NC300 Series Ninja™ CREAMi® 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker FAQs

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. 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.

The MIX-IN program can be used to fold in slices and chunks of mix-ins. 

1. 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.
2. Add mix-ins to the hole in the pint.
3. 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.

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 counterclockwise 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.

1. Wait approximately 2 minutes, then try to remove the outer bowl again. Hold the release button on the left side of the motor base and twist bowl handle clockwise to remove. This may take some force. 

2. If the outer bowl still will not release from the motor base, press the lid unlock button and twist the lid counterclockwise to release the lid from the bowl. Then press the button on the left side of the motor base and twist the bowl handle clockwise to remove the outer bowl. This may take some force. The lid will be left attached to the motor base so place a cloth underneath the lid to catch anything that drips from the lid and paddle. Meanwhile, enjoy your treat! After approximately 10 min, try to pull the lid off the unit. 

3. If the lid will not release after 10 minutes, wait an additional 10-20 minutes and try again. To prevent the outer bowl from getting stuck on the motor base, make sure the cavity on top of the paddle is fully dry before processing. Also, when processing different bases consecutively, make sure to rinse and dry the paddle after processing each base. With some recipes, water may freeze between the paddle and motor base causing them to stick together; drying the paddle between runs will prevent this.

Make sure the unit is placed on a dry, level surface and that the feet of the unit are clean and dry.

Each One-Touch Program is intelligently designed to whip up delicious creations in 1-2 1/2 minutes. Programs vary in length and speed according to the optimal settings for creating perfectly creamy results with each kind of treat. This means that the paddle spins at different speeds for different programs and that some programs take longer than others. 

For example, the ICE CREAM program is shorter with a lower paddle-spin speed than the SORBET program. This is because ice cream contains both fat (from dairy) and sugar, while sorbet does not contain much fat (if any), which makes it freeze with a "harder" texture. 

In choosing the program for your own recipe, the most important point to consider is what ingredients are in your pint, not what texture is expected. When considering what program to run your own recipe on, compare it to the recipes in the inspiration guide or on NinjaCreami.com. Find a recipe that has similar ingredients and use the program prescribed for that recipe.

If you need to stop a program for any reason, simply press the program button that is illuminated. The paddle will immediately stop spinning, but there will still be some noise as the unit retracts the paddle back to its starting position. As the paddle retracts, the two middle progress bar lights will flash. Before removing the outer bowl from the motor base, wait until the progress bar lights stop flashing, which indicates that the paddle and shaft have completely retracted. Please note that if you stop a program before it is completed, some or all of the base will be left unprocessed.

1 to 2 1/2 minutes, depending on the program.

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 overprocess 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 9F and -7F. 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. 

Besides use with frozen bases, RE-SPIN can be used to customize 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.

RE-SPIN is often needed for bases that are frozen in very cold freezers. You may need RE-SPIN more frequently if your freezer is set to a very cold temperature. The Ninja CREAMi One-Touch Programs are designed to process bases between 9F and -7F with little to no need for the RE-SPIN program. However, freezers vary greatly in temperature. They can even vary in temperatures depending on how full they are and/or what part of their cycle they are on. RE-SPIN was designed to allow you to achieve creamy texture even if your freezer is colder than -7F.

To keep from using RE-SPIN frequently, change the setting of your freezer, move the pint to the front of your freezer (where it tends to be warmer), or leave the pint out on the counter for a few minutes before processing.

Alternatively, the proportion of fat or sugar may be too low in your recipe. If you tend to make recipes low in fat and/or sugar or with sugar substitutes, you may be using RE-SPIN more often. Consult the inspiration guide and use the included recipes as a guide for best results. These recipes were designed with the right balance of fats, sugars, water, etc.

1. If adjustable, make sure your freezer's temperature is set properly. The unit is designed to process bases that are between 9F and -7F. 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. To avoid damaging your unit, 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.

