Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker with Compressor

BUYER BEWARE - MACHINE NOT AS PROMOTED/EXPECTED! – I purchased this product based on information provided on websites + also based on product packaging information. Essentially, the marketing claims it does certain things and omits key information, not allowing you to make an informed purchase decision. By all means, the home made ice-cream tastes great (this is the only reason I don't give a 1… Read more

star rating). But it would taste just as great in a cheap ALDI knock off version or in the Ninja or any other ice-cream maker. The reason for a customer purchasing the Cuisinart is because of the alleged commercial quality manufacturing features & ease of making "batch after batch" without the need to pre-freeze bowls. It is promoted as churning "perfect consistency", yet this is an utter lie because once you've paid for the product and opened up the recipe guide, only at that point in time are you made aware the ice-cream making process is more complicated than described, takes far longer than you had planned for to get the consistency you're after and also requires fridge and freezer space (not just freezer space like with other brands) in order to get what you're after (and what you're after is the picture of the ice-cream in the cones on the product packaging).

Customer service is nothing to be desired, they basically just fob you off in any way they can and then argue points which they brought up with you to begin with, not points you were ever intending to talk about. They have no assurance to their customer to just 'stick with' the machine because I guess deep down they already know the machine doesn't do what it says it does, so they have no other customer service path, other than to fob you off.

Absolutely LOVE it!!! – This machine has exceeded my expectations in spades! So quick and simple to whip up amazing icecream without needing to freeze a bowl overnight as you do with the models which don’t have their own compressor. Simple to use, easy to clean, just love this machine to bits! I’ll never buy icecream again! Show details

Makes great ice cream! – This is one of my favourite kitchen appliances. The ice cream recipes are easy to follow and I've made delicious vanilla and chocolate custard-style ice creams so far based on the recipe book that comes with the appliance. It's quite easy to reduce sugar and there are no nasty additives and preservatives in home-made ice cream. It's a little… Read more

time consuming as the custard mix needs to stay in the fridge overnight for the flavours to develop but the churning usually only takes about 40 minutes. Best to keep an eye on the mixture when churning in case you have overfilled the container - you don't want it spilling into the machine. I usually put a little less cream and milk in to avoid overfilling. Once churning the ice cream is best after a couple of hours in the freezer to solidify.

Did not cool the ice cream – Followed all directions, tried simple & custard style of ice cream from the recipe book. The machine did not cool the mixture. Sent it back for a full refund. So disappointed, now I’ve lost faith in ice cream makers. But I still want one, that works! Show details

Will not churn – Have had this ice cream maker for a few years. does not get a lot of use. Freezer works fine, but often it wont churn. Have take bottom off and check all nuts and tension. Put it back together and try again. Sometimes it will work, but recently it fails to work. The motor is running, but it is not spinning the churn mechanism.  Show details

Unreliable – Still having issues. After sales service is unsatisfactory. Have to send the machine to NSW (at no cost to me) to be assessed, repaired or replaced. I wanted my money back. After reading more reviews I don’t trust the machine. For the cost I expected it would be able to make great ice cream. Show details

It Works well – Got deliver yesterday having brought on line, noted the instructions to level in on a level surface for 12 hours before using. Then a warning in the bowel that if it has been on it's side or upside down to level it on a level surface for 24 hours. I know a bit about compressor refrigeration and normally these types of appliances are transported… Read more

with markings "This side Up" (take note Cuisinart). Any way made sure it was left on a flat surface right way up for over 24 hours.

Made my first sorbet (peaches in mango syrup) as a test, well made the mistake of not refrigerating the mix first. How ever using a laser temp gun I noted the mix had dropped from 24c to 4c in just over 30 minutes, confirming the refrigeration compressor worked :-)

With the mix at about and maybe below what it should have been before putting in in and start churning I restarted with timer at default 60min. Should note I had about 1.25lt of mix, not sure how long it was but maybe about 45min later I checked and the mix had expanded over the the container rim. So yeah need to do a clean up after putting the sorbet into a container.

