Nutribullet’s Chill takes aim at Ninja Creami with compact ice cream maker

Nutribullet has moved from smoothies to scoops with the Chill, an instant ice cream maker that Mashable reviewer Samantha Mangino says can turn frozen bases into creamy desserts in minutes.

The machine lands in a category led by the Ninja Creami, according to Mashable, with a similar basic idea: blades break down frozen mixtures rather than relying on the long churning process used by traditional ice cream makers.

Mangino’s verdict was largely sweet. She reported that the Chill produced smooth results across several test recipes, took up less counter space than bulkier rivals and was easy to clean. The catch: it was the loudest ice cream maker she had tested, and part of the blade assembly became hot after use.

Small footprint, unusual setup

According to Mashable, the Nutribullet Chill is built around a motor base, a blade block and a blade cover. The product listing cited in the review also describes two dishwasher-safe 16-ounce pint cups with lids.

Mangino reported that the base is taller than it is wide and smaller than a kitchen stand mixer. She said it weighs 10.5 pounds, making it substantial but still manageable on a counter.

The design differs from the Ninja Creami and Cuisinart FastFreeze models Mangino has tried. In the Chill, the blade block screws onto the pint container, then the container is placed upside down on the base. The blade rises and spins through the frozen mix from below, according to the review.

Five settings, no mix-in button

The Chill includes five preset programs: ice cream, sorbet, gelato, smoothie bowls and frozen yogurt, Mashable reported.

Mangino said the built-in modes worked well for the desserts she made, but she flagged two missing options. The machine does not have a respin setting, which some instant ice cream makers use when the first cycle leaves the texture too firm or uneven. It also does not include a dedicated mix-in program.

Nutribullet recommends adding mix-ins before freezing, according to Mashable. Mangino tried that with strawberry frozen yogurt, and the fresh fruit was blended into the dessert during processing. She said anyone who wants chunks in the finished ice cream would need to fold them in afterward.

Frozen yogurt was the star

Mangino tested four bases: classic vanilla ice cream, dairy-free protein ice cream, chocolate hazelnut frozen yogurt and strawberry frozen yogurt with fresh fruit.

She reported that the machine handled every batch well, with smooth textures overall. The vanilla was the weakest result, coming out looser and more melted than expected, though Mangino said the recipe may have been a factor.

The dairy-free protein ice cream had a fluffy texture that she compared to a Wendy’s Frosty. The frozen yogurts were the standouts, landing between hard and soft serve, according to the review.

None of the batches needed a second spin, Mashable reported, which helped offset the absence of a respin button.

Loud, hot and easy to wash

The biggest warning is noise. Mangino described the Chill as louder than any ice cream maker she had tested and said apartment dwellers should take note.

She also reported that the metal shaft on the blade block became very hot after use. The machine includes “shaft hot” warnings, according to Mashable.

Cleanup went much better. The blade block, blade cover and pint containers are top-rack dishwasher safe, Mashable reported, and Mangino said the parts were easy to wash by hand.

Mashable’s review listed the Nutribullet Chill at $149.62 at Amazon, marked down from $199.99, and said it was $30 cheaper than the Ninja Creami. Mangino concluded it is a strong option for basics like ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt, while shoppers who want mix-ins or milkshakes may prefer the Creami.

This story draws on original reporting from Mashable.