We recommend freezing for at least 24 hours to give your pint time to reach the optimal temperature range for processing. 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. (The unit is designed to process bases that are between 9F and -7F.) If you freeze your base for less than 24 hours, it may not reach a cold enough temperature for processing, and your output will likely be soft and liquidy.

If the pint is frozen unevenly, put the pint in the fridge to allow the ingredients to melt. Then whisk to make sure the ingredients are combined. Refreeze, making sure to place the pint on a level surface in your freezer. 

To avoid damaging the unit, DO NOT process a pint that has been frozen at an angle. DO NOT process if the pint has been scooped out of and then refrozen unevenly.

Always smooth-out the surface of your ice cream before re-freezing.

We recommend freezing, processing, and consuming your treat within 2 weeks of prepping your base. While the base or processed treat will not necessarily be spoiled after two weeks, the flavor and texture will decrease over time in the freezer. You do not have to process your base exactly 24 hours after prepping and freezing it.

Leftovers can be stored in Tupperware containers. However, we recommend storing leftovers in a pint so that it can be processed again. Some treats re-freeze very hard and need to be processed again in order to enjoy leftovers. You will not be able to process the ingredients again if stored in a different container. 

Flatten the top of your frozen treat with a spoon or spatula before refreezing. If the treat is soft after re-freezing, just scoop and enjoy it. If it is hard, process it again on the program you used to make it. 

Note: if your treat contains mix-ins, processing again will likely pulverize the mix-ins and create a new flavor. DO NOT use the RE-SPIN program for leftovers. 

Processing leftovers that contain mix-ins: 

• If you used store-bought ice cream to add mix-ins: process again on MIX-IN (first and only program you use)
• If you added mix-ins to ice cream, process leftovers on the ICE CREAM program
• If you added mix-ins to lite ice cream, process leftovers on the LITE ICE CREAM program
• If you added mix-ins to gelato, process leftovers on the GELATO program
• If you added mix-ins to sorbet, process leftovers on the SORBET program
• If you added mix-ins to smoothie bowl, process leftovers on the SMOOTHIE BOWL program
• If you added mix-ins in your milkshake, process leftovers on the MILKSHAKE program.

Like most food, CREAMi treats taste their best when freshly made, i.e. immediately after processing. After time in the freezer, the treat may have freezer burn and lack flavor. We recommend finishing leftovers within 2 weeks of prepping the base for maximum flavor and best texture.

NinjaCreami.com has videos on how to use the CREAMi as well as a link to the instruction booklet.

We recommend adding 1/4 cup of your favorite 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 to use: chocolate, nuts, candy, frozen fruit, and more to elevate any treat with bursts of flavor.
• 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.

Yes.

You can buy CREAMi Pints in packs of 2 and 4 at ninjakitchen.com.

We recommend using food label stickers on the pint or pint lid. We don't recommend using dry erase or other markers directly on the pint or pint lid.

Yes.

There is no minimum fill line. We recommend filling the pint at least half way to the MAX FILL line to achieve the best output texture. Filling below this level will not harm the machine, but adding a very small amount of ingredients to the pint may result in an output with suboptimal texture.

No. Do NOT make a smoothie or process hard, loose ingredients, such as frozen fruit. 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. 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.

You can make a milkshake or customize 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 customize 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.

All parts, except for the motor base, are top rack dishwasher safe. Do not wash any part in the bottom rack of the dishwasher.

Hand-Washing 

Wash containers, lids, and paddle in warm, soapy water. Thoroughly rinse and air-dry all parts. 

Dishwasher 

All parts, except for the motor base, are top-rack dishwasher safe. Do not wash any part in the bottom rack of the dishwasher. 

Motor Base - Unplug the motor base before cleaning. Wipe the motor base with a clean, damp cloth. DO NOT use abrasive cloths, pads, or brushes to clean the base. Using a damp cloth, wipe the spindle below the control panel after each use. - If the liquid is trapped between the motor base and the platform, raise the platform to clean. Place the outer bowl onto the motor base with the handle centered below the control panel. Twist the handle to the right to raise the platform and lock the bowl in place. Then use a damp cloth to clean the area between the base and the raised platform. 

