Which ice-cream maker?

**SarzWix** · 28-07-2013, 11:53 PM

They basically fall into two categories; type 1 consists of some sort of twin-walled bowl which contains a gel, which you freeze like an ice-pack, and then insert into a machine/mixer, fill with ingredients, and set it off mixing. Type 2 has the capacity to freeze inbuilt so that you can just start when you like with no prior freezing of bowls. These tend to be hugely expensive in comparison to Type 1 machines, but are the proverbial dogs' parts of the home-made ice-cream world.

As far as Type 1 makers are concerned, there isn't a lot between them, aside from capacity and some added gimmicks like a facility to add ingredients part-way through the process like a bread machine can. Can't see the point of that personally; you aren't going to be leaving it to its own devices like you do a bread maker. Aside from that, you may pay more for a machine from a more 'reputable' manufacturer in order to gain perceived build quality etc.

Personally, I have the ice-cream-maker attachment/accessory for my Kenwood Chef, which is basic but functional - I find quality of ingredients makes the biggest difference

**Dorothy rouse** · 29-07-2013, 07:52 AM

I bought the small Kenwood, 1.1 lts, and am very happy with it, love it, cost about �24.00 from Amazon, easy to use, and makes sufficient for 4-6 portions I would say. Keep the bowl in the freezer, and it's always ready for use.

DottyR

**alldigging** · 29-07-2013, 10:00 AM

See if the bowl will fit in your freezer if you're planning a freeze it yourself one.

**Capsid** · 29-07-2013, 10:18 AM

I have the Cuisinart one which has a powerful but noisy motor. I've heard users moan that the bowl cracks after some use. I think this may be due to cleaning the still very cold bowl in warm or hot water, so let it warm up until the next day before washing it.

**Dorothy rouse** · 29-07-2013, 11:02 AM

The small bowl should fit ok in freezer, I only have standard fridge/freezer size freezer, but you can always store something like frozen peas or 'raspberries ' inside the bowl whilst it in freezer, and yes DO follow the instructions about allowing the bowl to come to 'room temperature' or wait till next day before washing it, and hand wash rather than dishwasher.

I'm always surprised that people don't read instructions before they use a new gadget, and then complain when it breaks or doesn't work properly.

DottyR

**DonSpillacy** · 29-07-2013, 12:43 PM

I bought a Kenwood one yesterday in our local Tesco's - was reduced to �22.50. I was a bit surprised to find out you have to freeze the bowl first (outside of box didn't mention that bit at all) however thinking about it, there's no way a freezing system could be included for twenty odd quid. We were looking forward to raspberry ice cream last night too, but it will get its first use tonight instead.

ps. Has anyone ever tried gooseberry ice cream?? We've got hundreds of them to get through..

**BUFFS** · 29-07-2013, 02:20 PM

our daughter bought us a panasonic model,battery powered,you put the ingredients in,switch it on and put it in the freezer,takes a while but the results are worth it..

**dim** · 29-07-2013, 05:25 PM

it's like a breadmaker ....

you buy one, use it a few times and it takes up a lot of space on you kitchen top ...

must say that you can make really good homemade ice creams, but the novelty soon wares off .... it's easier (and sometimes cheaper) to buy Ben and Jerry or a box of magnum .... it's like making pizza from scratch .... eventually, you just end up phoning dominoes

**rustylady** · 29-07-2013, 06:02 PM

Oh cynical Dim

**dim** · 29-07-2013, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by rustylady View Post

Oh cynical Dim

jokes aside ... we have not used our ice cream machine once this year .... and it's a huge machine which takes up lots of cupboard space ... we have a good one and paid lots ....

the novelty soon wore off and saying that, we made some really good ice cream (best was ice cream that had cardamon and rum etc )

my advice is that its better to own a really good good juicer ....

that is a machine that we use almost daily (we are even juicing spinach leaves with beetroot etc at the moment and we will be getting gout soon as we have zillions of tomatoes and apples which are about to ripen ... many will get juiced and added with other fruits such as pear etc

in winter, we juice fruits and veg from Tescos if they dont grow in our own garden ...

it's a good machine that can give healthy drinks from crops from your garden, but get a good book aswell as there are a few tips and tricks to juicing healthily

**Martin H** · 29-07-2013, 08:35 PM

Still undecided, so Mrs H is going to try hand making icecream while we cogitate.

**Dorothy rouse** · 29-07-2013, 10:09 PM

Just think of raspberry sorbet, Martin, mmmmm or fresh strawberry ice cream, banana is nice to
with fresh strawberries, mmmmmmm. Sorry I'm getting bit boring now.

DottyR

**Lolarentt** · 12-08-2013, 04:05 PM

We had a Magimix where you needed to freeze the bowl before use, this was rarely used. Bought a Cuisinart which has it,s own motor as a joint Christmas present and this is used all the time. You can make what you want,sorbets, luxury ice cream, ready-made custard/creme fraiche, whenever you feel like it, and it's ready in half an hour or so. Highly recommended!!

**Martin H** · 12-08-2013, 10:43 PM

Thanks Lola, I will pass this on to SWMBI*. She's already expressed her disdain for the ones that need to be pre-frozen, she reckons it's just as easy to do the job with ordinary bowls and take it out of the freezer every hour to give it a good stir.

She's also expressed her desire for a really expensive one ... so an efficient more reasonably priced one could be an effective diversionary tactic as well as getting me eating some more home made stuff.

* I = ignored

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