DASH DPIC100GBAQ04 Ice Cream Machine: Full Review

The DASH My Pint Ice Cream Maker is an electric ice cream machine that makes it simple and fun to create homemade frozen desserts. This compact appliance can quickly churn up to 1 pint of ice cream, yogurt, sorbet or gelato in as little as 30 minutes.

It's an affordable way to start making frozen treats at home using fresh, natural ingredients instead of artificial flavors and preservatives. The DASH ice cream maker doesn't require any special skills - just add your ingredients and let the machine handle the hard work of churning and freezing. With some creativity, you can make ice creams, sorbets, frozen yogurt and more in your favorite flavors.

The integrated compressor freezer means there's no pre-freezing required. Just plug it in, add your ingredients, and press start for freshly churned frozen treats in 30 minutes or less. It's designed to be easy to use for beginners while still versatile enough for more advanced users. This review will cover the key features and specifications of the DASH My Pint Ice Cream Maker so you can decide if it's the right appliance to satisfy your cravings for homemade frozen desserts.

Design

The Dash Ice Cream Maker is compact, lightweight and would look great in any kitchen. The body is made of high quality plastic with a very modern, sleek look. Its gloss finish comes in three attractive colors - aqua, pink and white. Weighing only 4.7 pounds and measuring 12.5 x 7.9 x 11.6 inches, it's easy to store in a cabinet or leave out on the counter without taking up too much space. The simplicity of the design makes it suitable for a range of kitchen decors from traditional to modern and minimalist.

Another excellent option is the Cuisinart ICE-21RP1. This model is known for its robust construction and efficient performance. With its heavy-duty motor, it can make frozen desserts or drinks in just 20 minutes. The transparent lid with a large spout makes it easy to add ingredients without making a mess. The double-insulated freezer bowl eliminates the need for ice, making it incredibly convenient. It's perfect for those who want to enjoy homemade ice cream with minimal effort.

Capacity

The Dash Ice Cream Maker has a large 1.5 quart capacity, allowing you to make a generous amount of ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, or sorbet in a single batch. This is enough to serve 3-4 people at a time or make larger quantities for a party or gathering. The 1.5 quart capacity holds up to 6 cups of ice cream base. With this size, you can experiment with different flavors and quantities without having to make multiple small batches. If you're someone who loves ice cream and wants to have enough to share or save for later, the Dash capacity enables you to make hearty portions. You'll be able to try lots of flavors and have your creations ready for whenever an ice cream craving strikes.

The CUISINART ICE30BCP1 is another excellent option for ice cream lovers. This model boasts a fully automatic process and a large-capacity bowl which can churn out 2 quarts of ice cream, gelato, or sorbet in one go. Its heavy-duty motor speeds up the mixing process, ensuring a creamy consistency. The sleek design and sturdy build make it a valuable addition to any kitchen, providing you with delicious frozen treats quickly and efficiently.

Ease of Use

The DASH Ice Cream Machine is designed to be very easy to use. Making ice cream only requires a few simple steps:

1. Prepare your ice cream mixture and pour it into the freezing bowl. Recipes are included in the instruction manual.

2. Lock the bowl into the machine. It automatically starts the freezing process when you turn the On/Off switch.

3. Let the machine run for 30-40 minutes, occasionally mixing the ingredients with a spoon. The mixing paddle will continue turning to prevent ice crystals from forming.

4. Once your ice cream reaches the desired creamy consistency, turn the machine off and enjoy your homemade frozen treat!

The entire process is simple enough that kids can help make ice cream with supervision. Cleaning up afterwards only requires rinsing out the bowl and paddle which disassemble for easy washing. The all-metal construction makes cleanup fast compared to machines with plastic parts. Overall, the DASH machine achieves homemade ice cream with basic assembly and operation, without requiring any complex programing or controls.

Noise Level

The Dash Ice Cream Maker operates at a reasonable noise level that won't disturb most households. When churning ice cream, it produces a low hum comparable to a small kitchen appliance. The motor isn't silent, but isn't overly loud either.

Some reviewers note the noise is quieter than other personal ice cream machines they've used. The sound can be drowned out by ambient noise or running a fan or TV. It's significantly quieter than a standard full-size ice cream maker. The noise level allows you to chat normally and carry on activities while making homemade ice cream.

Overall, the Dash Ice Cream maker hits the right balance between power and noise. The motor is strong enough to deliver fast churning, while keeping volume levels reasonable for home use. Unless you need absolute silence, the low hum in the background shouldn't be an issue.

Recipes

One of the best things about the DASH DPIC100GBAQ04 ice cream maker is that it comes with a recipe book included. This recipe book contains dozens of delicious ice cream recipes ranging from classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate to more unique options like strawberry cheesecake and cookie dough.

