Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: kt2 on October 13, 2012, 10:52:26 pm
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Hi everyone! I've been toying with the idea of buying an ice cream maker for quite a while but I'm still undecided! :-)) I'm just hoping I could get some feedback from you if you have one and whether it was worth buying. I'm thinking the cuisinart model looks good but please give me your opinions too! Is it a long process to make ice cream? Looking forward to your replies :)
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Buy it!!
They're relatively cheap, easy to use, mean you always have a delicious dessert close to hand and your family will love you forever for it.
I bought one & love it.
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I just had to have one a couple of years ago and got a Sunbeam Galateria. It's the type with a compressor. Used it a bit when it was new but I was never really that impressed with the result. It was really soft, no matter how much extra time you allowed so you still had to put it in the freezer to firm up.
It now sits on my laundry bench because its far too big to fit in a cupboard and its really heavy. I dust it now and then. I prefer to make it in my mixer, freeze and remix. Much nicer result. Now I'm looking forward to using my TMX to make it.
My suggestion, don't buy one, save your money.
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It now sits on my laundry bench because its far too big to fit in a cupboard and its really heavy. I dust it now and then.
I had to laugh at this as this is the EXACT same fate my old bread maker has been dealt! The only difference is mine isn't easy to dust as it sat too long next to the stove and got oil splashes all over it to which the dust sticks!! Maybe a pillowcase might hide it's ugliness!! ;D
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Buy it!!
They're relatively cheap, easy to use, mean you always have a delicious dessert close to hand and your family will love you forever for it.
I bought one & love it.
Amanda, can I please ask what brand you bought?
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I have a Cusinart soft serve machine, don't use it, as it doesn't make much ice cream at once. Only enough for a couple of cones.
The normal cusinart one is better, It was in the shopping thread last year.
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If you buy ice cream, it's worth making your own.
Very simple to do, and there's so many good books featuring gorgeous flavours that are a ridiculous price to buy.
I have this cuisinart one, as storing the interior bowl in the freezer isn't an issue here.
(http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt266/nachothecat/6feb1833b5ccab02c2784632531b448f.jpg)
Made Teninas vanilla bean last night.... :-* store bought will never match it!
(http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt266/nachothecat/3328fcad1a37ea68c7e6b3439fb70ae1.jpg)
on occasion, the kids pour in a can of soft drink and it makes slushies.
now the warmer weather is coming, we'll see more ice creams here ;)
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Thanks for all you replies :)
Another question I forgot to ask was whether it makes an "icy" ice cream or "creamy" ice cream? ??? (if that makes sense!) Or is that dependent on the recipe itself?
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I would have to agree with maddy, homemade is so much better.
I have the Cuisinart one with compressor. Gets a lot of use in summer. The machine will only take it to a soft serve stage then it needs to go in the freezer to firm. It is recommended to take icecream out a little while before serving to soften a little. I seldom do that, I just dip the scoop in warm water. The machine I have has the mixing arm on the top but I believe the later model has the mixing part underneath which I think would be better. Ideally the machines with compressors need to be left on a bench as if they are shifted about they recomend it be left a while for the contents of the compressor to settle before starting up. Mine stays on a bench downstairs. Hope this helps
Marie
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Maddy, home made vanilla bean ice cream certainly wouldn't compare with Bulla or Peter's brand! :D :D :D
That would be top of the list to make followed closely by a salted caramel one ;D
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Another question I forgot to ask was whether it makes an "icy" ice cream or "creamy" ice cream? ??? (if that makes sense!) Or is that dependent on the recipe itself?
Know what you mean ;). have only found it to be creamy, but if it did get icy, cut it up and re-whizz it in the TM, and that should get it right again.
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kt2, firstly in regard to your breadmaker. If it has a 'bake only' setting perhaps this fruit bread (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=7721.0) or this sour dough loaf (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=11302.0) posting might be of interest to you now that summer is approaching.
