Customer Reviews

Rival GC8151-WN 1-1/2-Quart Treat Shoppe Electric Ice Cream Maker, White

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

I purchased this used after reading the reviews here, reading the manual on-line at Rivalcompany and I also reviewed other companies ice cream maker manuals on-line to compare and educate myself. I decided to get it because I like to cook, I am a great cook and I like to experiment with new creations! And of course I love ice cream! I felt that whatever problems I may encounter I could figure out the solution and make some great ice cream. I had an old rock salt ice cream maker back in 1987 that I had good results with, but hated having to use the ice and salt. So, I thought this new process of a freezable canister would be great! I have not been disappointed!! It makes great ice cream/frozen yogurt-all kinds premium, regular and low/non fat or no sugar added!! You can also make delicious sorbets! Once you get the basics down it is really quite easy and delicious. Keep in mind it is basically a 2 day process. The manual has 8 recipes with variations which is a great starting place to create your own delicious creations! If you are not a creative cook, but want more variety there are some great ice cream making books out there to help you.
Here are some helpful suggestions for making sure you get ice cream and not creamy cold soup! =)

(1) Crank up your freezer to the coldest setting and put the canister in the back of it. It also helps if you actually have food already in your freezer to keep the freezer temperature colder.
(2) Prepare the ice cream mix the day/night before and put it in your COLD refrigerator (Check to make sure your refrigerator is COLD -- if you have a 1-5 setting with 5 being coldest put it on at least a 3 or better on a 4 or 5) and don't put the ice cream mix into the freezer-otherwise you won't get ice cream you will get a chunk of frozen ice cream mix.
(3) If you make a premium recipe that calls for you to add egg into a hot mixture-do it really slowly otherwise you will get little fragmented chunks of scrambled egg in your ice cream. If this happens, just strain the egg bits out of the mixture while it is still hot.
(4) When its time to make the ice cream (shake the canister to make sure it is frozen and you do not here any liquid moving inside) -- hook up the ice cream maker in the COLDEST room in your place. If you have the heat cranked up in your house then the canister will thaw more quickly during the ice cream making process and you may get ice cream soup.
(5) Keep in mind the manual you get was written for both a 1 quart and a 1.5 quart machine. Since this is a 1.5 quart machine plan on the churning process to be at the longer 40 minute duration instead of 20 minutes.
(6) On the off chance you happen to get ice cream soup--just throw it in the blender with some ice cubes and make a frosty milk shake.
I hope this information helps you! Happy Adventures in Ice Cream making!

I purchased this machine at the local Salvation Army for $2.97. I was so excited to get it home. But saddened when I looked at Amazon for reviews and was disappointed to see all the low reviews of this machine. I almost didn't try it. But one review stuck out... It basically said to READ THE DIRECTIONS! So I printed off the manual online (mine did not come with a manual or a box) I followed the directions to a 'T'. I froze the canister overnight in my coldest freezer. I made the Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream recipe in the manual, I made the first part and chilled it for SEVERAL hours. Added the vanilla and whipping cream just before pouring it into the canister. I didn't want to just sit and watch it so I set the timer for 20 minutes and got online to check mail. After 15 minutes I heard the machine struggling a bit. I went into the kitchen and I had lots of fluffy ice cream! I could have let it churn a bit more if I wanted to add some cookies or strawberries, bananas, etc. This is what I have learned:
1) Freeze the canister at least overnight. Better yet, store the canister in your freezer if you have the room. Then it's ready when you need it.
2) Make your batter up ahead of time and chill well.
3) READ YOUR DIRECTIONS (most important)
I think this is a great little machine for the money. I will be making homemade ice cream for my grandfather to go with his pecan pie for Thanksgiving.

Update: I have had requests as to where to download the manual. You download it right here at Amazon. When you are looking at the listing, just scroll down a bit and there is a PDF highlighted in blue to download. Or just "CTRL F" and search PDF while you are looking at the product at Amazon and you should find it.

