is essentially a budget Pacojet, which is the commercial equivalent of this machine. But the Ninja under $200 instead of $7k+. REALLY incredible technology for the price point!

2. Emphasis on the noise! This appliance is VERY LOUD! Your neighbors will know when you're making ice cream lol. You will NOT be prepared for how loud this thing is hahaha. It's like turning on a weed eater in your kitchen!

3. Buy extra pint jars. Make sure to get ones that fit your specific model (there are a variety of machine models & styles available). This allows you to have "ice cream on demand" at all times when the mood strikes! I did NOT think I'd end up liking the Creami as much as I did or using it as much as I do!

4. Buy cozies (cloth sleeves) for the pint jars so your hands don't get cold when eating the ice cream out of the pint jar after spinning it. Search "Universal ninja creami cozy" on Etsy. They come in a variety of colors & patterns. The best design I've found is the square-ish ones that go to 4 diamond points around the top, that style allows the jar to slide in the easiest without having to push it on to fit.

5. Regular ice cream makers have you chill the base mixture, then churn the base in something like a freezer bowl to incorporate air so it becomes ice cream instead of a solid frozen block, then freeze it overnight to become scoopable ice cream. The Creami basically uses a drill with a blade on the end to shave the ice cream down. Different method, but GREAT results once you master the process & build up a collection of recipes that you like! The results of this machine are not so much about the machine but about the recipe you use & the workflow you master, so don't get disheartened when things don't come out perfect on the first try, because a fabulous ice cream experience IS achievable with this machine, it just takes some practice to get there when you first start out!

6. Freeze the pints WITHOUT the lid on to help avoid the "dimple" that appears in the middle of the ice cream. You want the ice cream base in the jar FLAT so that it doesn't break the blade when it comes down. Otherwise you can just kind of shave it down if needed (some people use a thin putty knife).

7. If you run the bottom of the pint jar under hot water for 30 seconds before spinning, it will help reduce any icy chunks at the bottom of the jar after you spin it in the machine.

8. It's important to understand that MAKING the ice cream is a PROCESS! The two basic steps are "ice cream mode" and "re-spin". Many ice creams come out as POWDER after running in ice cream mode. This is only your FIRST STEP in the process! You'll see a lot of people online quit immediately without realizing that it's typically a multi-step process to get to perfect ice cream! I recommend starting out by adding heavy cream & doing a re-spin, then adding more heavy cream & doing a second re-spin. There will be a hole in the middle of the jar when it becomes a powder, just use a spoon to make a tunnel & pour the cream into it.

9. Regarding the process, the first step is freezing. They recommend doing 24 hours, but for things like protein ice cream, you can get away with 8 hours! It all depends on the individual recipe in question. The second step is spinning. The Creami is more designed to on-demand ice cream that you're going to eat right away. You can freeze it after spinning if you want hard, scoopable ice cream like you buy in the store, so it's important to realize that the ice cream can only get so stiff when you spin it to eat it because otherwise the blade wouldn't be able to move. You can control the thickness of the texture from milkshake to scoopable semi-hard ice cream based on the ingredients & spinning process. After the initial spin on ice cream mode, you can do a re-spin to get the texture right, then do Mix-in mode if you want to add ingredients like crushed Oreos, Mini M&M's, etc.

10. One of the best things I've learned recently is how to make McFlurries at home! Basically, do a scoop or two of store-bought vanilla ice cream (Aldi's sells a big tub for cheap FYI) in the jar, add mix-ins, add another scoop on top, then run the Mix-in mode to get that classic texture! This is fun because you don't have to freeze anything overnight, all you need is a tub of regular ice cream & just let it spin! Same deal for milkshakes, you can simply add the ice cream of your choice & enough milk to make it as thick or thin as you want (spoonable or drink with a straw)

11. People make "ice cream bars" at home for their Creami, complete with a dedicated cart or stand, syrups, toppings, their Creami, fancy bowls & spoons, and so on. SUPER fun concept if you're into ice cream!

12. Buy a $10 milk frother on Amazon. This lets you spin mixes directly in the jars. If you own a blender, that's also good for whipping things up.

