Elite Gourmet EIM1400M Ice Cream Machine: Full Review

The Elite Gourmet EIM-1400M is an automatic homemade electric ice cream maker that allows you to create delicious frozen desserts like ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and sorbet right at home. This countertop appliance features a powerful motor and freezing canister to churn your ingredients into creamy frozen treats in as little as 30 minutes. With its stainless steel housing and sleek digital touchpad controls, the EIM-1400M offers easy operation and professional results. This ice cream machine is compact yet capable, ideal for home chefs who want to make artisanal frozen desserts for family and friends without much fuss. Keep reading for an in-depth look at the key features and performance of the Elite Gourmet EIM-1400M ice cream maker.

Specs

The Elite Gourmet automatic ice cream and gelato machine has a 1.5-quart capacity. The machine measures 15 inches high x 7.7 inches wide x 11.5 inches deep. It weighs about 15 pounds. The European-designed Ice Cream Machine comes with an ice cream tower that holds the stainless steel mixing bowl. Inside the bowl is a heavy duty plastic paddle that makes consistent smooth ice cream. The exterior has a sleek white and stainless steel body that will look nice on any countertop.

Despite the compact footprint, the powerful 250 watt motor provides plenty of power to churn up to 1.5 quarts of ice cream or gelato in 30 minutes or less. The digital timer allows you to simply set and walk away while it does the work for you. No ice or salt needed! Overall, the dimensions make it easy to store away when not in use.

Additionally, if you're looking for a healthier alternative, consider the Yonanas 902. This unique machine transforms frozen fruits into a delicious, soft-serve dessert that closely resembles ice cream but is dairy-free and guilt-free. It's perfect for those who want to satisfy their sweet cravings while enjoying the benefits of fruit. The Yonanas 902 is easy to use and clean, making it a great addition to any kitchen.

Features

The Ice Cream Machine Elite Gourmet has several noteworthy features that make it a great choice for homemade ice cream.

Powerful Motor and Cooling System

It contains a powerful 1190W motor and self-contained freezing system that can make ice cream in as little as 25-30 minutes. The motor provides fast churning and mixing to create smooth, creamy ice cream texture. It has an integrated compressor with R134a refrigerant that cools the mixture efficiently as it churns. This allows you to make ice cream without needing ice or rock salt.

Built-In Timer

There is a 60-minute timer so you can set and walk away without worrying about overchurning. The timer automatically stops the machine when the time is up. This gives you perfect ice cream texture every time.

Large Capacity

With its 2-quart capacity stainless steel bowl, it can make enough ice cream for family and friends. The bowl has a double insulated wall to keep the mixture cold.

Removable Parts

The bowl, beater and splash guard are all removable for easy cleanup. The parts are BPA-free and dishwasher safe.

Another excellent option is the Narcissus BL300. This machine features a powerful compressor that allows for flexible ice cream consistency control. Its 1.5-quart capacity is perfect for smaller batches, making it a great choice for individuals or couples. The easy-to-use digital display allows you to adjust settings effortlessly, ensuring a seamless ice cream-making process. Enjoy delightful homemade ice cream with this versatile unit, designed to meet your dessert cravings.

Ease of Use

Setting up the Elite Gourmet EIM1400M ice cream machine is simple and straightforward. It comes with an instruction manual that provides clear directions for assembly. All the parts either clip or screw into place intuitively. Total assembly takes about 10-15 minutes.

The machine is operated through an easy-to-use control panel. There are two buttons - one to turn it on and off, another to start the freezing cycle. An LED display counts down the freezing time. Instructions indicate to pour the ice cream mixture into the freezer bowl, assemble the machine, then turn it on. The machine will automatically freeze and churn the mixture after pressing the start button.

Cleaning the EIM1400M is also simple. The instruction manual has a cleaning section with steps for disassembly and washing each part. The freezer bowl, dashers, and lid are detachable and dishwasher safe. The body can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Proper cleaning after each use is important to prevent buildup of smells and bacteria.

Overall, the Elite Gourmet ice cream maker scores high marks for uncomplicated setup, intuitive operation, and easy cleaning and maintenance. Making homemade ice cream is hassle-free with this user-friendly design.

Performance

The Ice Cream Machine Elite Gourmet delivers excellent performance for homemade ice cream. Its powerful compressor freezer allows it to churn out 1.5 quarts of ice cream in just 20-30 minutes. This speed is much faster than cheaper ice cream makers that can take hours to freeze the mixture.

The Elite Gourmet maintains a consistent freezing temperature between -4°F to -8°F, ideal for creating smooth and creamy ice cream texture. The dasher inside churns the mixture continuously so no ice crystals form. The result is ice cream with an ultra-smooth, creamy consistency without large chunks of ice.