To that end I agree the 1.5lt container is small, I should have started with 1lt (4cups) of mix to start with. Note in the Cuisinart recipe book the recipes have volumes of 4 or 5 cups depending on the fruit of type or ice cream/ gelato ect. That seems to be a good guide to allow for increase in volume after churning

So yeah I think the 1.5lt capacity is a bit on the small side but not sure there is any thing available a bit bigger with out a big price increase.

End of the day I am happy it works quite well with the limitations, to that end assuming the machine works the end result of your ice cream sorbet is very much dependant on the mix you make.

So in regards to that last comment I did find some sorbet recipes that didn't require making a syrup to start with, that worked very well with mine but some other recipes will need a syrup

Rubbish – I have experimented with different recipes and my Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker will only produce sloppy soup and has so far turned out to be nothing more than a very expensive paddle mixer with ice cream recipes that do not work. Waste of my money.

First time unlucky! – I just received my Cuisinart ice cream maker delivered by Myer. Kept it upright for 24 hours before the first use. Tried to make ice cream today and the machine started smoking. Horrible burning plastic smell and the machine turned off. Needless to say it didn’t make any ice cream! Will take it straight back to Myer for a refund. Part Two … Read more

So I went to Myer and swapped it for a new one, same make and model. Took it home and made ice cream. Got a surprise when the cooling fan started as this didn’t happen with the first machine which was clearly a dud. Anyway it made really good ice cream really fast so fingers crossed.

Flawed Design and unreliable – I was so excited about this ice cream machine. I had done my research and by all accounts it seemed like a great option. However, our ice cream maker never worked and the motor kept on heating up and shutting down. I went back to kitchen warehouse and they replaced it and told us the machine needs to settle for a few hours before using. But we… Read more

still had the same issues. I attempted many times and even recorded a 60 mins cycle for the store. No ice cream... it was only a little bit colder.

Cuisineart told the store to test it with water and by all accounts it froze the water BUT water is not cream and I suspect what happens is a design flaw where cream gets inside the paddle, heats up and solidifies. Making the motor harder to churn.

The store told me you had to be careful about the fat content of cream. That’s when I asked for a refund

Update: Look at the Amazon reviews on this machine and you will see this problem is quite common

Disappointed – Purchased from Appliances on line. I am very disappointed with the machine, it does not make satisfactory ice cream. The mixture is too runny and it does nothing more than stir the mix. And then you have to freeze it otherwise you can drink it.  Show details

Arrived faulty. Would not recommend – Ordered from Appliances Online. Item arrived faulty. The first time I used it, it smelled like burning plastic and didn't freeze ice-cream. Second time, burning plastic smell again and no freezing. Called Appliances Online who told me to call Cuisinart. Cuisinart wanted me to post the ice cream machine to Sydney from Melbourne (in middle of… Read more

Stage 4 lockdown). Said they would test it and, if faulty, would "send me a new motor". They said it would be a month at least. Told me that if it was a cheaper item, they would replace, it but because so expensive, they need to fix it. Eventually checked Consumer Affairs Vic and found that within my rights to have item replaced, as it was a major fault and arrived faulty. Sent letter of demand. Cuisinart contacted Appliances online who replaced item. Thanks to Appliances Online for replacing (although it did take a senior manager getting involved). No thanks to Cuisinart who couldn't have cared less, even when informed that their machine smelled like it was burning. Really poor customer service and I would never purchase one of their items again.

Never going back to bought ice-cream – Unfortunately it took me several months to open my purchase (health reasons took priority). Have made vanilla ice-cream a couple of times now - absolutely delicious. Tonight I made chocolate ice-cream - to die for. Cuisinart deserve a gold medal. No problems whatsoever - easy, easy and you will never go back to bought ice-cream when you have… Read more

this! No nasties - have bought some ice-cream cookbooks to expand my repetoire. The booklet that comes with it has heaps of recipes too.

