Magimix Gelato Expert

The machine is a bit heavy, but you can't expect anything else because it has to have a cooling element/motor in it. I solved the problem with salt/alcohol by mixing a large bottle of salt water in the right proportions. You only need to pour a little when using it. I did the same with sugar syrup for the sorbets. Works a lot more conveniently.

If you whine about it taking too long and longer than the stated time, you haven't understood ice cream making yet. Heavy, logical.. it has a cooling engine. Buy the book ice age by kees raat and then you have a nice base for making ice cream that helps you on your way to start with the right ingredients. Top machine and that 1.5 years later.

After endless study of all the different self-freezing ice cream machines, we chose the most expensive one. And not a second of regret so far. Made ice cream four times now and every time a success. Good smooth ice cream in less than 30 minutes. I did let the machine pre-cool for 10 minutes. Of course the machine makes noise, but everything is not so bad based on other reviews I had read. Is a soft humming sound, similar to a pan of rice that is gently cooking.

Another big advantage is that if you don't think the ice is firm enough yet, you can let the machine freeze through. And so far I've had to use it once (and to my satisfaction). Also the ice cream that I have frozen and eaten days later was still great in taste and consistency after leaving it out of the freezer for 5/10 min.

In short, a lot of money for an ice cream machine but really worth every euro if you really want to make that delicious creamy ice cream (without ice crystals!) in your own kitchen.