If you’re having trouble with the outer bowl of your Ninja Creami being jammed, give these tips and tricks a try.
Sometimes the Ninja Creami outer bowl won’t release, which can be really frustrating. Here are a few options that might fix it!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. You can read our full disclosure policy here.
You’ve made a pint of delicious ice cream or sorbet for your Ninja Creami.
You’ve waited dutifully for the prescribed 24 hours, and now it’s time to spin it in the machine.
But when you try to remove the outer bowl from the machine, it won’t move!
It’s jammed, stuck, and simply won’t release.
What now?!
Unfortunately, from time to time, the Ninja Creami outer bowl won’t release easily.
Before you give up hope, there are a few things to try that could remedy the situation!
How to Prevent the Outer Bowl from Being Jammed
First, let’s take a look at some common preventive measures you can take to help keep your bowl from getting stuck.
Make Sure the Knob Shaft is Clean
There’s a knob, or shaft, that the Creamerizer paddle attaches to when the ice cream is being processed.
This knob can get quite messy, but we don’t always realize it, because it’s not a removable part that we would wash.
However, if it gets gunky and sticky, this can cause the lid and paddle to stick, making it difficult to remove the outer bowl.
Just be sure to wash the knob well after each use. I like to use a warm, soapy wash cloth, making sure I clean in the grooves well.
Insert the Outer Bowl Correctly
It’s very important to insert the outer bowl correctly into the Ninja Creami machine, otherwise it will be nearly impossible to release.
When you first set the outer bowl into the machine, the outer bowl handle will be sticking out from the front (see below).
Then, you’ll turn the handle to the right, twisting the bowl up as it goes, and locking it into place.
The outer bowl handle should NEVER be facing the left side of the machine.
When it’s inserted correctly, the outer bowl handle will be sticking out to the right (see below).
What to Do if the Ninja Creami’s Outer Bowl is Stuck
Now that we’ve looked at some common pitfalls and how to avoid them, let’s talk about what to do if the outer bowl does get jammed.
There are a few things you can try!
Give it a Few Minutes
If you’ve already tried removing the outer bowl a few times and it just seems stuck, let it sit for a few minutes.
I know, waiting is no fun. But in some cases, that’s all it takes for the ice cream to warm up and soften a bit, making it easier to remove.
Opt for a Re-Spin
Sometimes, when the outer bowl won’t release all the way, it’s actually an issue with the lid.
To try to fix it, you can simply twist the outer bowl back up into place, then press the Re-spin button.
Often, this is enough to loosen the ice cream from the paddle and lid, making it easier to release.
Detach the Lid from the Outer Bowl
If none of those things are working, but you’re hoping to still be able to enjoy your ice cream, you can try detaching the outer bowl from the lid.
To do this, you’ll have to press the lid release button as well as the bowl release button, then twist the outer bowl down and away from the lid.
So you’ll end up with the lid still attached to the machine, but the bowl will be released.
Remove your ice cream pint and enjoy!
Then later, take the empty outer bowl, insert it into the machine, and twist it up into place, so it’s locking with the lid again.
Then try the removal process as normal.
Try a Manual Release
This is an option that I would consider a last resort, and I have not personally needed to use this technique.
It’s a “try it at your own risk” kind of option.
It would be most useful in the instance where the outer bowl release button isn’t functioning properly, rather than an issue with the lid.
First, you’ll want to make sure your machine is unplugged from the electrical outlet, then lay it on its side.
On the underside of the Ninja Creami machine is a cross-shaped white button of sorts, which coordinates with the bowl release button.
If you have a small tool, you can use it to slide the white button, which engages the bowl release function.
In the picture below, you can see what the white button looks like normally, as well as what it would look like when the outer bowl release button is engaged.
Once you get the button engaged, try removing the outer bowl.
Call Customer Service or Return Your Machine
If all else fails, and your outer bowl still won’t budge, you can try to get a replacement machine.
You can call Ninja customer service to see if they have any other suggestions or return options.
Also, check the return policy of the retailer where you purchased your machine, such as Costco or Amazon.
Getting the Ninja Creami Bowl Un-Stuck
Hopefully these tips and tricks will be useful to you the next time your bowl won’t release.
Obviously, it’s best to minimize the risk of a bowl getting jammed in the first place, but sometimes these things just happen.
When they do, try the techniques above to get the bowl unstuck!
More Ninja Creami Resources:
- How to Add a Mix-In with the Ninja Creami
- 7 Surprising Ingredients You Can Use in the Ninja Creami
- The Best Ninja Creami Sorbet Recipes
- Dairy-Free Ninja Creami Recipes
- Higher-Protein Ninja Creami Recipes
- Ninja Creami Gelato Recipes
- Ninja Creami Recipes Using Pudding Mix
Be sure to save these tips to your Ninja Creami board on Pinterest!
