Which Ice Cream Maker?

16 years ago

I want to get an ice cream maker, but am at a loss as to which one to buy.

I looked online at a few and read the reviews, but still uncertain.

I don't need anything huge, I don't want to spend a small fortune. I do want an electric model and would prefer one that does not require ice and salt.

Any recommendations?

Linda

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Comments (20)

loagiehoagie
16 years ago
Linda, many of us have a cuisinart and they are great. I have the stainless steel model which was $79 w/20 pct off at Bed, Bath and Beyond. The regular model is fine too and a bit less expensive. Where were you last fall when Amazon had the $14 deal w/free shipping on the Cuisinart? How'd ya miss that one!? I bought one for my BIL/SIl and their kids.

Duane
caboodle
16 years ago
Linda, the one I have is linked to below. I'm very happy with it. My sister has the smaller one, and now wishes she had the larger one. You can always make less if you don't need the whole 2 quarts.

Judi

Here is a link that might be useful: Cuisinart 2 qt Ice Cream Maker
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You can also do it the really old fashioned way -- the same method that has long been used to make sorbet. Just pour the mixture into a baking dish, and set that into your freezer. Also, you will need a heavy glass or metal bowl, an electric hand mixer, and a bowl of ice big enough for the first bowl to sit in. Put the heavy glass or metal bowl and the beater attachments for the hand mixer into the freezer at the same time as the ice cream mix to chill them. When its almost but not quite fully frozen, use a fork to break it up into small lumps about the size of a nickle or a little less. Then put it back into the freezer about 10 minutes to set up a bit again. Now, working as quickly as possible, take the pre-chilled heavy bowl out of the freezer,and set it in a bath of ice cubes in the 2nd larger bowl. Quickly transfer the ice cream mixture into the chilled bowl, and beat it as much as possible with the electric mixer ONLY until the lumps are broken up, and it begins to whip up a bit. Then, back into the freezer for another 15 to 30 minutes, until its not at all "melty" but still a little soft. Repeat the beating/whipping process several times -- the idea is to whip as much air into it to make it creamy and fluffy as possible, without melting it too much at each whipping. The chilled bowl, the ice bath, and the chilled beaters help, but beware that the very act of beating it creates friction between the bowl and beaters, which makes heat, so this process is a balancing act between beating in air and melting the ice cream. Done right, which isn't at all hard to do with just a little practice, this method does work, albeit it will never be quite as fluffy as commercial ice creams you are used to, which not only incorporate a large volume of air into the mix using specialized equipment, but which also generally use gums and stabilizers which prevents the product from melting and turning liquid as fast as a pure, cream and milk only product will. Good luck.
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I have the cuisinart stand-alone.. 2 quart size -- and I love it. To get good results you MUST: 1) freeze the drum/tub SOLID for 12 - 15 hours 2) chill ALL of the ingredients you are going to use prior to making the ice cream or sorbet 3) the ice cream does not come out solid -- it comes out with a nice semi-soft texture.. if you want it more solid, pop it in the freezer for 20 minutes or so. 4) do NOT take the drum out of the freezer until you are completely ready to add the ingredients. In the long run you'll find making sorbets to be much quicker/easier.. I make them several times a week (I make a half gallon of simple syrup at a time and keep it chilled in the fridge - I also keep the drum in the freezer unless I am in the process of making the sorbet). I have had no problems with soupy or bad textured sorbets or ice creams. Good luck!
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Bellsmom, Ice cream freezers are a pretty mature technology, and Cuisinart isn't likely to turn belly up during your warranty period, so why not? :) I like that the 100 has the different paddles, though I don't know how big a difference it makes. I donated counter space that wasn't all that useful anyway to mine, but I wish it did a magic appear/disappear act. :) Yours should be fine in the pantry if you have a solid counter and a plug. It's sure to vibrate a lot and needs some clear space for the circulation of warm air (i.e., not right up against your foodstuffs because they want cool pantry, and a freezer will warm it up). Those are the biggest problems with putting it in the pantry. Do you have a laundry room where you could put it? Maybe keep a cloth over it when not in use to keep away lint, etc. Or even a protected porch? The lack of water shouldn't be a big issue because of the removable bowl. You can take all the main parts to the sink for cleaning (maybe keep a little dishpan with the machine to dump them in, and just bring a sponge or rag and a small bowl (or the dishpan) of water to the machine for wiping it down. Kids love making frozen treats, and it's also a great way to teach them about what's in what they're eating. Be really honest with yourself, however. Do you really want to be carrying the ingredients back and forth? And the clean-up? Would you rather have it on the kitchen counter? Would giving up freezer space be no issue because you'd be using the space you usually fill with bought ice cream for the bowl of a non-freezer model? Will you use it more if it's just ready to go? Will you use it less if you have to unearth the bowl from a pile of stuff in the freezer? I know the arias are beautiful, but imagine yourself doing the conducting. Read through the instructions online and imagine yourself doing the work. See which model you'd really rather have to fit into your real life and way of doing things, and your particular cooking setup. You're already well informed. That's the next good step to making a choice.
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This isn't going to help you decide because mine is an antique and was free! I've had a couple Rivals over the years. Gave them to friends... VERY LOUD. I have a Waring right now that a friend gave me... made I think back in the 70's. I think it only has a 2 quart capacity, and I cracked the lid and had to seal it up with plastic weld... looks terrible but the lids are impossible to find since they haven't made that machine in eons. It is the kind that uses the rock salt and ice with a thin aluminum can and a dasher in the middle. I thought about the Cuisinart before, but I would hate to have to freeze the canister. I would forget... I tend to do things last minute. I was also intrigued by the KA stand mixer attachment, but I think it has to be pre-frozen as well. Dealing with salt and ice is very annoying! I found one on Ebay a few weeks ago that had a wooden barrel and a choice of an electric motor or a hand crank top. I wanted it sooooo badly, but couldn't justify it because the Waring still works. Please let us know what you get! I've also seen the ice cream "balls" that you fill with ice cream ingredients and toss back and forth. Anyone have experience with these?
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traceys
16 years ago
Linda, Here is the one Duane is talking about. I have an extra one if you want it. Let me know.

