The more you know about a graduate's plans for the future, the easier it is to come up with a cheap graduation gift. However, the suggestions below should work for most any grad and cost less than $25.
Ice Cream Maker Review
Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$24
$45
$100...+In this review:
Ice Cream Maker Performance
We found some good cheap ice cream makers, judging by users' enthusiastic comments about the soft-serve results and the old-time, natural (i.e., non-artificial) taste. Still, even the most highly-rated models had some detractors and we noted a few reports about inconsistent texture and/or stalled motors for several of the models we researched.
Ease of Use.
As you would expect for a small appliance that's all about sweet pleasure, cheap ice cream makers tend to be user-friendly. Both the Play & Freeze and Hamilton Beach 68330R require adding the proper blend of rock salt and ice, but other than that, the end product requires nothing more complicated than measuring the ingredients and turning on the motor (or rolling the canister around, as with the Play & Freeze). Cleaning is also straightforward; the models we researched all recommend hand washing the freezer bowl and paddle and wiping down the other parts. Once you've done all the prep work, making the ice cream itself takes 20-40 minutes, depending on the model, the recipe, and the desired consistency.The Cuisinart ICE-20 wins plaudits for ease of use in ice cream maker reviews on Epinions. Compliments range from mess-free and quiet to appreciation for a process that requires no ice, just freezing the bowl for at least eight hours. After adding the ingredients, you'll have ice cream in 20 minutes or less, and you can watch the progress through a clear lid. There's no timer or auto shut off on this model, which is a plus; one user notes in an ice cream maker review on Amazon that this design feature lets you keep the machine working until the preferred consistency is achieved.
Another cheap ice cream maker that earns stars for dispensing with the salt and ice routine is the Deni 5205 and its gel canister. This convenience is a big draw for consumers, according to ice cream maker reviews on Walmart; commenting on the Deni 5201 (the same as the 5205 but lacking the candy crusher), one user praises the simplicity of the process and says she makes a batch almost daily. Several consumers posting ice cream makers reviews on Sears, however, complain that the 5200 model (the same as the 5201 but available only in "clear"; the 5201 offers a choice of colors) shut down when the mixture thickened by before the ingredients froze into ice cream.
The Play & Freeze earns acclaim in ice cream maker reviews on the Target website for being a cinch to use and making sport of making ice cream. Throwing, kicking, or rolling the container around for 20 minutes or so is fun for kids and adults, according to ice cream machine reviews on Amazon, although a few say the filled canisters are too heavy for kids to throw and some get bored after a few minutes. Still, the Play & Freeze is a concept and a process that appeals for its novelty and portability; with no batteries or any need for an electrical outlet, the Play & Freeze can travel anywhere. One scoutmaster reports in an ice cream maker review on the Walmart site that the Play & Freeze was a big hit during a campout; other consumers similarly note its value on road trips and boat rides. Some consumers, however, report that regular-size ice cubes don't fit into the outer shell (you'll need to crush them) and a few gripe about the mess when you try opening the lid to stir the contents midway through the process.
The largest capacity cheap ice cream maker on our list, the Hamilton Beach 68330R, is another user-friendly model. An ice cream maker review on HowStuffWorks gives it a thumbs up because you don't need to pre-freeze the canister (but you might choose to if you prefer harder ice cream). Consumers like the quick clean up, the price, and the four-quart size, and ice cream maker reviews on Amazon say the Hamilton Beach 68330R is a good value. This cheap ice cream maker requires ice and salt, which may account for grumbles about the noise level; one user recommends wrapping a towel around the top to muffle the sound. We did come across some reports of units that stopped working after just a few uses.
The Rival GC9155 boasts a gel canister that eliminates the need for ice or rock salt, but that seems to be the only thing in its favor. The canister requires at least a 24-hour deep freeze (longer than the other cheap ice cream makers on our list) and well-chilled ingredients, a combination that can delay your gratification. An ice cream machines review on About.com says the advertised 30-minute operating time is insufficient for some ice cream recipes, and consumers posting ice cream maker reviews on Amazon complain that the canister and mixture need far longer freezing and chilling time than the instructions indicate. Another ice cream makers review on Epinions cautions against putting in too many solid bits (like chips or crushed cookies) and notes that you may need to stop the machine every few minutes to scrape down the sides. Other ice cream maker reviews on Viewpoints grumble that the spout for adding solid bits (like candy or fruit) is too small and the seal holding the bowls together broke on one unit.
Ice Cream Quality.
Homemade ice cream is best eaten as soon as it's made, but you can freeze the finished product for several hours for a firmer consistency. Most cheap ice cream makers shut off when the mixture firms up, but the Cuisinart ICE-20 runs until you decide the mixture is at the consistency you like. Ice cream maker reviews by users on Epinions and Amazon rave about the tasty, smooth, creamy results with the Cuisinart ICE-20, and note success with a variety of flavors like coffee, mocha, and strawberry. For the best results, one user recommends adding chunky bits near the end of the process, pre-freezing the bowl at least 24 hours, chilling all the ingredients, and always using pure vanilla.The finished product from the Play & Freeze has its share of fans and critics. An ice cream maker review in the About.com camping guide says the "hot cocoa" ice cream (requiring four packets of cocoa mix) is excellent, and consumers posting ice cream machine reviews on Amazon and Walmart likewise praise the consistency and taste of the ice cream. On the other hand, some users deride the Play & Freeze in ice cream maker reviews for failing to deliver an edible product.
