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ice cream makers

18 years ago

Hello, everyone.

I am looking for recommendations for a good ice cream maker. I don't want one that I need to use salt/ice, and I would prefer not to get one that needs to have the bowl frozen.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Gail

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Comments (13)

bri29
18 years ago
I just picked up a Cuisinart ICE-20 a few months ago and love it. It does require that you freeze the bowl, but I just store mine in the freezer so it's ready to go. I got this on the recommendation of David Lebovitz, all around ice cream guy and author of The Perfect Scoop. I've made sorbets, frozen yogurts and ice creams in it and all do well. At only $50, it's something that I can use a dozen times a year and not feel too guilty about buying or keeping around the house.

For something with no ice, salt or prefreezing, you'd have to get one of the commercial style compressor machines. They're a lot more expensive and I've read mixed reviews on the more reasonably priced models like the Cuisinart ICE-50BC ($250 or so). I think you'll end up spending $400-600 to get a decent compressor style machine, based on the research I did when looking to buy my ice cream maker.

Sorry I can't give a specific recommendation on the compressor style machines, but I really do like the little one I have.

Bri
annie1992
18 years ago
Bri, I have that same ice cream maker and I really like it. Like you, I just keep the bowl in the freezer, but I'm thinking I'd like to have an extra bowl.

Maybe for Mother's Day....

Annie
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arandygail
Original Author
18 years ago
Annie, thanks for the idea of getting a second bowl. I was hesitant of the "frozen bowl" type because I would have to re-freeze between batches.

I'm not sure why I didn't think of a second bowl :)

Thanks,
Gail
kathleen_li
18 years ago
Same one here, as per the advice of other forum members. I have only used it once so far, but I got it at the end of the summer. Looking fwd to using it for sorbets this summer. 50 dollars at Costco, Cuisinart 2 QT
annie1992
18 years ago
Gail, I didn't think of either, until I was making frozen sugar free yogurt at Christmas and Makayla wanted to make chocolate ice cream. Suddenly, an epiphany!! A second bowl. LOL

I haven't gotten one yet, you understand, but I really like the machine and the second bowl option would be a lot cheaper.

Annie
bri29
18 years ago
It seems we all want a second freezer bowl! I have a hard time justifying it for just the two of us, but it would be fun to be able to make a couple kinds of ice cream at once! :)

Bri
kathleen_li
18 years ago
Yikes, the bowl costs as much as I paid for the 2 qt whole thing!

Here is a link that might be useful: extra bowl
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
18 years ago
I don't have room in the freezer for a second bowl but I have the same Cuisinart ICE-20 and it works great, the ice cream comes out great! I have a bag of frozen peas stored in the bowl, making use of every inch of freezer space :)
jimster
18 years ago
My daughter-in-law has the Cuisinart too, received as a gift from me a couple of years ago. It works well and I think it is a very good value at $50. Only negative I can think of is it's kinda noisy, but that's not a deal breaker.

Jim
dees_1
18 years ago
I have the same Cuisinart model and it's great. I think I got mine on Amazon.com for $30. I've had it for about 7 years.

If you have a KitchenAid mixer, they make an ice cream bowl attachment. Freeze the bowl and use the paddle. Voila!!! I don't think it's as cheap as the Cuisinat but it sure makes a multi-tasker work harder!
Terri_PacNW
18 years ago
I have a bowl for my KA...I keep it the bowl in the garage freezer..It's going to make an entrance to the house soon..

Great idea on a second bowl though..I also need a second mixing bowl for mine!!!!
kd937shop_kdanieli_com
18 years ago
I've made lots of great ice cream with my Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker.

I find that the ice cream hardens and freezes to the sides and bottom of the frozen bowl while the center stuff that is being churned stays softer.....
So when I scoop it out into the storage container, some of it is soft and creamy while other parts are frozen to the sides. This leaves me with an inconsistent texture, even after refreezing in the storage bowl.

I have tried continually scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula or chopstick as it churns...but maybe it is because my maker bowl is just too cold?

Have any of you observed the similar "part hard, part soft" as it comes out of the maker bowl...and what have you done about it?

Thanks,

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: Lezident ?
CA Kate z9
18 years ago
arandygail: I have a Cuisinart ice cream maker that has it's own freezing unit and I LOVE IT! I want to bring my "cold" mixture to the 1.5 qt. container, pour it in, turn it on, and have it done in an hour.

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