Elite Gourmet EIM-1400R Ice Cream Machine: Full Review

The Ice Cream Machine Elite Gourmet EIM-1400R is a home ice cream maker from Elite Gourmet, a popular kitchen appliance brand. This compact machine makes batch after batch of homemade ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and more with just the push of a button.

The EIM-1400R features a powerful freezer bowl with built-in compressor that quickly cools the mixture to the ideal churning temperature, far colder than older ice and salt machines could reach. The innovative cylinder design churns ice cream base continuously for fast freezing without using ice. With the ability to make 1.5 quarts of frozen desserts in under 30 minutes, this versatile machine delivers delicious homemade frozen treats anytime.

Elite Gourmet aims to provide high-quality appliances with excellent value. The EIM-1400R ice cream maker continues this tradition with an attractive stainless steel housing, easy twist knob controls, and thoughtful extras like a transparent lid and marking lines on the bowl. For ice cream lovers seeking the capability to create custom flavors at home, the Elite Gourmet EIM-1400R provides excellent performance and convenience.

Design & Build Quality

The Elite Gourmet EIM-1400R ice cream maker has high quality design and construction that makes it durable for regular use.

The body is made of aluminum and a durable plastic housing. The parts seem sturdy enough to withstand regular washing without warping or corroding over time. The aluminum freezing canister has a non-stick interior so ice cream won't get stuck when removing it.

Overall the materials used give the impression this machine will hold up well under repeated use and cleaning. The plastic components don't feel flimsy or cheap.

Assembly out of the box is straightforward with clear instructions. All the parts fit together logically without requiring much effort. The paddle attaches securely into the canister and the motor base has non-slip feet to stay put.

Customers report the ice cream maker holds up after years of use without any durability issues. The quality design ensures it can handle frequent ice cream making sessions over a long period of time.

Capacity

The Elite Gourmet Ice Cream Machine can make up to 1.5 quarts or 1.4 liters of ice cream, sorbet, or gelato in a single batch. This is a decent capacity that's suitable for making dessert for a family or gathering.

The 1.5 quart capacity bowl detaches from the main unit for easy transfer to the freezer before churning. It's also designed with a double insulated wall to help keep the mixture cold while churning your frozen dessert. The bowl needs to be frozen for at least 24 hours before use for optimal results.

While the capacity is not huge, it's a good size that makes it easy to experiment with different flavors and recipes without having a ton of leftovers. The detached bowl design also allows you to keep extra bowls in the freezer so you can quickly whip up second or third batches.

Ease of Use

The Gourmet Elite ice cream maker is designed for simplicity and ease of use. The control panel has two buttons - one to turn it on/off, and another to start the freezing cycle. Settings are very straightforward with options for three textures - soft serve, medium, and hard packed. The paddle attachment and ice bucket are detachable and dishwasher safe for quick cleanup. The manual provides clear instructions for assembly, use and maintenance.

The lid flips open to add ingredients, with a large spout so you don't have to remove the paddle. Once assembled, you simply add your ice cream mix, turn it on and press start. The machine churns smoothly and quietly. It will beep when your custom ice cream texture is reached, so no guess work there. The paddle detaches with the push of a button for easy removal of ice cream into a container.

Overall, the intuitive controls, detachable parts and beeping alert make this ice cream maker extremely easy to operate and clean. Everything is self contained and seamlessly integrated into a sleek design. With minimal effort you can create artisanal frozen treats to impress any guest. This simplicity makes it a great option for beginners and ice cream lovers alike.

Noise Level

The Elite Gourmet Ice Cream Maker operates very quietly compared to most ice cream machines in its class. The motor produces a low hum that is barely noticeable, even at max speed. You can have a conversation standing right next to it without needing to raise your voice at all.

The motor housing seems well insulated to dampen noise and vibration. There is no loud grinding or rattling. The dasher churning the ice cream mixes in smoothly without excessive noise. Opening the lid to check on your recipe in progress will not result in a sudden increase in sound coming from the machine.

Overall, the noise level is very unobtrusive. The Elite Gourmet Ice Cream Maker can be used to churn ice cream for a dinner party without disrupting conversation at the table nearby. Dessert can be prepared start to finish without concern over noise waking sleeping children or disturbing roommates in close quarters. This machine runs quietly enough for apartment living or houses with open floor plans. You'll appreciate how quietly it operates each time you create a custom flavor masterpiece.