Although the Deni 5205 produces decent ice cream, according to most ice cream maker reviews on Amazon and Walmart, some consumers gripe in ice cream maker reviews about inconsistent results (runny center and hard ice cream on the sides and bottom of the canister). But the major complaint concerns the candy crusher; ice cream maker reviews on Pricegrabber and Amazon say this plastic component is too flimsy to handle the tough job of crushing hard pieces of candy or even chocolate morsels. Recommended solution: use a knife or food processor instead.
Consumers like what the Hamilton Beach 68330R delivers even though they grumble about noise and occasional durability problems. Ice cream maker reviews on Amazon talk up the soft creamy consistency and several suggest freezing the finished product overnight for results that are more like store-bought ice cream.
Results are inconsistent and reviews uneven for the Rival GC9155. An ice cream makers review on Amazon says only a week of pre-freezing the canister and a full 24 hours of chill time for the ingredients produced something resembling ice cream. Other ice cream maker reviews report a soupy mess loaded with ice crystals or milkshake-like results.
Warranty.
All the ice cream makers on our list offer some kind of warranty. The Cuisinart ICE-20 comes with a three-year limited warranty, which is the longest we found. The Play & Freeze has a one-year warranty on manufacturing defects, and the Deni 5205, Hamilton Beach 68330R, and Rival GC9155 offer one-year limited warranties.
Back to top »
Discount Ice Cream Makers Feature Comparison Table [next]»
«[prev] Cheap Ice Cream Maker, Best Cheap Ice Cream Maker
Read user comments below
Best Cheap Ice Cream Makers
Cuisinart ICE-20 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker
The Cuisinart ICE-20 features a transparent top, removable mixing arm, and a non-stick chamber. Most users love its ease of use (no salt or ice required), consistently creamy ice cream in 20 minutes, and sturdy build. In the unlikely event this machine breaks, it's backed by a three-year warranty, the longest of any we researched. You can save a few dollars by buying a refurbished unit. Read more »Ice Cream Makers Deals
Industrial Revolution's Play & Freeze Ice Cream Maker
This innovative approach to ice cream making is roundly lauded by adults and kids. The Play & Freeze is a lightweight polycarbonate "ball" that makes good ice cream in less than 30 minutes by being kicked or thrown around; it needs no electricity so you can take it anywhere. This one-pint model comes in a variety of colors; the quart version costs about $10 more.
Read more »Ice Cream Makers Deals
Good Cheap Ice Cream Makers
Hamilton Beach 68330R 4-Quart Automatic Ice-Cream Maker
Favorable reviews for ice cream quality and quantity (four quarts, which is more than any other model on our list) for the Hamilton Beach 68330R, which features an easy-lock lid that lets you watch the process. Some users report it's noisy and some say the motor jams. Read more »Ice Cream Makers Deals
Deni 5205 Automatic Ice Cream Maker
The Deni 5205 is the only cheap ice cream maker on our list with any frills -- in this case, a candy crusher. Consumers like the ice cream but say the candy crusher is relatively useless. The Deni 5205 features a transparent lid, anti-slip rubber feet, and cord storage, and comes in several colors. Two models without the candy crusher, the 5200 (clear) and 5201 (color choices), are a few dollars cheaper. Read more »Ice Cream Makers Deals
Cheapism.com on Facebook
Don't Bother Cheap Ice Cream Makers
Rival GC9155 Gel Canister 1-1/2-Quart 2-Piece Electric Ice-Crea
In a variety of ways, the Rival GC9155 underperforms its rivals. Users complain it takes longer than 30 minutes to make ice cream, which often has a slushy, rather than solid, consistency. You have to freeze the bowl for at least an entire day before proceeding, and it weighs a hefty 10.8 pounds; users also gripe about faulty parts. Read more »
Products Mentioned in This Review
Rival GC9155 Gel Canister 1-1/2-Quart 2-Piece Electric Ice-CreaHamilton Beach 68330R 4-Quart Automatic Ice-Cream Maker
Deni 5205 Automatic Ice Cream Maker
Cuisinart ICE-20 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker
Industrial Revolution's Play & Freeze Ice Cream Maker
7 Gifts for the Grads on Your List
Cooking Tools That Are Cheaper at Hardware Stores
In many cases, the only difference between a hardware store tool and the kitchen version is price.
April 20th Daily Deals - 3D TV and HDTV Deals, Kitchen Goods, and more.
Today's daily deals include a HDTV and 3D TV deals, kitchen goods, and more.
© 2012 Cheapism
We do not accept payment or other gratuities from manufacturers or retailers to recommend or discuss their products on Cheapism.com. Nor do we accept any payment or other gratuity from websites to blog about their news stories or posts.
Made in NYC
