Cuisinart 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker

Countertop ice cream makers like this Cuisinart 1.5 Quart Ice Cream Maker have been taking over those old bucket models for the last 6 or 8 years, and it looks like there's no stopping them. For years, my wife and I had battled over our old wooden barrel model with much frustration and cussing, but we finally threw that one away.

These new countertop models do not use ice or rock salt, saving you money immediately upon purchase. Instead of using ice and rock salt to freeze the core as it mixes, the Cuisinart relies upon a bowl that is frozen solid ahead of time and then placed in the unit just before switching on. It's really quite ingenious. You'll see these models used on all sorts of cooking programs from Rachael Ray to Giada and even Iron Chef. It's a new wave of technology.

This particular Cuisinart Model is perfect for the average kitchen. It's white and has all the basics: 1.5 quart capacity, hiding cord, recipe book, and a spout that provides easy access to add ingredients. It's very quiet ... more quiet than a blender ... plus it makes a batch of ice cream in less than 30 minutes. There are recipes fresh fruit sorbets, frozen yogurt, as well as all your favorite ice cream.

If cuisinart is not your bag, then you might want to try this model from Rival. It's less expensive but holds the same amount. Methinks the Cuisinart price is paying for the cuisinart name.