I purchased this totally on impulse. I've always wanted to try making ice cream so I took the plunge. I must confess. I read the reviews after purchasing it and was tempted to take it back. I read and re-read the instructions and decided to give it a try regardless of the mixed reviews. I purchased the ingredients, read and re-read the directions again. Preparing the ice cream mixture is the hardest part and the most critical. Obviously, if the mixture is not right the ice cream will not be either. I thinks it's misleading when you read the box that you can prepare ice cream in 20 minutes, although, the other brands claim this as well. You envision cranking out ice cream by just pouring some ingredients into the machine. This is not so. Like fine cooking ice cream making is an art and anything worth while takes some time and effort. The machines container must be frozen before you can start freezing the mixture. I took the Cookies and Cream recipe from Rivals website and decided to try that one first. The ice cream is delicious although this recipe is obviously for a larger machine. I ended up with enough mixture to make about 6 quarts. This was fun though since I decided to try adding different ingredients instead of just broken cookies (I used Oreo's but they are too sweet for my tastes) This is actually a really good recipe for plain vanilla as well. Also, the reviewer who said the machine shut off after 40 minutes must have had a defective unit. I was able to freeze two batches one after the other with the same bowl without re-freezing the bowl in-between. The other reviewer who said the ice cream was hard and inpenetratable should turn down their freezer. All in all this is a fine machine and suits it's purpose and is esthetically pleasing. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to try making homemade ice cream. Please do know that it is work to make homemade ice cream. This is not instant gratification which is true for all brands of machines. I think it would be a great project to try with your kids. There are some recipes that don't required the stove and what kid doesn't like ice cream. Just follow the instructions and you will enjoy homemade ice cream made out of ingredients of your choice.

I've had this unit now for about 3 months, having purchased it new at the grocery store on sale. It's not even worth that much.

The unit has one terrible flaw - after 40 minutes, the motor will shut off, regardless if the ice cream is frozen or not. Once that happens, there is no way to restart the motor - unplugging it, toggling the on/off swich, removing the bowl, nothing will get the unit started again except waiting...and waiting...and waiting.

The problem with the shut-off is that the thermal mass of the bowl is so small that even after chilling the ingredients overnight in the 'fridge, 40 minutes isn't enough time to turn the cream base into ice cream. I've tried about a half dozen recipes - classics that I've made before by hand, French custard styles, the runny "American" style ice creams, high butterfat, low butterfat, etc. These recipes are successful recipes I've used in the past, and this machine just doesn't cut it...

Sure, maybe you'll be lucky if you use the recipes _they_ include, but if I'm making ice cream, I want to make the good stuff...the _real_ stuff...the flavors that you just don't get in the grocery store. Maybe their engineers just didn't try _using_ their product before they released it; I can't think of any other good reason why they'd build something with such a poor design idea.

So, save your money for a decent machine - this Rival unit may look like a bargain, but believe me -- it's not. You'll regret it from the get-go.

Despite other reviews....this was my first experience with an ice cream maker, and I also bought the Ben & Jerry's ice cream book. The ice cream was excellent!! I've never tasted anything better. As long as you follow the directions carefully, the ice cream comes out so creamy, just like Ben & Jerry's!!! I will never buy store ice cream again. The unit is small, but you have to be careful NOT to overload it, and follow the directions, otherwise the ice cream does not get stiff. Its very easy and simple and doesn't require salt to run it. ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!

I bought my rival machine...some time ago. I previously owned a hand crank machine that went into the freezer prior to this one. This machine is far superior to the one i owned before. I can leave for a half an hour and come back and my icecream is ready for the freezer. It has a sturdy little motor that does the job of freezing the mix so it can go in the freezer. The icecream that comes out is better than anything you can get from that storebought stuff. Everyone who eats it raves about how good it is. Even the sorbet and sherbet comes out top quality. I am pleased with my machine. PS:also you now know what ingredients are in your icecream. Not a bunch of chemicals.

I love this little ice cream maker! No salt, no ice - no mess. Bought this about three months ago and I make frozen custard at least once a week for my husband and our friends. The secret is to make sure the container is washed, dried and at least room temp before you put it in the freezer. I store mine upside down in case some water pools in the little divit that the paddle sits in and freezes. Because I make a cooked custard mix, this mix must be cold before it goes in the mixer and the mixing paddle must be moving while you pour it in.

I believe it is a fantastic machine for the price. So what if it cracks - replacement, no problem. I recommend this for students or anyone only wanting a small amount of fresh, homemade ice cream, sorbet, or frozen custard.

My husband & I have had this ice cream maker for several years now and I have had no problems with it. I think the ice cream is as good as or better than any I can buy (and I am picky about my ice cream). Yes, the unit is a bit loud, but we just put it in the garage so we don't have to listen to it. If you want soft ice cream, eat it immediately. Otherwise, put it in the freezer and you will get "hard" ice cream. The more fat in it, the creamier it will be (just like store-bought). I agree with the other reviewers that "Follow the instructions" cannot be emphasized enough!!

this machine works wonders. it's quick, fun, and easy to use! It's every kids dream and a great suprise for a birthday or during the holidays.

I would drive for an hour to get homemade ice cream, my husband suggested that I purchase an ice cream maker and try making it myself. I purchased the Rival Gourmet Creamery and have been very satisfied with the results. It is quick and easy and I have been making ice cream all week since my purchase. I would highly recommend it to any first time ice cream maker. No more churning or adding ice and salt, it is ready in a very short time and I have had excellent results. Thanks Rival