Ice cream makers/machines

[mhadam]

I'm contemplating getting an ice cream maker from my husband this year for christmas and was wondering how useful it would actually be...

Since I don't have one now, I think I will be making ice creams and gelatoes and sorbets like crazy if I had one...but realistically is it useful? is it practical? is it worthwhile?

Anyone own one? Use one? Please help -- I would hate to make a wasteful purchase.

The item in question is: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/store/search..._id=16032&Nao=1

Thank you soooooo much.

[nightscotsman]

I think we've had this discussion before. You might want to check out this thread to see if your questions are answered:

http://forums.egullet.org/ibf/index.php?s=...62&hl=ice+cream

[Suzanne F]

I'm contemplating getting an ice cream maker ...  and was wondering how useful it would actually be...

Since I don't have one now, I think I will be making ice creams and gelatoes and sorbets like crazy if I had one...but realistically is it useful? is it practical? is it worthwhile?

Anyone own one? Use one?

Do you buy a lot of ice cream/sorbet now? The really good stuff? Do you like to play with food? Do have have room enough in your freezer for the inner container, which has to be frozen before each use? If you answered yes to all those questions, go for it. It would definitely be worth having.

If, say, you don't always have to make space in the freezer, but otherwise said yes, and can make the space when necessary -- it's still good to have.

But if you're not really big frozen dessert eaters, it might not be "the gift that keeps on giving" but the one that gathers dust.

[mhadam]

Do you buy a lot of ice cream/sorbet now?  The really good stuff?  Do you like to play with food?  Do have have room enough in your freezer for the inner container, which has to be frozen before each use?  If you answered yes to all those questions, go for it.  It would definitely be worth having.

If, say, you don't always have to make space in the freezer, but otherwise said yes, and can make the space when necessary -- it's still good to have.

But if you're not really big frozen dessert eaters, it might not be "the gift that keeps on giving" but the one that gathers dust.

We buy alot of frozen goodies now and crave to experiment with flavors and textures. We have a downstairs freezer so room isn't an issue.

My concern is that it will be more of a hassle than a benefit. I've tried to read everything I can about ice cream makers and instructions for use to make sure that I can accommodate for its needs.

Just wanted an outsiders opinion on it's usefulness -- pros and cons, maybe recipes. The previous thread egullet had wasn't as detailed as I hoped, hence I created this one.

[Suzanne F]

We buy alot of frozen goodies now and crave to experiment with flavors and textures. We have a downstairs freezer so room isn't an issue.

Then get it! You can probably put everything from that machine in the dishwasher, so cleanup is no big deal. And making the base is just like any other cooking -- might use any number of pots, bowls, and implements -- so that's not really a consideration. Get it and have fun!!!

[gknl]

Do you buy a lot of ice cream/sorbet now?  The really good stuff?  Do you like to play with food?  Do have have room enough in your freezer for the inner container, which has to be frozen before each use?  If you answered yes to all those questions, go for it.  It would definitely be worth having.

If, say, you don't always have to make space in the freezer, but otherwise said yes, and can make the space when necessary -- it's still good to have.

But if you're not really big frozen dessert eaters, it might not be "the gift that keeps on giving" but the one that gathers dust.

We buy alot of frozen goodies now and crave to experiment with flavors and textures. We have a downstairs freezer so room isn't an issue.

My concern is that it will be more of a hassle than a benefit. I've tried to read everything I can about ice cream makers and instructions for use to make sure that I can accommodate for its needs.

Just wanted an outsiders opinion on it's usefulness -- pros and cons, maybe recipes. The previous thread egullet had wasn't as detailed as I hoped, hence I created this one.

I think I have that model ice cream maker (at least it's a Cuisinart). I bought it at Costco a couple of years ago on impulse because it was cheap ($29 I think, shop around! ). I don't use it that often, but most of the time I've been happy with the results (when I haven't been, it's been because of something I did wrong). I've made ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbets, and sorbets/ices in it.