Speed

The Elite Gourmet EIM-1400R ice cream maker churns at a fast speed, allowing you to create a fresh batch of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet or gelato in as little as 20-30 minutes. The powerful motor and stainless steel blades can churn up to 1.5 quarts of frozen dessert in a single batch.

This speedy process allows you to quickly whip up custom frozen treats for family or guests without much waiting around. Simply prepare your ingredients, turn on the machine and in less than half an hour you'll have delicious soft-serve style ice cream ready to enjoy. The fast churn time is especially convenient if you want ice cream on short notice or need to make multiple batches for a party. Kids will also appreciate being able to go from ingredients to ice cream in about the time it takes to watch an episode of their favorite show.

Overall, the rapid churning speed sets this ice cream maker apart from models that can take an hour or more to fully freeze and aerate a batch. The quick process expands the possibilities of what you can make and how often your family can enjoy fresh homemade frozen desserts.

Consistency

The Elite Gourmet EIM-1400R consistently produces smooth, creamy ice cream with excellent texture. The ice cream maker churns the mixture efficiently, preventing ice crystals from forming while incorporating just the right amount of air for optimal overrun.

The results are creamy, rich, and smooth ice cream every time. Many reviewers comment on the consistent texture the EIM-1400R delivers, noting the ice cream is perfectly creamy without any iciness. Even delicate recipes like egg or custard-based ice cream come out with a flawlessly velvety texture.

The powerful motor and frozen bowl allow the EIM-1400R to churn recipes thoroughly for an even texture throughout. There are no complaints about unmixed pockets of ice cream or inconsistencies in creaminess. From start to finish, the machine churns mixes into sublimely creamy ice cream.

With the Elite Gourmet, you can expect reliable results with any recipe. The ice cream consistency strikes an ideal balance - not too hard or icy, not too soft. Just spoonable, scoopable perfection every time you use this machine.

Features

The Gourmet Ice Cream Machine Elite by Matic offers several useful features for home ice cream making.

One highlight is the built-in compressor. Unlike models that require pre-freezing a bowl, this machine has a self-contained freezing system that chills quickly. The compressor allows you to prepare frozen desserts on demand without any advance planning or prep work.

Another handy feature is the automatic shutoff. Once your ice cream is ready, the machine will automatically stop churning. This prevents any risk of over-churning or freezing your dessert solid. The auto shutoff provides convenience, ensuring your ice cream has the ideal soft-serve texture every time.

Overall, the key features of built-in freezing plus automatic shutoff make ice cream making incredibly simple and foolproof with the Matic Elite model. Just add your ingredients and turn it on for fresh homemade frozen desserts whenever you want them.

Value

The Elite Gourmet EIM-1400R ice cream maker provides excellent value given its capabilities. At around $100, it is very reasonably priced for a self-contained frozen dessert maker that can churn out 1.5 quarts of ice cream, sorbet, gelato, or frozen yogurt in 20-30 minutes.

The EIM-1400R punches above its weight class with features typically found in more expensive models. It has a powerful motor and built-in compressor that rapidly freeze contents without requiring pre-freezing. The double insulated walls also help maintain ideal freezing temperatures. No salt or ice is needed, making it very convenient to use.

For an automated ice cream maker under $150, the performance and ease of use of the EIM-1400R is hard to beat. It delivers delicious frozen desserts in under 30 minutes with minimal effort required. The quality rivals what you would get from more expensive machines. Overall, this model provides fantastic value given its capabilities and affordable price point.

Conclusion

The Elite Gourmet EIM-1400R ice cream maker is an excellent option for making homemade ice cream at home with exceptional cost savings over purchasing from an ice cream shop.

The largest pro of this ice cream maker is its value. Coming in well below $100, the Elite Gourmet ice cream maker provides restaurant quality ice cream at a fraction of the cost and waiting time of going to an ice cream shop. The 1.5 quart capacity can make a generous amount of ice cream per batch. Despite its low price, it provides sturdy stainless steel construction with an easy to use design. The motor is powerful enough to churn out fresh ice cream in under 30 minutes.

The main downside of the EIM-1400R is that it can be quite noisy when churning ice cream. However, most agree this is a small price to pay for the ability to make homemade ice cream so easily. It requires pre-freezing the bowl overnight which takes some planning, but produces a nice firm ice cream consistency.

Overall, for those looking for an affordable way to make quality soft serve and homemade ice cream with their family, the Elite Gourmet EIM-1400R delivers excellent value and performance. Its simple design and durable construction make it easy to start making delicious frozen treats right at home.