Some reviewers tested the machine by making multiple batches in a row. Even after 3 back-to-back cycles, the Elite Gourmet still produced perfectly creamy ice cream without compromising on texture or taste. So you can reliably churn out batch after batch for parties or large families. Overall, the performance is impressive for an appliance in this price range.

Recipe Capabilities

The Ice Cream Machine Elite Gourmet comes with an included recipe booklet featuring 50 delicious frozen dessert recipes to get you started. From classic vanilla and chocolate to more creative options like cookies and cream or mint chocolate chip, there's something for everyone.

A major advantage of this ice cream maker is its versatility in the recipes it can handle. Thanks to the powerful freezing cylinder, you can make custard-based ice creams, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt - essentially anything you'd like. The machine churns smoothly to incorporate the air needed for lighter, fluffier ice cream texture. And ingredients like fresh fruit, cookies, candy and more can be folded in for homemade ice cream with mix-ins.

Whether following the included recipes or getting creative with your own, this ice cream maker delivers consistently smooth, creamy results. The wide range of dessert options you can create makes it a versatile, user-friendly appliance for homemade frozen treats.

Design

The Ice Cream Machine Elite Gourmet has an attractive stainless steel exterior that will look great on any countertop. The build quality feels very solid and durable, with a heavy-duty motor that is designed to last.

The stainless steel bucket has a double-insulated wall to keep the ingredients cold while churning. It has a large 1.5 quart capacity, perfect for making ice cream for the whole family or a party. The removable bucket and dasher make cleanup easy.

The transparent lid allows you to watch the ice cream as it's being made. It has a wide mouth for easily adding mix-ins. The electronic automatic controls are simple to operate with an easy on/off switch and timer.

Overall, the elite design and durable construction make this an ice cream maker built to last for many years. It has a sleek and modern look that will stand out nicely in your kitchen.

Noise Level

The Elite Gourmet Ice Cream Machine operates very quietly. The motor and freezing mechanism produce minimal noise that does not interrupt conversation or TV watching. This makes it ideal for ice cream making at home without causing noise disturbances. You can enjoy homemade ice cream without having to turn up the TV volume or raise your voice.

The Elite Gourmet compressor does not make loud rattling or humming noises like some budget ice cream machines. Even on the faster "Turbo" setting, it maintains quiet operation. The sound level is comparable to a small countertop appliance like a blender or food processor on low. So you can run it any time of day or night without waking up the household.

The quiet motor is an advantage over old fashioned hand-cranked or salt and ice machines that can be quite noisy and disruptive. The Elite Gourmet allows you to churn delicious frozen desserts without noise being an issue at all. It receives high marks for its whisper quiet operation from satisfied owners.

Price and Value

The Elite Gourmet EIM1400M ice cream maker comes at a very reasonable price point given its features and performance. This model typically retails for around $100 USD, which makes it very competitively priced compared to similar ice cream machines on the market.

For the price, you get a generous 1.5 quart capacity stainless steel freezer bowl that can make up to 1.5 quarts of ice cream, gelato, or sorbet in as little as 25-35 minutes. The motor is powerful enough to churn recipes efficiently without overheating. And features like the transparent lid and auto shut-off make the ice cream making process smooth and hassle-free.

Considering most comparable ice cream machines cost $150 or more, the Elite Gourmet model provides excellent value for the money. While it may lack some of the bells and whistles of the most high-end models, it produces delicious frozen desserts of equal quality. For home chefs that make ice cream frequently, the EIM1400M is an affordable option that outperforms many pricier machines.

Overall, this ice cream maker punches well above its weight class when it comes to value. For under $100, you can churn batch after batch of homemade ice cream that rivals gourmet shops. The Elite Gourmet EIM1400M is reasonably priced for the features and reliability it provides.

Conclusion

When it comes to ice cream makers, the Elite Gourmet EIM1400M offers a lot for the price. Its straightforward operation and pre-cooler bowl make it easy for anyone to churn out delicious frozen treats with minimal effort. The large 1.4 quart capacity can make enough ice cream for family desserts or parties.

The 1400 motor provides solid ice cream churning power without being excessively noisy, and the modern sleek stainless steel finish gives it style. It can handle a wide variety of recipes from custards to gelatos and sorbets. The removable bowl simplifies cleanup.

Overall this ice cream machine delivers excellent performance and capabilities considering its reasonable price point. The main downsides are the plastic parts which could be more durable, and the lid design which allows some leaking during churning. But for the average home cook who wants to make tasty homemade frozen desserts without a big investment, the Elite Gourmet EIM1400M is a great choice.