Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I read the reviews carefully before selecting this machine. My machine arrived in perfect condition and sooner than expected. I cleaned the drum and put it in the freezer 24 hours. It was frozen solid when I used it and my ice cream came out perfect. My husband couldn't quit raving about it and how much better it tasted than store bought! It was rated highly but there were some one star ratings that said it wasn't powerful enough to thicken the ice cream and because the drum did not get cold enough to freeze the ice cream. Churning Issues I believe that people complaining that it is not powerful enough to churn the ice cream should revisit their recipe. I found that when I put too much heavy whipping cream into the mix, it thickens really quickly and machine seems to be straining. When I used the proper mix of heavy whipping cream and milk, I didn't have that problem and the ice cream came out nice and smooth. Also, every ice cream maker creates a soft serve type consistency. If you want it to firm up, you need to dip it out of the drum and put it in the freezer for an hour or so. Also don't put bits of fruit or nuts into the churning mixture. Wait until after the ice cream is finished then fold that in my hand after you empty it into a bowl. The chunks will get caught between the paddle and drum and cause problems if you add them during the churn. Chunks are meant to be added later. Drum Problems You cannot submerge the drum in water. I clearly says so in the manual. If you can't read the small print, Google Cuisinart ICE-21 Manual and download the pdf for this unit. I did that and it was way easier to read. I put mine in the freezer in the upright position for 24 hours before using it the first time. After you churn ice cream you will a medium to thick layer of ice cream welded to the interior of the drum. DO NOT scrape it out with metal utensils. I just cover mine with a paper towel and after about 15-20 minutes I scrape the sides with a soft pliable spatula. Do not scratch the interior, it will cause problems later. Also do not put the drum back into the freezer until it thaws completely out. After waiting the 15-20 and scrapping the inside, I take my drum to the sink and spray it out with warm water, being careful not to submerge it or scratch it. I dry it out with a paper towel and sit it on my counter in the upright position to finish thawing out. Then I wipe off the excess condensation from the inside and outside and put it back in the freezer in the upright position.