Ice-cream maker

[marchogaeth]

Toying with the idea of an in freezer machine to use fruit and also to make lactose free. Anyone any experience, please? The Andrew James machine seems to have good reviews not just on Amazon.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andrew-James...m_cr_pr_sims_i . I don't think there's any chance I would remember to take it out of the freezer and mash it up in the old fashioned (proper) way!

[veggiechicken]

Does this help? http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ker_73879.html

[Scarlet]

I've got a very similar one, I had mine "free" when I bought a large kitchen appliance. I use it more than once a week during the fruit season. The kids love it. The bowl stays on my freezer all the time and doubles up as a wine chiller occasionally

[Alison]

I'd always made icecream by hand but hit the offer of one last year just like the one you link. Nit dies make nice icecream but is a pain to clean and I've probably only used it half a dozen times. Suppose it depends on how much icecream you eat.

[marchogaeth]

Thanks. I think I might risk the £20 although it would be nice to hear from Baglady - Martin????

Does this help? http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ker_73879.html

Thanks, V -I swear I g00gled ice cream and growfruitandveg and it didn't come up.

Edit- actually cheaper to buy direct from Andrew James than from Amazon due to postage.

[Martin H]

It worked pretty well, although it hasn't actually been used for quite a while... I'll ask SWMBI for a more detailed assessment...

[marchogaeth]

It worked pretty well, although it hasn't actually been used for quite a while... I'll ask SWMBI for a more detailed assessment...

Diolch, looking forward to it.

[Baglady]

For the price it works really well IMO. As long as you follow the pretty basic instructions, you get really nice ice cream. It's a bit messy as you have to pour the ingredients into the machine through a fairly small opening while it is running but it dismantles for cleaning quite well. If you think you are going to use the machine more than about twice a week, get a spare freezing bowl as you cannot clean it when it is frozen and it takes a good few hours to defrost. Then it takes another 12-14 hours to refreeze ready for the next batch.

You have inspired me - I think I will put the bowls (I have 2) back in the freezer tonight and make some raspberry ice cream tomorrow.

[marchogaeth]

Diolch yn fawr iawn. I think I'll give it a go. Hope you enjoy. (Please notice not ignoring, Martin!)

[veggiechicken]

I blame you all...................now I have to buy one

[SkyChild]

I have a cheapie one and an Andrew James one and I have to say - it is easier to use.
Bigger entry hatch for pouring in the mixture. Got a better consistency with it too because of this.

Melon sorbet is the BEST thing in the world to make with it. It's SO refreshing and delicious. I'm planning on trying a peach sorbet this year too.

For someone that doesn't like ice-cream I'm not sure how I ended up with 2 machines!

[Dorothy rouse]

You just HAVE to have an ice cream maker. You can use Greek yogurt to make a slightly healthier ice cream, sorbets are lovely also. I always decant the ice cream i've made into a container, so the bowl goes back into the freezer, and is always ready for use.

Now the rhubarb is ready, that makes good ice cream!

[veggiechicken]

Daft question alert
Can you make icecream using just fruit, milk and sugar - or do you have to use cream/yogurty stuff?
Only asking because I always have fruit, milk and sugar in the house but would have to buy cream specially - and that would mean planning ahead, and I'm no good at that

[SkyChild]

Fruity ones made without cream are sorbets rather than ice-creams. I actually prefer them

EDIT - To be clear - Yes you can make without cream!

[veggiechicken]

I don't want to make a sorbet - they make me think of melting ice-lollies on the beach
Just icecream with milk!