Your opinion please

[Lisa W]

I've been reading all your posts on homemade ice cream and now I want to try it! The only thing is the cost of an ice cream maker. Here in Canada a Cuisinart is *gasp* $100.00! I've been checking on ebay and they have them a lot cheaper (even taking the exchange rate into consideration). The only thing is they are "refurbished".

So, my question is, should I take a chance on a refurbished model or spend the $100 on a new one?

[Jill123]

$100!?!

We have one at home, but it didn't cost anything close to $100. It was more like $20-$30. (Then again, we bought it a Wal-Mart.)

But I've made everything from ice cream to sherbets for several years now and have had NO problems with it.

I guess it depends on how "fancy" you want it to be. Ours is the kind that requires salt and ice. They make them now that just plug in -- no salt or ice needed. I don't know how expensive those are.

Hope this helps.

-- Jill

[badunnin]

Are there more inexpensive models available? Cripe - I could buy it and ship it cheaper than that.

[shscharles]

We've had a Donvier for nearly 10 years. It sits in the freezer until we're ready for it and we happily hand-crank away. Frozen yogurt, ice cream, sorbet, it's idiot proof!

It was only $30.

[JHolcomb]

The Cusinart is so much better than the ice and salt models, IMHO. I paid $50US for a new one, but would not hesitate to buy a refurbished one. You may want to check out Cuisinart's web site to see if they have info on their refurbished products (like Kitchen Aid does) and if there are any guarantees/warranties that come with them. Good luck!

[Natasha3]

Is it $100 wherever you've looked? I know that at Sears, it was $100 (I put it on our registry and a couple of people wanted to buy it, but fortunately it was out of stock.) I say that because, since then, I've found them for $70 or maybe even less. Just a thought, though I know you may not have as much selection. Good luck, whatever you decide! :)

Natasha

[badunnin]

Originally posted by JHolcomb
The Cusinart is so much better than the ice and salt models, IMHO. I paid $50US for a new one, but would not hesitate to buy a refurbished one. You may want to check out Cuisinart's web site to see if they have info on their refurbished products (like Kitchen Aid does) and if there are any guarantees/warranties that come with them. Good luck!

I agree that the Cuisinart is better than ice and salt models, but there are other non-ice/salt models available. Rival makes one, and for as much as I use it, it's wonderful.

I checked the Canadian Tire website, and they have the Cuisinart for $69.99.

[beckms]

I bought a Cuisinart refurbished for 24.99 during a Friday sale on Amazon (US). It looks and works like brand-new, and I'm very happy with it.

I used to have my mom's old hand-crank Donvier, which I was perfectly happy with until I broke the plastic blade of the crank on some thicker ice cream. Cuisinart seems a little sturdier, IMO.

[lonetree1353]

Lisa..I have a Donvier which I picked up brand new at a second hand shop for $10 Canadian. For the number of times I make home made ice cream this works great. Be careful when you buy from the US when you calculate back to Canadian funds. I purchased a book from half.com which when shipping and handling charges were added ended up costing more than I could buy at Chapters. Luckily the seller very kindly refunded and cancelled my sale. Just wanted you to be aware of the extra costs before you purchase.

Maureen

[Terri-Lynn]

If you have a linen and things they occassionally have coupons for $20 or $30 off. Last year for my birthday I gave my husband the coupon (check on line I believe they have an online coupon as well) and told him all I wanted was a cuisinart ice cream maker. Maybe you could tie it in with a sale and get one for a better price. Like Natasha said since I got mine I have seen them cheaper then what I paid with the coupon.

Terri

[Searcher]

Lisa, I don't know now the money translates but is the machine you're looking at a double? There's a Cusinart Ice Cream Machine here that has two freezer bowls that sells for about $99. I think it's black while the only color I've seen the single machine in is white. The single sells for around $50 here.

[Lisa W]

Thank you everyone for your responses. :) It was Sears I checked out originaly and they were asking $100.00. I've since made a few calls and I can get one for maybe $60-$70 but I don't think they're Cuisinarts. That shouldn't make too much of a differance -- at least I hope not.

I think I'll look around a little more -- although we are very limited to places to shop here on PEI.

[stefania4]

For whatever it's worth, we bought a refurbished Kitchen Aid mixer off of e-bay two years ago and we're still absolutely thrilled with it.

[badunnin]

Originally posted by Searcher
Lisa, I don't know now the money translates but is the machine you're looking at a double? There's a Cusinart Ice Cream Machine here that has two freezer bowls that sells for about $99. I think it's black while the only color I've seen the single machine in is white. The single sells for around $50 here.

With the exchange rate what it is today, I'm assuming it's a single. $100 canadian is about $65 american today.