Outer Bowl Lid - Remove the paddle before cleaning the outer bowl lid as ingredients may be stuck under the paddle. Then run warm water through the paddle release lever and out the drain holes on either side. Position the lid with the lever side down to fully drain the lid. - Remove the dark grey rubber lip seal wrapped around the middle of the underside of the outer bowl lid. Then hand wash the lid and seal with warm, soapy water or place in the dishwasher. - Remove the paddle before cleaning the outer bowl lid as ingredients may be stuck under the paddle. Then run warm water through the paddle release lever and out the drain holes on either side. Position the lid with the lever side down to fully drain the lid. - Remove the dark grey rubber lip seal wrapped around the middle of the underside of the outer bowl lid. Then hand wash the lid and seal with warm, soapy water or place in the dishwasher.

No. The unit has a specially designed lip seal that cleans the shaft as it retracts into the unit. This prevents ingredients from staying on the shaft or pushing up into the motor base.

Yes, other frozen treat recipes can be made in the Ninja CREAMi. However, the Ninja Test Kitchen carefully crafted our recipes with the right balance of water, fat, protein, and sugar for our machine. We believe our recipes will work best in our machine while recipes from other sources will have varying success.

Yes, several of our recipes call for food coloring to spice things up!

Have you tried the no-prep inspiration chart found in the recipe book? These recipes use common fridge and pantry ingredients to make treats without any prep. You simply pour the ingredients into the pint and freeze! If you've tried the no-prep inspiration chart and the other easy recipes in the recipe book, visit NinjaCreami.com for tons of additional recipes. Look for the recipes labeled "easy." These will only take about 5 minutes to prep.

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.

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.

Ninjacreami.com. Look for new recipe drops every week!

Worried your base mixture might be too sweet? Don't worry, it won't taste as sweet after you freeze and process it into a frozen treat. The colder something is, the less sweet it tastes!

To prepare an ice bath, fill a large bowl with ice and water. Then place your pint in the ice water. Once your base has cooled below 40F, place the pint in the freezer. (Some recipes require ingredients to be cooked before freezing the base. To keep from warming up your freezer, we recommend using an ice bath to quickly cool the base.)

Simply add twice the amount of every ingredient in the recipe. There are no surprises-it's that easy! We recommend pouring the doubled ingredients into two pints for freezing and then customizing each with mix-ins to make prep that much easier.

We recommend starting with the Perfectly Personalized Ice Cream recipe found in the quick start guide. This is an easy recipe to show you how to customize both with flavorings and mix-ins to get exactly the treat you want! You can also make this recipe dairy-free. Watch a video on how to make this recipe under the "How It Works" section on NinjaCreami.com

Processing a base on a different program than the recipe prescribes may result in an inferior output. Each One-Touch Program has the optimal settings to get perfectly creamy results for that type of recipe. 

Selecting a different program will not transform your recipe into a different output. For example, selecting the smoothie bowl function will not transform an ice cream recipe into a smoothie bowl output. Instead, it will likely result in a less than ideal output.

I would like milkshake thinner: - If you would like your milkshake thinner, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and select RE-SPIN. Process until desired texture is achieved. Note: mix-ins may sink to the bottom of thin milkshakes. 

I would like a thicker milkshake: For thickest results, process your ice cream right from the freezer. You can also use less milk/liquid for a thicker milkshake.

Smoothie bowls made in the Ninja CREAMi are thicker than your average smoothie bowls. This is what differentiates smoothie bowls in the CREAMi from the ones in your blender-you will get the thickest smoothie bowl that can hold up any topping! We recommend topping your smoothie bowls with fruits, granola, coconut flakes, nuts, and more! If you would still like your smoothie bowl to be a little bit thinner or if the texture is crumbly after processing, run the RE-SPIN program to process the mixture until the desired texture is achieved.