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Ice cream maker opinions, please

19 years ago

All the pictures of the wonderful sorbets that have been posted prompted me to shop for an ice cream maker. I have done some on line research , and like the 2 qt model by Cuisinart.

Which one do you have, and pros and cons?

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (16)

loagiehoagie
19 years ago
Hi Kathleen, I just bought the 2 quart Cuisinart last week. I used a 20 percent off Bed Bath and Beyond coupon and it was $67.00 including tax. I have used it only once so far and it did a great job! Very creamy delicious ice cream. I am taking it tomorrow for my nieces birthday party to make some more. I don't think they make extra bowls for it (I could be wrong) but that isn't a big deal to me since 2 quarts last a while in my 2 person household. Good luck and I hope you have fun with whatever one you decide on.

Duane
debbie814
19 years ago
Kathleen, the one you chose is very popular. I don't even know which one I have, but it was leftover from my friend's garage sale so I took it. It does the trick, and until it wears out, I'll keep using it! The less I pay for something, the less guilty I feel about not using it on a regular basis :-)
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Cathy, I have just one word for you... ENABLER! You bad bad girl! Guess what followed me home from Aldi this morning? Yep, this ice cream maker. I was given a lovely brown vintage Waring years ago by a friend when she moved (the same one that is staying with me now actually), but the lid cracked and I had to make an ugly repair with something called plastic surgery. It also requires lots of ice and salt and that's just too much to mess with, and I hate buying that stuff every time I want to make ice cream! I never use the thing because of that! I've long wanted one with the freezable container... ever since the Cuisinarts first came out. I debated hard about buying this, but went back in after buying and loading groceries into the car... I just couldn't resist for 20 dollars. I thought about waiting, but I know Aldi.... once they are gone, they are gone, and may never come back. I plugged it in to hear the motor, and it doesn't seem very powerful, but maybe it doesn't need to be. I love the ingredient fill hole... just hope cat hair doesn't fly in when I'm making ice cream! I'll report back after I use it. Thanks Cathy!
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I have a wolfgang puck ice cream maker that has a built in compressor. I love it. I bought if off of ebay and it was cheaper than buying the cuisinart model that had the compressor. One word of caution. They are quite heavy and really shouldn't be moved around very much, especially not tipped or tilted. If that happens you have to wait a day or two, for the machine to stabilize before using. Other than that it works great, and you can continuously make ice cream in it. Claire de luna, I found this article online and saved it. The poster claims that it's not the cooking process but the eggs that affect the ice cream. The woman's ice creams are supposed to be amazing. I am going to try this the next time I make ice cream. I am making an olive oil basil ice cream for work with a strawberry balsamic glaze for the topping. (its a contest we have monthly). Anyways here's the post I saved. "We followed the recipe for her vanilla bean ice cream, adding some chopped flakes of dark chocolate while churning. Here are our thoughts: The texture of this ice cream was amazing!! It was soft, rich, and creamy. Where our eggless ice creams are usually icy and hard, this was incredibly soft and velvety. The process of simmering down the cream and whisking in a little cornstarch was much easier and faster than our usual custard process. We did overcook the cornstarch a bit; you can see how thick our "pudding" was. This gave the ice cream a little too much flavor of cornstarch. But this wasn't too noticeable; our taste testers raved over it. The addition of cream cheese for scoopability and softness is brilliant; it gives the ice cream just a slight tang, but not a noticeable flavor. It does seem to affect softness a lot. Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe by Jeni Britton This exceptionally creamy ice cream relies on two unexpected ingredients: cornstarch (to help thicken it) and cream cheese (to make it more scoopable). 2 cups whole milk 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1 1/2 ounces cream cheese, softened (3 tablespoons) 1 1/4 cups heavy cream 2/3 cup sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt Directions Fill a large bowl with ice water. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of the milk with the cornstarch. In another large bowl, whisk the cream cheese until smooth. In a large saucepan, combine the remaining milk with the heavy cream, sugar, corn syrup and vanilla bean and seeds. Bring the milk mixture to a boil and cook over moderate heat until the sugar dissolves and the vanilla flavors the milk, about 4 minutes. Off the heat, gradually whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Return to a boil and cook over moderately high heat until the mixture is slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk the hot milk mixture into the cream cheese until smooth. Whisk in the salt. Set the bowl in the ice water bath and let stand, stirring occasionally, until cold, about 20 minutes. Strain the ice cream base into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturers instructions. Pack the ice cream into a plastic container. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream and close with an airtight lid. Freeze the vanilla ice cream until firm, about 4 hours. " Shelley S.
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fairegold
19 years ago
Check at Costco. I saw it for a very good price there.
kathleen_li
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks, everyone. Debbie, I feel like you. I do feel guilty if I buy something and it doesn't get used!
Duker, that was one of the comments on epinions, the poster wished they made extra bowls. .. I just found them at Amazon, 45 dollars....good to know..
Fairegold, thanks, I will check Costco! Maybe they will beat Linens N Things even with 20% off.
I appreciate your opinions and help!
kayskats
19 years ago
do any of the new type ice cream makers have a paddle that you can lick?
fenworth
19 years ago
Kathleen - Here's what Cook's Illustrated said about the 1.5 quart model. Let me know if you want the full report and I'll email you later.

