How do I best freeze my prepped base in the pint?
1. For best results, set your freezer between -12°C and -25°C. The CREAMi® is designed to process bases within this range. If your freezer is within this range, your pint should reach the appropriate temperature.
2. Upright freezers work best. We do not recommend using a chest freezer, as they tend to reach extremely cold temperatures.
3. Make sure that the storage lid is on the pint and that the pint is on a level surface in the freezer. For best results, do not process a pint if ingredients have been frozen at an angle or if the pint has been scooped out of and then refrozen unevenly.
*If a pint is frozen unevenly, melt, whisk, and then re-freeze the ingredients on a level surface in the freezer for 24 hours.
4. Freeze for at least 24 hours. Although the CREAMi pint may hit freezing temperatures before 24 hours is up, it will need to get even colder before it is ready for processing.
5. Make the most of your time by prepping several CREAMi pints at once. Keep these pints in your freezer to Creamify™ on demand whenever the craving strikes.
How do I assemble the pint on the motor base?
1. First, plug in power cord and place on a clean, dry, level surface such as a countertop or table. The unit will NOT run if the outer bowl is installed before the unit is plugged in.
2. Install the CREAMi pint: place the pint containing the frozen base in the outer bowl. (Before installing, remove lid from pint and check that the ingredients have not been frozen at an angle. If they have, please see "The pint froze at an angle in the freezer" before continuing.)
3. Install Creamerizer Paddle. Push the paddle into the underside of the outer bowl lid. For older models, press and hold the paddle latch on the top of the outer bowl lid, then insert the paddle in the bottom of the lid. Release the latch to secure the paddle.
4. Install lid: position the tab of the lid just slightly to the right of the outer bowl handle so the lines on the lid and handle align. Rotate the lid clockwise to lock.
5. Install outer bowl: after plugging in the unit, place the outer bowl on the base with the handle in the middle of the unit. Twist handle to the right to raise the platform and lock the bowl in place. You should hear a click: Push the paddle into the underside of the outer bowl lid.
How do I disassemble the outer bowl and pint from the motor base?
1. Remove bowl: hold the release button on the left of the motor base and twist bowl handle clockwise to remove.
2. Remove lid: press the lid unlock button and twist counter clockwise to remove lid.
3. Remove pint: lift the pint out of the outer bowl.
4. Remove paddle: rinse the outer bowl lid to remove any sticky residue or pieces wedged in the paddle, then remove the paddle by pressing the paddle latch on top of the lid.
How do I add mix-ins to my treat?
The MIX-IN program can be used to fold in slices and chunks of mix-ins. First, after processing your base using one of the other One-Touch Programs, use a spoon to create a 1 1/2-inch wide hole that reaches the bottom of the pint. Add mix-ins to the hole in the pint. (During this process, it is OK for the treat to rise above the MAX FILL line, as long as the outer bowl lid can still comfortably close over the pint to process). After adding mix-ins, install the pint on the motor base with outer bowl, paddle, and outer bowl lid assembled, then run the MIX-IN program.
Notes:
If adding mix-ins to store-bought ice cream, you do not have to process the ice cream on another program first. Just scoop the store-bought ice cream into the pint, make a hole, and add the mix-ins. Then process using the MIX-IN program.
If adding mix-ins to a milkshake, do not process the milkshake before adding mix-ins. Add the mix-ins and milk, then process using the MILKSHAKE program.
How much of my mix-in(s) should I add?
We recommend adding 1/4 cup of your favourite crushed candies, frozen fruits, chopped nuts, chocolate pieces, and more. When adding several different types of mix-ins, we recommend not exceeding 1/4 cup in total. Feel free to adjust the quantity of mix-ins to your taste. If you would like fewer chunks, add less than 1/4 cup. If you would like more chunks, mix-in more than 1/4 cup. When adding more than 1/4 cup, be sure that the outer bowl lid can still comfortably close over the pint to process using the MIX-IN program. It also helps to dig a deeper and wider hole when adding more than 1/4 cup of mix-ins.
What should I use or not use as mix-ins? How should I prep mix-ins?