I have the expensive Cuisinart compressor ice-cream maker and although I am disappointed with a couple of aspects of it, I have been pretty happy with the results. I prefer plain old vanilla ice-cream to any other and have my favourite that I converted plus now the one of Tenina's from her dessert eBook. My main problem is that I often have difficulty hooking into the lid to secure the churning arm and when I occasionally fluke it, the machine is reasonably quiet but if not, it is quite loud and being set up in the laundry seems to amplify that noise. I bought it into the kitchen the other day and it is much quieter on the kitchen bench than on the metal cupboard in the laundry. I am always too impatient to leave the mixture overnight before churning it so invariably I put it in the fridge for a couple of hours or so then start churning. It takes 40 - 60 minutes and still is not what I would call a 'soft serve' - yes it is soft but too soft for a cone. Maybe if I make a batch before I really need it and leave it in the fridge, if it is really cold, it will churn in a more reasonable time.
Personally I would try some of the recipes on the forum using the TMX and see what you think. If you are not happy with that method then the ice-cream maker would be the go for you, especially if you go through a lot of it. The non-compressor type are reasonably cheap and often on special so rather than spend hundreds of dollars on the top of the range machines, the cheaper one may be worth trying out to see if you do indeed use it. You must have room in the freezer to store the bowl though which I don't and which is why I bought the one with the compressor.
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I bought the cuisinart compressor ice cream maker and had the same problem as you Judy and sometimes the paddles just wouldn't turn
I have since given up on it and it now has a new home with my son.
I have gone back to making semmifreddo's which everyone loved in the first place :)
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Fitting the mixing arm on the Cuisinart compressor machine is tricky. I sometimes have a problem but have to make sure the little tabs on the top are fitted in their place. If not it does make a noise and can crack the lid. Mine did get a crack in it and I sent for a replacement. I think they have recognised the problem and that is why the mixing part is underneath in the new model.
I think most recipes that are custard based are creamy whereas those that have milk & cream are more icy. I sometimes make a Delia Smith icecream that (we think) is like the old Dixie cup icecream we used to get. That one has no eggs but uses a syrup.
Marie
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My dad and I use to love those Dixie cup ice creams! It was our Saturday morning treat! :D
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mama fergie
what recipe do you use for semmifreddo's l look on forum but could not find one
l googled it but wanted a thermomix recipe ,
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Are you going to post that Delia recipe Marie? Glad I am not the only one to have trouble assembling the workings :P
Here's a semifreddo (http://www.recipecommunity.com.au/recipes/raspberry-dark-chocolate-nougat-semi-freddo/30500) recipe nazar. Hard to find anything for this one.
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I have a few Nazar but all non thermomix. Will post one now it's a coconut-lime
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Sorry Judy, I am having connection problems again. Everytime I try and do a link it won't copy for some reason, will keep trying. If I can't get it to work I will type it out from my book
Marie
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Here is the recipe for Caledonian Icecream (http://rhubarbfool.co.uk/2010/01/25/open-season-for-haggis-ideas-for-a-burns-supper/)
The recipe is at the bottom after the haggis (sorry about that).
Pin head oats are sometimes called steel cut oats here. Sometimes make it without the oats, but I think they make it nicer.
Marie
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I have the Cuisinart compressor one and I haven't had any problems with it at all. It has its own place in my kitchen (out of the way) so I don't have to move it.
You do have to have the 'custard' very cold before churning like with any of the machines. I make up the custard one day and churn the next morning, it comes out just like Maddy's photo above where you then put in a container and freeze until firm.
It doesn't churn it any better than the cheaper version but I like not having to keep a bowl in the freezer ready to use, plus I sometimes make 2 lots of different flavoured custards and I can churn one straight after the other whereas with the freezer bowl one you have to wait 24 hours for the bowl to refreeze before using again. That really isn't a big selling point for me, but I have taken advantage of it in the past.
For some reason I don't really know why, I find this one less 'fiddly' to use than my old one, maybe because it's already sitting there, I literally just pour in the custard and turn it on, but I am v happy with it. :)
(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii26/ragdoll128/misc/IMG_4642.jpg)
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This all very interesting as I was considering buying an ice cream maker last summer. I think there was similiar thread.