Cuisinart Automatic Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, and Sorbet Maker, Model ICE-20
$49.95
Capacity: 1 1/2 Quarts
Freezing time: 20 Minutes
The initial results were not as airy and light as the mixers with motor-driven beaters, but after two days, the CuisinartÂs ice cream had the best texture. However, the machine is noisy (it was difficult to hold a normal conversation standing within five feet), and the storage space it requires is substantially more than for the beater-driven styles.
www.amazon.com
kathleen_li
Original Author
19 years ago
LOL, I don't know....I never had any kind of an ice cream maker. I think your tongue would stick to the bowl on this one!
Marigene
19 years ago
If you want to go inexpensive get a Rival; they are under $20 at Walmart! I saw them last week while shopping and they will make up to a gallon at a time. I have had one for years and it does the same job as the more expensive ones.
kathleen_li
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks, Marigene!
lackboys3
19 years ago
Kathleen,

I have the 2 quart Cuisinart and I love it! I'm always saying I wish I had extra bowls, so I think that will be a project for next week. I'm getting another bowl for my ice cream maker!!!

There was a recent thread here that Carol (DishesDone) started for ice cream recipes, if you need some good ones.

Take care,
DONNA
tkln
19 years ago
I have the 2 Quart and love it...we've made quite a few batches in the one month I've had it. :-)

It is a bit noisy, but from what I've read, pretty much all of the smaller counter top models are fairly loud. I don't find it too overbearing though.

But DO check Costco - I saw it there the DAY I received mine from Amazon for I think about $55...which did not make me happy but I try not to think about it too often. :-)
kathleen_li
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks! I am going to call Costco..couldn't find it on their website, and dh was there yesterday, and it is almost an hour away. I wonder if they will give me the price over the phone..I'll give it a shot.
James, one of the posters on epinions said to get the 2 qt, that it takes the same amt of time to make as the 1.5....Thanks for the info, I'll hand you a cone net time you pass by on your way to EH!
And I am going to check out the Walmart one too...Marigene says it is fine..
Donna, go for that new bowl, with those boys they probably can finish the ice cream off quickly!
And L that would make me mad too, I want the best price, lol!
Wohoo, just called Costco and they have the 2 qt for 50 bucks!!in stock..
Thank you all so much!!
loagiehoagie
19 years ago
$50.00 !!! Wow, that is a great deal! I think you will love it, and unless you want to make a ton of ice cream you could wait on the extra bowl. Once it is frozen (I use my deep freeze) and use it for the 25 minutes pop it right back into the freezer and it would be ready again in about an hour, so no real need for an extra bowl.

Hope you love it! If you have the room the stainless steel model looks good on the countertop too!

Duane
msafirstein
19 years ago
I want one and have for while now!!!! Wish we were members of Costco, for $50 I'd for sure get one!

Michelle
vacuumfreak
19 years ago
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?
the_bless_hotmail_com
18 years ago
you may see some popular ice cream machines , read review & compare between brand name

from amazon.com at these links .

http://astore.amazon.com/rival-ice-cream-maker-20

http://astore.amazon.com/cuisinart-yogurt-maker-20

http://astore.amazon.com/cuisipro-donvier-yogurt-maker-20

http://astore.amazon.com/deni-ice-cream-maker-20

http://astore.amazon.com/euro-cuisine-yogurt-maker-20

http://astore.amazon.com/krups-ice-cream-maker-20

http://astore.amazon.com/salton-yogurt-maker-20

these are bestseller brands . Take a visit .

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