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.

Frozen mango chunks (bought in a bag from freezer section) blended with skim milk in a blender can be just about as thick as ice cream (if you use more of the frozen fruit) or smoothie-like if using more of the skim milk.Usually doesn't need sweetener but if desired one packet of stevia would do the trick. Frozen ripe banana chunks blended with skim milk also provide a lot of creaminess but I don't really eat them any more due to calories. :) I was wondering about the low cal possibilities with the ice cream maker and appreciated everyone's info here. Husband just made a batch with full blown cream and sugar, with coconut flavoring, it was great but these days I'm not interested in anywhere near that much fat or sugar! Had one bite, it was enough :) Lost 20 lbs recently amazingly easily by just not eating overly fat foods and starches, wish I'd done it years ago :) It is surprising how quickly you get used to less fat and added sugar, then when you taste something with all that stuff in it, as I just did, it's like, man, way too much!! (Of course the fruit contains sugar and even skim milk has some, so it is still a dessert but at least it lacks the added fat and sugar.) I've read that some people use guar gum, I'm not sure where to buy that, anyone know? This post was edited by urthcreature on Sun, Aug 17, 14 at 15:30

I have the half gallon one and I think it is Hamilton Beach. It did not come with the booklet and I wrote to them and got one from them. I have had mine several years and got it on clearance. It uses ice cubes and does a great job. Sue

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