Ice cream maker recommendations

lbt_2

Hi Everyone

I need to replace my ice cream maker (have the magimix one and it's on it's way out). We use it quite often so I don't mind spending a bit more on one that is good and will last.

Can anyone recommend one please?

thanks

Penelope_Penguin

lbt wrote: »

Hi Everyone

I need to replace my ice cream maker (have the magimix one and it's on it's way out). We use it quite often so I don't mind spending a bit more on one that is good and will last.

Can anyone recommend one please?

thanks

If you have about £300 the Gaggia Gelateria is the way to go

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add it to the existing thread to give you more suggestions.

stg123

I wanted to get one of the battery powered bowls that you just put into the freezer (i.e. not one of the ones that you have to leave in the freezer for 24 hours first, or one of the huge kitchen top ones)

The Panasonic one doesn't seem to be for sale any more (and used weird batteries that couldn't be recharged anyway). The closest I can find is the 'Total Chef Ice Cream maker', but I can't find any reviews. They're on Ebay - #160469020020

Does anyone recommend this type of ice cream maker?



Thanks!

Andy_1234

I know this is quite old, but I found it when searching for ice cream makers.

I have the Cuisinart Ice Cream 'Professional' and wouldn't recommend it. It cost £200 and has a built in freezer. However, the noise it makes when 'churning' the ice cream is ridiculous. You definitely can't put in on when your having a meal, and even if you eat your meal in a different room you can hear it. I think the paddle is made from cheap plastic and it just sounds like the cogs are grinding inside. It claims to have 'ready to eat' ice cream after 45 mins, but you just get a sloppy mess that then needs to be frozen.

I am now looking at the Gaggia version. Can anyone on here confirm if it's a quiet machine? The only thing that puts me off is having to use alcohol on bowl, which seems a bit odd.

Debt_Free_Chick

Andy_1234 wrote: »

I know this is quite old, but I found it when searching for ice cream makers.

I have the Cuisinart Ice Cream 'Professional' and wouldn't recommend it. It cost £200 and has a built in freezer. However, the noise it makes when 'churning' the ice cream is ridiculous. You definitely can't put in on when your having a meal, and even if you eat your meal in a different room you can hear it. I think the paddle is made from cheap plastic and it just sounds like the cogs are grinding inside. It claims to have 'ready to eat' ice cream after 45 mins, but you just get a sloppy mess that then needs to be frozen.

I am now looking at the Gaggia version. Can anyone on here confirm if it's a quiet machine? The only thing that puts me off is having to use alcohol on bowl, which seems a bit odd.

Hi there. I have the Gaggia Gelatiera and have had it for about 10 years now - still going strong.

It definitely has a churning hum to it, but I've never considered it noisy or a disturbance. Mine is out in the utility room, though

Ice cream is meant to be soft and spoonable rather than frozen solid, but if you want yours to be more firm, you just leave it in the machine, with the freezer on after the churning stops. Oh, and put the freezer on beforehand to get the bowl cold before you add the mix and turn the churner on.

You only use vodka or other alcohol when you use the spare bowl - but you don't put it in the ice cream :rotfl: - you put it between the two bowls to stop them freezing together.

Andy_1234

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Hi there. I have the Gaggia Gelatiera and have had it for about 10 years now - still going strong.

It definitely has a churning hum to it, but I've never considered it noisy or a disturbance. Mine is out in the utility room, though

Ice cream is meant to be soft and spoonable rather than frozen solid, but if you want yours to be more firm, you just leave it in the machine, with the freezer on after the churning stops. Oh, and put the freezer on beforehand to get the bowl cold before you add the mix and turn the churner on.

You only use vodka or other alcohol when you use the spare bowl - but you don't put it in the ice cream :rotfl: - you put it between the two bowls to stop them freezing together.

Thank you, that's useful to know.

We were expecting some noise from the machine, and a 'hum' would definitely be normal. I think the problem with the Cussinart machine is that it's pretty much all plastic. If I remove the paddle, there is just a humming of the motor, but once the paddle is attached it's like a grinding and cracking sound. It certainly isn't the 'professional' machine Cussinart are marketing it as. Even if you leave the ice cream in the machine with the freezer on, it doesn't make a firm ice cream. Good to know this is different on the Gaggia. The ice cream is nice though, once it's been pit into a freezer for a while.

With the Gaggia, how long in advance do you have to put the freezer on? I'm guessing it's only 5-10 mins. Just long enough to prepare the ingredients to put it.

Thanks for clarifying the Vodka situation. :rotfl:

Debt_Free_Chick

Yup, only need to turn the freezer on 5-10 mins before you make the ice cream.

To clarify, there are two controls on the Gaggia - the freezer and the churn. You can use them independently, so you can turn the freezer on first to get the (mixing) bowl really cold. You can then add the mix and turn the dial on, which drives the churn-thingy (girlie term, that ) The dial is a timer which makes the paddle churn for .... about 40 mins ....? Generally, I find this sufficient, but if you want a firmer ice-cream you can either leave the paddle/churn idle and continue to freeze, or reset the dial so that it continues to freeze and churn.

Oh - and, yes - shocking waste of vodka