Cuisinart ICE-30BC 2 Quart Ice Cream Maker

An ice cream maker is hardly a "must have" or everyday use home appliance. When the urge hits you however; there is nothing quite like making your own ice cream! If you have ever used the old style ice cream machines that used rock salt and tons of ice, the Cuisinart ICE-30BC will surprise you for its use of neither of these supplies in performing its function! This machine uses a specially constructed Thermos-like metal ice cream bowl which is frozen in your freezer prior to use. All you need to is mix your favorite recipe, place it in the frozen bowl, place the bowl into the machine and turn it on. In 20 minutes or so your ice cream is ready!

The Cuisinart has a stainless steel exterior and an ever so easy to use knob to turn the machine on and off (how refreshing...no digital controls needed here!) The top piece of the machine has an opening into which you may add additional ingredients during the mix.

The noise produced by the machine is tolerable and at a rather low pitch. I would estimate it is about the same volume as a hand mixer. This is certainly not a super loud appliance. I did notice a slight machine oil scent at the end of the mix coming from the machine. I think this is just due to its initial burn in. This scent was very faint and of course did not in any way effect the quality or flavor of the finished ice cream. The scent decreased with each use and has now gone.

Here is the good part; this thing is easy to clean! Imagine that, a kitchen appliance you can clean in seconds! The mixing bowel has rounded interior edges at its bottom, making it easy to get to the ice cream you just made and making it easy to clean up. After use, clean the mixer bowl with a sponge under the sink, dry it with a towel (watch it...that bowl is still very cold!) Can can not wash this mixer bowl in the dish washer, but then it is so easy to clean in the sink, you will not need to use the dish washer!

After drying, place the bowl back in the freezer so it is ready for its next use. I found it a great idea to pack my freshly made ice cream in pint containers, placing 2 of them inside of the mixer bowl to save space in the freezer.

A recipe book is included which gives you some great ideas for ice cream, frozen drinks, sorbet and gelato. It is fun to experiment with these recipes, adding or substituting your favorite ingredients. I made pomegranate ice cream which was wonderful!

While an ice cream maker is certainly a luxury item, the Cuisinart ICE-30BC does its job as advertised. It produces ice cream (and frozen drinks, sorbet and gelato)quickly and easily. If you enjoy home made ice cream, this is a no brainer. A well built and solid machine for churning out your favorite frozen delicacy! Now if we could just get them to build a speed mixer into this unit; we wouldn't have to use a power mixer to prepare the ingredients!