13. Lately, I've been addicted to protein ice cream for breakfast. My procedure is: get 2 pint jars. Pour a 26g Fairlife Core vanilla protein shake evenly between them. Get a small box of sugar-free Jello Pudding powder (banana cream, cheesecake, vanilla, butterscotch, etc.). Use the milk frother to blend in the powder. Freeze with the lid off for at least 8 hours. When ready to eat, spin on ice cream mode. Make a tunnel in the middle with a spoon & fill the tunnel with heavy cream & run on re-spin. If the texture isn't perfect, add more heavy cream & run on re-spin again (I typically do 2 re-spins with heavy cream each time). Should come out like super creamy soft-serve. Here are some examples:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ninjacre...1&sort=new

14. You can also make savory stuff like SUPER creamy Hummus & baba ganoush! Bonus points if you use your Instapot to cook the dry chickpeas from scratch!

15. After each use, wipe down the spindle nub under the head of the machine. That's the part that interfaces with the blade. Also, IMMEDIATELY disconnect the blade from the lid & rinse the whole thing off with hot water. The Creami is weirdly-designed, so you want to make sure to clean everything RIGHT AWAY with warm water because the ice cream gets in all of the cracks & crevices. It's not hard, but it's something to be aware of so that it doesn't start smelling funny.

16. The two best resources for recipe ideas are the various Facebook groups & TikTok.

17. In my area, Ben & Jerry's and dairy-free ice creams go for $8.99 a pint. If you're an ice cream enthusiast, this machine will pay for itself in no time! Really good for people with allergies too because you can make ice cream from almond milk, coconut milk & coconut cream, and so on.

18. EGGNOG! Pour it in, freeze it overnight, spin it up!

tbh this is one of the most fun toys I've purchased in a looooooong time. I make McFlurries & milkshakes. I make all kinds of ice creams & fruit sorbets. I make protein ice creams, smoothie bowls, etc. If you're willing to tinker around with recipes & like frozen treats, it's a pretty awesome machine to have in your kitchen arsenal!
dawnerd
487 Posts
63 Reputation
So keep in mind too there's now three versions of creami out there with different cup sizes/styles and recipes will vary. I found out if I don't 1.5x some recipes they don't fill up the pints enough. The newer version makes it a lot easier to clean and use.

Also Ninja doesn't mention it but a lot of people like to run an empty pint with hot water on a mix in cycle to try to clean anything that might be on the spindle since it lives inside the unit and theres no way to clean it otherwise. If that grosses you out, you might want to pass.

69 Comments

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Oct 18, 2023 11:53 AM
28 Posts
Joined Oct 2015
Oct 18, 2023 11:53 AM
rhmOct 18, 2023 11:53 AM
28 Posts
We bought the previous version of this back in May. We enjoyed it for a few weeks, but every time I used I I couldn't help to think what would happen if the blades broke loose, it would impale you. The thing spins so fast and so loud that it's a bit intimidating.
A few weeks into ownership, it self destructed, somehow the blade disengaged from the shaft during the cycle, and the cycle went on for a few minutes after that. I didn't want to get close to it to shut it off.
At that point the gears on the shaft were stripped and we returned it, and will not purchase another one. While what happened wasn't dangerous, it confirmed my fear that this thing could be dangerous.
The ice cream was fun to make, we experimented with different bases, fruits, etc. It was entertaining for a few weeks but by the end of our run, the kids were over it.
5
Oct 18, 2023 12:03 PM
1,246 Posts
Joined Dec 2008
Oct 18, 2023 12:03 PM
jj2meOct 18, 2023 12:03 PM
1,246 Posts
It's simple to make yogurt cheese to use as a base for frozen yogurt.

Set up a drip coffee maker's basket with paper filter installed over a coffee mug or similar catcher. Add plain yogurt and give it 3 or more hours to drip away the whey.

Et voila, a healthier substitute for cream.
Oct 18, 2023 01:21 PM
2,221 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
Oct 18, 2023 01:21 PM
bargainbernieOct 18, 2023 01:21 PM
2,221 Posts
Buy now thank me later!
As long as you have a handful of containers, you can make them 24 hours in advance and you'll always have at least two already made. Pretty easy to always have ice cream on demand IMO.

Fairlife protein shake combined with sugar-free pudding mix is a very good start and taste like a better version of a frosty.
Oct 18, 2023 01:35 PM
2,263 Posts
Joined Dec 2014
Oct 18, 2023 01:35 PM
BUYMECAROct 18, 2023 01:35 PM
2,263 Posts
This has been and will be sold for less.

