I have a dilemma. If I opened this ostensibly fair and balanced review with my true, genuine feelings about this gelato maker from DeLonghi, I would sound like a shill. See, I am swooning over this machine. There you have it.
But I want to give at least an appearance of critical judment, so I'll explain how this thing works and why I like it so much, so far. At this point I have only made two batches of ice cream in it, so my love is new-minted. But this machine is surpassing all my other ice cream makers (and I, um, have tried a lot of them. A lot.).
About Compressor Ice Cream Makers
This ice cream machine is a compressor model, which means that it has a refrigeration unit inside. It doesn't have a removable bowl that has to be frozen between every batch, unlike the less expensive models. This means that you can make batch after batch, and that you can put lukewarm mix in the machine — it doesn't have to be chilled. (The instruction booklet still recommends chilling the mix, however.) This type of machine is a step up in both quality and price from the popular $40 ice cream makers with the removable bowls.
But this step up means significantly improved performance and convenience. I already have a compressor model of ice cream maker, from Cuisinart. It's great to be able to make batch after batch. But I hate how loud it is — you can barely hear yourself think while it's running! It also takes about 60 minutes to churn a batch of ice cream, even when the mix is chilled.
DeLonghi Gelato Maker
Well, the DeLonghi gelato maker is a step up from the step up, if you know what I mean. It is significantly quieter than my other compressor ice cream maker. How much quieter? Well, if it's running in the dining room, I could have a conversation in the kitchen and barely notice the noise of the machine. It is so much quieter. My husband said that he thought it made at least half the racket. Not scientifically tested, but there you go.
The machine also is smartly built. The churner/dasher paddle is wide and seems to mix the ice cream more thoroughly. It also scrapes the walls of the bowl, so the ice cream doesn't build up in a thick, hard layer on the inner walls — as it does in my other machines.
The lid is fully closed — not open to the air — so there is no way for ice cream to run out over the sides of the removable bowl or out of the top. (This has happened to me with other models!) The machine came with a little paddle designed to scrape the ice cream out; it's just the right size.
The final (and greatest) advantage to this one is it is fast. I tried a lukewarm mix that had been chilled for just an hour, and a fully chilled mix. Both froze in about 30 minutes. I was seriously impressed.
Oh... and one more thing! The bowl, paddle, and lid are all dishwasher safe. This bowl is so easy to scrape out and clean, and that's just the cherry on top.
The one drawback is that the bowl is a little smaller than the bowls of my other ice cream makers. It says that it should only take a little less than 3 cups at a time. This is unfortunate, but not a terminal problem. After all, you can make batches back to back.
Ultimately, this machine is just a treat to use. I am swooning over it — speaking as a cook who makes ice cream nearly every week, this is the best machine I've used yet. It comes with a hefty price tag, but keep an eye out; Williams-Sonoma stores have had these on sale for under $150.
One last note: This is called a gelato maker, but this is probably just a better title for any of the home ice cream makers on the market. Gelato has significantly less air, and none of these machines can whip much air into ice cream. Here's a little more about gelato vs. ice cream.
• Find it: DeLonghi GM6000 Gelato Maker with Self-Refrigerating Compressor, $248.99 at Amazon
More Ice Cream Maker Reviews:
• Product Review: Cuisinart Automatic Ice Cream Maker
• Review: Cuisinart ICE-50BC Supreme Ice Cream Maker
Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. However, the manufacturer did give us the product for testing and review purposes.
(Images: Faith Durand)
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how does the texture compare to other makers? especially with the non-compressor models, the mixture is always a bit more riddled with ice crystals than is preferable.
Methinks someone got in on the WS clearance. Congrats. Me too. I have a dilemna though. I got this machine thinking it'd be so much more convenient to not have to freeze the caniter the day before. Well, the thing is, I keep the caniser for my Cuisinary in the freezer at all times. I've sort of worked around it and since it's been years, I don't really think of it as space lost, since I'm so used to having it in there. This thing seriously weighs at least 30 pounds and if you tilt it while moving it from storage (it's too big to stay on your counter), you need to let it rest (for the liquid coolant to settle) for 24 hours.
It's awesome it has a compressor but it's also sort of a pain, unless you happen to have a huge kitchen with lots of counter space for this to live.
Yeah I keep mine on the floor in the pantry -- I just drag it out and leave it on the floor while it churns. There is no way it would fit on my countertop.
I keep mine in my Gulf Stream 7, and let my pilot operate it.
I promise I don't work for this website or profit from it at all, but I wanted to share that I was perusing RueLaLa this morning and saw this exact model on sale there for $199: http://www.ruelala.com/event/product/23503/3010595757/1/DEFAULT
You have to sign up for the website to buy the "deals" but it's free so it's no big deal. If you're going to sign up and you're feeling kind towards strangers all at the same time, you can sign up using this link and I think I get some credits or some discount if people use it to sign up: http://www.ruelala.com/invite/lizlemonn.
Hi Faith...Thanks for this review. My fiance and I were planning on registering for the Cuisinart Supreme Ice Cream Maker, but then I came across this article and so am considering the Delonghi. I see that you have used both, from your previous review of the Cuisinart. Now that you have had the Delonghi for a bit longer, do you still like it better? Would you definitely recommend it over the Cuisinart?
@Julia I don't know if you'll see this, but yes, I still like the DeLonghi more.
I have an older version of the Cuisinart, though, so I wasn't using the latest model. Both will work great. But I would lean towards the DeLonghi.
I just purchased the Delonghi Gelato maker off Amazon, gently used for $180.00 (shipping included!) I've been interested in getting a gelato machine for years but could never find one in my budget. Like a lot of people I haven't been satisfied with the freezer bowl ice makers- too many ice crystals. This machine is excellent. The texture of the gelato is perfect right from the machine and even improves if put into the freezer for a few hours. I also bought the book Making Artisan Gelato off Amazon. The recipes are to die for! All of the flavors so far are excellent (espresso, chocolate, raspberry, french vanilla- so far :) For anyone using an ipad, I downloaded the book through the Kindle app. The only draw back I can find to this machine is trying to find enough room in my freezer for all of my new frozen creations! It's well worth the money for anyone looking to invest in a great machine!
Okay it has been over full year since you did this review and I am going to ask how you like it NOW... you see I have had numerous ice cream makers in the past 21 years of our marriage. Lets just say enough to be able to pay for this one probably a couple of times. Oh having spent much of my childhood in Germany I love gelato and the European ice creams (trust me, very few if any american ice creams compare to those from much of western europe!)
I am anxiously awaiting your response because it will determine my actions in the coming weeks. Thank you!
Hi everyone Can anyone please let me know how much noise difference is there between the Cuisinart ice 100BCA and the Delonghi thanks CX