Best Ice Cream maker to buy

[cinnabun]

OK, just so every one knows...no, I have never made ice cream before but would love to try. I don't have a lot of storage room so which ice cream maker is the best one to buy? Small refrigerator freezer also. Isn't there one that has a disc instead of a tub or bowl that you put in the freezer? I also want one that will last a while, if I am going to spend the money I don't want to have to go out and buy another one in a few months. If this subject has been covered in the past, please accept my apologies in advance and your help is much appreciated in helping me make this decision.

[Shirley Panek]

Me2 -

I have a Cuisinart which I love although I haven't made much ice cream this summer. It comes with the bowls you have to freeze (mine came with 2, some kind of special, if I remember correctly), but I'm pretty lucky and have a deep freeze, so I'm not as concerned about taking up space. I've never seen the kind with a disc before. Sounds interesting.

Here's a search with links to ice cream maker topics (http://community.cookinglight.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=336610&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending). I just did a search with ice cream maker in the "search under titles only". Hope they help! :)

BTW - Welcome to the boards!

[Sami]

Me2, I have a Rival, which was cheap at Target. I bought it because I couldn't find my Krups (and didn't like it either). The bowl is standard, and it does need to be frozen before you use it. My Rival is on its second summer and doing fine. Today I made Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia Ice Cream. Good luck. Sami

[cinnabun]

Thank you. Shirley, I will have to go check the link out later. Sami, the rival doesn't have to be frozen first? I never knew they had one out like that. Thanks for the information.

[valchemist]

in Sami's post she says the Rival bowl does need to be frozen. your best bet for a small ice cream maker is something like the cuisinart or rival. I don't think there is any such thing as a disc you can freeze. And if there was one, I doubt it would produce the best results.

[cinnabun]

OOOPS!! It does say "does". Sorry about that. I thought about the disc thing and it probably wouldn't work out all that well, considering it wouldn't bring it all the way up the sides of the container. I will go look at the cuisinart and rival here in a few weeks, if I time it right I might get it at a good price.

[Lrimerman]

My parents just bought the Cuisinart one at Sam's club, it came with an extra bowl. I have the krups with the bowl you freeze. We got it 5 years ago as a wedding present, and it still works fine. We use it a few times a year (sometimes more, sometimes less). Since DS is on a dairy free, soy free diet we haven't used it this year.

Only problem I had was the dog chewed the end of the cord off, DH replaced the plug and it works fine.

Lisa

[Sami]

me2, Most ice cream makers that are electric, need to have the container very cold, as well as the ingredients, for the freezing to take place in a minimum of time and/or at all. I, too, don't think a disc would work, but if it is cheap, try it. Although I don't like the Krups, the cuisinart gets wonderful results according to this list and to friends.

Sami

[stomkow]

Sami,

I'd love the frecipe for cherry garcia - it's my favorite, although I have been limitng myself to the CG frozen yogurt these days (which i ahve to say is great too - for frozen yogurt)

[ClaraB]

me2, one thing you might want to consider with ice cream makers with the freezable bowls is that the freezer nedds to be very cold for them to work properly. If the freezer doesn't get the bowl cold enough, it won't be able to make good ice cream. Just thought I'd mention this, since you mentioned you have a refrigerator freezer only, and I know sometimes they don't get very cold.

[Sami]

Stomkow, Here's the recipe for Cherry Garcia, from the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and dessert Book

1/4 cup plain shaved chocolate (I used bittersweet)
1/4 cup Bing cherries, halved (I used frozen, unsweetened, thawed)
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups heavy or whipping cream
1 cup milk (I used skim because it was all I had)

Place the chocolate and cherries in separate bowls and refrigerate.
Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy, 1-2 min.
Whisk in the sugar, a little at a time, then continue whisking until completely blended, about 1 more minute. Pour in the cream and milk and blend.

Transfer to an ice cream maker and freeze acc. to the manufacturer. After the ice cream stiffens, add the chocolate and cherries. Makes 1 quart.

PS I, too, love the CG yoghurt, but this is good for a change.

Sami

[cinnabun]

I would like to take the time to thank everyone that has posted and commented on this subject. I think I am going to go with the cuisinart and go and buy one this weekend (long weeekend!!) may be I will have some free freezer space to try it by then.

[stacy7272]

Just wanted to add my two cents and say that I just recently got the Cuisinart because I just can't deal with making ice. I have a small freezer and can't find any LEVEL space for ice cube trays. I can occasionally find space for the ice cream maker's bowl. I've used it twice and it works in 20 minutes! I got mine at Costco and I got it with 4 free ice cream glasses and an ice cream scoop. I'm jealous of those of you who got the extra bowl. I do like it a lot, I would love it if I had a big freezer.

[bobmark226]

Anyone who's in the market, W-S is offering the free second bowl, a $25 value from now til the end of the year. I may finally bite.

http://ww1.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=srki1%7CwCuisinart%5Csice%5Cscream%5Cs maker%2Fcatcctli%7Cp1%7Crshop%2Fhme%2Fhme&skus=6151971&pkey=sa0s10cream%2Ccuisinart%2Cice%2Cmaker&cmsrc=sch

BOB
(so much for Skinny Cow, eh, JeAnne?)

[doggerham]

BOB -- thanks a bunch! I've got a $25 W-S gift certificate just burnin' a hole in my pocket.

[brownie12]

I have oreo mint ice cream in my cuisinart right now, as a matter of fact! It's one of my favorite kitchen gadgets, and I got the second bowl free when I bought mine at Sam's last summer.

I also highly recommend the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Book. during the long hot summer here, it's one of my favorite cookbooks! :)