Aroma Housewares AIC-204EM 4-Quart Wood-Barrel Ice Cream Maker

Introduction

This manual provides instructions for the safe and efficient operation of your Aroma Housewares AIC-204EM 4-Quart Wood-Barrel Ice Cream Maker. This appliance is designed to produce homemade ice cream using either an electric motor or a traditional hand-operated crank. Please read all instructions carefully before first use and retain this manual for future reference.

Important Safeguards

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following:

• Read all instructions before use.
• Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
• To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plug, or the motor unit in water or other liquid.
• Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
• Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts, and before cleaning the appliance.
• Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner. Contact Aroma Housewares customer service for examination, repair, or adjustment.
• The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may cause injuries.
• Do not use outdoors.
• Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
• Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
• Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
• Extreme caution must be used when moving an appliance containing hot oil or other hot liquids.
• This appliance is for household use only.

Parts Identification

Familiarize yourself with the components of your ice cream maker before assembly and operation.

Image: The complete Aroma Housewares AIC-204EM Ice Cream Maker, showing the natural wood barrel, the black electric motor unit on top, the silver aluminum canister with its lid, the white dasher (paddle), and the silver hand crank assembly.

1. Wooden Barrel: The outer container that holds ice and salt.
2. Aluminum Canister: The inner container where ice cream mixture is placed.
3. Canister Lid: Seals the aluminum canister.
4. Dasher (Paddle): The mixing paddle that churns the ice cream mixture.
5. Motor Unit: The electric motor that drives the dasher.
6. Hand Crank Assembly: Optional manual crank for churning.

Setup and Assembly

Follow these steps to assemble your ice cream maker:

1. Ensure all parts are clean and dry before assembly.
2. Place the aluminum canister into the center of the wooden barrel.
3. Insert the dasher into the aluminum canister, ensuring it rests properly at the bottom.
4. Pour your prepared ice cream mixture into the aluminum canister, filling it no more than 2/3 full to allow for expansion during freezing.
5. Place the canister lid onto the aluminum canister.
6. For Electric Operation: Position the motor unit on top of the wooden barrel, aligning the motor shaft with the opening in the canister lid and engaging it with the dasher. Secure the motor unit to the barrel using the clips on the sides.
7. For Manual Operation: Attach the hand crank assembly to the wooden barrel, aligning the crank shaft with the opening in the canister lid and engaging it with the dasher.
8. Fill the space between the aluminum canister and the wooden barrel with alternating layers of ice and rock salt. Ensure the ice and salt mixture reaches the top of the canister.

Operating Instructions

Your ice cream maker offers both electric and manual churning options.

Electric Churning

1. After completing the setup steps for electric operation, ensure the motor unit is securely fastened.
2. Plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet.
3. Turn on the motor. The dasher will begin to rotate, churning the ice cream mixture.
4. Allow the machine to churn until the ice cream reaches the desired consistency. This typically takes 20-40 minutes, depending on the recipe and ingredients. The motor may stop automatically when the ice cream becomes too thick to churn.
5. Once churning is complete, unplug the unit.
6. Remove the motor unit and canister lid. Carefully lift out the dasher, scraping off any ice cream.
7. For firmer ice cream, cover the canister and place it in a freezer for 1-2 hours (this is known as "ripening").

Manual Churning

1. After completing the setup steps for manual operation, ensure the hand crank assembly is securely attached.
2. Turn the hand crank continuously and steadily.
3. Continue cranking until the ice cream reaches the desired consistency. This process requires consistent effort and may take longer than electric churning.
4. Once churning is complete, remove the hand crank assembly and canister lid. Carefully lift out the dasher, scraping off any ice cream.
5. For firmer ice cream, cover the canister and place it in a freezer for 1-2 hours.

Note: A recipe book is included with your ice cream maker. Refer to it for various ice cream recipes and tips.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Proper cleaning ensures the longevity and hygiene of your ice cream maker.

• Always unplug the motor unit before cleaning.
• Motor Unit: Wipe the motor unit with a damp cloth. Do not immerse it in water or any other liquid.
• Aluminum Canister, Canister Lid, Dasher, Hand Crank Assembly: These parts are removable and should be hand washed with warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely before storage.
• Wooden Barrel: Wipe the exterior of the wooden barrel with a damp cloth. Do not immerse the wooden barrel in water, as this can cause damage. Dry thoroughly.
• Ensure all parts are completely dry before reassembling or storing the unit.
• Store the ice cream maker in a cool, dry place.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your ice cream maker, refer to the following common problems and solutions:

Specifications

• Model: AIC-204EM
• Brand: AROMA
• Capacity: 4 Quarts
• Material: Pine Wood (Barrel), Aluminum (Canister)
• Special Feature: Dual Crank Option (Electric/Manual), Natural Wood Exterior
• Product Dimensions: 12.5"L x 12.5"W x 16.3"H
• Item Weight: 13.85 Pounds
• Operation Mode: Automatic (Electric) / Manual
• Product Care: Hand Wash (Removable parts), Wipe Clean (Motor unit, Wooden barrel)
• Electrical Standards: Built to North American Electrical Standards

Warranty and Support

This product is built to North American Electrical Standards. For warranty information or technical support, please refer to the documentation included with your purchase or contact Aroma Housewares customer service.

A recipe book and instruction manual are included with your ice cream maker.