And for those commenting on the prep needed for this: I will gladly spend the extra time in advance for something that won't have me spending hours on the toilet or is just way too sweet to enjoy.
Pro
Oct 18, 2023 01:37 PM
1,430 Posts
Joined Nov 2008
Oct 18, 2023 01:37 PM
bsdc
Pro
Oct 18, 2023 01:37 PM
1,430 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank bsdc

I've had one for about a month or two, and here are my quick thoughts:

I love it. It's more for people who care about their macros when it comes to eating dessert/ice cream. The kind of people who might buy Halo Top, Nick's, Rebel ice cream, etc. I think what I make tastes better, has WAY better macros, has better consistency, and is waaaaay cheaper than any of those.

I don't make as complicated of mixtures as I see a lot of other people doing. I generally don't find a need to use pudding mix or xanthan gum, etc.

My primary favorite right now (pb chocolate chip) is the following:

~1 scoop chocolate protein powder + vanilla unsweetened almond milk (or a pre-mixed protein shake)
~2 scoops PBfit peanut butter powder
~1-2 tsp vanilla extract
~2 tsp cocoa powder + 2 tsp monk fruit sweetener or another no sugar chocolate powder like Pyure
~5-10 milk chocolate chips

Then I mix it all with a stick blender, put it in the freezer for 16+ hours (most recipes say 24+, but I have no issues with 16+), mix it on "light ice cream" setting, add in a tbsp or two of 2% milk, "re-spin" it, then maybe add some chocolate chips/shavings and use the "mix-in" setting, which gently disperses the pieces throughout the mix.

I have five blender cups, and I tend to make 1-3 of these at a time so that I'm not prepping it every night.

I realize this might sound like a lot of work, but the whole prep process takes less than five minutes, and the blending takes 5-10 minutes, with my involvement taking a minute or two.

It is loud, but not louder than a blender.

I eat a pint every night, and since I've bought the machine, I've purchased no other sweets or desserts, and I know I am getting about:

**EDIT!**I don't know what I did wrong when I first calculated the macros, but user GRClarke helped me realize they were wildly inaccurate. I am editing to add the correct macros:


250 cal
7g fat
13g carb (net)
35g protein



old/incorrect in red
230 calories
14g fat
15g carbs
5g fiber
86g protein


Most of the time I just use a milk frother/mixer wand instead of a stick blender, but this recipe has a lot of powders.

Each pint takes me a good amount of time to eat, which is important for me, and each pint costs me less than a dollar (96 cents when I use protein powder. a pre-made shake bumps that number up, or course, but I rarely use those.) Compare that to $5+ for each pint of Halo Top, Nick's, etc.

I always have at least one pint in my freezer, honestly never less than two or three. Of course, I'm the kind of person who wants a pint every night, so not having some available when I want some has literally never happened.

Any way, I don't really see myself ever using my standard ice cream maker again, and the Creami has been an absolute game changer for me, but I can see how it's not for everyone.
Last edited by bsdc November 5, 2023 at 08:25 PM.
2
Oct 18, 2023 01:55 PM
1,945 Posts
Joined Aug 2010
Oct 18, 2023 01:55 PM
BruceInColaOct 18, 2023 01:55 PM
1,945 Posts
Quote from 08CivicSi :
My wife loved this thing...for about 6 months...now it sits in the pantry.
I suspect this is where mine would live as well if I bought one…next to the bread machine, Instapot and sparkling water…maker.
Oct 18, 2023 01:58 PM
6,852 Posts
Joined Jul 2011
Oct 18, 2023 01:58 PM
08CivicSiOct 18, 2023 01:58 PM
6,852 Posts
Quote from BruceInCola :
I suspect this is where mine would live as well if I bought one…next to the bread machine, Instapot and sparkling water…maker.
Do you live in my house!?

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Oct 18, 2023 02:37 PM
87 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
Oct 18, 2023 02:37 PM
kaidomacOct 18, 2023 02:37 PM
87 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank kaidomac

Knowledge bomb time! A few notes for having a successful experience, as a homemade ice cream aficionado. First, the basics:

1. This makes VERY GOOD ICE CREAM but takes PRACTICE to get there! Note that nearly all ice creams require at least 2 or 3 spins in the machine to get to the ideal texture!
2. This machine is VERY LOUD! Be prepared for the noise while running!
3. If you like frozen treats, this makes a HUGE VARIETY! You can do amazing sorbet from frozen mango, smoothie bowls, soft-serve-style ice cream, milkshakes, McFlurries, etc. plus savory stuff like ultra-creamy hummus.

