Homemade ice cream comes out of the machine soft, and it usually needs a few hours in the freezer before you can scoop it. What you put it in decides how that goes. A wide, deep bowl leaves a hard crust around the edge and makes you dig. A long, narrow tub gives the scoop a straight run, and a tight lid limits the air that gets to the surface.
This guide covers eight containers from identifiable makers, from long tubs to mini cups and the pints that fit one specific machine. We have not used them. Sizes and care come from each maker’s listing, and one named review backs two of the picks. Two of the brands are online-first, and we flag them.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, maker information and the guidance we name.
Quick verdict: which ice cream container to buy
Start with the Tovolo Glide-A-Scoop 1.5 Quart Tub: its long shape fits a freezer door, it has double walls, and 1.5 quarts is room for a good batch. If you prefer a round tub with a soft lid, the Tovolo 1 Quart Tub is the simple choice. For bigger machines, the BALCI 2 Quart Set holds a large batch in one container.
Five ice cream tubs side by side
Five of the eight, one for each kind of batch. All eight are covered in full below.
| Pick | Best for | Capacity | Lid | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tovolo Glide-A-Scoop 1.5 Quart TubBest overall
|
Most homemade batches | 1.5 quarts | Tight-fitting cover | View on Amazon |
Tovolo 1 Quart Ice Cream TubBest round tub
|
A smaller round tub | 1 quart | Silicone | View on Amazon |
SUMO Ice Cream Containers, 1.5 Quart, Set of 2Best for easy cleanup
|
Easy cleanup | 1.5 quarts each, set of 2 | Airtight, per listing | View on Amazon |
BALCI Ice Cream Containers, 2 Quart, Set of 2Best for big batches
|
Big machines | 2 quarts each, set of 2 | Silicone | View on Amazon |
Tovolo Mini Ice Cream Tubs, Set of 4Best for portions
|
Single servings | 6 oz each, set of 4 | Silicone | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best ice cream storage containers
1. Tovolo Glide-A-Scoop 1.5 Quart Tub – A Long Run for the Scoop
Tovolo’s tub is the shape most people picture for this job, long and slim at about 11.5 by 4 inches. Tovolo says it slides into a freezer door and stacks on a shelf, and the elongated path means your scoop pulls along the length of the tub instead of digging down.
The walls are double, and Tovolo describes this as insulation that helps hold a steady temperature and limit freezer burn. The base is nonslip, so it stays put while you scoop, and the plastic is BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
At 1.5 quarts, it takes a batch from many small home machines. Check your machine’s capacity against that, though. If yours makes two quarts, you’d need a second tub or a bigger one.
Why we like it
- Long shape for clean scoops
- Fits freezer doors, per Tovolo
- Double-wall body
- Nonslip base
Key specifications
| Model | 1001011 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.5 quarts |
| Shape | Long, slim |
| Count | 1 |
| Material | BPA-free plastic, double wall |
| Lid | Tight-fitting cover |
| Size | About 11.5 x 4 in |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits most people with a small home ice cream maker who want one good tub that fits a crowded freezer. Sold by Amazon, in several colors.
Skip it if you want a soft lid that peels back. This one is a rigid cover.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Shape suits scooping
- Fits a door shelf
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Too small for a 2-quart batch
- Long tubs can be awkward in small freezers
- Not named in the review we read
2. Tovolo 1 Quart Ice Cream Tub – A Soft Lid That Peels Back Frozen
This is a plain round tub, 5.63 by 4.75 by 4.75 inches, with a flexible silicone lid. Tovolo says the lid stays soft when frozen, so you can peel it back without fighting it, and it fits tight enough to limit freezer burn.
Baby Bargains says it tried a dozen popular ice cream containers, and of the round tubs, Tovolo’s Stackable Sweet Treat quart tub came out on top, with a silicone lid that fits tightly. The listing we link doesn’t use the Sweet Treat name, but it’s a Tovolo quart round with a silicone lid, so it looks like the same line.