What are the hassles you're concerned about? The main hassle I can think of is freezer space. But since you have the room. . . . I'm with Suzanne here, why not? I'm a gadget freak though, so take that for what it's worth. I'm considering buying a second insert just so I can make multiple batches more easily. I like having things around so I can do things when the mood hits rather than having to think about getting everything together.

It's a breeze to use. Just get all your ingredients mixed together and chilled, then set up the machine, turn it on, dump the stuff in and let it go for 20-30 minutes. Then scrape it out into a container and let cure in the freezer for a bit unless you want a soft-serve consistency and you're good to go. The most difficult part is getting the stuff that's frozen to the metal off (and that's not hard at all). The insert washes up really easily with soap and warm water. Just make sure to dry it thoroughly before you put it back in the freezer.

[torakris]

I have a Delonghi model that looks similar to the one you are considering.

I love it and use it as often as I can. Unfortunately my freezer is very small and it can be ahrd to make space for it. The only hindrance is that you have to plan in advance, since the body need to be frozen 8+ hours (or at least mine does).

It takes just a minute to mix everything together, pour it in, wait 10-15 minutes, eat. I like mine on the soft side so I never freeze it.

[mhadam]

Thank you for all your help. I told my husband last night to go ahead and get it.

Now the quest begins for recipes

[JJS]

I am trying to buy a Musso Lussino Ice Cream maker for a friend in the UK, but I cannot find anyone who imports that machine anywhere in Europe, tried the US importers but they will not ship to the UK. Does anyone know any sites or companies I could try to help me out with this? Happy to try the Simac too if that is easier to get hold of out there. As it is an Italian machine it seems crazy to try and order it from the US but I cannot even find the manufacturers website to phone for suppliers. At the moment I can find magimix and the gaggia in the UK, but friends tell me the Musso is far superior, closely followed by the Simac, is this right? Or is the gaggia ok? About $200 less, so might be better value?

[Rachel Perlow]

I don't know if you'll be able to ship this to the UK, but Amazon currently has a great deal on this ice cream maker.

Click here for the Musso 4080 Lussino Dessert Maker.

It is currently listed for $594.95, with a $100 rebate if purchased by the end of July so then the price becomes $494.95. In addition, it is appearing in our Amazon Gold Box right now, so if it appears in yours as well, there is an additional coupon for $89.24, for a total price of $405.71. Oh yeah, it also qualifies for Free Shipping (within the continental US).

[rickster]

Wouldn't you need some sort of adapter to UK current if it even works at all?

[tan319]

We buy alot of frozen goodies now and crave to experiment with flavors and textures. We have a downstairs freezer so room isn't an issue.

Then get it! You can probably put everything from that machine in the dishwasher, so cleanup is no big deal. And making the base is just like any other cooking -- might use any number of pots, bowls, and implements -- so that's not really a consideration. Get it and have fun!!!

DON'T put the freezing canister in the dishwasher!!!

I've already had a couple ruined this way

Just wash it by hand and it will be ok.

I have a cuisineart one and it's goodbut...

if you REALLY like to make ice cream and such, spend a bit more and buy one of those Delonghi machines with the self contained freezer units.

A lot more fun.

[Cephalopunk]

I'd like to preface this with saying that I am not a professional pastry cook, or anything even close.

I've been looking at ice cream machines lately, mainly the Cusinart 1.5 Quart unit that's been running about $50. I certainly don't have the bread for a serious DeLonghi machine or the like, so this sounds like a bargain to me. However, I stumbled across this $20 dollar machine, which sounds too good to be true. It has a smaller capacity than the Cuisinart, which is a brand I've always been happy with. At the same time, that's ridiculously cheap, and when you're a perpetually-broke line cook in NYC, $30 counts.

Any thoughts?

[jschyun]

I have been able to get perfectly new (in the box) Donvier ice cream makers from Salvation Army and Goodwill here for $5 - $6. I got 3 this way. My sis got a mini one for $5 from Goodwill one time.

[tobism]

I have the same Cuisinart but haven't used it in a while. I also have a mini hand crank Donvier, and a 1.5 gallon ice-and-rock-salt White Mountain. My workhorse is a 4 quart Coldelite LB100; it's da BOMB!

