If you've never heard the words "heat dome" before, buckle up. It's about to get awfully hot in here. The U.S. is in for not just one of these uncomfortably sweaty weather phenomena, but two that are forecast to hit at once — one in the Southwest and one in the Midwest and Northeast. The important takeaway is that practically the entire country is in for record-breaking heat indexes this week. Great. Yay. Can't wait.
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There's nothing we can do to fix the forecast, but we can try to make it a little more bearable. And as someone who lives in a city where the "feels like" temperature is supposed to hit 111 degrees today, let me tell you that homemade ice cream definitely helps ease the pain a little bit (along with air conditioning, fans and ditching work to go to the beach). You can get a little countertop machine for under $100 that churns out sorbet, frozen yogurt, gelato and soft-serve, and you don't even have to brave the weather to get it. Sign us up. Sign us all up.
Shop this article: Cuisinart FastFreeze 5-in-1 Ice Cream Maker, Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker, Cuisinart 1.5 Quart Double Insulated Sorbet and Frozen Yogurt Maker
These machines are sure to start flying off the (digital) shelves this week as temperatures climb, so place your order now before stock disappears. Your core body temp will thank you.
Cuisinart FastFreeze 5-in-1 Ice Cream Maker 21% OFF
This compact Cuisinart offers five preset programs for ice cream, milkshakes, slushies, sorbet and mix-ins. Once you get over the pre-freezing step, this machine is so easy to use and our editor loved that you could really control the consistency. Unlike most ice cream makers, it’s small and easy to store, and all the parts that touch ingredients are dishwasher-safe.
The Dash My Mug is especially nice for small kitchens, dorm rooms or solo households because it makes half-pint batches in a freezable mug (and yes, you can eat your treat directly from the mug). It comes with two mugs and can make ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, non-dairy sorbet and slushes. Plus, its parts detach for easy cleaning and store right inside the mug.
Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Double-Insulated Sorbet and Frozen Yogurt Maker 22% OFF
This classic countertop ice cream maker makes up to 1.5 quarts of ice cream or frozen yogurt. The double-insulated freezer bowl eliminates the need for ice (so no running to the store to pick up bags), and the mixing paddle is designed to make frozen treats in 20 minutes or less. The transparent easy-lock lid has a large spout, so adding ingredients is less messy — and the whole thing is BPA-free.
Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker
Large families and those who like to make their treats in large batches will love the 6-quart capacity of this old-school ice cream maker (which can also whip up frozen yogurt or gelato). It has a cute, nostalgia-inducing wooden bucket design, but don't worry — an electric motor handles the churning instead of requiring manual stirring. It also has a carrying handle in case you want to take your ice cream on the go.
Yonanas Classic Frozen Fruit Soft-Serve Maker 45% OFF
Yonanas is a little different from other ice cream machines because it turns frozen fruit into a soft-serve-style treat, instead of churning a dairy base. It includes 36 recipes for desserts, such as sorbets and parfaits. Its removable parts are top-rack dishwasher-safe and the base wipes clean, so it's easy and convenient to use to make healthier frozen treats.
Martha Stewart Ice Cream Maker
This Martha Stewart ice cream maker whips up 16 servings at a time and looks polished on your countertop. The double-insulated bowl is ready after 12 hours in the freezer, then makes treats in as little as 20 minutes. It includes a pour chute for adding ingredients and mix-ins, plus a clear view lid and LED screen for keeping tabs on your creations.
Hamilton Beach Electric Automatic Ice Cream Maker & Frozen Yogurt Machine 29% OFF
This 4-quart ice cream machine can make enough ice cream for a family or a gathering. It uses a canister, bucket, ice and rock salt, then churns for 20 to 40 minutes and stops when ready. The fully automatic design is easy to use, with a simple on/off switch.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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