I have a Simac Il Gelataio 1600 like the one I found on eBay linked below. I've owned a few different machines over the years and am happy with the Simac despite two cons. 1. The unit is very heavy. Combined with its size, it's awkward to move around. I don't have a spot large enough in my kitchen to dedicate just to the Simac so I can't store it on my counter. When I use it, it needs to be moved out of, and then back into, the garage. 2. The bowl isn't removable for cleaning. Some Simac models do have a removable bowl. On the positive side, the thing is built like a tank. I can imagine it lasting for many more years to come. Ice cream comes out great every time, and it's incredibly easy to use. Here is a link that might be useful: Simac 1600 on eBay

I have a Deni Ice Cream Maker and these are recipes from the user's manual. I'm like compumom, I've never used any of the commercial products and I'm surprised there isn't a recipe for adding yogurt instead of cream/half-and-half/milk. Have you checked the web site of the mix product you are wanting to use for recipes? Perhaps there's one that includes yogurt. (Grainlady note: This is NOT like regular ice cream. It's got quite a bit of "bite" from the sour cream - what my hubby calls "adult" ice cream ;-). CHOCOLATE FROZEN YOGURT 2 c. plain or vanilla flavored yogurt (I'd suggest vanilla flavored) 1 c. sour cream 1/4 c. light corn syrup (I use Lyle's Golden Syrup) 3/4 c. sugar 1/3 to 1/2 c. baking cocoa (I'd suggest you start with the lower amount and add more the next time if you think it needs more. If you are using Hershey's 100% Cacao Special Dark Cocoa, you may want even less than 1/3 cup. I've also added some Cacao Nibs to this recipe and only 2 T. Special Dark Cocoa Powder.) Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Beat well. Place in the refrigerator (or freezer for faster chilling) and chill thoroughly. Follow standard instructions for making ice cream. Note: Leave out the cocoa, reduce the sugar to 1/4 c. and add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips, or any other yummy things you can think of. We've added chopped Cherry Mash bars to the recipe. Butterfingers would also be a good addition. I've also made it with homemade yogurt made with Chocolate Morning Moo's (a whey-based milk substitute) and drained homemade kefir curd - drained to the consistency of sour cream. So use your imagination. ORANGE FROZEN YOGURT 3/4 c. evaporated skim milk 4 T. orange juice 4 oz. egg substitute (such as Egg Beaters - do NOT use raw eggs) 1-1/2 t. plain gelatin 2-1/2 c. vanilla flavored fat-free yogurt 1 T. orange zest 1 c. sugar dash salt 1. In a small sauce pan, sprinkle the gelatin over the evaporated skim milk. Warm the mixture (do NOT allow to boil) to dissolve the gelatin, stirring if necessary. 2. Combine remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor. Mix well. Add the milk/gelatin and continue processing to ensure proper mixing. 3. Chill thoroughly. 4. Follow standard instructions for making ice cream....

A quick google search turned up this site (as well as others) that sells Simac parts. Here is a link that might be useful: Simac parts

I made the chocolate ice cream recipe I posted above on Saturday, but I realize now that the nuts should not exceed 1/2 cup. In fact, I am now using a fairly different recipe, and I will post that when I get home. I reduced the sale to 1/32 tsp (one pinch), and I used 3 egg yolks plus one whole egg. Also, I used 5 oz of chocolate instead of only 2, and I think I used 3 tbsp of cocoa, but the same amount of sugar. Anyway, it was sweet enough. I was out of Frangelico (I used it in egg nog), and so I had to use Hazelnut Kahlua, but that was okay. I only used 2 tbsp and I should have used four because the ice cream came out very hard after spending the night in my freezer. The new machine works like a dream, and it is so much quieter than the other ones I have. Also, it is so much easier to add ingredients. I poured the entire custard mixture into the bowl (with the dasher) with the lid completely off, and then toward the end, I added the nuts through the window opening. The machine shut off by itself when the ice cream was done (about 35 minutes) and went into freeze only mode, but I removed the bowl promptly so that it would be easier to remove the dasher. My only issue is that the dasher has some "teeth" that are somewhat difficult to get the ice cream off of, and none of the parts can go into the dishwasher, but I am okay with that as long as no one else ever puts them in there. You cannot use metal utensils with it either, and it came with a very nice plastic scoop for removing the ice cream at the end. I am already looking forward to my next batch. I bought some vanilla beans (rather expensive) for French Vanilla, and so I will probably make that next, since strawberries are not in season. I would make coconut ice cream, but Kevin does not like it. Still, I can make small batches for myself easily enough, and so I will make a batch of that as well. I have a coconut in the fridge. Also, I used my new thermometer spoon for this recipe.