Now I think I will try a few in the TMX and then if enthusiastic still will look into getting one. :)
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Julie, with the trouble I have connecting everything I have to leave it as you have it and then pour the custard into the bowl through the hole in the lid. You can imagine how hard that is to do but it's the only way I can make sure the arm is connected correctly to the lid and that the arm sits flat in it's place. If I try to assemble it after the custard is in the bowl, I cannot for the life of me get the arm to sit flat or connect to the lid.
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Afternoon Everyone
I am new to posting, so hope this ends up in the correct place.
I would highly recommend getting an ice cream maker. I originally began with the Cuisineart with the compressor & also found the problem with the lid not going on correctly, so I gifted it on.
I then purchased the Sunbeam machine with the compressor & I love it. I make up my base, then put the base in a container in the fridge to become cold. Once it is cold, I then churn it in the Sunbeam, I make a double batch at a time & do not have any problems with the ice-cream being too soft. However, we rarely eat it straight after it's been made, so it does go directly into the freezer after churning.
That said, the ice-cream when served directly from the freezer has the consistency of shop bought ice-cream.
Happy hunting!! ;D
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Julie - I have the dual bowl Cuisinart so can make two different flavours at the same time. So long as the custard is cold, they churn to soft frozen within an hour most times. I have plenty of room for the bowls in the freezer & just make sure I wash them and get them straight back in every time.
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Ooh Amanda, I haven't heard of a dual bowl one, sounds really good :D
Judy, wish I lived in Adelaide then I could have had a look at it for you, no wonder you are frustrated. Is it possible to have a play with it when not actually wanting to use it, just to see if you can get it locked in properly? You shouldn't have to put up with that. That little opening is just for adding nuts etc.
Jonvic, is yours a Gelateria? I've read good reviews on them. :)
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I had a Sunbeam Gelateria before the Cuisinart and the only thing about it that I did not like was having to put the salt & water under the bucket. One time I even ended up tipping the salt & water in the bucket before the icecream mix not thinking what I was doing. It was awful. Don't know whether with the later models you still have to do that.
Marie
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I have the Sunbeam compressor model and must admit I have been very pleased with it. I don't have trouble putting the teaspoon of salt in a tablespoon of water under the bucket. This helps with the freezing.
I make my custard the day before, leave it in the fridge overnight and churn the next day. It is lovely and creamy. Some icecreams do go rather hard, but I get around that by adding some vodka to the mixture and that stops it from going too hard.
I use mine summer and winter. I love the condensed milk one on here?which I churn in the icecream maker) and a couple of icecreams that Chookie has posted.
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Julie I have fiddled with it until I could have thrown it in the bin. It is reasonably easy to put together when there is nothing in the bowl but almost impossible to do so when there is. I guess I should write to Cuisinart and discuss my complaint with them, it certainly wasn't cheap.
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You should do Judy, you never know what you might hear back. :P
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Judy that is exactly the same problem that I was having which is why I gave it to DS who said I wasn't putting the lid on properly!!!
I will wait and see what happens when he uses it 😉
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Yes it will be interesting MF - tell him to hurry up and make some ice-cream as we all want to know if he can get the darn thing on or is it just a woman thing ;D I am definitely going to write to them.
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I bought the Cuisinart no compressor at a good special quite a few froum members got one too. It works fine don't use it much though
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I sent the email off last night and a reply was waiting for me this morning - send it back and they will look at it, no cost to me of course. Great heavy thing to box up - I found the original box but had thrown out all the polystyrene of course. It will go off today and they said it could take up to 3 weeks before I hear from them. Customer service alive and well which is nice to see.
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That's good news Judy hopefully they can fix it :)
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That is good news Judy, it makes all the difference when they are quick to offer help, it doesn't always happen. Fingers crossed it was faulty and you have no more trouble from then on.
(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii26/ragdoll128/my_fingers.gif)
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Thanks Julie, I must say I was surprised at their response then I felt so glad this topic came up on here and I actually did something about my problem instead of just putting up with it.
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Yay again for this forum! :D
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I bought the Ice Cream Bowl for my Kitchen Aid and I've been really happy with it. No extra bench space needed because it sits in the freezer.
It makes quite a bit of ice cream and only takes 20 minutes with really cold custard. Beautiful texture, too.
