Re: OT: Favorite gelato/ice cream maker for the home?
- From: pltrgyst <pltrgyst@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:14:34 -0400
On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:27:14 -0500, "Robert Harmon" <Texas_Coffee@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I've been using a Cuisinart ice cream maker that requires the bowl be frozen
before use, and now I'm ready to move up to one with a built in compressor.
Actually I'm getting ready to move my coffee equipment to an armoire I've
been converting and have a bit of free space. You know how it is, use it or
lose it. Well, I might be moving my coffee stuff from the kitchen, but I'm
not about to give up the prime location it had on the counter. So I'm ready
to get one of those big honkin' mutha's to fill the void.
I can't find a lot of comparisons of the various machines. The Gaggia looks
good, as do some of the Simac models. Do any of you have a preference for
ice cream machines with built in freezing units (and if so do you have any
pointers about what makes one superior to another)?
Someone -- perhaps Cooks Magazine? -- did a comparo about a year ago. They
downgraded the Cuisinart freezer machine for poor performance, with which I
agree, having tried one. They didn't include the Gaggia -- it might be too new
-- and I haven't had my hands on one. It looks nice, though. But, while they
said it had top performance, they also downgraded the Simac/Lello for two
reasons: higher noise level, and difficulty of cleaning the lid/motor assembly.
I liked their data, but disagreed with their conclusions.
I had the same Cuisinart that you have previously, along with a spare freezer
bowl. It worked OK.
About two years ago, I looked at everything available in my price range, and
bought the Simac/Lello 4070, on sale for $129, along with an extra bowl. It sits
right next to my Ditting (A-ha! Back on topic!). I see it's selling for $159 on
Amazon now.
I love it. I can make two 1 qt. batches in an hour, with much less effort than
the Cuisinart, and with a much more solidly frozen end result. And to us,
*nothing* equals our own fresh nectarine or peach ice cream!
As to the noise: yes, it is a bit noisy. But it's no louder in the kitchen than
a Kitchen Aid stand mixer on medium speed, and doesn't bother me at all.
As to the cleaning shortcoming, I simply removed *permanently* the two small
screws that hold the transparent lid to the motor assembly. Now it comes apart
instantly for cleaning. Yes, it takes a second or two longer to pop in place,
because now you have to manually hold the lid and motor assembly together while
placing them on the machine, but I find that no problem at all.
The Lello is the best I've found for under $300. If I had to replace this one,
I'd buy the current 1.5 qt. Lello, just for the larger capacity.
-- Larry
.
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- OT: Favorite gelato/ice cream maker for the home?
- From: Robert Harmon
- OT: Favorite gelato/ice cream maker for the home?
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