As kitchen gadget reviewers, we tend to resist popular trends, We do generally keep our distance from TikTok, preferring to experience reality in its everyday simplicity (though we do have an Instagram account, so perhaps we’re not entirely immune). Yet, despite our reluctance, TikTok’s influence has occasionally gotten to us too. Case in point: the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe. This ice cream maker became a sensation on the app, and as a kitchen gadget enthusiasts and equipment reviewer, we felt compelled to test it out and see if it truly lived up to the hype.
The Ninja CREAMi Deluxe claims to transform virtually any ingredient into ice cream without the need for a traditional custard base or lengthy churning process. Simply freeze your chosen ingredients in one of the provided pint containers for 24 hours (patience is required—this isn’t instant), insert the container into the machine, select a creaming option, and watch as the blade descends with a high-pitched whir, magically converting the frozen contents into ice cream, sorbet, or even a slushy. We put the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe to the test by making sorbet, ice cream, and a slushy to determine if it truly deserves its social media.
Don’t want to read the entire review? Click here to go straight to our final opinion!
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Key Features
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Price
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$249,99
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Model
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Ninja CREAMi Deluxe
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Max. Quantity
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24oz. / 710ml
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Prep. Time
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2-5 minutes (depending on programme)
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Cooling Time
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24 hours
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Power Output
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800 watts
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Weight
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14,3lbs / 6,5kg
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Accessories
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Three prep. cups with lids
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Cleaning
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All loose parts dishwasher safe
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Material
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Stainless steel, plastic, BPA-free container
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What makes the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe so special?
What is immediately noticeable about the Ninja is that it looks more like a filter coffee machine than a typical ice cream maker. Where others are wider, the Ninja model is taller. This makes the CREAMi beautifully slim and saves space on the worktop.
The CREAMi also takes a different approach to preparation: it does not need a compressor or cooling container. This sets it apart from almost all other ice cream makers on the market.
Ice cream makers are mainly divided into models with and without a compressor. Compressor ice cream makers cool the ice cream mixture (similar to a refrigerator) and stir it during production so that the ice cream mixture slowly turns into ice cream. Models without a compressor, on the other hand, rely on containers that pre-cool in the freezer compartment like ice packs and then release their coldness to the mixture during preparation.
The technology behind the Ninja CREAMi can be compared to a very large, powerful stand mixer. This makes sense, as the manufacturer is known for such blenders, among other things. However, with the CREAMi, the ingredients are not thrown into the blender from above. Instead, you freeze your ingredients directly in the container – for at least 24 hours.
How does the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe turn ingredients into ice cream?
The powerful motor of the ice cream maker turns the stainless steel blades. However, unlike a blender, the blades do not stay in place. The blade attachment moves like a drill on an attachment from the lid to the bottom of the cup.
The blades gradually work their way through the frozen mass. Once at the bottom, the attachment pulls the blades back again until they disappear safely back into the lid.
This ice cream maker is specifically designed for frozen ingredients. It cannot be used to make fresh smoothies or similar. The blades reminded us vaguely of ice scrapers and they actually have a similar function – they dig into the frozen ingredients and, in combination with the other blades, finely slice everything. The resulting heat and the additional pressure from above do the rest, so that you end up with ice cream, sorbets, frozen yoghurt and the like from the machine.
What did we test?
1. Frozen Yoghurt (Quantity: 500ml, Duration: 7 minutes)
2. Frozen Yoghurt with Strawberries (Quantity: 709ml, Duration: 7 minutes)
4. Coffee frappé (Quantity: 709 ml, Duration: 7 minutes)
5. Vanilla ice cream (Quantity: 709 ml, Duration: 4 minutes)
6. Banana milkshake (Quantity: 400 ml, Duration: 4 minutes)
What we particularly liked:
Performance: In the endurance test, we prepared three different flavours. Afterwards, the appliance was a little warm, but we didn’t have the feeling that it needed to be switched off. We could have easily prepared three more treats.
Freestyle: We didn’t always have to stick to recipes. After a few attempts, we had a feeling for the mixing ratio that would produce a delicious ice cream.
Handling: We often mixed the ingredients with a whisk directly in the preparation cup. According to Ninja, this is not a problem and we had one less pot to clean.
Creamy Ice Cream: We usually fill homemade ice cream from the ice cream maker directly into a box that is as airtight as possible and freeze it in it – this way it is not too hard and defrosts more quickly. We didn’t have to do that with the Ninja Creami.
With the re-spin function, the ice cream quickly becomes creamy again – even when taken straight from the freezer. That’s why we left any leftover ice cream in the matching CREAMi preparation cup.
If we fancied ice cream later, we would take the cup out and put it back in the machine. One push of the re-spin button is usually enough and the ice cream gets the right consistency again.
What we did not like that much:
Ice Layer: In almost all of our tests, we still had a hard layer of ice on the rim and sometimes also on the base of our container. If some of this got into the ice cream when scooping, ice crystals ended up my ice cream.
No Spontaneous Ice Cream: Unlike a compressor ice cream maker, the CREAMi requires the ingredients to be pre-cooled in the freezer for at least 24 hours. That took some planning.
Our Final Opinion on the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe:
Preparing ice cream on the spur of the moment is not possible with the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe. Due to the 24-hour waiting time for pre-freezing the ingredients, we always had to plan ahead. On the other hand, processing is a breeze.
Even several flavours in a row are no problem for the CREAMi. The deluxe model not only offers more variations, but also a 50% larger capacity. We therefore recommend the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe to families or very adventurous ice cream lovers who want to try out lots of different frozen drinks and ice cream flavours.
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We Like:
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We Don't Like:
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Large quantity of ice cream
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Very loud
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Great consistency
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Ice layer on the rim of the cup
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Fast prep time
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