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I bought the sunbeam ice cream machine with the compressor on the weekend, Grumpy said that we didn't need an ice cream machine, and what makes me think that mine will be any better than buying it from the shop, I didn't answer that one, but did answer the question about not needing one, You don't need one, but I do!! was my response.
I read a lot of comments on the machine both positive and negative, but we don't mind our ice cream being a little on the soft side, and if there is any left over, it can go in the freezer for next time.
I haven't un boxed it yet, though i would let it rest for a day or too, he may not be so grumpy then
I used to have a manual ice cream machine when the kids were little and we all got involved in making the MR Whippy.
I broke the cardinal rule and lent it and my electric one to my neighbour, as she was having a dinner and never saw it again as she broke both of them, if you can believe it.
She put a Tea towel on the electric one and burnt the motor, the manual one which would have been over 50 years old, broke both the churning handle and the blades.
I looked on the internet to buy another manual one as there is just 3 of us living at home, 2 adults and 1 dog, and she loves her ice cream, but i could only find them in America for about $170 plus $70 postage, so thought i would just get a fully electric one,.
I do have a cuisinart one that you put the bowl in the freezer, but we don't have that much freezer room and to take up a whole shelf with an empty bowl was a good excuse to get the new one.
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I am sure you will love the Sunbeam machine and you will soon win over Grumpy. My DH said the same thing at the time we bought our first one. The Sunbeam I had made beautiful icecream and we always put it in the freezer to firm up anyway after making so it was not a problem. Sorry to hear about your other machines, hopefully you won't be asked to lend any thing else. Happy ice cream making ;D
Marie
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I use mine summer and winter. It will be nice to know that when you come in off the boat you can walk inside and have a nice cooling, quite healthy icecream.
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my kids love icecream.
Just get it out of the box and use it.... :)
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I am not really the person to comment. I love my ice cream machine. It is about 30 years old, Italian, with compressor. It is one of the few things I pack on the car when the Fires are about and we have to leave.It makes enough for 6 large serves, in30 mins. I usually chill the mix first then churn. It lives on the bench in the laundry, is fairly noisy. I bought it because DH loves ice cream . I usually make a custard based one as we have plenty of eggs. Rum and Raisin is my favorite. In the summer I make a special vanilla ice cream base with chips of frozen coffee folded in. I put a scoop of this in the iced coffee I have made in the TMX.
I have 2 special aluminum containers, which I line with plastic. These freeze very fast if the churned icecream is too soft.
Cones, I buy sugar cones and when I open a packet, we use the lot as they go soft. I bought a machine to make cones, useless.
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Chookie, Rum & Raisin is my DHs favourite flavour. Last lot I made I put quite a bit of rum in and the ice cream did not set hard. Have just bought the book "The Perfect Scoop" David Lebovitz
Your icecream machine sound great.
Marie :)
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Emme, the Alcohol prevents the ice cream from setting hard. This is why Cookie adds Vodka to hers. Or so she tells us. ;D ;D ;D
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Thank you for all your replies and opinions :)
Once we buy a replacement fridge/freezer for shed I think I will buy the cuisinart with the bowl that goes in freezer. A compresser machine sounds fantastic but space and price are a bit tricky at the moment :-))
Thanks once again ;)
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This is very interesting thread.
I have always wanted an ICM, but carried on with plastic box and fork.
Homemade is so much better.
May try to use TMX when we have our own hens and are settled again.
Thanks for inspiration.
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Buy It, what are you waiting for...... ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Sorry about the late reply JulieO, just got back on, no my machine is the Sunbeam, I love it.
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We have the same Cuisinart ice-cream maker as Maddy. It sits next to the Thermomix on the counter. The bowl is no bother to keep in the freezer. We really like the Salted Caramel Maple ice cream from the forum, but both the Chocolate & Vanilla ice cream recipes that are listed in the recipe book are also very nice (we prefer to use vanilla paste as we find it has a nicer flavour)
Last weekend DH made me some Peanut Butter ice-cream (nice but it has quite a crumbly texture as opposed to a smoothe texture if that makes sense?)
Hope it helps?