Second, more details:

1. This is essentially a budget Pacojet, which is the commercial equivalent of this machine. But the Ninja under $200 instead of $7k+. REALLY incredible technology for the price point!

2. Emphasis on the noise! This appliance is VERY LOUD! Your neighbors will know when you're making ice cream lol. You will NOT be prepared for how loud this thing is hahaha. It's like turning on a weed eater in your kitchen!

3. Buy extra pint jars. Make sure to get ones that fit your specific model (there are a variety of machine models & styles available). This allows you to have "ice cream on demand" at all times when the mood strikes! I did NOT think I'd end up liking the Creami as much as I did or using it as much as I do!

4. Buy cozies (cloth sleeves) for the pint jars so your hands don't get cold when eating the ice cream out of the pint jar after spinning it. Search "Universal ninja creami cozy" on Etsy. They come in a variety of colors & patterns. The best design I've found is the square-ish ones that go to 4 diamond points around the top, that style allows the jar to slide in the easiest without having to push it on to fit.

5. Regular ice cream makers have you chill the base mixture, then churn the base in something like a freezer bowl to incorporate air so it becomes ice cream instead of a solid frozen block, then freeze it overnight to become scoopable ice cream. The Creami basically uses a drill with a blade on the end to shave the ice cream down. Different method, but GREAT results once you master the process & build up a collection of recipes that you like! The results of this machine are not so much about the machine but about the recipe you use & the workflow you master, so don't get disheartened when things don't come out perfect on the first try, because a fabulous ice cream experience IS achievable with this machine, it just takes some practice to get there when you first start out!

6. Freeze the pints WITHOUT the lid on to help avoid the "dimple" that appears in the middle of the ice cream. You want the ice cream base in the jar FLAT so that it doesn't break the blade when it comes down. Otherwise you can just kind of shave it down if needed (some people use a thin putty knife).

7. If you run the bottom of the pint jar under hot water for 30 seconds before spinning, it will help reduce any icy chunks at the bottom of the jar after you spin it in the machine.

8. It's important to understand that MAKING the ice cream is a PROCESS! The two basic steps are "ice cream mode" and "re-spin". Many ice creams come out as POWDER after running in ice cream mode. This is only your FIRST STEP in the process! You'll see a lot of people online quit immediately without realizing that it's typically a multi-step process to get to perfect ice cream! I recommend starting out by adding heavy cream & doing a re-spin, then adding more heavy cream & doing a second re-spin. There will be a hole in the middle of the jar when it becomes a powder, just use a spoon to make a tunnel & pour the cream into it.

9. Regarding the process, the first step is freezing. They recommend doing 24 hours, but for things like protein ice cream, you can get away with 8 hours! It all depends on the individual recipe in question. The second step is spinning. The Creami is more designed to on-demand ice cream that you're going to eat right away. You can freeze it after spinning if you want hard, scoopable ice cream like you buy in the store, so it's important to realize that the ice cream can only get so stiff when you spin it to eat it because otherwise the blade wouldn't be able to move. You can control the thickness of the texture from milkshake to scoopable semi-hard ice cream based on the ingredients & spinning process. After the initial spin on ice cream mode, you can do a re-spin to get the texture right, then do Mix-in mode if you want to add ingredients like crushed Oreos, Mini M&M's, etc.

10. One of the best things I've learned recently is how to make McFlurries at home! Basically, do a scoop or two of store-bought vanilla ice cream (Aldi's sells a big tub for cheap FYI) in the jar, add mix-ins, add another scoop on top, then run the Mix-in mode to get that classic texture! This is fun because you don't have to freeze anything overnight, all you need is a tub of regular ice cream & just let it spin! Same deal for milkshakes, you can simply add the ice cream of your choice & enough milk to make it as thick or thin as you want (spoonable or drink with a straw)

11. People make "ice cream bars" at home for their Creami, complete with a dedicated cart or stand, syrups, toppings, their Creami, fancy bowls & spoons, and so on. SUPER fun concept if you're into ice cream!

12. Buy a $10 milk frother on Amazon. This lets you spin mixes directly in the jars. If you own a blender, that's also good for whipping things up.

