Compressor Ice Cream Makers

Dec 02
2007

What’S So Great About A Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker?

See an electric ice cream maker in a blog photo and – 10 to 1 – it’s a Cuisinart ice cream maker. Why? What’s so great about a Cuisinart ice cream maker?

Cuisinart is best known for the appliance that bears its name – the Cuisinart. OK, so it’s technically a food processor, but most people seem to refer to it by name, even if their appliance is a Kenwood or Hamilton Beach. Who says “Chop your parsley in your Hamilton Beach?”

No one, that’s who. But “Knead your dough in your Cuisinart”?

You see my point?

The company, made famous by this iconic appliance, only began branching out into other small kitchen appliances in the 1990s. By then, however, its name had become synonymous with top of the line quality.

Does this carry over to its ice cream makers? Yes.

Cuisinart makes over half-a-dozen different ice cream machines, but except for one, they are all variations on the same kind of machine – electric gel canister models. (Learn more about the many different kinds of ice cream makers, and how to choose the right one for you.)

As long as you have a well designed gel canister – which Cuisinart does – there’s really little that can go wrong with an electric ice cream maker. These models work by freezing the canister in your freezer overnight before you make ice cream. You then set the canister in or on the motorized part of the machine, insert a paddle attachment, cover the machine and turn it on. Then pour in your ingredients through the spout in the cover. Twenty to thirty minutes later, you’ve got ice cream.

Electric ice cream makers are simple to use, simple to clean and for the most part, pretty affordable. They also churn out good ice cream in 1 to 2 quart quantities, depending on your ice cream maker model.

So why does Cuisinart make so many different machines? A one quart and a two quart model should be sufficient, no?

Not according to Cuisinart! There are 1-quart, 1.5-quart and 2 quart models. Some are sleek, stainless steel models, some come in flaming red and one – of course – comes in support-breast-cancer-research pink. Some are styled to look like old-fashioned freezer buckets, even though they aren’t. One is a soft-serve ice cream maker – it makes exactly the same thing as the other machines, but has a tap to dispense it through, so you can pretend you work at the Dairy Queen.

What all these models have in common, in addition to the type of machine they are, is that they are solidly built. They provide quality at a reasonable price – which is why you’ll see them on every food blog out there.

And then, there’s the top of the line Cuisinart ice cream maker, a self-cooling compressor ice cream maker that’s aimed for gourmet cooks who don’t like to plan ahead (and have a little extra money to spend.) This kind of machine takes away the need for pre-freezing a canister. It has a built in refrigeration unit, so you can just toss everything in, turn it on and walk away. The really cool thing about this one is that it’s one third the price of the next cheapest compressor ice cream maker on the market and nearly as good.

Even this far removed from food processors, there is a reason for the brand’s dominance among foodies, even when it comes to ice cream. In fact, in 2009 The Ice Cream Maker, which provides online ice cream maker reviews, voted the ICE-20 Cuisinart ice cream maker one of the top 3 ice cream makers.

About the Author

M. Miller is a food and travel writer. She reviews ice cream makers for The Ice Cream Maker.

Hamilton Beach Rock Salt for Ice Cream Makers

$34.99

This 3-lb. bag of rock salt melts ice to freeze ice cream and is compatible with most ice cream makers for wide-ranging use.

Back To Basics IC10907 Rock Salt For Ice Cream Makers

$20.83

Provides four pounds of rock salt for ice cream makers. The Back to Basics rock salt makes a saline solution with ice that changes the melting point keeping ice cold for longer. Rock salt is an absolute necessity for making homemade ice cream. The Back to Basics rock salt includes ice cream recipes to get you started. Dimensions: 3 L x 4.5 W x 7 H. Color: White. Volume: 4 pounds enough for 3 batches. Cools down ice for manual ice cream machines and old fashioned handcrank ice cream makers. Rock salt works with ice to chill ice cream to freezing temperature levels. Works with any brand or type of ice cream maker that require ice. Four pound bag of rock salt is enough for 3 batches of homemade ice cream. Cute retro packaging makes this a nice addition to an ice cream maker gift basket. 6 packages of rock salt for homemade ice cream. Makes up to 3 batches. Recipes included.

DeLonghi Ice Cream Maker

$249.99

If you like homemade ice cream, you'll love this Ice Cream Maker from DeLonghi. It features a removable stainless steel bowl with a 1.2L capacity - letting you make up to 700g of your own, delicious ice cream. Plus, because it has a built-in compressor, there's no need to freeze the bowl for 24 hours.

NostalgiaProductsGroup ICK200 Old Fashioned Ice Cream Kit

$31.38

The Ice Cream Kit from Nostalgia Electrics is a fun and easy way to make sweet and delicious ice cream. This kit makes two quarts of chocolate and two quarts of vanilla ice cream using the Nostalgia Electrics brand ice cream makers or other quality ice cream makers. Mix to make up to 2 quarts chocolate ice cream. Mix to make up to 2 quarts vanilla ice cream. 4 Pounds of ice cream salt. For use with Nostalgia Electrics brand ice cream makers or other quality ice cream makers. 1218 Month shelf life. Dimensions: 6 x 5 x 8.5.

Ice Cream

$6

Ice Cream

ICE-50BC Supreme Ice Cream Maker w/ Electric Ice Cream

$299

This commercial-style compressor ice cream maker makes batch after batch of ice cream with no need to wait between batches and no pre-chill or pre-freezing required With up to 1 15 quarts capacity the ice ream maker features a fully automatic 60-minu...

BACK TO BASICS IC10903 Ice Cream Mix 8 Ounce

$19.63

Enjoy delicious homemade ice cream with our ice cream mixes. Convenient instant ice cream pouch makes up to 2quarts of ice cream or 16 1/2 cup servings. Use with any ice cream makers. Just add milk and your favorite ingredients. Dimensions: 0.5 x 5 x 8 .

Ben & Jerry`s Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book (Paperback)

$20.47

Ice Cream makers Ben and Jerry share 90 receipts with their fans that can be made with a simple ice cream maker. The book has colorful illustrations that will entertain the reader as well as tell the history of this famous ice cream company.