The machine is versatile enough to make most ice cream recipes, including custard-based options like vanilla bean and chocolate. It churns the custard base sufficiently to create a smooth, creamy texture. Fruit sorbets are also easy to make in this machine. Recipes like raspberry sorbet and lemon sorbet turn out light and flavorful.

The included recipe book provides clear instructions for making ice creams, gelatos, sorbets, and more. For those wanting to get creative, the machine has the power and capacity to handle custom recipes too. You can experiment with different flavors and mix-ins to create your own signature ice creams.

Overall, the recipe book adds great value, giving you plenty of ideas and variety to make different frozen desserts at home. From classic flavors to more unique options, the DASH DPIC100GBAQ04 can handle it all.

Speed

The DASH Ice Cream Machine can churn out a batch of ice cream in as little as 30 minutes. This makes it one of the fastest home ice cream makers on the market.

The quick churn time is achieved through the machine's powerful motor and efficient freezing mechanism. Simply add your ingredients to the freezer bowl and turn on the machine. In about 30 minutes, you'll have homemade ice cream ready to enjoy.

The fast speed is a huge plus for those who want to whip up ice cream on short notice. You don't need to plan hours in advance or wait around all day for a batch. With the DASH, you can create ice cream in practically no time at all.

Having ice cream ready in 30 minutes also makes the DASH great for entertaining. You can impress guests by freshly churning ice cream for dessert. Or get the kids involved in picking flavors and watching the ice cream come together.

So if you're looking for almost instant gratification when it comes to homemade ice cream, the DASH delivers with its speedy process. You'll be enjoying fresh, frozen treats fast with this quick ice cream maker.

Quality of Ice Cream

The DASH DPIC100GBAQ04 ice cream maker produces ice cream, gelato, yogurt, and sorbet of excellent quality. The machine churns ingredients into smooth, creamy, and delicious frozen desserts.

The ice cream's texture is consistently soft and uniform due to the powerful motor and freezing chamber that efficiently churns ingredients while keeping them cold. There are no complaints about icy, grainy, or overly hard ice cream. Flavors are well incorporated and there are no issues with flavors separating out or ingredients not fully mixing.

The taste of ice creams and sorbets made in this machine is fresh, rich, and flavorful. Fruits and other ingredients come through nicely without tasting artificial. The machine brings out the natural sweetness and flavors of the ingredients resulting in homemade ice cream that tastes better than store-bought.

Overall, the quality of frozen desserts made in the DASH ice cream maker rivals premium ice cream shops. It delivers on rich creaminess, smooth and uniform texture, and authentic fresh flavors.

Price

The DASH DPIC100GBAQ04 ice cream maker is competitively priced considering its features and performance. At around $80-100, it's in the mid-range for personal ice cream machines. Comparable models from reputable brands like Cuisinart, Whynter and Nostalgia cost $40-200 depending on capacity and features.

The DASH offers a good balance of value for money. It has a large 1.5 quart capacity, sleek design, and useful features like a viewing window and countdown timer. The motor is powerful enough to deliver creamy ice cream in under 30 minutes. The construction quality is decent, though not as rugged as the most expensive machines.

Overall the DASH ice cream maker is very affordable for the quality and performance it provides. For those wanting an easy-to-use machine for making 1-1.5 quarts at home without breaking the bank, this DASH model is a great option. More frugal buyers may prefer even cheaper machines, while ice cream fanatics may want a more heavy-duty model. But for casual homemade ice cream, the DPIC100GBAQ04 hits a sweet spot between price and capabilities.

Conclusion

The DASH DPIC100GBAQ04 ice cream maker offers a fun, user-friendly way to make homemade ice cream with no hassle at all. Its compact design and straightforward operation makes it easy to churn out batch after batch of delicious frozen treats. The 2-quart capacity is decent for families or small gatherings, but might be too small for very large groups. The motor runs quietly and the machine comes with a recipe book and ice cream paddles to get you started.

Overall, this is a great option for ice cream lovers who want the ability to make fresh, high-quality ice cream at home without any fuss. The resulting texture is rich, smooth, and customizable. The price is reasonable given the performance and ease of use. This would make a fantastic gift for ice cream aficionados or anyone who enjoys hosting and entertaining. Some alternatives to consider would be the Cuisinart ICE-70, which has a larger capacity, or the Whynter ICM-200LS, which offers more speed settings but is also more expensive. However, for everyday home ice cream making, the DASH delivers excellent value and delcious results. It's easy to recommend this model for its simplicity, compact size, and tasty frozen treats.