13. Lately, I've been addicted to protein ice cream for breakfast. My procedure is: get 2 pint jars. Pour a 26g Fairlife Core vanilla protein shake evenly between them. Get a small box of sugar-free Jello Pudding powder (banana cream, cheesecake, vanilla, butterscotch, etc.). Use the milk frother to blend in the powder. Freeze with the lid off for at least 8 hours. When ready to eat, spin on ice cream mode. Make a tunnel in the middle with a spoon & fill the tunnel with heavy cream & run on re-spin. If the texture isn't perfect, add more heavy cream & run on re-spin again (I typically do 2 re-spins with heavy cream each time). Should come out like super creamy soft-serve. Here are some examples:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ninjacre...1&sort=new

14. You can also make savory stuff like SUPER creamy Hummus & baba ganoush! Bonus points if you use your Instapot to cook the dry chickpeas from scratch!

15. After each use, wipe down the spindle nub under the head of the machine. That's the part that interfaces with the blade. Also, IMMEDIATELY disconnect the blade from the lid & rinse the whole thing off with hot water. The Creami is weirdly-designed, so you want to make sure to clean everything RIGHT AWAY with warm water because the ice cream gets in all of the cracks & crevices. It's not hard, but it's something to be aware of so that it doesn't start smelling funny.

16. The two best resources for recipe ideas are the various Facebook groups & TikTok.

17. In my area, Ben & Jerry's and dairy-free ice creams go for $8.99 a pint. If you're an ice cream enthusiast, this machine will pay for itself in no time! Really good for people with allergies too because you can make ice cream from almond milk, coconut milk & coconut cream, and so on.

18. EGGNOG! Pour it in, freeze it overnight, spin it up!

tbh this is one of the most fun toys I've purchased in a looooooong time. I make McFlurries & milkshakes. I make all kinds of ice creams & fruit sorbets. I make protein ice creams, smoothie bowls, etc. If you're willing to tinker around with recipes & like frozen treats, it's a pretty awesome machine to have in your kitchen arsenal!
6
1
Oct 18, 2023 02:47 PM
5,247 Posts
Joined Jun 2010
Oct 18, 2023 02:47 PM
FALOct 18, 2023 02:47 PM
5,247 Posts
Quote from Chris29 :
I really really wanted to like this thing. I bought it a few months back expecting to use it all the time - I mean who doesn't love ice cream on demand basically?

Unfortunately, it's not ice cream on demand. This thing, in my humble opinion, is a glorified blender. The process requires planning, pre-freezing the ingredients overnight, etc, etc. It might not sound like much, but I really can't tell you in advance if I'm going to want ice cream tomorrow. It's typically a spur of the moment type of thing, which makes the Ninja Creami useless really.

My family used it maybe twice before shelving it.

It's not a bad deal, just understand what you're buying before you pull the trigger.
A $50 Oster 1200 or $200-300 Vitamix will make better ice cream, in 2-4 hrs, and alot less cleaning
Oct 18, 2023 02:50 PM
1,555 Posts
Joined Jun 2007
Oct 18, 2023 02:50 PM
oopszOct 18, 2023 02:50 PM
1,555 Posts
Mine blew up after three months. Motor exploded, metal shavings everywhere. Wish I had bought it at costco so I could return it.

If you have a very cold freezer, like a subzero, it's too cold to spin right out of the freezer. Leave it out 10-15 mins first.
2
Oct 18, 2023 03:10 PM
878 Posts
Joined May 2020
Oct 18, 2023 03:10 PM
DraconianMeasuresOct 18, 2023 03:10 PM
878 Posts
Quote from Chris29 :
I really really wanted to like this thing. I bought it a few months back expecting to use it all the time - I mean who doesn't love ice cream on demand basically?

Unfortunately, it's not ice cream on demand. This thing, in my humble opinion, is a glorified blender. The process requires planning, pre-freezing the ingredients overnight, etc, etc. It might not sound like much, but I really can't tell you in advance if I'm going to want ice cream tomorrow. It's typically a spur of the moment type of thing, which makes the Ninja Creami useless really.

My family used it maybe twice before shelving it.

It's not a bad deal, just understand what you're buying before you pull the trigger.
Couldn't you just always have the ingredients frozen so at that spir you have them ready?
Oct 18, 2023 03:19 PM
420 Posts
Joined Sep 2010
Oct 18, 2023 03:19 PM
lovespicyfoodOct 18, 2023 03:19 PM
420 Posts
Quote from oopsz :
Mine blew up after three months. Motor exploded, metal shavings everywhere. Wish I had bought it at costco so I could return it.