Shally :)
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Hi I also have the cuisineart ICM and love the vanilla bean ice cream, and the rum and raisin. i personally don't like the sorbet made in TMX i had it only at the demo and it just tasted like crushed up ice and fruit. the ICM does the sorbet so smooth, but of course not in the time the TMX can!!v
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You may remember I sent my Cuisinart compressor ice-cream maker back to the manufacturer recently - 2 weeks ago exactly. Well imagine my surprise, knock on the door and a chap holding a big box with a brand new, latest model Cuisinart for me. Yay, can't wait to try it but just in case it has been turned on it's side (a no no), I will wait the 24 hours they suggested. I was going to make ice-cream today, will still do so but will churn it in the morning now.
The latest model is so different to the old one and easy peasy to put together.
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That is great news Judy.. ;)
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JD as you know I had the same problem as you with the same ice cream maker. Did you contact Cuisinart direct or through the place of purchase. I purchased mine through Everten online.
Hope you enjoy the brand new one ;D
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Great news Judy hope you enjoy this one :)
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Will pm you some details MF.
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Well I tested the latest model Cuisinart this morning and it is so much easier to put together than the previous model. Thumbs up from me.
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Great Judy, as it is ice cream weather
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Just wanting opinions on the old cuisinart compressor versus the new one. Is it just as noisy? opinions appreciated :)
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I have the soft serve cusinart machine, but I'm sure someone will help Megan
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I have a Sunbeam so can't help Meagan. I think Judy may have commented about this somewhere. I'll have a look but I know she will find it when she comes on. :-*
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Mine is the same as JD's pictured on previous page but its red. I haven't had the previous model, but I am very happy with this one. Silly me thought it was going to freeze the mixture its ready to eat straight away but you still have to freeze it to firm up. The texture though is creamier as the cream has been churned more.
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It is noisy, I use mine in the laundry. CP, if you run the machine on cold for 5/10 mins before you add the chilled mix, it comes out soft but ready to eat.
I couldn't live without my ice cream machine. I had a Dinner party recently and offered a variety of sweets , all but one opted for the ice cream in a cone. Rum and Raisin.
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I love mine too Chookie. It is great being able to whip up icecream whenever you like and any flavour without numbers in it.
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I thought I had responded to a pm from Meagan in regard to this machine but I went looking and couldn't see where I had. Sorry if I didn't Meagan. I am very happy with the latest model, mine is quieter than the original model (probably because this model goes together properly and my previous one didn't), the bowl is easily removed. If your original model is still working OK though and you haven't got the problems I had, then I daresay the later model wouldn't be much different to you. I think there was just a bad batch along the way and I happened to get one of those.
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I have the later model also Judy and mine does not appear all that noisy either. Use it nearly every week so it gets quite a work out. :D
Marie
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This is the one appliance I haven't jumped on board and bought :o I'm happy with the ice cream I make in the thermomix.
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Same here Michele, although I wouldn't rule it out completely 😉. My kids love the 40 second icecream made in the TMX. If I had an ICM I'd need an extra freezer and a gym membership!
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This is the one appliance I haven't jumped on board and bought :o I'm happy with the ice cream I make in the thermomix.
Me too Michele. Thought I was the odd one out :)
Exactly deedub. I think I put on weight just reading the icecream recipes;)
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OK So where do I find the TMX recipes for icecream without a fancy ice cream machine?
Thanks
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A few for you DJ ;)
Easy( 40second) Egg Free Ice cream (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3895.0)
Chocolate Banana Ice Cream (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=2996.0)
Strawberry Ice Cream (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=25.0)
Easy Strawberry Ice Cream (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3978.0)
Frozen Custard (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=226.0)
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Thanks everyone. JD I didn't want to bother you with another PM so thought I would ask here. I have the older one, the arm was replaced but the lid lock bit of plastic snapped off so it doesn't 'lock in ' as such any more. I have had the arm replaced as the motor went on it. Thanks for the tip re running it cold first chookie :) does that cut down on the actual churn time?
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Thanks CC
Found some recipes for a vitamix blender like this one
http://www.heartmindandseoul.com/lowfat-peanut-butter-ice-cream/
May just try to freeze stuff in cubes and freeze then *:
Xx