If you love ice-cream - you will love it!! No regrets at all -

only that it took me 8 months to use!!

Best gelato Ice cream maker – I bought this on special from Myer for $399. Works great, I’ve used it to make gelato commercially from home and manages to sold over 90 big tubs of gelato over 2 months summer period. The size is very bulky and heavy. The settings on the machine is very manual, with no sensor telling you when ice cream is done. But the machine works great.  Show details

Delicately eaten – So creamy, needs to be eaten delicately, no need to rush...Take your time, small spoon, with a grilled peach and ginger syrup drizzled on top and enjoy the total experience. Looking forward to getting to know one another this summer. Have yet to try sorbet and gelato. Christmas will be its testing time!  Show details

Didn't work/poor quality – Just a glorified mixer, couldn't cool the mixture lower than fridge temp, 3 hours and nothing changed. Had to return to sender. Very disappointed considering the units its price. Very poor quality. The company was ok for me to send it to them so they could locate the issue and replace, expensive venture for receiving an item that doesn't work.  Show details

Don't bother – Have made three batches of ice cream with this machine. As said by a previous person, left a fatty deposit on roof of the mouth. When made as per instructions from book, ice cream was soft, if eaten straight away, but when frozen, ice cream goes very hard and contains a lot of ice. Not like store bought ice cream. Tried to find a way to overcome… Read more

these problems by Googling, but was unable to find a fix. Will keep eating ice cream with all the bad stuff, but maybe not as much.

Was ok – I purchased my ice cream maker as Christmas present to myself I have only used it 4 or 5 times and it did work a treat. I went to use it again in early January but it played up it worked ok for about 3 or 4 minutes into its blending cycle and then made really terrible grinding noises. I stopped it to check and make sure I had placed ice cream… Read more

container correctly. Restarted it and again got the grinding noises. Reached and then restarted and it worked ok. I have since been very hesitant to use it. I will give it another go and but it looks like I may have a lemon. Other problem is the zvailabily of ingredients some recipes call for the use of pectin only place I can source it is online and the postage is almost the same as the product.

Fanticetic – Brilliant machine, simple to use and great results every time. I have tried the other type where you have to freeze the bowl and this is absolutely worth the extra cash you'll need to splash- don't even consider any other one just be patient and save up for this one  Show details

Good Machine – does what it said it would do, can't depute the product. But the Recipies, plus others sourced leave a fat deposit on roof of the mouth I don't think this is the product fault but I can't find out how to avoid this. will put me off making ice cream

Great – Great little ice cream maker, we have this model and a similar Apuro model and much prefer the Cuisinart for the little extra cash. We just ran it for three days straight producing ice cream for our ice cream van and it didn't miss a beat, yet the Apuro would freeze up.

Love My New Ice Cream Maker – This machine is amazing. Most of my family are dairy intolerant so I instead of using full cream milk and cream I substituted them for tinned coconut milk and coconut cream. Also instead of using sugar, I used honey. You would not know the difference. Creamy, delicious icecream in less than 1 hour. Restaurant quality my husband said and he is very fussy when it comes to his ice cream. This product is worth every cent. Thank you!

The key to making the perfect ice cream! – I definitely agree with all the comments here. This is a dream come true and a life saver for grandmothers like me who has grandchildren always clamouring for ice cream, burgers and french fries. It’s quick and easy to use and a breeze to clean up! The noisy part though is right, but it’s not that big of a deal.

Got my ice cream maker! – It will make a large quantity for all the kids, .Its a little noisy when churning the ingredients, but that is to be expected. Very easy to wash and clean.

Love it! – We've made about a half-dozen batches of ice-cream and we're delighted. it's easy, fairly quick and we control what goes in. Just milk, cream, a little sugar and flavouring. No preservatives, colouring or salt which are in most commercial ice-creams. We've found that half the amount of sugar suggested by the recipe book is all that is needed.… Read more

Strawberry is the best we've made so far!