What to use: chocolate, nuts, candy, frozen fruit, and more to elevate any treat with bursts of flavour.
What not to use: fresh fruit, sauces, and spreads. Adding fresh fruit, fudge, and caramel sauces will water down your treat. Chocolate hazelnut spread and nut butters also do not mix well. In place of these items, we recommend using frozen fruit or chocolate/caramel shell toppings.
How to prep: Hard mix-ins-like chocolate, candy, and nuts- will remain intact and not get broken down during the MIX-IN program, so we recommend using smaller pieces of hard mix-ins, such as mini chocolate chips and candies or pre-chopped nuts. Soft mix-ins-like cereal, cookies, and frozen fruit-will get broken down and shrink during the MIX-IN program, so we recommend using larger pieces of soft mix-ins. Adjust the size of mix-ins to your taste using these guidelines.
Can I make a smoothie in the Ninja Creami?
No. Do not make a smoothie or process hard, loose ingredients. Fruit must be crushed to release its juice or combined with other ingredients and frozen before processing. The Fresh Fruit Sorbet recipe in the inspiration guide provides an example of how to make a treat from fruit that is crushed to release its juice and frozen before processing.
You can make a smoothie bowl after freezing fruit in liquid for 24 hours. Note that smoothie bowls made in the unit will be much thicker than typical smoothie bowls from a blender or other machine.
Additionally, do NOT process a solid block of ice or ice cubes.
How do I make recipes dairy-free? What substitutions can I use?
For Ninja Test Kitchen recipes, you can substitute unsweetened oat milk for milk (1:1), unsweetened coconut cream for heavy cream (1:1), and vegan cream cheese for cream cheese (1:1). Make sure to use unsweetened substitutes and to whisk any coconut cream by itself before using it as a substitute.
We do not recommend other dairy substitutions unless specifically called out in the recipe.
We cannot recommend substitutions for non-Ninja Test Kitchen recipes.
Please note that making dairy substitutions will change the texture of your treat.
How do I make recipes use less sugar? What substitutions can I use?
For Ninja Test Kitchen recipes, you can substitute raw agave nectar For light corn syrup.
We do not recommend other sugar substitutions unless specifically called out in the recipe.
When using ANY sugar substitutes for any recipe, use the LITE ICE CREAM program to process.
We cannot recommend substitutions for non-Ninja Test Kitchen recipes.
What can I make if I don't have 24 hours?
You can make a milkshake or customise store-bought ice cream with mix-ins in minutes.
To make a milkshake: add 1 1/2 cups of store-bought ice cream to a pint. With a spoon, create a 1 1/2-inch wide hole that reaches the bottom of the pint. Add mix-ins to the hole in the pint (optional), then add 1/2 cup of milk. Process using the MILKSHAKE program.
To customise store-bought ice cream: scoop 1 1/2 cups of store-bought ice cream into a pint. With a spoon, create a 1 1/2-inch wide hole that reaches the bottom of the pint. Add your mix-ins to the hole in the pint. Process using the MIX-IN program.
When should I use RE-SPIN?
- If your base is crumbly or powdery after processing, use the RE-SPIN program to make it smoother and creamier.
Note: do NOT RE-SPIN if you will also be using the MIX-IN program, since running both after another program may over-process ingredients. Also, do NOT use RE-SPIN to process leftovers. RE-SPIN is often needed for very cold bases from the freezer; if your freezer is set to a very cold temperature, you may need RE-SPIN more frequently. The unit is designed to process bases between -12°C and
-25°C. If your freezer is too cold, try changing the freezer's temperature setting, moving the pint to the front of your freezer, or leaving the pint out on the counter for a few minutes before processing.
- Beside use with frozen bases, RE-SPIN can be used to customise the texture of your smoothie bowl or milkshake. Smoothie bowls made in the CREAMi are thicker than your average smoothie bowls. If you would like your smoothie bowl to be thinner, select RE-SPIN to process the mixture until your desired texture is achieved. Similarly, if you would like your milkshake thinner, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and select RE-SPIN. Process until your desired texture is achieved. However, note that mix-ins may sink to the bottom of thin milkshakes.