If you have a very cold freezer, like a subzero, it's too cold to spin right out of the freezer. Leave it out 10-15 mins first.
Why didn't you go to Ninja for help? It has a 1 year warranty, I've heard their customer service is good.

I have this machine. It's pretty awesome. It is quite a "complex" machine so I can see how things can go wrong. Overall, based on the rabid cult following and what I've seen online w/ speciality groups, they seem pretty reliable.

The statement above of it being dangerous is "ludicrous" imo. It is scary loud when working, though.

It's a fun machine and though I don't use it as much as I thought I would, I still like it. The chocolate recipe makes some of the best ice cream I have ever had. It is so easy to make a recipe as well, only drawback is you just have to wait 24 hours for the base to freeze.
Oct 18, 2023 03:46 PM
311 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
Oct 18, 2023 03:46 PM
stillen_i30Oct 18, 2023 03:46 PM
311 Posts
I have a feeling that a lot of the reviews on this reporting premature machine breakage are from incorrect use. People not reading instructions and thinking they know what they are doing. Of course they won't admit it. It's like making cars available for people... There will be accidents and plenty of them.
1
Oct 18, 2023 03:47 PM
311 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
Oct 18, 2023 03:47 PM
stillen_i30Oct 18, 2023 03:47 PM
311 Posts
Quote from kaidomac :
Knowledge bomb time! A few notes for having a successful experience, as a homemade ice cream aficionado. First, the basics:

1. This makes VERY GOOD ICE CREAM but takes PRACTICE to get there! Note that nearly all ice creams require at least 2 or 3 spins in the machine to get to the ideal texture!
2. This machine is VERY LOUD! Be prepared for the noise while running!
3. If you like frozen treats, this makes a HUGE VARIETY! You can do amazing sorbet from frozen mango, smoothie bowls, soft-serve-style ice cream, milkshakes, McFlurries, etc. plus savory stuff like ultra-creamy hummus.

Second, more details:

1. This is essentially a budget Pacojet, which is the commercial equivalent of this machine. But the Ninja under $200 instead of $7k+. REALLY incredible technology for the price point!

2. Emphasis on the noise! This appliance is VERY LOUD! Your neighbors will know when you're making ice cream lol. You will NOT be prepared for how loud this thing is hahaha. It's like turning on a weed eater in your kitchen!

3. Buy extra pint jars. Make sure to get ones that fit your specific model (there are a variety of machine models & styles available). This allows you to have "ice cream on demand" at all times when the mood strikes! I did NOT think I'd end up liking the Creami as much as I did or using it as much as I do!

4. Buy cozies (cloth sleeves) for the pint jars so your hands don't get cold when eating the ice cream out of the pint jar after spinning it. Search "Universal ninja creami cozy" on Etsy. They come in a variety of colors & patterns. The best design I've found is the square-ish ones that go to 4 diamond points around the top, that style allows the jar to slide in the easiest without having to push it on to fit.

5. Regular ice cream makers have you chill the base mixture, then churn the base in something like a freezer bowl to incorporate air so it becomes ice cream instead of a solid frozen block, then freeze it overnight to become scoopable ice cream. The Creami basically uses a drill with a blade on the end to shave the ice cream down. Different method, but GREAT results once you master the process & build up a collection of recipes that you like! The results of this machine are not so much about the machine but about the recipe you use & the workflow you master, so don't get disheartened when things don't come out perfect on the first try, because a fabulous ice cream experience IS achievable with this machine, it just takes some practice to get there when you first start out!

6. Freeze the pints WITHOUT the lid on to help avoid the "dimple" that appears in the middle of the ice cream. You want the ice cream base in the jar FLAT so that it doesn't break the blade when it comes down. Otherwise you can just kind of shave it down if needed (some people use a thin putty knife).

7. If you run the bottom of the pint jar under hot water for 30 seconds before spinning, it will help reduce any icy chunks at the bottom of the jar after you spin it in the machine.

8. It's important to understand that MAKING the ice cream is a PROCESS! The two basic steps are "ice cream mode" and "re-spin". Many ice creams come out as POWDER after running in ice cream mode. This is only your FIRST STEP in the process! You'll see a lot of people online quit immediately without realizing that it's typically a multi-step process to get to perfect ice cream! I recommend starting out by adding heavy cream & doing a re-spin, then adding more heavy cream & doing a second re-spin. There will be a hole in the middle of the jar when it becomes a powder, just use a spoon to make a tunnel & pour the cream into it.