The Cuisinart makes a decent, smooth product, if you know the basics. Just make sure to use a wooden or plastic spoon for extraction (rice paddle is perfect), and if you plan on making a couple batches in succession, buy another self contained freezing unit.

Now go make ice cream!

[Stone]

If you plan on using it more than infrequently, I would choose quality over the $30 price savings. If you're living in NY and buying an ice cream machine, you can afford the $30.

[GG Mora]

I have been able to get perfectly new (in the box) Donvier ice cream makers from Salvation Army and Goodwill here for $5 - $6. I got 3 this way. My sis got a mini one for $5 from Goodwill one time.

Gotcha beat: mine was 25¢ at the local fire department's tag sale. You can make perfectly decent ice cream with it, but: you have to freeze the liner for at least 24 hours and throw away the instructions that came wiith the thing. You need to crank it slowly but continuously for about half an hour, reversing direction occasionally. I think the instructions have you give the crank one turn every 10 minutes for an hour or something insanely ineffective like that.

[Alex]

That VillaWare looks like a very, very good deal. I've owned a bunch of different hand-cranked and electric ice cream makers. I'd go for an electric model if I were you, especially for $20! -- much less work, with better results. I'd also buy another item for $5.01 or more in order to get free shipping. One thing did seem odd to me, though: It is #2 in Amazon's sales ranking yet has no consumer reviews.

[Rachel Perlow]

eGulletified Amazon links:

Cuisinart ICE-20 1-1/2-Quart Automatic Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt & Sorbet Maker
VillaWare 5100 Electric Ice Cream Maker, Stainless Steel

Please support eGullet by making Amazon links that give eGullet a commission. Click here for instructions. Thanks.

[tan319]

If you're not going to spring for the cuisinart 50 buck guy, which is not bad, and you don't mind going with the salt and ice scenario, go down to the Kmart at Astor place or someplace like that and get a 4 qt. rival machine for 17.00 bucks or so.

I'm getting tremendous results, believe it or not, with mine, especially the 4 qt. one.

Very fluffy, good spin.

Much better then the cusinnart, much messier though if you're not careful.

[SethG]

I'm bumping this because I'm thinking about getting a $50 ice cream machine.

Many like the Cuisinart. Alton Brown says the Krups is the best, and that it can stay cold enough to make two btaches in a row.

Any current opinions on these or other models?

[mdt]

I'm bumping this because I'm thinking about getting a $50 ice cream machine.

Many like the Cuisinart.  Alton Brown says the Krups is the best, and that it can stay cold enough to make two btaches in a row.

Any current opinions on these or other models?

←

I received the Cuisinart as a gift and I have been happy with it. It has made some very decentl and well textured ice cream. One thing that I have found to be very important is to have your base chilled in the fridge (overnight is great) before putting it in the ice cream maker. This will also allow you do make more than one batch with the freeze unit.

One advantage that I have is a chest freezer in my basement so the freeze units get much colder, and therefore last longer, than one placed in a normal fridge freezer.

I have not used any others, so I cannot give any sort of comparison.

[achevres]

I have the Cuisinart and I'm very happy with it. I took a cooking class a few years ago with Mark Fischer (six89, Carbondale, CO) and was surprised to see the Cuisinart ice cream maker churning away. He told me the have 2 of them and many inserts and that's what they use in the restaurant and that they last at least 2 years of constant use. He said he used to have a professional machine, but when it broke it was a nightmare to get it fixed.

[s'kat]

I picked up the Cuisinart for a Thanksgiving dessert. Never having used an ice cream maker previously, it seemed to work quite nicely. The bowl was chilled overnight, and 30 minutes after combining and adding the ingredients, I had ice cream.

I feel that it was a good purchase, and am already plotting my next ice cream making endeavor.

[RedHermes]

Has anyone tried the Ice Cream Maker attachment for the KitchenAid Stand Mixer?

I am thinking about an Ice Cream Maker, but I am running out of room...