Are ice cream machines worth the money?

[Phyllidakettle]

Watching Bake Off last night and they were using ice cream machines. I’m toying with the idea of buying one. Is it likely to end up stuffed at the back of the kitchen cupboard or are they worth buying?

I have one and if it broke I would rebuy. It’s the kind that freezes the ice cream as it turns and you don’t have to freeze the bowl in advance.

We have tonnes of eggs though. I have lots of hens so making ice cream custard is a great way of using the eggs all up.

The type where you put the bowl in the freezer will end up unused in a cupboard.
A proper gelato maker - amazing!

Ours has to be got out and sit for a while before we can turn it on. Cheaper ones have to be pre-frozen in your own freezer.
We use it when we have a surplus that might go out of date (cream, fruit etc) but only worth the £ to buy if you have space!!

I have the sort you freeze the bowl and then take it out to use when wanted. Luckily have a chest freezer so enough space.

It sits in a cupboard the majority of the time, but when it is used it is GLORIOUS.

I think the last one I made was this recipe and it was x1000 better than shop bought:
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ultimate-vanilla-ice-cream

If I wanted an ice cream maker that did it all in the machine so I could freeze the ice cream in batches, what would I buy?

This could be a brilliant pressie for Christmas for my DH.

Husband bought one last year (2019) after going on a cookery course where they made ice cream.
He has never used it.
I used it once shortly after we got it.
And it has sat on the floor in the corner of the dining room ever since.

Ok, didn’t realise there were different ones. I think I’d want one that freezes it as it churns. I haven’t got a massive freezer as there’s only two of us. What sort of features do I need to look for?

I was given a Lakeland one last month the bowl goes in the freezer beforehand. I've used it twice. First time the recipe was fiddley so I found easier ones online and like it. I'm going to get some small bowls to make ice cream tubs, so we don't need to use it all the same day. Philadelphia vanilla ice cream is really nice and simple recipe.

Can anyone recommend the one they’ve got please?

Sorry I’m not sure I can help. I have a magimix gelato chef 2200 and it’s great, Mine can be used all day (start with vanilla and work your way to chocolate) but it’s ancient, I don’t know what the current models are like..

We have a Cuisinart from Harts of Stur www.hartsofstur.com/cuisinart-gelato-and-ice-cream-professional.html
It is brilliant, gets used regularly and I find that the DC eat less ice cream because they have to make it and therefore are less likely to demolish a tub mindlessly.
Thoroughly recommend Harts of Stur, I believe it is family run.
Is it worth the money? I can't say yet, so far so good. Still being regularly used since the summer - but it isn't cheap.

My mum had one she was given. It is MASSIVE, extremely heavy, the actual pot is surprisingly small (and you only half fill it). It made very nice ice cream, but we all only got one spoonful. It is now in the back of the cupboard