Who doesn't love ice cream? And while it's most appreciated on hot summer days, it's a treat that can be enjoyed year round. If you're in the market for an ice cream maker, know this. Cuisinart Ice Cream Makers, and most specifically the Cuisinart ICE-50BC is the cream of the crop!
If you're looking for kitchen gifts or if you're thinking of buying this ice cream maker for yourself, we'll cover all the info you need to help you make up your mind.
There are plenty of ice cream makers on the market, but what makes the ICE-50BC so special is that it has a commercial style compressor freezer.
As mentioned above, one of the key features of the Cuisinart ICE-50BC is the compressor. This is important because it means that you don't have to keep the bowl/bucket in the freezer so that it's cold enough when you want to crank up your machine and start making some ice cream or frozen yogurt. If you have a big freezer with lots of room, I guess this isn't an important feature, but it is for those of us who have freezers that are jam packed. The bowl/bucket is kept cold internally, so you are always ready to start using the machine.
The Cuisinart ICE-50BC is a feature rich machine, for all that its functionality is fairly simple. After all, all you do in add your ingredients, start the timer, and let it go. Before you know it, you have great homemade ice cream or frozen yogurt.
So, here is the full list of features for the ICE-50BC:
Is fully automatic and prepares up to 1.5 quarts ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet
Contemporary styling, housed in brushed stainless steel
It's commercial like compressor freezer means not having to prefreeze the bowl/bucket
Unit maintains precise temperature control so that all ingredients will mix in an efficient manner, and always produce excellent results
Automatic 60 minute timer
Transparent lid with spout allows you to add ingredients while the unit is operating and watch the process.
Heavy duty motor
Removable bowl and mixing arm for easy cleanup in warm soapy water
Instructions and recipe book included
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Measures 15.5 x 10.75 x 10.5 inches
Weight approximately 33 pounds
The ICE-50BC has a 3 year limited warranty
If you've read the rest of the info here, you know that we've already praised the pros of the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker, so there really isn't any need to rehash everything.
However, here are a few things that I haven't mentioned.
The fact that you don't have to keep the bowl in the freezer so that the unit is good to go whenever you want it is a huge advantage to me, and a lot of other people.
If you've used other ice cream makers, you know that in many cases you need to use a lot of rock salt, and that keeping that from destroying your machine can be a problem. Salt is corrosive, after all. The ICE-50BC does not require ice or salt, and in my opinion this is a big plus.
Now, on to the cons…
At nearly 33 pounds, this machine is pretty heavy, so those considering it should take that into consideration. If you have back problems, or just aren't very strong, you might want to make sure the ICE-50BC is placed somewhere where you never need to move it again.
Many complain that the ICE50BC is loud, and I guess it is, but it's no louder than other appliances I have. Some have placed it in a main floor laundry room or any other out of the way place so that they don't have to listen to it while its running.
If you like your ice cream rock solid, you will need to put your finished product in the freezer before it's hard enough for you.
The transparent, plastic lid could be designed better and be a bit sturdier, so be sure to take care with it. I can see where it could break very easily if you don't take it easy when removing it, or trying to secure it.
As per the manual, the Cuisinart ice cream maker will stop churning when the ice cream has reached maximum thickness. The problem with that is that the "maximum thickness" can be reached before the ice cream is really done. I think the problem with this is that the ice cream tends to freeze up around the sides and the plastic paddle begins to have a problem dealing with it, hence the machine stops itself. I haven't been able to determine yet if this only happens with certain recipes, because this does not happen all the time
The following points are not problems per se, but things that the manual say you must follow, and if you don't you will have problems.
You must keep the unit in an upright position at all times, although I can't see how you would do otherwise, unless maybe when storing it. In line with this, since you don't know what position the box was shipped in, it's a good idea to let it sit upright for a day or two before using it the first time. I know you want your ice cream right away, but you could be disappointed if you don't follow this step. Not sure what happens to the machine if it's on its side, but that doesn't matter. I just do what the manual says.
Do not put any of the parts in the dishwasher.
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