Cuisinart ICE-21RP1 Ice Cream Machine: Full Review

The Cuisinart ICE-21R is a compact, frozen dessert maker that allows you to create homemade ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, sorbet and more right at home. This 1.5 quart ice cream machine is designed to be easy to use and clean, with a classic retro look and modern stainless steel finish that will look great on any kitchen counter.

It features a double insulated freezer bowl that needs to be frozen overnight before use. Once frozen, you can quickly make frozen treats in as little as 25-40 minutes by adding your ingredients and turning on the machine. The Cuisinart ICE-21R is a great choice for anyone who wants the ability to make delicious homemade frozen desserts without a lot of fuss.

Design & Build Quality

The Cuisinart ICE-21 is designed with quality materials to deliver solid performance. The housing is made of brushed stainless steel, giving it an attractive, durable, and easy to clean exterior.

The bucket and dasher are constructed from heavy duty plastic that holds up well to frequent use and cleaning. The dasher is designed to efficiently stir and aerate ingredients for smooth, creamy results. The bucket has a double insulated wall to help keep the inner mixture chilled for better ice cream texture.

The base contains a powerful compressor and motor encased in sturdy housing. It runs quietly and efficiently. Overall, the build quality is very good for a home ice cream maker in this price range.

Materials like stainless steel and robust plastics allow the machine to maintain its sleek aesthetic for many years. The solid construction also makes the unit stable and resistant to leaks. Customers find it produces quality icy treats without problems for several seasons of use.

The DASH DPIC100GBAQ04 is another popular home ice cream maker. It features a colorful design and compact size, making it ideal for small kitchens or for taking on the go. The double-walled insulated freezer bowl eliminates the need for ice, providing a hassle-free ice cream making experience. Its one-touch button operation makes it incredibly user-friendly, perfect for both kids and adults alike. Made of high-quality, BPA-free plastics, the DASH DPIC100GBAQ04 is designed for durability and easy cleaning, offering consistent performance over time.

Capacity

The Cuisinart ICE-21RP1 has a 1.5 quart capacity, which is enough to make about 1.5 quarts or 6 servings of ice cream in a single batch. This makes it a good size for families and small gatherings.

You won't be able to make large quantities of ice cream at once, but the 1.5 quart capacity is still quite decent and on par with other home ice cream makers in this price range. It's large enough for most purposes, like making ice cream for family desserts or fun weekend treats, but not so large that you'll end up wasting a lot of ice cream if you make too much.

The 1.5 quart capacity lets you experiment with different flavors and recipes without having to double or triple recipes designed for smaller machines. You can make a standard batch of ice cream that will serve several people. Overall the capacity hits a nice sweet spot between being too small and too large for the average home user.

Another popular option is the Ninja NC501. This machine offers a larger capacity, making it ideal for those who need to make more ice cream in a single batch. With this model, you can create larger quantities, which is perfect for bigger gatherings or ice cream lovers who want to ensure they always have a good supply on hand. The Ninja NC501 also comes with innovative features that enhance your ice cream making experience, providing excellent results every time.

Speed & Noise

The Cuisinart ICE-21 is relatively fast at churning ice cream, taking around 20-30 minutes to produce a batch. This is quicker than many other home ice cream makers in this price range which can take 35-45 minutes.

The machine operates quietly while churning. It utilizes a compact compressor system that runs smoothly and doesn't make a lot of noise. The motor housing is designed to muffle sound. You'll hear a soft hum while it's working, but it shouldn't be loud or intrusive. This makes it convenient to use the ICE-21 while entertaining guests or late at night after dinner without disturbing others.

Some users note the base can vibrate slightly while churning, but this isn't excessive. Placing it on a sturdy, level surface helps minimize vibration. Overall, the ICE-21 churns ice cream rapidly and quietly for a home ice cream maker.

Easy to Use & Clean

The Cuisinart ICE-21 is designed for easy, intuitive use. Its simple touchpad control panel allows you to choose between 3 textures - ice cream, gelato or sorbet. Just add your ingredients, turn the dial to your desired texture, and press start. The mixing arm will begin churning and stop automatically when done. An ingredient spout makes it easy to add mix-ins like chocolate chips or fruit without making a mess.

Clean up is a breeze with this ice cream maker. The mixing bowl and paddle can be removed and are dishwasher safe. The touchpad and base can simply be wiped down. Many reviewers comment on how easy it is to use and clean this Cuisinart model.

