Nostalgia ICMP400BLUE 4-Quart Electric Ice Cream Maker with Easy Carry Handle

...from someone who has made "tons" of ice cream with White Mountain machines.1. The motor unit is properly made and stays in place on the bucket. The motor unit has two hook-like protrusions that fit into slots in the rim of the bucket. When the hooks are properly seated into those slots, the torque of the motor acts on the motor unit in the opposite direction from the can and does in fact keep the hooks in place in the slots. The reviewer below who said the hooks are backward and the person who used tape to hold the motor on were describing issues that I did not experience.2. My standard ice cream recipe froze in about forty minutes. That's typical for me since my recipes all start with a cooked egg custard base which means that the mix often is warm when I start the machine going. Sometimes I make the mix the day before and chill it overnight to shorten the time in the machine. True, this machine's dasher does not actually touch the sides of the can like the fancy wooden dashers of a White Mountain machine. But that did not matter for my freezing time. In fact, since the can of this machine is aluminum instead stainless steel like White Mountain's, it probably is best for this machine's dasher not to scrape the sides of the can. So IMO, the reviewer who complained about the dasher not touching the can is wrong about that causing long freezing times. The reviewers who complained about long freezing times (6 hours in one case) are either not using enough salt with the ice or are using an unconventional ice cream recipe or are doing something else wrong or unusual.3. All of the parts were included. The reviewers complaining about missing parts had a different experience from mine. However, there were no instructions included. Many people might not like that. But I don't need no stinkin' instructions to make homemade ice cream.4. The motor is not louder than it should be. All ice cream machines of this type are noisy. The sound is a combination of that made by the electric motor, the gears, and the ice. IMO, this little machine is not as loud as a White Mountain machine.5. The motor stops when the ice cream is done. This is normal for this kind of ice cream maker. The ice cream at this point will be thick, creamy, non-pourable, and paste-like. But it needs to be further cured if the traditional consistency of ice cream is desired. Do that by removing the motor unit and the dasher from the can and leaving the ice cream in the can in the ice for about twenty minutes more, or remove the dasher from the can and put the can in your freezer. I always transfer the ice cream to some other container for final freezing because digging hard ice cream from these cans is not easy and could even damage this machine's light-weight aluminum can. So IMO, the reviewer who said the motor never stopped (and whose mix never froze) did something wrong.6. Homemade ice cream is expensive. There probably are many reasons to make homemade ice cream, but thrift will not make the list. I prefer making my own ice cream because I have special recipes that I have developed over a long time. I like them better than ice cream from stores. The reviewer who complained about the cost of making homemade ice cream unfairly attributed that complaint to this particular product.Conclusion...I have to recommend this machine to anyone who knows how to make ice cream and needs a simple machine that doesn't cost hundreds of dollars. I can't give any testimony about the durability of this machine. But considering how much White Mountain machines cost nowadays, even one summer would be enough to be competitive with White Mountain IMO.

I recently had the pleasure of trying out the Nostalgia 4 Quart Ice Cream Maker with Easy Carry Handle, and I must say, it's been a delightful addition to our summer festivities. Here's a rundown of my experience with this charming appliance.First and foremost, the ice cream maker runs like a dream. The motor is surprisingly quiet, allowing for a peaceful ice cream-making process without disrupting the conversation or the atmosphere. The easy carry handle is a thoughtful touch, making it convenient to transport the machine from the kitchen to the patio for a fun outdoor ice cream session.One thing to note is that this ice cream maker requires the use of rock salt, which might be a bit of a departure for those accustomed to the electric-free models. However, the trade-off is well worth it. The rock salt not only aids in achieving that perfect creamy consistency but also adds an extra layer of nostalgia to the whole experience.Now, let's talk flavors. We decided to break in the Nostalgia ice cream maker with a batch of homemade coffee-flavored ice cream, and the results were nothing short of spectacular. The machine churned the mixture evenly, producing a rich and velvety texture that had everyone in awe. The coffee flavor was robust and perfectly infused into the ice cream, creating a treat that even the most discerning taste buds couldn't resist.Cleanup was a breeze, thanks to the detachable parts that are easy to disassemble and wash. The compact design also makes storage a non-issue, fitting neatly into our kitchen cabinet until the next ice cream craving strikes.In conclusion, the Nostalgia 4 Quart Ice Cream Maker with Easy Carry Handle is a winner in our household. It runs smoothly, embraces the old-school charm of using rock salt, and delivers on the promise of delicious homemade ice cream. Whether you're a seasoned ice cream enthusiast or a novice looking to try your hand at crafting frozen delights, this ice cream maker is a sweet investment that will surely leave you and your guests raving.