It's a little noisy and the mixture is a little soft when finished (but if it were much harder you wouldn't be able to get it out of the bowl!). We also wanted the plain stainless steel finish, rather than the red, which, surprisingly, cost more.

These are very minor negatives. It's a great machine that does what it is designed to do with no fuss and produces great results.

Brilliant. Amazing ice cream every time – This ice cream machine has not failed me yet and I am so happy I bought it. The ice cream comes out smooth and creamy in usually far less than 60 minutes. The recipe book that comes with it is also very useful. Don't buy a cheaper version. This is the best investment I've made in ages. Everyone who has tried the ice cream from this machine says… Read more

"wow, you should open an ice cream shop!". It really genuinely tastes like something you bought in a gelateria.

The only thing I don't like about it is the cheap plastic cover that sits over the bowl. It doesn't attach properly and the flip opening keeps falling off too. I just perch the cover on top of the bowl when the ice cream is churning and hope that it's doing something useful. But again, despite the rubbish cover, this machine produces awesome results every time.

Note: it's pretty noisy. I only turn it on when everyone is still awake.

worth saving for – I saved up for a while for this after reading only good reviews and haven't been disappointed. The icecream is great and it's very fast. Now I can make all the icecream I like, but without the things added that I don't like in commercial brands. The machine is very noisy due to the compressor, but it's 40 minutes to make a batch so you can live with that. Highly recommended to pay that bit extra for a good machine.

Craps on the cheap freeze bowl models – One of my best appliance investments ever, second to my optimum 9400 high-powered blender which accompanies the Cuisinart Ice cream maker perfectly to add in silky smooth fruits and natural favours. I have had Zero issues, this machine is truly commercial quality. I usually make at least 2-4 batches one after the other, you don't need to chill… Read more

down ingredients at all, also one tip for the best Gelato is to remove it after it just starts to freeze so it's got minimal aeration possible. 3 cups milk, tin of condensed milk & a pinch of salt is the yummiest foundation for your Gelato.!

Real, delicious and healthy icecream – I was on the lookout for an ice cream machine with a compressor for the last couple of years. I jumped at the chance when I saw it and can't believe how good it is. easy or complex recipes- they are all DELICIOUS. I have not bought commercial ice cream since November 2013. My kids can eat as much as they want because it's ALL NATURAL and I know… Read more

what's in it. I would have made over 20litres of ice cream over the summer. everyone that tastes it can't believe how creamy and flavoursome it is. Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, mango, choc mint- all scrumptious. You can eat it freshly churned after about 45 mins- it's that real silky soft gelato. The recipe book is excellent. Easy to clean. Do yourself a favour and invest in your health with this machine. Big thumbs up! Can eat icecream straight after a churn Nothing.

Awesome – Have had my new best friend for 2 months now and what a fantastic product !!!!! I use it every day and if you want to take chemicals and other junk well this baby is the answer. LOVE IT. I am so fussy when it comes to ice cream and would only ever purchase that. Well now comparing ice cream from my own ingredients my previous favorite brand of ice cream no longer has a place in my freezer

Perfect appliance – Recently bought this, loving, loving,loving it. The ice cream is amazing. So much better than shop bought. Very happy with the purchase and the price from Kitchenware Direct. Soon going to run out of freezer space!! Looks good in the kitchen and matches my other red appliances. I would recommend one for families, my grandchildren were very… Read more

impressed. Kitchenware Direct despatch was superfast, and product was well packed. Does what it does beautifully!

Great machine – I had the earlier model of this ice cream maker with compressor and it was not a patch on the new machine. The machine is quiet, fast and churns well. It is easy to clean and a very sturdy machine. Churning time for about a litre of ice-cream is around 35 minutes. I highly recommend it. Quiet, fast, churns well none

Great product – Family of 5 kids have so much fun making icecream, easy to use and very quick icecream made in no time so we can make a few batches to last a little while , more expensive but money well spent as we are on a farm with plenty of milk and cream to make loads of icecream etc. Very sleek looking