Features

The Cuisinart ICE-21RP1 has several useful features that make it stand out from other ice cream makers in its price range.

One handy feature is the automatic shutoff. Once the timer reaches the end of the freezing cycle, the machine automatically stops operating. This prevents overchurning and saves electricity. You don't have to worry about turning it off at just the right moment.

The ICE-21RP1 also has a heavy duty motor that is powerful enough to handle ingredients like chocolate chips or cookies without straining. The motor and freezing chamber are durable and can handle frequent use without any issues.

This Cuisinart model includes a double insulated freezer bowl to help the mixture freeze faster. It requires no pre-freezing. Just pour in your ingredients, turn it on, and ice cream is ready in about 30 minutes. The bowl has a capacity of 1.5 quarts.

There is a large ingredient spout with a tight fitting lid to easily add mix-ins without making a mess. Rubber feet on the base help keep the machine stable while operating. And all parts are BPA free.

Overall, the thoughtful design features of the ICE-21RP1 make it very convenient and user friendly. It takes a lot of the guesswork and effort out of homemade ice cream making.

Ice Cream Quality

The Cuisinart ICE-21R makes high quality homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet and gelato that rivals what you'd get from an ice cream shop.

The texture of the ice cream is creamy and smooth, without being overly dense or icy. It churns the mixture continuously to incorporate just the right amount of air for a light and fluffy consistency. The ice cream stays soft and scoopable straight from the freezer, instead of rock hard.

The flavors really shine through and taste fresh and natural. You can taste the vanilla, chocolate or fruit flavors distinctly. Since you control what ingredients go into your custard base, the ice cream won't have that artificial aftertaste of store-bought brands.

The Cuisinart delivers top notch ice cream quality in terms of texture, consistency and taste. You'll be amazed that something so creamy and delicious was made right at home.

Value - Quality for the Price

The Cuisinart ICE-21 is priced very competitively for a home ice cream maker, making it an excellent value purchase if you enjoy homemade frozen desserts.

At around $50-60, this model offers solid performance and features without breaking the bank. While not as feature-packed as higher-end models that cost over $200, the ICE-21 still produces rich and creamy ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and frozen yogurt.

For an entry-level ice cream machine, the build quality is quite good, utilizing plastic but also metal components. The freezing bowl is double insulated, providing good chilling for recipes. While not as fast or quiet as premium models, it gets the job done.

Considering the affordable price point, the Cuisinart ICE-21 punches above its weight in terms of ice cream quality and ease of use. It's simple to operate with no complex settings or accessories required. The automatic mixing paddle spreads ingredients evenly. And cleanup is straightforward by hand or dishwasher.

If your budget is limited but you want to craft delicious frozen desserts at home, the ICE-21 offers quality and performance that belies its reasonable price tag. It's a great value model for beginners making their first batches of homemade ice cream. More expensive machines do offer advantages, but this Cuisinart model provides an accessible entry point without sacrificing too much functionality.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Makes homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, or gelato in as little as 30 minutes.
• Compact size saves counter space.
• Simple to use with automatic mixing and freezing.
• Clear lid allows you to watch ice cream being made.
• Includes recipe book with many delicious options.
• Freezes ice cream evenly with no ice crystals.
• Easy to disassemble and clean.
• Durable construction made of BPA-free plastic.

Cons

• Small 1.5 quart capacity. Have to make multiple batches for larger groups.
• Longer freezing time required for denser ice creams with chunky ingredients.
• Noise level higher than some other models while churning.
• Ice cream texture tends to be light and creamy rather than rich.
• Bowl needs to be pre-chilled before each use.
• Occasional leaking reported around lid.

Conclusion

The Cuisinart ICE-21R is a great choice for an automatic ice cream maker for home use. It delivers delicious ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and sorbet with a rich creamy texture every time. The simple dasher design makes it easy to use and creates smooth ice cream without requiring any extra work.

The 1.5 quart capacity is perfect for making smaller batches for individuals or families. It can churn a fresh batch in as little as 20-25 minutes, so you don't have to wait all day for homemade ice cream. And it operates quietly, so you won't disturb the whole household when making a midnight snack.

Cleaning up after use is simple since the freezer bowl can just be rinsed under running water. There are also no complicated parts or assemblies to disassemble and wash.

Overall, the Cuisinart ICE-21R is an affordable way to start making frozen desserts at home. The fast churn times, quiet operation, and ease of use make it an excellent choice for beginners and ice cream aficionados alike. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to add more homemade frozen treats into their life!