A quart is a modest batch, about what you’d get from a small machine, so this is also a good second tub for a split batch of two flavors. It’s dishwasher safe and it stacks.
Why we like it
- Silicone lid stays flexible when frozen, per Tovolo
- Named in an independent roundup, by line
- Stackable
- Simple shape to clean
Key specifications
| Model | 1001018 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1 quart |
| Shape | Round |
| Count | 1 |
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Lid | Silicone |
| Size | 5.63 x 4.75 x 4.75 in |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small household, a two-flavor batch, or anyone who dislikes stiff lids. It’s the easy pick if you just want a tub to work.
Skip it if you want to scoop along a long, straight run. A deep round tub means digging down.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy lid
- Reasonable footprint
- Independent mention for the line
Cons
- Only one quart
- No double wall stated
- Deep shape to scoop
3. Tovolo Mini Ice Cream Tubs, Set of 4 – Single Servings in Stacking Cups
These hold 6 ounces each, about 2.75 inches square and 3 inches tall. You get four, with the same soft silicone lids as the larger tub, so a batch can go into separate portions and no one has to thaw the whole thing.
Single cups also suit a kids’ party, or a household where everybody wants a different flavor. Tovolo adds that the cups work for baby food, sauces, dips and small snacks, so they aren’t stuck in the freezer the rest of the year.
What you give up is capacity. Four cups hold 24 ounces in total, well short of most batches, so these work with a bigger tub rather than instead of one.
Why we like it
- Portions are built in
- Soft silicone lids
- Other kitchen uses, per Tovolo
- Stacks in a door or on a shelf
Key specifications
| Model | 61-3545 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 oz each |
| Shape | Square-ish cup |
| Count | 4 |
| Material | BPA-free plastic, silicone lids |
| Lid | Silicone |
| Size | 2.75 x 2.75 x 3 in |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants to control portions or try several small flavors from one base.
Skip it if you only make one big batch at a time. You’d run out of cups fast.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good for sharing out
- Useful outside the freezer
- Small footprint
Cons
- Small total capacity
- Easy to lose in a full freezer
- Needs a main tub too
4. SUMO Ice Cream Containers, 1.5 Quart, Set of 2 – Easy to Clean, per One Review
SUMO is an online-first brand, and this is a long, slim tub in a set of two. The listing says each holds a fresh batch straight from a machine, with an airtight lid, dishwasher-safe care and an erasable label on which to write your flavor.
Baby Bargains named SUMO its easiest container to clean, praising a non-stick base and overall construction. That’s the one independent note we have on this tub, and it comes from a review that also tried other long containers.
Two tubs at 1.5 quarts each cover a pair of batches, or one big batch split in two, and the label means you won’t play guessing games in January.
Why we like it
- Long, slim shape
- Erasable flavor label
- Two tubs in the set
- Named for easy cleaning by Baby Bargains
Key specifications
| Model | Q3-R6KY-NVMA-B |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.5 quarts each |
| Shape | Long, slim |
| Count | 2 |
| Material | Not stated |
| Lid | Airtight |
| Size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who makes ice cream regularly and wants two matching tubs and an easy way to label them.
Skip it if you’d rather buy from a long-established housewares brand. SUMO is an online-first label, and the listing doesn’t state the plastic type.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two for one purchase
- Label built in
- Independent note on cleaning
Cons
- Online-first brand
- Material and size not stated
- Third-party seller
5. BALCI Ice Cream Containers, 2 Quart, Set of 2 – Room for a Whole Big Batch
BALCI’s listing makes a simple point: if your batch won’t fit in one tub, you end up with two half-full ones. This one holds 2 quarts, so a bigger compressor or salt-and-ice machine can go into a single container, and the set has two of them.
The lids are flexible silicone, and the listing calls the seal airtight and aimed at preventing freezer burn. The tubs stack, and BALCI says they rinse and then go in the dishwasher. The title also mentions a scoop.