I haven't used mine, but a lot of people here purchased them so maybe they can give you some good info to help you decide.

Tracey

Here is a link that might be useful: Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
beanthere_dunthat
16 years ago
I bought it (the Cuisanart deal) and have been pretty happy with it. I haven't managed to make anything as smooth and creamy as my favorite HD ginger ice cream yet, but each time I try, I get a little better results.
Lars
16 years ago
I bought a Kitchenaid ice cream maker attachment, which replaces the regular mixing bowl, and was very happy with it, but shortly thereafter I bought the Cuisinart that Tracey linked to because it was a deal I could not pass up. I found the Cuisinart to be extremely noisy, and so I had to put it in the guest room/sewing room to make ice cream. My kitchen is open to my living room, and I was unable to watch TV with the Cuisinart ice cream making running in the kitchen. If you are not concerned about noise, then it is perfectly fine, but the KA attachment will make a larger batch, by about 25%, which made it perfect for some of the recipe I have, whereas the Cuisinart required a reduced recipe.

Lars
doucanoe
Original Author
16 years ago
Tracey, you have an extra? How in the world did you end up with two?

Thanks for the info, everyone!

I don't think noise would be an issue for me, not sure. I guess it would depend on how long it takes to make a batch.

I wish I had a KA mixer, but all I have ever had/used is a hand-held electric mixer. Maybe someday...

Linda
beanthere_dunthat
16 years ago
Linda - about 20-30 minutes to make a batch. It's much quieter than my bread machine, that's for sure.
doucanoe
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh, 20-30 minutes of noise would be tolerable! LOL

My dishwasher is terribly noisy and it takes a looooong time to complete a cycle!

Linda
traceys
16 years ago
I do have an extra so if you decide that's the kind you want I'd be more than happy to send it to you.

Tracey
stacy3
16 years ago
I have the 2 qt model that caboodle linked to. I LOVE it. It is noisy - but I put it in the laundry room and close the door...we use it all the time. we just made a milk chocolate ice cream on Saturday. I've used it to make homemade ice cream for my brother's 50th birthday party - and special ice cream for my valentine's party.

It's great because lots of people aren't used to getting homemade ice cream and it's a real treat. I made two different kinds for my brother's party - just started them a couple days ahead of time.

I would go with a 2 qt if you can - you don't have to make that much but sometimes you want to.
annie1992
16 years ago
I don't have the 2 quart, I have the smaller cuisinart that is linked in a prior post.

It takes about half an hour to make ice cream and I didn't find it that noisy but my kitchen is separate from my living room and so I can watch television while the dryer, the dishwasher or the ice cream machine are running in the kitchen and I don't notice.

I seldom use it, but the grandkids love to make their own ice cream, so I've made half a dozen batches, maybe. It works fine.

Annie
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
I have the double-barreled Cuisinart stainless model. I have never had troubles with the noise. Lars, maybe a 1/2" neoprene pad under your maker would help?

It works great.
lakeguy35
16 years ago
I also have the small cuisinart. Mine came with a free extra bowl.....some kind of special deal when I bought it. I don't think it's that loud...about the same as the bread machine when it's kneading dough. 20 - 30 minutes sounds right as far as time goes. That time is after your cooked or heated ingredients have had time to chill though.

David
jimster
16 years ago
NOISY is an understatement. It's LOUD and ANNOYING. You definitely need to put the Cuisinart in an isolated place or it will drive you nuts in less than thirty minutes. It makes good ice cream though. It's nice to make your own exotic flavors.

Jim
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
Either the machines themselves vary widely in how tightly they are constructed hence the noise issues or some people are more sensitive than others. Since I am sensitive to noise in general, I suspect they must vary from unit to unit in how much noise they make. I need to make some ice cream to really research this. Yeah, that's why I need ice cream. You bet.
caboodle
16 years ago
I'm wondering the same thing. I have an older Hobart Kitchenaid mixer and this Cuisinart is maybe a bit louder that that, but not much. We certainly are able to be in the same room with it. We have an open kitchen/dining/living area and it certainly doesn't run us out of the room.
Judi
jimster
16 years ago
I'm pretty sure we are comparing several models of Cuisinart.

Jim
lowspark
16 years ago
I don't know if this offer is open so feel free to say NO! but if Linda doesn't want your extra one traceys, I'd LOVE to have it. I'd be happy to pay you. I missed out on that deal by minutes.
doucanoe
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh May...I'm sorry. I e-mailed Tracey and told her I would be interested in her machine.

I porbably should have posted....oops.

Linda
lowspark
16 years ago
That's ok, Linda, I'm glad you got it!! Honestly the last thing I need is anything that makes DESSERTS. LOL. Have fun with it and let us know how the ice cream comes out!

Which Ice Cream Maker?

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