13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent value at the price, December 23, 2005
This review is from: Girmi GL14 Automatic 1-Quart Ice-Cream Maker (Kitchen)
This is an excellent item at the price point. Very easy to use and if you know a few tricks, very easy to get good results. After reading a few of the reviews and experimenting on my own when I got this item, I realize there are at least two secrets to making good ice cream. The first is letting the base mature overnight before freezing, and the second is to let it get solid in the freezer before eating. So, really you have to make the ice cream a day or two ahead of when you want to serve it if you want to avoid some of the problems other people here have complained about in their reviews. Here's some reccomendations for getting good results:
1) Make sure you let the freezing chamber of the ice cream maker get good and solid before making ice cream. Store the container in the freezer so you can pull it out and be ready to go, and make sure it's been in there a good 8-12 hours before you get going.
2) Sweet Cream Base recipe: Beat 2 large eggs in a bowl with a fork. Gradually add in 3/4 C sugar (say 1/4 cup at a time) and beat to combine. Add 1 C whole milk and thoroughly combine. Add this mixture and 2 C heavy whipping cream to sauce pan, stir to combine. Over low heat, slowly cook the mixture to 170°F. Overcooking will give you more custard/vanilla pudding tasting ice cream, under cooking will give the ice cream a flat finish (but hey, you may prefer one of those so feel free to experiment). Allow mixture to cool to room temperature before adding 1 tsp of vanilla extract and stirring. Refridgerate overnight. Stir mixture before putting into churn after it has rested overnight. After freezing in machine, the ice cream will be of soft-serve consistancy. IMMEDIATELY transfer to air tight container for storage and freeze for 6-8 hours BEFORE eating.
3) Make sure you cook the base and let it sit overnight in the 'fridge BEFORE putting into the machine. This will really help it develop some more complex and enjoyable flavors and with the base chilled to start will really help the freezing process.
4) Make sure you transfer the finished ice cream out of the machine immediately into a suitable container AND allow to solidify 6-8 hours in the freezer BEFORE eating. This allows it settle a bit and prevents it from forming ice crystals, meaning it's good stored in your freezer for a week or so.
Yeah, no one wants to hear you can't instantly make ice cream and serve it because it takes some of the fun out of it, but really that is the way to get the best results and avoid ice crystals from ruining the whole thing (making it taste re-frozen or freezer burnt).
Well, that's what I can offer on this. Really, this size is great and this particular product being significantly less expensive than some of the others is a real plus. If you're a pro cook, hey go spend the big bucks on one of these. If you just want to occasionally make some killer ice cream, this is a great price to do it at and a good quality device, so it's not like you're cheaping-out. Enjoy!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
gelato lover, July 30, 2005
This review is from: Girmi GL14 Automatic 1-Quart Ice-Cream Maker (Kitchen)
I have made custard base and eggless gelato ice creams in it. I prefer the consistency of gelato in this machine. The Girmi GL 14 works very well, it is easy to clean, and the frozen dessert is very good. In short, I am very satisfied.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!, September 29, 2005
This review is from: Girmi GL14 Automatic 1-Quart Ice-Cream Maker (Kitchen)
A friend told me about a automatic ice-cream maker she had bought. She paid over $50.00. I decided to try this one mostly because of the price. I was very happy to see that it actually made more ice-cream then hers. My kids love making new and different kinds of ice-cream! If you are looking for hard ice-cream, this may not be for you. It's more like a thick milkshake. One tip: If you are adding flavoring to the ice-cream, make sure you minus that from the milk that you put in. We love it!!!
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