4-Quart Automatic Ice Cream Maker – Easy Homemade Ice Cream, Gelato, Frozen Yogurt & Sherbet – Fast Preparation, Easy-Clean Liner & Classic Styling

Why did you pick this product vs others?: I bought a 'used' version of this ice cream maker, never used one before, and got it for my husband as a gift.  We were very happily surprised at how well it worked and how easy it was to make a batch.  We have used recipes from the included booklet, the powered kits and recipes we found online and all have worked out really well.  The ice cream maker is a bit loud, and snapping the top in place is a bit tough, but overall, it's a great ice cream maker and well worth the price, even if you only use it a few times a year. Easy to take apart and clean.  Stores well in the box.  The ice cream and frozen yogurt  turned out amazing.

I usually don't run to the computer after the first time I use a product and review it... because I feel that it requires at least a month of use to really get a good feel for something. However, I am extremely impressed by this ice cream maker! I had gotten another one last year at the big W on a whim and never used it because the directions were so bad that following them never resulted in ice cream... and I dislike Rival's oval ice bucket design. So I ordered this one as it was about the same price as I paid for my (smaller) Rival (and when I thought that the Rival wasn't working... it was. Just had a hiccup); and the round ice bucket appealed to me as well as the size. It was so much easier to use. Getting the ice and salt in was a snap. It turned itself off when it was done... and it WAS done. It was fast compared to my other. The directions were accurate too, which is a huge plus (3 cups of rock salt... perfect ratio. I didn't have to guess). Plus, I know everyone keeps saying how cheap the materials are... but TRUST me, they're not. My Rival is way more cheaply made. The dasher (paddle) has a metal shaft, not plastic, the canister the ingredients go in... it's not flimsy... it's the same thickness as any other. The dasher is a nice thick quality plastic, not flimsy. It's very well made. The bucket seems nice and sturdy too. It turned out the perfect batch of ice cream without me having to fuss over it like I do with my other one. If you're having trouble getting ice cream (out of any ice cream maker) a hint that really helped me was to make sure you always have enough rock salt, don't skimp on it; and make sure that you let the ice melt. Don't pour out the water, the water is important. The salt water (saline) helps the heat transfer out of the milk/cream/custard and freeze it. It's the water, not the ice, that makes ice cream. I would totally recommend this one to anyone looking to buy an ice cream maker. It was so easy to use. Hopefully it keeps up the good work and doesn't die on me.... but I think I'd probably buy another if it did. Oh and yes, it is noisy. But you'd be hard pressed to find one that isn't. There's no insulation for the motor.... I can't imagine how heavy and huge it would be if they insulated the motor. It wouldn't be practical. But I will take the noise (I tune it out) to have home made ice cream.

Would like to let you people know, listen to the five star reviews, they are advising you right............. AMAZON will not post my reviews they are "VISUALLY DISTRACTING" 3-16-13: This item deserves a little more attention, than I previously gave it. AMAZON and I were having a little misunderstanding, about writing product reviews. That has been perfected now. Here goes, I received this product two days ago. I have made two batches of ice cream since then. Both batches turned out beyond supberb. People talk about the noise, if it made any less noise you couldn't hear it kick off, if you were in the next room. Some people could have got loud one. I am speaking of the one that I purchased. One thing that really amazed me was, one batch of ice cream took about 45 minutes. I checked the moter, it was cool to the touch. The moter did not labor, and remained cool throughout the process. Because of all of the good 5 star reviews, was a hugh deciding factor that, I purchased this mechine. Everything the 4 and 5 stars reviewers were saying was factual. Listen to them, they have been owning one of these for awhile, they know. I believed them, and now I highly recommend this product. Look at the price, that's nothing, for a product that performs like this one. By the way, AMAZON delivered the ice cream maker to my door, almost before I ordered it. Fast huh?........................ 3-19-13 Just wanted to add a little more good-time info on this ice cream maker. Still making more ice cream, got the flavors, you name it. This machine is putting out the cream I'll tell you. These people, talking about the noise. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I am not disputing anyone. However, hey, it doesn't make that kind of noise, you have to hear it enough, to hear it cut off, when the ice cream is made. I just can't make people understand, THE PRICE, THE FINE GOOD ICE CREAM, NO MESS, EASY, FUN, NOT COSTLY TO MAKE ICE CREAM ALL DAY. Better than "store bought". At first "soft serve", a few hours in the freezer, super ice cream. I just can't say any more better things about this machine. AMAZON will get it there, before you order it....... 3-27-13 I am just trying to help, some reviewers, in my opinion talk out of the realm of common sense. One reviewer stated to go to Lowes and buy a 40 pound bag of rock salt that, is used to melt the ice on the sidewalks, roads streets etc. People, please don't do this. Morton salt, that is made for ice cream making. You can buy a 4 pound box of this salt at Wal-Mart for a $1.41. Don't buy industrial salt that is used for roadways, steps or sidewalks. This type salt has chemicals that is used for that purpose. Ice cream salt is made for making ice cream, not thawing out roadways. One box of Morton Ice Cream Salt that is for ice cream making.... 2-17-14 I made ice cream 5 days ago, this machine is still making perfect ice cream as the first time almost 1 year ago. I have had NO problems with this ice cream maker, since the day that I received it. I still highly recommend this product, for the price and service you will be pleased.....