BALCI is the second online-first brand on this page. It’s a fair option for capacity, but the listing doesn’t give the outer dimensions, so measure the freezer space against a two-quart tub before you commit.
Why we like it
- 2 quarts each
- Silicone lids
- Stackable
- Dishwasher safe, per BALCI
Key specifications
| Model | 2QuartBlue+2QuartRed |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 quarts each |
| Shape | Not stated |
| Count | 2 |
| Material | BPA-free, per listing |
| Lid | Silicone |
| Size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family making larger batches, or an owner of one of the bigger ice cream makers.
Skip it if you have a small freezer. Two 2-quart tubs take real room.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Biggest tubs on this page
- Soft lids
- Two in the set
Cons
- Online-first brand
- Dimensions not stated
- More to thaw at once
6. Tovolo Insulated Stainless Tub, 2 Quart – For Carrying It to the Party
This isn’t a freezer tub in the usual sense. It’s a double-walled, vacuum-sealed steel food traveler that Tovolo says keeps food cold for up to 12 hours and hot for up to 8. It’s a good answer to a specific problem, which is getting a homemade batch across town to a party.
It’s about 5.43 inches wide and 9.25 tall, with a wide mouth, a screw-off lid and a silicone tab that releases built-up pressure. A folding handle makes it easy to carry. Tovolo says the whole thing is dishwasher safe.
Read the size before you buy. The listing’s title says 2.5 quarts, but the size field and the feature text both say 2 quarts, so we’re going with 2. It’s also tall and round, and that makes it harder to scoop from than a long tub.
Why we like it
- Cold up to 12 hours, per Tovolo
- Pressure-release tab
- Carry handle
- Doubles as a soup traveler
Key specifications
| Model | 55011-200 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 quarts (title says 2.5) |
| Shape | Tall, round |
| Count | 1 |
| Material | Double-wall stainless steel |
| Lid | Screw-off, with silicone tab |
| Size | 5.43 x 9.25 in |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone taking ice cream out of the house, and also works for soup and chili the rest of the year.
Skip it if you only need freezer storage. A plastic tub is lighter and easier to scoop.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Real transport option
- Useful all year
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Tall shape for scooping
- Size conflict on the listing
- More than you need at home
7. Ninja CREAMi Original Pints, 2 Pack – Spare Pints for One Machine Line
If you own a Ninja CREAMi, this pick is less of a choice. The machine spins its pint, and the pint has to be the right one. Ninja’s two-pack gives you two 16-ounce pints with storage lids, so you can keep several flavors frozen and ready, which is how that machine is meant to be used.
Fit is the catch. The listing’s feature text says these fit only the NC299 and NC300 series, and not the NC500, NC100 or NC200. Its title also mentions NC300 and NC350. Check the sku on the bottom of your machine, as Ninja suggests, before you order.
Both pints and lids are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, and Ninja gives a one-year limited warranty. For any other maker’s ice cream, a plain tub is a better use of your money.
Why we like it
- Made by the machine’s maker
- Lids for freezer storage
- Dishwasher safe
- Clear fit guidance
Key specifications
| Model | XSKPLID2CD |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 16 oz each |
| Shape | Round pint |
| Count | 2 |
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Lid | Storage lid |
| Size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
Why we recommend it
It suits current CREAMi owners who want more than one flavor waiting in the freezer.
Skip it if you don’t own a matching CREAMi. Without one, these are just small tubs.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Made for the machine
- Simple storage lids
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- Fits only some models
- Small capacity
- No use for other machines’ batches, beyond storage
8. Ball Freezer Jars, 8 oz, 3 Pack – Small Freezer Jars From a Canning Name
Ball is the canning jar name, and it also sells jars meant for the freezer. These are half-pint, 8-ounce jars in a pack of three, sized for a sorbet, an ice milk or a couple of servings of a rich custard.