9. Regarding the process, the first step is freezing. They recommend doing 24 hours, but for things like protein ice cream, you can get away with 8 hours! It all depends on the individual recipe in question. The second step is spinning. The Creami is more designed to on-demand ice cream that you're going to eat right away. You can freeze it after spinning if you want hard, scoopable ice cream like you buy in the store, so it's important to realize that the ice cream can only get so stiff when you spin it to eat it because otherwise the blade wouldn't be able to move. You can control the thickness of the texture from milkshake to scoopable semi-hard ice cream based on the ingredients & spinning process. After the initial spin on ice cream mode, you can do a re-spin to get the texture right, then do Mix-in mode if you want to add ingredients like crushed Oreos, Mini M&M's, etc.

10. One of the best things I've learned recently is how to make McFlurries at home! Basically, do a scoop or two of store-bought vanilla ice cream (Aldi's sells a big tub for cheap FYI) in the jar, add mix-ins, add another scoop on top, then run the Mix-in mode to get that classic texture! This is fun because you don't have to freeze anything overnight, all you need is a tub of regular ice cream & just let it spin! Same deal for milkshakes, you can simply add the ice cream of your choice & enough milk to make it as thick or thin as you want (spoonable or drink with a straw)

11. People make "ice cream bars" at home for their Creami, complete with a dedicated cart or stand, syrups, toppings, their Creami, fancy bowls & spoons, and so on. SUPER fun concept if you're into ice cream!

12. Buy a $10 milk frother on Amazon. This lets you spin mixes directly in the jars. If you own a blender, that's also good for whipping things up.

13. Lately, I've been addicted to protein ice cream for breakfast. My procedure is: get 2 pint jars. Pour a 26g Fairlife Core vanilla protein shake evenly between them. Get a small box of sugar-free Jello Pudding powder (banana cream, cheesecake, vanilla, butterscotch, etc.). Use the milk frother to blend in the powder. Freeze with the lid off for at least 8 hours. When ready to eat, spin on ice cream mode. Make a tunnel in the middle with a spoon & fill the tunnel with heavy cream & run on re-spin. If the texture isn't perfect, add more heavy cream & run on re-spin again (I typically do 2 re-spins with heavy cream each time). Should come out like super creamy soft-serve. Here are some examples:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ninjacre...1&sort=new

14. You can also make savory stuff like SUPER creamy Hummus & baba ganoush! Bonus points if you use your Instapot to cook the dry chickpeas from scratch!

15. After each use, wipe down the spindle nub under the head of the machine. That's the part that interfaces with the blade. Also, IMMEDIATELY disconnect the blade from the lid & rinse the whole thing off with hot water. The Creami is weirdly-designed, so you want to make sure to clean everything RIGHT AWAY with warm water because the ice cream gets in all of the cracks & crevices. It's not hard, but it's something to be aware of so that it doesn't start smelling funny.

16. The two best resources for recipe ideas are the various Facebook groups & TikTok.

17. In my area, Ben & Jerry's and dairy-free ice creams go for $8.99 a pint. If you're an ice cream enthusiast, this machine will pay for itself in no time! Really good for people with allergies too because you can make ice cream from almond milk, coconut milk & coconut cream, and so on.

18. EGGNOG! Pour it in, freeze it overnight, spin it up!

tbh this is one of the most fun toys I've purchased in a looooooong time. I make McFlurries & milkshakes. I make all kinds of ice creams & fruit sorbets. I make protein ice creams, smoothie bowls, etc. If you're willing to tinker around with recipes & like frozen treats, it's a pretty awesome machine to have in your kitchen arsenal!
This is beyond excellent information from someone who knows how to use their machine!

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Oct 18, 2023 03:48 PM
266 Posts
Joined Jan 2007
Oct 18, 2023 03:48 PM
BlizzysipOct 18, 2023 03:48 PM
266 Posts
Quote from dawnerd :
So keep in mind too there's now three versions of creami out there with different cup sizes/styles and recipes will vary. I found out if I don't 1.5x some recipes they don't fill up the pints enough. The newer version makes it a lot easier to clean and use.

Also Ninja doesn't mention it but a lot of people like to run an empty pint with hot water on a mix in cycle to try to clean anything that might be on the spindle since it lives inside the unit and theres no way to clean it otherwise. If that grosses you out, you might want to pass.
Do you know if the version Costco sells here is the newer version?

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