Icecream maker advice

[sqbr]

So lazyweb, as they say, anyone got advice on good brands and places to by an icecream maker? The only local place I can find that sells them at all (based on online catalogues) is Retravision, and they have off-putting names like "Crazy Scoops!".

I vaguely recall reading lizbyrd talking about getting one, but have forgotten the details.

Comments

[delicious-irony.livejournal.com]

I got a Sunbeam Frosty, and I have to tell you that it doesn't work a damn when it's a hot day. I had cold ice cream mixture with a few thicker bits of semifrozen cream. That's it.

Perhaps it'd work better in winter, you know, the most likely time to want ice cream....

As far as I can tell, the best thing to get for efficiency is a refrigerated unit that stirs AND freezes, as opposed to the prefreeze units like the Frosty, which is just an icepack with a mechanised stirrer. I have it on excellent authority that the Italian makes - like these (http://www.espressoimports.com/gelatomachines.html) ones, for example - are better than mere Sunbeam, but they tend to be almost professional/commercial grade, and are often priced accordingly.

As you'll most likely be going the sorbet route, you can avoid machines entirely with either granita recipes like this (http://www.cookingforengineers.com/recipe/35/Basic-Granita) one, or the blender route. Which is to make the ice cream, wait until it's frozen hard, then break into chunks which you turn into slush in the blender then refreeze for a softer texture.

YMMV. :P

[alias_sqbr]

I've made some very tasty granita in my time, but while my quest my be doomed I want icecream dammit. (I realise my main problem is that fact I can't have cream but a girl can try)