The listing is very thin. It gives the size and the pack count and says they’re made in Malaysia, and that’s all. A sister listing for Ball’s 16-ounce jar calls those plastic freezer jars, and that’s the closest we can get to the material here, so check the picture and the box.
We include them because they’re a known maker’s freezer-specific jar, and because a straight-sided jar can be a neat way to store a small batch. They’re not built for scooping the way a long tub is.
Why we like it
- Known maker
- Made for freezer use, by name
- Three small jars
- Simple shape
Key specifications
| Model | 1440080102 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 oz each |
| Shape | Jar |
| Count | 3 |
| Material | Not stated on this listing |
| Lid | Not stated |
| Size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who makes small batches or wants to freeze extra servings separately.
Skip it if you want full details before you buy. This listing gives very few, and it’s a third-party offer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A known name
- Small portions
- Useful for other freezer jobs
Cons
- Very thin listing
- Small capacity
- Not a scooping shape
How to choose an ice cream container
Match the tub to the batch
Find your machine’s capacity and buy for that. A 1.5-quart batch overflows a quart tub, and a half-empty 2-quart tub has more air sitting on the ice cream. If you’re still choosing a machine, start with our ice cream maker guide.
Long or round
Long, slim tubs give a scoop a straight run. Baby Bargains called long, slim shapes one big winner of its tests. Round tubs take less room on a shelf and are simple to clean.
Soft lid or rigid cover
Silicone lids peel back when they’re cold, according to Tovolo and BALCI. A rigid cover can stack more firmly. Baby Bargains noted that one lid that just sits on top would be better if it snapped in place, so look at how the cover closes.
Double wall or single
Makers describe double walls as insulation that helps limit freezer burn. They also make a tub bulkier for what it holds. We can’t tell you how much difference it makes, since we haven’t compared them.
Measure your freezer
A long tub needs depth, and door shelves vary. Measure before you buy.
Remember the scoop
A firm homemade batch is hard on a weak scoop. Our ice cream scoop guide helps there.
How we picked these eight tubs
We read each listing and kept containers from identifiable makers that say they’re for ice cream or the freezer, in stock with a new offer. We also read the Baby Bargains roundup, which says it tried a dozen containers, and we use it for the two brands it names, Tovolo’s round tub and SUMO. It doesn’t cover the Glide-A-Scoop, BALCI, Ninja or Ball, so those picks rest on listing and maker details. We have not tested any of these.
We left out the many near-identical stainless and plastic tubs from unfamiliar brands, a commercial round that needs its lid bought separately, and spades and scoops, which aren’t containers. Two picks are online-first brands, SUMO and BALCI, and we limited the page to those two.
Ice cream storage questions, answered
What’s the best shape for storing homemade ice cream?
Many makers and Baby Bargains favor long, slim tubs for scooping. A round tub is fine for a small batch, but you’ll scoop down rather than along.
How do I stop freezer burn?
Makers point to a tight lid. Some home cooks also press parchment or plastic against the surface before closing the tub. We can’t promise a result, but less air on the surface is the idea behind every lid here.
Can I use the original machine bowl to store ice cream?
Check your machine’s manual. Many makers tell you to transfer the churned ice cream to another container, and a separate tub also frees the bowl for your next batch.
Are these tubs dishwasher safe?
Most of them are, per the makers, and the table above lists each one. The Ball listing doesn’t say.
Can I freeze a batch in a Ninja CREAMi pint if I don’t own one?
You can use it as a small tub, but a plain container is the simpler buy unless you own a matching machine.
Our final pick for the freezer
The Tovolo Glide-A-Scoop 1.5 Quart Tub is where most people should start, and the Tovolo 1 Quart Tub is the fair alternative with a softer lid. Larger machines want the BALCI. If you want more for the table, see our ice cream bowls, or skip the churning altogether: call to order and try a Mexican dessert from Julia’s menu.