Oh pshaw, on Tue 14 Nov 2006 08:21:09p, Ptich meant to say...

> Pete, thanks for the clarification with Ice Cream Makers vs Machines,
> it helped a lot with googling for the right thing.
>
> From
> http://www.epinions.com/Ice_Cream_Ma...range_220_1200
> it seems that the main problem with < $500 makers is that they are easy
> to break once the cream becomes sufficiently hard. I was looking for
> something reliable in $300-$400 range, but it looks like I was too
> optimistic.

I've had an Il Gelataio machine that has it's own freezer and it has worked
flawlessly since the late 1970s. Unfortunately, that model is no longer
available.

However, any breakage that may occur is due in large part to not removing
the frozen mixture before it become *too* hard. The machines were not
designed to freeze the mixture rock solid. Even commercially made ice
cream is removed from the churning freezer to containers and then placed in
a standing freezer to mature and further harden. If you keep this in mind,
you should have few problems with any of the machines.

Il Gelataio still makes a smaller machine (1 quart capacity) and can be
found for $200-250. My machine produces 1-1/2 quarts.

--
Wayne Boatwright
__________________________________________________

A good man has few enemies. A ruthless man has none.